Education is an integral part of a student’s life. However, the “study” does not seem fascinating to the children, if anything it terrifies them.

Some of the Children find books and study terrifying. Are there any ways to make studying fun?

Yes, there are many ways that studying can be fun;

1) Providing learning opportunities that are based on contextual learning (based on real-life) so they can connect their learning with real-life situations and problems.

2) Igniting curiosity among learners through provocative questions where learners wonder more and more (A good education provides more questions than answers)

3) Designing learning experiences, engagements like field trips, virtual international collaboration, inviting guest lecturers and or resourceful persons, collaboration among peers, teachers, parents, and students (Learning beyond four walls).

4) Integrating learning across the disciplines (subjects) to understand one main Idea (bigger question) which helps them understand the application of different subjects in the real world beyond the book contents. This is called Transdisciplinary learning.

5) Group work through collaboration among peers, teachers, and parents.

6) Self-assessment and continuous reflection.

7) Providing an opportunity to showcase and reflect their learning in daily life (Taking action)

 

• Do you think that the pressure of getting good grades negatively affects children?

Absolutely!! It kills curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills. We live in a society where grades are given more importance than knowledge, skills, and attitudes. First, we have to understand that we are dealing with unique minds and every child is unique and their learning style and needs are different too, which cannot be catered by a standardized grading system (pen and paper test), instead, it should be based on the systematic, scientific and continuous assessment process. Learning is a continuous process so even assessment has to be a continuous process based on students’ learning progress and mastery of the concepts and skills.

 

• Education is a serious topic. Do you think the mixture of games to make it fun only makes children careless?

Education is not only a serious topic but a needed topic to discuss to overthrow outdated approaches of learning and teaching which are only based on grades and books within the four walls of the classroom.

Let me give you an example of play-based learning; World best education approaches like Montessori, Regio-Emilia, Reggio Inspired PYP, and Early years. PYP and pre-primary are all based on play. Learners of age 3 to 6yrs learn more by playing and interacting with their environment.

Integrating play or games helps learners to be more responsible and disciplined. It helps learners to be socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally strong. Play is a part of a healthy society.

 

• What can be the techniques and tricks to be included while teaching children in a fun way?

The main techniques and tricks are to involve children in their learning process, create as much curiosity as you can, and give more questions than answers or more problems than solutions to make them life-long learners and problem solvers. 

 

• How can the students be motivated to study because no matter the techniques, at the end of the day they have to understand the difficult topics?

None of the topics are difficult but the way it is taught makes the topic difficult. The best way to make learners learn any complex topic is by making it simpler so learners can understand. Once they start getting it, they will engage in a further learning process.

 

• Some subjects are practical and different kinds of interesting ways could be embraced. The same idea might not be possible for all of the subjects. How to deal with that?

I guess, all the subjects are practical in my daily life but the problem is the way we have been taught, we never learned to implement them in practice. STEAM education is the best way to integrate Science, technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math to solve any problem in society. So Start the integration of STEAM from an early age in your lessons plan and curriculum.

 

• Do you think the compulsory assignments/homework is beneficial?

The assignment is important for the growth of every learner. First, we need to understand what an assignment is. The assignment is a task that the learners have to complete by applying conceptual knowledge and skills. It allows learners to assess their learning through self-assessment of their understanding of any particular learned concepts whereas for teachers it's a recorded document to know the level and the progress of students so he/she can plan the further plans to achieve the common goal of learning objectives. Instead of saying compulsory assignment is beneficial, we should change the question to “what type of assignment is beneficial to the learners?”. Assignments with clear objectives allow learners to master the concepts, knowledge, and skills within the time boundary. Always prepare assignments keeping the time the learner has to spend and it shouldn't be more or less as per age or grade level.

 

• Do you think the blend of digital study has helped the children more than ever?

No doubt the blend of digital study has helped the children more than ever though it has been very challenging, as all the good opportunities come with challenges. Now even the primary year’s learners can easily access the online platforms, learning apps, and software which are highly demanded skills in the current competitive market/world. They are more of a problem solver and tech-savvy than ever before which is the need of technological age and future advancement.

 

• Do you have any suggestions for the parents on helping their children become more focused on academics?

1) Provide your child with a safe and peaceful environment at home.

2) Spend good quality time with them no matter how busy you are. Ask your child how their day was? What was the most interesting thing they learned? Or What was the challenging thing they did?

3) Develop reading habits in your child: Provide them enough books and time to read. Read stories with them.

4) Be a role model as most of the habits and manners they possess, are the reflection of their parents

5) Be supportive and encouraging whether your child achieves or not.

6) Respect your child's individuality

7) Make them reflect if your child makes mistakes as mistakes are part of learning.

8) Always be a part of their learning and learning journey by collaborating with the school community.

9) Have patience and trust in your child.

10) Love, smile and laughter together is the best way to promote young minds.