We send our kids to school as early as 4 years old? for busy parents as early as 3 years old? I do not question the fact that parents must work in order to provide well for the family. Other parents they put their kids to school as early as that so they will have more time to attend to household chores and other errands they have to do everyday, while others they believe that putting our kids to school as early as that will accelerate their learning skills and acquire more knowledge easily. But let’s look at the other fact that this is a critical age for children to be put in school and leave them there and just pick them up at the end of the day. It is a vulnerable stage where our child needs us – (parents) more to boost all aspects of their socio-emotional health and development they need to have a balanced childhood and come out to be a responsible and nurturing individual in the society.
Before sending your children to school you must remember to observe these areas:
- School Environment. Is it safe? Is it child friendly? Bully-free?
- Teachers. What guiding principles does a teacher have when dealing with kids? What teaching strategies? How does the teacher deal with negative behaviour in the classroom?
- Framework. How do they arrange your child’s timetable in school? What lessons? What resources? Activities involved?
When all these areas passed your standards then it is a green signal for you to take the step of sending your child to school. However, you do not let lose of the bigger responsibility you still hold as parents.
Most parents become very dependent on the school system and their child’s teacher that they do not collaborate nor get involved with their child’s daily schooling life anymore. That is a big mistake. A big big mistake. The school is just a system that feeds our child with basic facts and concepts. Assimilating those facts and concepts with the child is the parents’ TASK to do at home. (home school environment). Which you will ask how?
How? 3 Tips for busy parents.
- Be organized by KEEPING AND FOLLOWING a daily schedule. Be consistent with it. Keep separate schedules (diary) for work and kids. Creating and following schedules at home not only keep us aware of the time and task it will also make every member of the family responsible, particularly our children. They will learn the skills to be aware and manage time at a young age. Making them do their home works will be easier if you follow your schedules consistently
- Have one room in your home where you can use as a study room. Make it like a school environment with shelves where personal books of your child, school supplies and other school materials and resources are properly and neatly arranged. Be organized. You can hang a bulletin board on the wall to pin your child’s schedules and activities at home and school. You can also decorate the room with your child’s art works from school. That will remind your child of the achievements he gathered.
- Sit with your child when doing home works. Solve problems together, read together and do projects together. Most parents are scared because they know little about what their children learn in school. We are not expected to know everything. That is fine. It will be a good opportunity for you and your child to do some research together.
