Visiting only once.
Ever heard the expression, “the first impression is the last impression”?
Well, not to say that it isn’t true. But when it comes to choosing a school for your child, one visit may simply not be enough.
Let’s say that a teacher seemed a little unenthusiastic. Is it just an off day for her, or could this be signs of a bigger problem at the school?
Multiple visits could help answer that for you.
Plus, you may not get all the information that you need in one go. It’s the human mind, you’ll always miss something out.
A second visit can give you a better idea of all these things. Ask to see a class in action so that you can see the teacher engaging with the students to get a better idea of what the school environment is really like.
Judging by appearance
Sure, that high-end, elitist school round the corner may have all the fancy schmancy gadgets and technology. But looks aren’t everything.
Some schools may not have the latest technology and tools. But they might have brilliantly engaged and well-trained teachers who can bring out the best in their students.
A good and dedicated teacher with limited technology will always outperform a mediocre teacher with the latest tools. These exemplary teachers make all the difference in your child’s education. So when you visit schools, make sure that you ask to see the teachers in action interacting with the children.
Not factoring in the commute
So you’ve found the “perfect” school for your child. You might think to yourself:
“Well, a great school is worth a long commute”.
And you’d be right.
But what about a school that is almost on par with this one, but is nearer to where you live? It’s not as great as the other one but still has you satisfied.
What do you choose?
Long rides to and from school might limit the amount of time your child has for homework, and other afterschool activities. Not to mention if you’re driving around your children, this commute is going to drain you as well.
You probably have some house chores to do, but if your travel clocks in at almost an hour and a half every day, it’s going to be quite difficult, right?
Look for a school that checks all your boxes and is still relatively close to you. Happier you, happier child, PLUS, less fuel consumed! A win-win situation if you ask me. 😉
Focusing too much on academics
Academics are important, yes. But so is your child’s social and emotional growth. In fact, we go as far as to say that it’s much more important.
The world is full of highly educated people. But what it needs far more is emotionally mature and responsible citizens.
A school that puts a lot of emphasis on reading skills in kindergarten may sound great. But make sure there’s a focus on social skills, too.
Skills that will boost your child’s confidence and self-esteem. That will turbocharge them to be their best selves for the future.
Why do we say that?
Many children may have the best grades and marks in the class. But that’s just about it. They won’t have any remarkable social skills, nor the ability to speak well.
So as a parent, don’t just measure the performance of your child purely through academics but rather monitor other factors such as your child’s communication skills, their teamwork skills, overall mood, and happiness, etc.
Now you’re probably thinking:
“How do I choose the best school for my child?”
Or
“What is the best school in Islamabad?”
Lucky you, we have two extremely simple answers to that.
Number 1. Do the opposite of everything you read in this blog post.
- Visit the school more than once.
- Don’t simply judge the school by appearance.
- Factor in the commute to the school.
- Put more emphasis on the development of social skills as compared to academics.
Aaaaand Number 2. . .
Give us a call, pay us a visit (or two, if this article has taught you anything 😉)
Let us take out all the guesswork for you, and make choosing the best school for your child remarkably easy!
Click down below to instantly reach out to us.