School of Tomorrow ? Home is where My Heart is?

Nov
19
2012

If you are an avid reader of our blog, you?d know that Ethan was home schooled until his present age of 5.?He will be 6 mid of next year and I think it is only fair to let him experience one year of pre-school in the company of friends.?

We have yet to register Ethan in any pre-schools as we are in a dilemma on which school to choose.?Being a former childhood educator, I?ve been raising Ethan through the ?learn through play? method.?

It has never been a ?sit down and study? kind of learning for us, but more on exploration and experiential learning. At the end of the day, what matters most is the knowledge that he is acquiring instead of the number of worksheet(s) he has completed.

Last weekend was spent sourcing for pre-school. I was disappointed as the moment we entered all the pre-schools, the Teacher-in-Charge will automatically show us what are their core books and also some additional reference and activity books. It was all about books, books and more books. None of them actually care to explain what type of activities or programmes are installed to nurture the child as an individual.??

I left all of those pre-schools feeling like a zombie. I can imagine Ethan being force lead into a one-way street. I can sense the rigid learning environment ahead.

Will children raised this way be able to meet the challenges of the competitive global market in the future? Is this how we prepare our children for the future? In this rapidly globalising and knowledge-driven world of work, anyone who is an innovative and creative thinker, open to new ideas and the vast opportunities for bettering themselves, is ahead of the game.? Being a lifelong learner is no longer an option, it is a necessity.

I was discussing this with a former colleague when he mentioned School of Tomorrow conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur on 20-21 November. Organised by the Beaconhouse Group, the event will use plenary and groundbreaker sessions as well as workshops to focus on innovative approaches and methods for early childhood and primary education.?

The key to being a lifelong learner is curiosity. As children, we are constantly amazed by our surroundings, fascinated by everything new.? As adults, we tend to lose that childlike inquisitiveness and cynicism often shuts our minds to the opportunities for learning that exist all around us, the dynamic element of life that presents situations and circumstances that help us acquire skills, knowledge and understanding that extend beyond the classroom.

It follows, therefore, that the foundations for lifelong learning are in the early stages of education where children can be inspired to become, above all else, enthusiastic learners. Early Years education needs to be truly holistic, engaging children in stimulating and challenging experiences in the context of their physical and social surroundings, and recognising that children are capable initiators of their own learning. A high quality early childhood programme that encourages active learning, problem solving, effective communication, creativity, social adjustment and participation has huge significance for their longer-term success in education and as future citizens.

Children who are given this fundamental start in life will, along the way, develop the essential social and interpersonal skills, as well as independence and self-confidence ? all of which they will need as they progress through their academic journey and beyond.

Learning can no longer be confined to the time spent in a classroom and needs to a lifelong process of personal and professional development.

I will be attending this School of Tomorrow ? Empowering Lifelong Learners conference this 20^th & 21^st November in KL. This conference will bring together scholars, educationists, classroom practitioners, policy makers and experienced professionals to re-examine conventional beliefs of what constitutes progressive teaching and learning.

I hope I?ll find the answer to Ethan?s education here.?

Source: http://www.submerryn.com/2012/11/school-of-tomorrow.html

Long Island Medium Alfonso Ribeiro cbs sports adam sandler cbs College Football Scoreboard nfl scores