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Original poster

Do you do extra stuff to complement your child’s education?

36 replies

ZetaPuppis · 04/12/2017 09:55

On the curriculum sheet for my child’s school, there’s a section for ‘what parents can do’ and it makes suggestion like ‘visit the V&A’, ‘See a Shakespeare play’, ‘Watch wildlife documentaries’ ‘subscribe to National Geographic’ etc.
Some of it we already do, but some of it will involve making an effort.
I’m just interested to know if other parents put effort into doing extra stuff? Like seeing a play or an exhibition of what their child is studying?

OP posts:
lilybookins · 04/12/2017 19:09

No, I don’t really do anything like that (and I live In London, very near the centre ) But perhaps as she gets older I will. Things like theatre trips are not possible financially but of course museums and many things are free.

DivisionBelle · 04/12/2017 17:59

Yes - I have done theatre trips for relevant texts, exhibitions, been on various trips for history, geography - they are things that we do as a family day out instead of other things, so we substitute relevant stuff rather than add stuff, if you see what I mean.

I am not heavy handed about the educationaliness of the experience, just let them absorb it and enjoy it, and we discuss it 'naturally'.

I think it ridiculous that schools now teach playscripts without taking the kids to see it on stage if at all possible.

TeenTimesTwo · 04/12/2017 16:25

Zeta We definitely did at primary. I remember going to the British museum twice, once when each DD was studying Egyptians.

re Hamlet, yes I would, but generally schools don't give enough notice to be able to get tickets to things in advance. So if school could tell me now what Shakespeare they will do in y9 I'd see if it was on at The Globe or Stratford next summer and get tickets ...

explodingkittens · 04/12/2017 16:07

Yes, I would and do - although as a PP said I only have the one (and live within very easy reach of central London) so it's not too difficult. Theatre especially - I think it's pretty important to see a play staged to help with understanding.

Although... we did recently take ds to see Macbeth in Japanese which was probably a step too far for all of us (he did a couple of years of Japanese at school but it really didn't help at all Grin)

Original poster
ZetaPuppis · 04/12/2017 15:57

Thanks for the responses.
I agree that most parents are doing Some of the things listed but I meant specifically directly linked to what they’re studying.
Like, if they’re studying Hamlet, would you take them to see a production if there’s one on or if they’re studying, maybe Cromwell or Guy Fawkes, would you visit Houses of Parliament or somewhere notable.
The suggestions from the school are directly linked to the topics and subjects being studied.

OP posts:
Love51 · 04/12/2017 15:21

I'm really uncomfortable with being told by school what to do with my kids, which is odd because I am the sort of parent who does these sort of things anyway. Mine are under 7 though so willing to come along to anything! I don't see how you can avoid adding to your child's education, but surely it will look different in every family - eg I could cook well by 13, another child might play darts with nanna, another might be able to do decent DIY and recognise pictures by different impressionist artists. Even in the most lethargic households the children learn something from the adults, and I don't think it is school's job to determine what that is, because it depends what the individuals enjoy and value.

elusiveEightHours · 04/12/2017 15:07

In my experience most parents do all this and more without the need to be told, but then maybe I hang out with relatively educated people.

I always think it's odd that some parents see education as the responsibility of the school, and not their own responsibility. The school helps, but kids are learning all the time and the experiences they have at home are vital to the whole picture.

TeenTimesTwo · 04/12/2017 13:21

Yes we do, but mainly on the topics the DDs are interested in. So for DD1 we did stuff on History, Languages, Drama. For DD2 it will Geography, Wildlife, Cooking & Drama. (We don't go to Art galleries!)

Soursprout · 04/12/2017 13:05

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sodaface · 04/12/2017 10:15

Yep we do but we don’t really think about it. It’s the things we like to do anyway ie historical sites, museums, travel & of course everything Sir David Attenborough, the kids love his shows. I think it’s a great idea that the school encourages this, some parents wouldn’t think to include things like this. Everdays a learning day for us but we try and approach it in a relaxed and fun way.

Jardindhiver · 04/12/2017 10:01

Yes, we try to. We visit appropriate exhibitions, historic sites, practising orienteering for geography, getting hold of complementary books, etc. But we've only got one child – much harder if you've got several.