How I decided the first school for my child?

I thought of putting my thoughts about current state of schooling in a blog and here I am — explaining my journey so far.

My son started his schooling when he was 2 and half year old. I will be frank my first criteria of looking for a school was something that could be near our house. Second criteria was to look for a place where he would learn to attend the sessions, take instructions from teachers and learn to sit in a place.

Now, when I think about it all my above expectations were too harsh for a two and half year old child. A child that age cannot be expected either of the things I mentioned above.

He started the school and that was not a bit easy as he would cry a lot while dropping him off and the teacher had to carry him inside, with tears in his eyes and neck twisted towards me he would be taken away from me. I would stand there with guilt in my eyes and missing him every second. After 3 days, his crying reduced and he started settling in.

Again, when I think about it I feel,wasn’t he giving me a clue that he didn’t want to be there but then the question arises will children ever be interested in leaving homes otherwise. But I guess its really unfair to expect the kids to leave their parents so early. You will often hear parents of kindergarten say that this is the training period.

But again, what are we training our kids for? Are we saying that its important to learn to sit in a place so that when you get a job you will stick to your chair till lunch and home time.

I was at the same time looking for a school with more of an holistic approach and then I came to know about HLC international. I planned to move him to this school, I will explain in next blog why I took the decision to move.

Things to keep in mind as you are deciding your first school for your kid:

1. Distance matters- you won’t like your child to get tired in travel, ideal situation would be a walk to school though its not so possible in India
2. The School infrastructure- You would not like to keep your child in a box, do see if ample space is available for kids to play.
3. The school management/teachers- Is the management happy to answer all the questions and is patient enough to discuss the needs of child.
4. The curriculum — The curriculum the school is following- use of phonics etc in the classrooms.
5. Talking to other parents — If possible do talk to other parents of the same school and your other queries will be answered.

These are the couple of things that will help you clear your mind as you decide the school.