Muscat – With the 2024-2025 academic year now in session, experts are urging parents to help their children, particularly those in grades one to four, develop self-reliance in their studies.
This guidance comes at a time when 811,679 students are settling into their new classes which started earlier this month, according to the Ministry of Education. Of the total, 307,765 students are in grades one to four, with an almost equal split between boys and girls. In grades five to eight, there are 275,953 students – 138,621 male and 137,332 female. Grades nine to 12 have 227,961 students – 115,052 male and 112,909 female. Additionally, 74,078 new students joined this year in grade one.
Educator Ali Hamad al Shayadi stressed the importance of encouraging students to take charge of their learning. “When students in early grades learn to manage their own studies, they build independence and problem-solving skills,” he explained.
Creating an environment where children are motivated to explore on their own helps develop lifelong learning habits. This approach not only improves academic performance but prepares children for future challenges by fostering proactive behaviour and resourcefulness.
Shayadi, however, acknowledged the fact that guiding children towards self-reliance can be challenging for families. “With rising academic pressure, parents must find ways to help their children become independent without doing their tasks for them,” he said. He advised parents to provide a quiet study space, assist in creating task lists and offer continuous support.
“Effective study skills like time management and task organisation are key,” he added.
Social researcher Khalid al Balushi pointed out that children may sometimes struggle with concentration or attention. He encouraged parents to be patient and try to understand the reason behind their child’s difficulties.
“It’s crucial to determine if the child is facing challenges with a subject, feeling pressure or dealing with external factors,” Balushi said. He suggested making learning enjoyable through educational games and activities while avoiding too much pressure.
Balushi also believes that self-reliance should be introduced gradually. “There’s no fixed age for when a child should become fully independent in studying,” he explained, adding that it depends on the child’s personality and the co- mplexity of the subject matter. He recommended starting with simple tasks, such as organising study materials, and progressively increasing the level of difficulty.
According to teacher Abdul Hadi Mustafa, fostering self-reliance starts with open communication. “Effective dialogue is essential,” he noted. “Talking to children at the right time, using a calm tone and allowing them to express their concerns can help identify any fears they may have about becoming independent.”
He emphasised the need for parents to understand their child’s nature and tolerance for responsibility. Some children may be quick to embrace independence, while others might need more time and support.
Mustafa also advised parents to give children simple tasks and responsibilities, even if they make mistakes. “Encouragement is key,” he said. “Let them know that mistakes are part of the learning process, and improvement comes with time.” He added that the process of helping children become self-reliant should start around second grade, with the goal of full independence by fourth or fifth grade.
As children continue their educational journey, the focus on building self-reliance remains essential for fostering not only academic growth but also confidence and problem-solving skills that will benefit them for years to come.
© 2021 Apex Press and Publishing. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Mesdac