Should children have more opportunity to play and explore for themselves? This is a thought provoking question posed by Dr Peter Gray, a research professor of psychology at Boston College. This debate is certainly not a new one and I doubt that there is one answer that fits every child but it does encourage parents to consider the best approach for their family.
'Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living’ - Miriam Beard
In recent years we have moved away from text book classrooms to an education based on experiential learning. It has been widely acknowledged that we all learn most effectively when we are provided with kinaesthetic opportunities or when we are able to ‘live’ through an experience.
The option to home-school children has traditionally been viewed as one that encourages children to be reclusive and lacking in social skills, working in an insular environment which is out of touch with the world around them. It is amazing that the response to the mention of such an educational option is often negative. Yet when carried out effectively, by a dedicated parent or a committed full time private tutor, it can provide a most successful and enriching learning environment for any child.
The value of private tutoring has been the subject of many debates in recent months.
As the trend develops for public schools to use pre-testing, parents should consider using private tutors to prepare their children.
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