It is every parent’s wish to give their child the very best start in life, and education is a critical component of a successful career and your selection of school could be the difference between success and failure. There are, of course, many opinions on what is the best form of education, and as human beings are unique in terms of individuality, it can be a mistake to put all kids into the same category. One child might excel at math and the sciences, while another might be a gifted artist, and it generally accepted that we have multiple intelligences.
Cultivating an Enquiring Mind
Young children should be encouraged to ask questions, and that’s not difficult, as every child has a built-in desire to acquire knowledge about the world around them, and by encouraging inquisitiveness, you are laying the foundation for the future. When a child asks a question, rather than simply giving the answer, you can continue the dialogue by asking the child what he or she thinks the answer might be, and more often than not, this will lead the child to the answer they are seeking, and this will set the standard for an enquiring mind.
Early Learning Programs
As you would expect, not all schools are the same, and it is generally accepted that the best form of education is the international standard, and if you can find an international school in Bangkok that accepts students from 3-18, then your child can remain at the same school throughout their formal education years. There are many benefits to studying at the same institution throughout your formal education; you do not have to make new relationships, as you are with the same group of children throughout the program and this allows you to build strong relationships with teachers.
Monitoring your Child
As a parent, you should not simply accept that because your child is at a good school that their learning is proceeding according to plan, indeed, children can encounter learning obstacles at any stage of their education. A short conversation about school every week is an ideal way to make sure that all is well at school, and be involved as much as you can. Ask your son or daughter what they did that day, and this also cements new learning, as the child must repeat what they have learned, which consolidates that new knowledge.
Emotional Intelligence
This is often overlooked, and EQ is every bit as important as IQ, so do pay attention to your child’s social interaction; how do they react when they can’t have what they want? Does your child share things? Does he or she offer emotional support to other children? These are all questions that will help you determine your child’s EQ.
Pursuing your Interests
This is a critical aspect of growing up, and if a child does find a passion in life, this will be their guiding influence on their way to a successful career doing what it is that they love. Perhaps the best piece of advice you could give to a teenager is,
“Discover your passion, learn and become very good at it, then people will pay you a lot of money to do what you love.”
If you are always mindful of your child’s development, should there be any issues, they can be promptly dealt with in an appropriate manner.