Parents today are well aware of the fact that there is more to their child’s future than academics alone. Each child, in fact, has their own unique talent, where in most cases, these innate talents are hidden. Parents desiring their children to experience a more holistic education journey will always be looking out for opportunities their children can take for a well-rounded education, one which helps to develop the whole child. Here is where enrichment centres come in, for they offer the best opportunities to unfold children’s natural talents and potentials.
We are fortunate enough to be living in a country where there are no shortages of enrichment centres to pick and choose from. But how will parents make a choice? What are the priorities to pay attention to when you are getting around trying to determine which enrichment centre to enrol your child into?
BabyTalk offers a few indispensable tips to help you in this critical decision, one which may help mold your child’s future and reveal their true potential.
Ascertain what are your child’s unique abilities as well as interests
Think about it – would you yourself be more open, and enjoy an activity which interests you, or would you want to take part in something which does not excite you one bit? It is completely understandable that there are many really cool and interesting activities offered by enrichment centres around Malaysia, including music (which may be playing an instrument, singing classes, etc), arts & crafts, martial arts, sports, dance classes, and so on. It is really easy to get tempted to enrol your child into one which you yourself never really had a chance to experience when you were their age. But, as we mentioned earlier, would your child truly enjoy it, or would he or she be more open to an activity which you know they already are showing lots of interest in? At the end of the day, children are children, and matching them with activities that they are truly enthusiastic about would be in their best interest, and there would be less chance of them dropping out, and you wasting your hard-earned money in the first place.
The Benefits of Programme Suitability
Children are all unique and they have their own pace at development too – no two are the same in this aspect. Hence it is crucial that a child joins a programme which is suited to his or her pace of development, as well as their abilities. For example, if your child seems to excel in art, an art class for his or her age would bring out the best in them. A suitable programme will be immensely helpful in providing a holistic environment for children to excel in, helping them to be more confident, build their self-esteem, and ultimately provide a boost to excel in life!
Determine if the environment at an enrichment is a suitable one
Once you have made your choice and zeroed in on a suitable enrichment centre for your child, do keep in mind that the environment in which your child will be spending much of their time matters a whole lot too. Hence, factors such as safety, cleanliness, conduciveness, ambience, and the centre’s facilities (are they in good working condition?) should be prioritised. You may also want to consider other factors such as the centre’s location, parking accessibility, and maybe even the neighbourhood it’s located in. These check boxes may not seem crucial at first blush, but when driving around for 10 minutes trying to find a parking spot starts getting to you, well, there goes your peace of mind and relaxed lifestyle.
Request for a trial class before enrolling your child
No, you are not being ‘one of those parents’ who requests all sorts of everything while other parents seem relaxed and laid back. It is always wise to test the suitability of a class or an activity before committing to an entire term. During a trial class (or classes if you’re lucky), you will have first hand at finding out how your child will be spending their time there, and if the class is conducted as advertised. You may also be able to witness for yourself if junior is showing genuine interest in the programme, or otherwise.
Meet with the teachers
Get to know the individual or individuals who will be guiding your precious child in their activities. You may inquire about their training, teaching experiences, qualification, certifications, etc. You may also want to get to know them on a more personal basis, as in their character and so on. Generally, he or she should be one who loves children and is passionate about their job.
