Friendship is the thing kids like best about school

IT’S certainly not maths, science, English, computer studies or even sport. When asked what they like about school, students almost always say the same thing.

What do children like most about school? Picture: Steve Tanner

ONE of the first questions I ask when I have the opportunity to sit and speak with students is: “What do you like most about school?”

Can you guess their ­response? Overwhelmingly the majority of them say that the best part of the school day is seeing their friends.

Their answers reinforce how important school is to young people, particularly in developing social skills.

We know from research that good social skills enable young people to develop positive relationships with others, help them to confidently express their feelings and manage conflict in a positive way. All of this improves their self-confidence and self-esteem.

For many chuildren the best thing about school is their friends. Pic Peter Wallis

Given that schools are the social centres for so many young people, it is no surprise that some parents see the value of schooling only in terms of social interaction rather than for learning.

This is because so much learning is happening outside of school hours. I am aware of parents spending hundreds of dollars a month on tutoring, private coaching for music, sport or other extra-curricular activities.

Add to this the fact that we live in an age where the classroom is virtually everywhere enabling online learning at any time and, of course, social media is a game-changer because students can create their own online communities.

Sport and other extra curricular activites also contribute to learning.

As more students head online to augment their own personalised curriculum and parents increasing look outside of school for learning opportunities, we need to ask how much of schooling today is about the social and how much is about the learning.

With the continued rise of social media, homeschooling and tutoring clinics, the ­danger is that schools will become increasingly irrelevant.

Therefore, I believe, schools are challenged to ­ensure that they remain ­relevant, engaging and ­effective for all learners.

This means being able to get the balance right between developing the ­necessary social and ­creative skills alongside the cognitive skills needed to thrive in today’s world.

IN OTHER EDUCATION NEWS