What is the School’s Role in the Growth & Development of a Child?

According to Professor Kathy Sylva, the effect of schooling on a child’s educational achievements, numeracy, acquisition of literacy and scientific knowledge is profound and direct. It is these basic skills that offer children a foundation for subjects like, geography, foreign languages, and physics. 

Professor Sylva has conducted extensive research on the effectiveness of school education in the primary phases of a child and how it influences their chances of higher education. 

That said, you don’t really need to read pages of research and studies to understand the role that schools play in the development of a child. Since children spent most of their time in school, they are heavily influenced by their teachers and also their peers. A school is a place where children spend most of their time and early formative years. As 14 years are spent in school before applying for higher education, parents must be careful when selecting the right school for their child. 

The school must not confine children to only hone their academic skills, but children should be encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities, engage in debates, and so on. Schools that create a nurturing environment where students can thrive and become independent beings play a vital role in the overall development of a child. Here, take a look at some of the ways by which English medium schools in Siliguri are playing an important role in a child’s growth & development. 

Honing the academic potential of a child

Ideally, the role of a school is to help students realize their maximum academic potential. The effectiveness varies from school to school, but it is not enough to only teach 123s and ABCs. Schools dedicate a significant amount of homework or schoolwork to help children become expert solution-seekers and problem-solvers. These are skills that are going to come in handy in both personal and professional aspects of one’s life. 

While you may teach your child at home, you are not trained to challenge academically. But, teachers are trained to challenge and push children to help them learn. Also, teachers are professionals who have the skills needed to make sure that children become adept academically. 

The social skills of a child are stimulated 

It is great that your child is a straight-A student. But, this is not going to win him/her brownie points when it comes to socializing. Your child might not even make it through the job interview if he/she doesn’t have pleasing interpersonal and socializing skills. Of course, you wouldn’t want your child to be a loner and this is where school plays an important role. 

At school, your child will be constantly encouraged to interact with their teachers and peers. They are going to learn how to develop healthy relationships and how to maintain them through positive interactions. Schools not just encourage social skills in the classroom, but also in the playground. Moreover, children learn the importance of teamwork and the importance of compromise since they have to interact with peers of various cultural and financial backgrounds. 

Children are encouraged to think and have an opinion

Schools encourage and engage students in healthy debates where they get to hear the opinions of others and create their own opinion. This is a great way to stimulate one’s mental abilities. Listening to the views of peers and also teachers help children in learning new things that are not available in the books. By mingling with children who come from various places irrespective of class, religion, color, or creed, every student gets the opportunity to widen their mental horizons. They get to learn about each other and get a much better picture of what life is going to be when they step out of school and enter adult life. 

Schools emphasize character building

Schools might not spell it out that they help students in character building, but this is also an important and unsaid part of a school curriculum. Whether in the classroom or during sports activities, students are encouraged to be compassionate against one another and respect one another. Children are also taught to love one another and live a life full of integrity. All of these morals and advice help in positive character building that reflects in later life. These character traits are something that remains with the child throughout his/her life. 

Children are encouraged to learn new skills

At home, you cannot make your child learn everything. It is just not possible. However, at school, children are exposed to new things daily, especially if they are attending a day boarding school. For instance, schools encourage art & craft classes where children are pushed to find their innate ability to be creative. Some children find that they’re amazing at art & craft. Also, children are engaged in other activities like football, basketball, lawn tennis, drama, dancing, music, singing, and so on. Students can choose what they wish to learn and they can sharpen their talent and skills. This broadens the horizon for the students as they get the opportunity to excel academically, as well as, their chosen field, which might be to become a musician, a singer, or a cricketer. 

Previously, schools were considered to be places where students learned how to solve tough mathematical problems or learn events in history. In today’s educational scenario, schools have moved beyond the conventional method of rote learning and focus on developing the minds of the students through a flexible curriculum. Children are motivated to be curious and they’re encouraged to ask questions. Children are no longer shackled and their imagination is allowed to run wild. 

So, this is how schools are playing an integral role by facilitating an all-round development of the children.