Raising a child is one of the most rewarding things a human being can do – but only as a condition of the serious amount of work that goes into doing so. Parenthood is a relentless journey with its own unique and profound ups and downs, and often it can feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. Strange and disarming as this feeling can be, it is mercifully common – and usually, you’ll instinctively know what you need to do. However, there are some things for which guidance can be an incredible relief – and navigating the eventual education of your children is one such field. The earlier you start to think seriously about your child’s education, the better – but what steps should you take to secure them the best possible opportunities to learn and grow?
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Early Involvement in Early Learning
Preparing your children for an education doesn’t simply start with picking out schools. There are things you can do to set your little ones up for learning by helping them foster a positive attitude towards it. You can do this by being a constant, present, and available presence as they begin to pick up early basics such as learning to speak, learning the alphabet, and beginning to understand basic maths.
Research into Schools and Institutions
The natural next step is to forge ahead with research for local schools and institutions that might work best for your child. This is important whatever your situation, but especially important for parents of children with special needs – be they sensory issues, learning difficulties, or other neurodivergence that may need to be accommodated.
Special education needs aside, there are numerous ways to differentiate between potential schools. Ofsted reports and exam pass records are great for academic suitability, while visits can give you a vital feel for the environment in which your child could be learning.
Financial Planning
Of course, education can be expensive, depending on your needs. Private schools are expensive by virtue of their term fees, while boarding schools and international institutions have other associated costs. The cost of educational materials alone can be significant, from exercise books to stationery and lunch boxes.
With all this in mind, you will need to reckon with your finances ahead of your children starting school – and plan your finances for their later education. Financial planning experts can help you figure out what’s important and how best to put money aside in an education fund for bankrolling your children’s education.
Extracurricular Activities
Just as education doesn’t start with school, it doesn’t stop with it either. Inspiring your children to indulge their passions can lead to them building new skills via extracurricular pathways – something you should encourage if possible. Let your kids try things out, and don’t be afraid to enroll them in classes and experiences beyond the normal school rubric.
Featured Photo by Naomi Shi from Pexels
