Page 33 - Waterfall City Issue 3 March 2024
P. 33
A PARENT’S
GUIDE TO
SURVIVING
GRADE
FOUR
By Nicola Killops, Education and Media Specialist (and mom)
A s each school year But there is a critical year in a child’s them that no one is expected to run
school life that usually starts without
before they can walk, and as the year
begins, you can be sure
of one thing: Your social
progressed, they would mature and
as much fanfare – grade four – a
media feed will fill up
a deal.
with proud parent posts, showing rollercoaster ride if there ever was one. be ready. But it’s also not THAT big of
excited, smiling children who don I taught grade four for many years,
their uniforms for the first time and it has a rather strange reputation This may sound strange coming from
and start their grade one year. among parents (which ultimately a teacher, but the truth is that many
trickles down to the kids.) For instance, parents put so much emphasis on a
There is also a fair share of grade one of the first things parents bring up few tests at the end of the year that
eight parents sharing the start of their is exams, usually written for the first they lose focus of the rest. As a result,
child’s high school journey. And, of time in grade four. And the little ones they could miss out on something far
course, there are those nearing the walking through the door on their first more critical, such as how their child is
finish line and beginning their matric day are already terrified of them. coping day to day.
year. These years are considered
important milestones that mark the I always played them down and gave Grade four is possibly the most
educational road. They bring new plenty of pep talks (mainly to the significant adjustment your child will
challenges and exciting changes and parents) on approaching the subject need to make in their school career.
are a rite of passage. without fearmongering. I reminded The Foundation Phase focuses on
Waterfall City Issue 3 2024 31
