CHILDREN | LEARNING | PARENTING

A child’s successful academic life is largely determined by their early education.

Rukia Kibone, the education and early learning specialist at Child Fund Uganda (CFU) say children should go to school to socialize and develop their cognitive skills, communication and language, socialization and toilet habits.

For that, she says, these children should not be examined like adults.

“Examining these children affects their ability to think critically, assimilate and do things on their own,” she says.

However, in a way, Kibone blames this on the parents who look on as children are taught things that are above their age. They even demand reports. Sarah Legamoi concurs. She adds these children should be given age-appropriate content lest their heads get jammed with things they do not need.

Legamoi is a kindergarten teacher and director of Safe Steps nursery and primary school in Seeta, Mukono district.

“They need to learn basic things like sharing, caring, loving and giving. Start with the things around them like pencils, toys, rubbers and eats,” she explains.

Normally, receive either child who is first born or first grandchildren who think that everything belongs to them.   

Children enjoy dancing. (All Photos by Ritah Mukasa)

Therefore, at school, they are taught to share, care for others, love and give. 

“They learn to share pencils, furniture, rubbers, play spaces, toys and eats,” she says.

On how they do it, Legamoi explains that teachers allow children to distribute eats and other things they use. They ensure at least by the end of the week, each child has distributed something to the class. 

In that process, they learn to care and share with others.

In addition, they are taught to be compassionate, kind and empathetic. Say, when one falls down, those around help to clean them up while telling them, sorry.

 “We also use small gifts like sweets during lessons. We reward those who do good,” she says adding; “But while gifting, we send the one who is meant to deliver the gift. We also ask them why we are gifting and they say the reason.” 

Most importantly, they also pay attention to spiritual needs. They help the child to understand creation and the creator; God is a loving Father who cares for them and others.

Singing makes learning fun

Legamoi says teachers should do orientation all the time but in fun-filled ways. 

To achieve that, kids should learn through singing, playing and reading. This also motivates them to love school.

Beatrice Lando, director of Ocean Fields preparatory school weighs in and affirms that most of the things children learn should be through rhymes, dance and play. 

The lessons should also be short since they easily get tired and bored.

That is why even on TV; most cartoons sing and dance more than talk. 

Children are also given crayons to shade and scribble down things while they tell stories. That way, they develop their muscles and cognitive skills. 

“We sing and dance to make learning fun. We even go out to play, giggle and write in the sand. They enjoy learning because it is not too serious,” Legamoi affirms.