By Daniel Curry
Part of the reality of modern life is that many households require both parents to be employed. This can lead to a home dynamic where parents feel guilty about not spending enough time with their children. While a very real issue, parents can still maximize the time they spend together.
Spend positive time with children
In traditional schools, parents are pressured to spend their time at home forcing their children to do homework. Most of the time, this homework is repetitive busy work which leads to resistance by the child. In households across the country, this parent-child time together becomes a battle of wills and unpleasant disagreements marked by stress. When parents already have little time together with their children, the time they spend shouldn’t be negative.
Give good homework
Top Gurgaon schools should ideally have a progressive approach to education. The best pedagogies are based on problem-solving and critical thinking in a collaborative classroom. There is a different approach to homework, and in fact, many high-performing schools across the world avoid homework. In these schools, homework is very limited. When it is assigned, it involves things like an experiential discovery rather than rote worksheets.
Have meaningful interactions
In this environment, the role of the parent is much different. Rather than the parent having to spend their precious quality time being the homework police, parents can engage in meaningful interactions. This turns the limited time available into an opportunity to build the relationship in a positive way. This might include time reading a book together (with younger children). Parents will both reinforce learning from school as well as get a better understanding of their child’s reading abilities. Reading together is a great way to connect and build a love of literacy in children.
Discuss things going on at school
The best CBSE schools in Gurgaon will have weekly notes going home so the parent knows the topics being covered at school. With older children, parents can have more detailed discussions. Even taking a 15-minute walk outside together builds the relationship. Parents can then build on those topics while asking questions. From looking for shapes and colors to talking about pollination or air quality, outside walks provide interest in the outside world and application of knowledge.
Again, in progressive settings, the child has a voice and is taught to develop their ideas and self-awareness. When parents do have a few minutes to spend, they can simply ask their children about their ideas, opinions, and likes/dislikes. This activates higher-order thinking and allows for a stronger relationship as both parent and child have fun getting to know each other more deeply. After all, this is what family is all about. Even when time together is limited, parents don’t have to feel guilty if they are making the most of the time they do have together.
For more information on the above subject, write to us at info@vega.edu.in.