Jocelyn C. Kintanar, Ph.D.
Contrary to what many parents believe, the most important years of a child’s education are the first six years of life not, high school or college. A famous Italian physician turned educator, Maria Montessori, believed that the first six years of life are critical years because these are the formative years of the child both physically and mentally. The child’s early education will largely determine the kind of person he will become. Thus, it is important for parents to find the best school for the child.
What should parents look for when visiting schools? Parents need to visit as many schools as their time allows them to find the best fit for their child. They should not be tempted to enroll their child in a school without visiting the classrooms or observing how teachers relate to the child. It is best for them to ask permission from the principal and watch the children at work.
Here are some tips to spot a good school for your child:
Classrooms are warm and inviting.
Classrooms are filled with a wide range of interesting, attractive learning materials which stimulate the children’s desire to learn and develop creativity.
Learning materials are placed in shelves which the children can easily reach.
Emphasis is placed on children’s learning rather than teacher’s teaching.
Emphasis is placed on the formation of wholesome values.
Adequate space where the child can run and play with other children.
Offers a balance between indoor and outdoor activities which are exciting and fun, “not demanding and stressful in the name of high standards”.
Teachers are good role models, caring, competent, patient and not condescending.
Children are given adequate exposure to arts and music.
Children are exposed to practical life activities thus allowing them to develop independence and autonomy.
After visiting the schools, both parents must jointly decide which school fits the kind of education they want for their child. As one American educator says “No one educational approach will be right for all children. Ideally, parents should seek out the best, not only between their child and a particular school, but also between their family’s values and goals… “
Find a school that does not compel the child to do something which is not developmentally appropriate for according to Plato “knowledge acquired under compulsion has no hold on the mind…let early education be rather sort of amusement; this will better enable you to find the natural bent of the child”.
So, parents keep this in mind. Do not place the education of your child to chance. Find a school that best fits your child. Keep your child in a school where he is happy and successful. Remember that children exposed to one consistent educational approach tend to benefit more over the long run than those children who have gone to several schools.
