Schools should encourage children's curiosity (From Oxford Mail)

Schools should encourage children's curiosity

10:00am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Letters

WHAT has happened to schools in Oxfordshire?

There was a time when Oxfordshire was an example of good educational standards.

While I think there is a need for specialists in secondary schools, it is in nurseries and junior schools that foundations are laid.

The beginning of mathematics can be learned and have value through playing games, cooking, singing, storytelling, and in fact all aspects of the school day. After all, we have eight fingers and two thumbs, 10 digits.

Learning can be fun when language development, mathematics and science are the everyday experiences of children.

I remember a talk given by Prof Heinz Wolff at a Didcot school, saying that children who have a routine can see a pattern in events, and would notice differences.

This would lead to questions and thoughts of why, how and if, thus expanding a child’s curiosity and awe.

The Latin word, educare (from which we get the word education) means to draw out, so to expand one’s knowledge.

That is the true purpose of education.

JUNE MORRIS, Beverley Close, Abingdon