Parents face great decisions when it comes to placing a child in elementary school.
Scouting is a difficult time because these decisions will affect the child for the rest of his or her life.
With that in mind, here are eight tips that can make your grade school scouting adventure more productive and less stressful.
1.
Perform a Thorough and Honest Assessment of the Child The best thing you can do for your child is choose a school that suits him.
In order to do that, you need to be willing to give her a thorough assessment.
Consider aspects such as personality, temperament, and learning preferences and style.
2.
Consider the Various Education Philosophies Most new parents do not realize that there are different education philosophies.
Public schools tend to take a general approach, but private schools have a much more specific plan.
Research the various philosophies, and consider whether they suit your child's personality.
Many children benefit in environments where they are encouraged to pursue their own interests.
3.
Visit the School Do not go simply go by recommendations and word of mouth.
Before you ever get to the interview process, you should visit the school, see a classroom in action, and speak to administrators, teachers and parents.
Parents of current students are a great resource, and whether satisfied or not, most parents are happy to talk about their child's grade school experience.
4.
Request Year-by-Year Curriculum Documentation During your visit, request curriculum documentation for every year your child will be there.
Of course, curriculums will change from year to year, but this documentation gives you a real sense of how concrete a school's plan is.
In private schools, administrators are often salespeople, and the documentation is a way for them to back up their promises and assertions.
5.
Seek a Challenge Perhaps the biggest mistake a parent makes is selecting a school too safely.
Parents don't want their children to fail, and that can cause them to act timidly.
You should push your child.
Seek an educational challenge.
More importantly, use the mindset that failure is not an option.
6.
Consider the Support System for Underperforming Children On the other hand, do not be oblivious to the fact that failure and underperformance can happen.
Know what support services the school has in place for children that struggle, and make sure that it's an acceptable approach for you.
7.
Consider the Extra-Curricular Opportunities It is never too early for a child to immerse himself or herself in extra-curricular activities.
This is a great time for the child to start building their personal identity, and it provides a number of social opportunities.
Consider what the school offers.
It is impossible to know your child's likes as they grow, so aim for diversity in the options that he or she will have.
8.
Do Not Underestimate Travel Time Many parents want a particular school so badly that they are willing to deal with long distances.
Consider the ramifications of that on you and on the child before committing to it.
Long trips to and from school can be particularly hard on kids, and the better option may be to move to a home that is closer to the school.
Scouting is a difficult time because these decisions will affect the child for the rest of his or her life.
With that in mind, here are eight tips that can make your grade school scouting adventure more productive and less stressful.
1.
Perform a Thorough and Honest Assessment of the Child The best thing you can do for your child is choose a school that suits him.
In order to do that, you need to be willing to give her a thorough assessment.
Consider aspects such as personality, temperament, and learning preferences and style.
2.
Consider the Various Education Philosophies Most new parents do not realize that there are different education philosophies.
Public schools tend to take a general approach, but private schools have a much more specific plan.
Research the various philosophies, and consider whether they suit your child's personality.
Many children benefit in environments where they are encouraged to pursue their own interests.
3.
Visit the School Do not go simply go by recommendations and word of mouth.
Before you ever get to the interview process, you should visit the school, see a classroom in action, and speak to administrators, teachers and parents.
Parents of current students are a great resource, and whether satisfied or not, most parents are happy to talk about their child's grade school experience.
4.
Request Year-by-Year Curriculum Documentation During your visit, request curriculum documentation for every year your child will be there.
Of course, curriculums will change from year to year, but this documentation gives you a real sense of how concrete a school's plan is.
In private schools, administrators are often salespeople, and the documentation is a way for them to back up their promises and assertions.
5.
Seek a Challenge Perhaps the biggest mistake a parent makes is selecting a school too safely.
Parents don't want their children to fail, and that can cause them to act timidly.
You should push your child.
Seek an educational challenge.
More importantly, use the mindset that failure is not an option.
6.
Consider the Support System for Underperforming Children On the other hand, do not be oblivious to the fact that failure and underperformance can happen.
Know what support services the school has in place for children that struggle, and make sure that it's an acceptable approach for you.
7.
Consider the Extra-Curricular Opportunities It is never too early for a child to immerse himself or herself in extra-curricular activities.
This is a great time for the child to start building their personal identity, and it provides a number of social opportunities.
Consider what the school offers.
It is impossible to know your child's likes as they grow, so aim for diversity in the options that he or she will have.
8.
Do Not Underestimate Travel Time Many parents want a particular school so badly that they are willing to deal with long distances.
Consider the ramifications of that on you and on the child before committing to it.
Long trips to and from school can be particularly hard on kids, and the better option may be to move to a home that is closer to the school.
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