Education is fundamental for children, not only for their academic development but also for their cognitive, social and emotional development as well as the development of life skills and integration in society. All children have the right to an education and should receive one. Learning does not necessarily always happen in school, children can learn from a parent, sibling relative or even peers. I feel that education is something which I have most definitely taken for granted, especially while I was at school and at the time I don’t think I valued education the same way I value education now.
While in school children should have access to a wide range of subjects, the Curriculum for Excellence has 8 core areas which children should be able to explore. This will allow children to develop knowledge and skills which they can transfer to various different learning experiences. It is important that the teacher has an understanding of the curriculum stages as well as the child’s level of development so the child can be encouraged to build on their learning and skills at a level appropriate to them. Children in school should have access to a variety of resources to aid their development and learning.
I believe that a positive school ethos is key to a child’s learning. Children should feel safe, valued and respected in school. Building a positive environment for children will encourage and motivate them to be active in their own learning. Every child should be treated equally and as an individual, they should also be included in all aspects of their learning.