Giving Children the Best Possible Foundation for Learning

Over the past decade, schools have witnessed a change in the skill set that some of our young students are bringing with them when they come to school. We are seeing more children who have difficulty with fine and/or gross motor skills, who are less able to express themselves well, or who find it more difficult to “go with the flow” in the give and take of friendships. Others may find a challenge in taking a risk or persevering on a difficult task. This result is due to societal changes. Many years ago, children played outside more often with friends in the neighborhood, using their natural creativity and learning social skills. They had toys that required the use of small and large muscle control such as pick-up sticks or skates, and fewer or no electronic devices with the bells and whistles that can be played while sitting on a couch. There was a lot more conversation taking place at home simply because there was more time.

With the changes in our society, what can parents of young children do to help build a strong foundation for their children during this developmental time? In the Lower School, we believe that while learning how to function in the digital world is crucial, balancing the time with lots of experiences with manipulative materials and games such as clay, geoboards and Lego is important. This gives kids the head start they need to develop their motor skills and successfully use the “tools” for learning such as crayons, pencils and scissors.

As parents, take every opportunity to engage your child in conversation. Communication is a crucial skill that affects everything from forming and maintaining friendships to working successfully in a group or on a team. Children will learn how to ask and answer questions, give explanations, and describe situations, objects and events. You will help them develop positive social skills.

In both school and home, it’s important we give our children choices and the opportunity to take risks. If we make all the decisions for them, they won’t learn how to cope with the results of any future decisions they make. In the Lower School, building trust between teachers and students is crucial in developing an environment that gives students permission to make mistakes, face challenges, and come up with their own solutions. Life may get a bit messy, but that’s the reality. Let your children learn what to do when things don’t go the way they thought they should or they would have liked.

In an age where digital apps and games offer us instant feedback and gratification, it has become the expectation for many children (and adults). Teaching our children how to cope with delayed gratification will be a worthwhile investment in the long run. There is a reason behind the saying “Good things come to those who wait.”

As the world changes, there are a variety of things that can be done at school and home to give our children a strong foundation. Know that we are here as partners to give students the best experiences possible and help them be happy and successful learners.