What every parent needs to know about music education
Music. It’s often one of the first subjects to feel the impact of funding cuts and one of the last to benefit from facility and equipment upgrades. Some schools don’t offer music and others make students choose between arts electives. Yet the research overwhelmingly points to significant benefits for students that extend far beyond the subject itself. “I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but more importantly music; for in the patterns of music and all the arts, are the keys to learning.” – Plato Here’s what every parent needs to know about music education. Music makes you a […]
The nature and purpose of education
Dr Ian PM Lambert, Principal of The Scots College, recently wrote about the nature and purpose of education. Standardisation versus diversity Recent attention in the media about education in Australia demonstrates a general misunderstanding regarding the nature and purpose of education and its different modes of delivery. It seems that an egalitarian view of life now means we should standardise educational experience for everyone, rather than provide a diversity of choice for a diversity of needs. Economic, political, religious, technological and sociological priorities of the day will always define and direct educational provision. Education is not neutral. Education is a contest […]
How to help your son realise his full potential
As a parent, you can see your child’s potential. Yet your son may get caught up in self-doubt and struggle to see past obstacles. There are endless opportunities available for our children and it can sometimes be difficult to assure them that they have the ability to learn about their capabilities and achieve their goals . By following these useful tips, you can help your son realise his full potential. Teach commitment Teach your son to be committed to activities, classes, sports and jobs. Highlight the importance of seeing things through to the end and not quitting in the middle […]
How to develop good comprehension skills
Reading or listening to a story opens up rich and wonderful world of imagination and experience for your son. In order for him to make the most of what he is reading or listening to, he needs to develop strong comprehension skills. It is important for your child to learn how to develop different meanings, in different ways.There are a number of comprehension strategies we use every day that before long, and with practice, become second nature. Encourage your son to develop good comprehension skills by following these easy steps. 1. Read, read, read Reading frequently will help your son […]
How to fuel your son’s entrepreneurial spirit
Entrepreneurism is not merely about making money or setting up a business venture, it is about pursuing innovation and creativity. Successful entrepreneurs are taught more than just business and economics – they are taught how to be creative, proactive, innovative, optimistic and willing to take risks. Teaching boys to create value for other people is at the heart of entrepreneurial education. Virgin Airline’s founder, Richard Branson, believes that entrepreneurship is about identifying a gap in the market and creating a product to fill that gap in order to make people’s lives better. This takes creativity, innovation and a fearless approach to new […]
How to feed your son’s curiosity
The great artists and innovators have all been very curious people. Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci and Elon Musk to name a few. Young children start this way – we are born naturally curious about the world around us. As we get older, that curiosity can be diminished if it is not nourished. It’s important to know what diminishes curiosity as well as how you can nourish it. Read on to learn how to feed your son’s curiosity and three factors that stop children being curious. Factors that stop children being curious Fear – if they don’t feel […]
Five books to get your son reading
Helping boys develop a love of reading can be challenging. The constant lure of technology can cause children to have shorter attention spans, especially as they approach their teen years. There is plenty of research to suggest that children whose parents read to them at a young age develop strong reading and cognitive skills. But as your son gets closer to his teens, it can be harder to keep him reading. Last year we wrote a blog on the top reading and literacy apps for children, including apps that build on vocabulary and develop writing skills. These can certainly help, but the skills developed […]
Excellence in schools, five defining factors
“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” Aristotle The concept of excellence can be hard to define. Quite often we know it when we see it, but have trouble articulating how it can be achieved. As a parent, it is important to be able to define and recognise excellence when you are choosing a school for your child. Here are some key […]
What is experiential education and why is it important?
It’s important that parents understand what experiential education is and why it is important for their child. The world is changing at a rapid pace and students must be able to be creative and analytical thinkers to, not only cope, but thrive in this new environment. Why experiential education? As globalisation brings economic and cultural disruption, young people must become more agile and entrepreneurial. Schools need to rethink how and why their programs translate into brave and bold graduates. Research in boys’ education has established the transformative power of taking learning beyond the classroom and engaging in real world experiences. […]