Child-Centric Education: The Only Way Forward?

Have you ever wondered if our schools are really preparing our children for the future? Well, with the fast-changing world, traditional systems of education are usually left fumbling in their efforts to adapt. Enter child-centric education: an approach that will focus on the individual learning capacity, interest, and abilities of a learner. This method isn’t a novelty in the contemporary world; it has become a necessity that is considered to be the only possible solution.

Studies indicate that children in child-centred environments perform better compared to those in conventional classroom settings, with 72% of them being more motivated, and 67% performing better academically. Since child development is at the core of child-centred education, such an approach not only fosters academic achievement but also critical life competencies. In the 21st century, parents have high academic goals for their children, and laying the foundation at the initial stages of their education is imperative.  Read on to learn more about how child-centric education helps to set this ground and prepare the children for a better tomorrow.

What is Child-Centric Education?

Child-centered education is a creative measure that opens the door to changing the traditional views of delivering knowledge and turns it into an individualized approach to children. This method targets every child, their needs, their interests, and their abilities in particular, to make a change that would bring the best out of them.

An unconventional form of education, the child-centric approach focuses more on the holistic development of children. Alongside academic knowledge, it aims at developing the physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional abilities of a child. 

Child-centeredness is also closely related to the concept of an individual approach to learning. Here, teaching starts with the identification of students’ strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. This way, educators can create individual learning schedules that would take into account such deficiencies and prompt further comprehension of lessons. It has been found that when faced with learning environments tailored to their individual needs, students improve academic results by 20% and are much more engaged.

Read More | Evolution in Education: Shift from Traditional to Personalised Learning

Characteristics of Child-Centric Education

• It is built around the child’s personal needs and interests. 
• It incorporates subjects like life skills to instill a collective culture which is necessary to initiate collaboration and improve soft skills.  
• Child-centric education ensures overall well-being and an opportunity to explore beyond the four walls of the classroom, enabling students to attain academic success.   
• These classrooms are less structured and have flexible schedules and curriculums, which helps the child learn at their own pace and makes the transition into a formal classroom easier. 
• Expanded exposure in terms of extracurricular activities helps the child find their strengths and excel in their intrinsic talents. 

Why is Child-Centric Learning a Necessity?

• Bridging the Gap Between Attractive and Meaningful Learning: There exists a common misconception that institutions must compromise on the joyful aspect of learning to impart relevant knowledge. Child-centric education ensures that your child can engage with and enjoy the process of learning while simultaneously being prepared for progressive education. 
• A chance at Self-discovery: Every kid starts out full of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. But this sense of adventure can be lost when a child is pushed to grapple with things they aren't ready for. With child-centric learning, children discover their abilities, passions, and skills through questioning, problem-solving, independent thinking, innovation, and creativity.
• Learning on their Own Pace: Child-centred education permits flexible schedules that afford the learners an opportunity to learn at their convenient time. Due to this flexibility, standard comprehension and retention rates can be raised to 25% as students are not put through a tight schedule that makes the, haste over the material without a proper understanding of the topic at hand.
• Inculcating Responsibility: As part of the collective learning process, children are empowered as they take responsibility for themselves as learners. Teachers create an environment that lets students experience their choices and their consequences. This exercise teaches them to exercise their freedom and take accountability for their actions. 

Check Out: How Does the School Environment Impact Students?

PK International School: Adhering to Child-Centred Education

Established in 2011 by Mr. Pratap Waman Khandebharad, PK International School aims at enhancing the personalities of the children and developing them in every area in order to make them responsible citizens. Much as every school aims at imparting knowledge to their students, the mission of the school is to ensure that the students develop confidence, strength as well as the necessary skills needed in their lifetime.

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Apart from the academic progress of the school, PK International School prides itself on the overall development of its learners. The school makes the child the core of learning activities, with an understanding and consideration of individual differences in his/her abilities. This child-oriented approach can also be seen in the school’s focus on individual learning, where lessons are adapted by teachers to individuals.

One of the top schools in Pune, PK International School recognizes the importance of community and engages parents and other local stakeholders in the learning process. In doing so, the school would strive to produce responsible, productive, and compassionate citizens in the global society. 

For more information on this and similar schools in the area, check out this list of the best schools in Pune.

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