With the new school year fast approaching, we take a quick look at some of the highlights of the former “B+G” (Before and After) baby boomers’ education.
Arts And Crafts
Arts and crafts have seen a bit of a revival over the last couple of years, and nowhere is this more evident than in the education sector. From painting and drawing to pottery and jewellery making, there are a variety of activities and lessons available to create an arts and crafts-based learning experience for your child. Many schools are incorporating the skills they have learned into practical activities that children can complete independently while also developing their skillsets.
One of the most popular activities with kids today is sculpting. Whether it’s a masterpiece that will be proudly displayed on your child’s bedroom wall or a quick, easy cube to practice on, there is an abundance of clay-based activities available for the younger children. Similarly, for the older students, there are a variety of printmaking activities that can be implemented into the school curriculum.
Banding
Banding is often seen as the poor relation of guitar-playing in rock music, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. A quick look at the banding syllabus for the ASNIC (Australian Secondary Networking Consortium) shows that there is a lot more to banding than simply ringing a tuning fork. From band arrangements to instruments and music theory, this subject covers the basics of what makes up a rock band.
The emphasis in banding is on the development of each individual’s skills and abilities. While there are some very good-quality items on the market, many schools are looking to create their own instruments from scratch, or at least modify existing items. This not only helps develop the dexterity of the students but also allows for a greater degree of customisation.
Dance
Dance is a great way for everyone to let their hair down and enjoy themselves. Whether you want to watch your favourite films while rocking out to the music or want to create a quick and easy routine for your little one to practise in, dance is an excellent choice. One of the best things about dance is that it’s a versatile subject; you can take a class, join a performing group, or even make your very own routine.
The great thing about dance is that it’s an easy way for children to develop their social skills. Apart from letting off some energy, learning a few dance steps can open up a whole new world of friendship for your child. Many schools have set up regular performing opportunities for their students. Whether it’s a recital or an impromptu performance in front of the class, these are excellent opportunities to practice and build on the skills they have learned.
If your school doesn’t have a dance class, you could always get creative and organise a competition between schools, or even classes, to see who can put on the best performance. Inventing new dance moves is a great way to develop your child’s creativity as well, so don’t be afraid to get creative and have some fun!
Expressive Writing
We’ve all had those teachers who went above and beyond to make sure that we not only learnt the material but also had a talent and love for writing expressed. While this might be difficult to find in one teacher, there are a number of subjects that can be used to develop this skill. From the typical English lesson where the teacher gives the class a piece of writing to complete, to the more traditional methods of essay writing, there is a wealth of opportunities to practise writing and develop your child’s skills.
The best thing about writing is that it allows for a lot of flexibility. Whether your child needs some inspiration or has simply woken up one morning with the muse beside them, they can get their creative juices flowing and begin writing. With a few friendly competitions conducted by their teachers, creative writing is a skill that can be developed and improved upon daily.
Food Technology
The rising cost of food is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. The costs associated with food production and distribution is spiralling. From the energy needed to grow the food to the packaging that surrounds it, there is a lot that goes into the making of a simple sandwich. Many parents are looking at alternative ways to educate their children about food and its production, and one popular way involves teaching them how to cook. This can be done with a variety of subjects such as food technology, nutrition, and even botany. If you’re looking for a simple way to get your child cooking, food technology is a great starting point.
Food technology is all about taking raw ingredients and turning them into nutritious meals. From making your first cup of tea to taking apart a pine cone and learning about the digestive system, there is a lot to learn about food technology. Once your child has mastered the basics of cooking and experimenting, you can move onto more advanced topics like food preservation and dietetics. Not your usual Monday morning cookbook lesson, but think of the fun you will have together creating delicious meals that your family and friends will enjoy.
Foundation Studies
Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, you’ll most likely be familiar with the HSC (Higher School Certificate). The HSC is recognised as the graduate equivalent of the ASNCE (Australian School Certificate of Education) and is a pre-requisite for several post-secondary courses. Foundation studies is the old name for HSC students, and this name will be familiar to anyone who has taken the HSC. If you’re looking for a more adult-oriented studies course, foundation studies is a great choice. Not only does it allow you to put your studies where your heart lies, but it also helps you to develop a skill set that can be used in any field you choose.
Foundation studies teaches your child the fundamental skills needed to function as an independent adult. Students are required to study a variety of academic subjects including English, maths, and science, while also taking on a co-curricular activity such as performing arts or community service. An academic year is typically made up of three sessions per week, with an hour of homework per day. In addition to this, students are expected to participate in a variety of co-curricular activities to develop employability.
The great thing about foundation studies is that it is a versatile course. As you would expect, students are required to study a range of academic subjects from English to maths and science. This means that your child can develop the academic and practical skills they need for the 21st century job market. In addition to this, students are also free to choose a range of extracurricular activities, from music to art, which help develop their skillset even more.
Gaming And Computer Studies
With computers taking over the world and becoming an integral part of our lives, it’s only natural that kids would want to grow up with these magical machines as their friends. As part of their studies, your child will be expected to learn about computer science and IT (Information Technology).
Whether it’s learning to code or designing the perfect space cadet outfit, computer studies and gaming is an excellent choice for kids who want to develop their practical skillset. Like many other subjects, computer studies and gaming is not a one-dimensional subject. From programming to designing to repairing, there is a wealth of opportunities for your child to explore this area of technology and develop their skillset.
This is a broad area that can really develop your child’s practical and social skills. In addition to this, you can also use computer studies and gaming to teach your child about resourcefulness and being tech-savvy. If you’re looking for a practical skill that can be used in almost any field, computer studies and gaming is a great choice. Not your usual Monday morning play date, but think of the fun you will have together exploring this exciting and rapidly growing field.