When setting an environment for a child to learn, it is necessary to arrange the atmosphere in a way that would be optimal for both child and teacher to thrive in. If education is a gift, then a classroom is sacred. At instrucko, the ratio of student to teacher is kept at 3:1 to make sure that the student and teacher get to develop a connection. Why is this connection important? Research shows that connection and teaching are inseparable for a child to learn in a healthy environment. The child’s secure relationship with the teacher helps build the foundation for the learning. Studies show that a secure relationship between student and teacher develops into higher academic achievement, self-regulation and increased social competence.
Since each person is unique and requires different methods and approaches that cater to them, teachers find it difficult to adapt themselves to the child needs in a classroom with many students. Instead, they have no option but to use a universal approach with each child, which may work with some students and may not with the others. It’s always left to chance. At instrucko, we know that a child’s learning and development cannot be left to chance. It is imperative for the child to get attention from the teacher or a healthy environment to learn in.
The Education Minister of Ontario put a hard cap to 20 students per classroom after consulting the council representing Ontario’s directors of education. Teachers themselves have come and spoken on several occasions about the vast difference seen in students in a small classroom. They admit in the difficulty to give each student the time they deserve. The teacher’s union in Ontario has gone as far as refusing to accept bigger classes. The simple reason being that it is almost impossible to form a connection with each and every child in a big class, especially when it comes to making the child feel important in the class, and an imperative member of the environment. Teachers have also admitted to the quality of education deteriorating when the classroom is big.
With a small class, the teacher and students get to truly form a bond which helps in the development of the child, not just on an educational level but also on a personal level. It gives the teacher and students more opportunity to engage with each other and focus on their specific areas of need for development. It has been proven by studies that children are liberated to feel safe and confident, take risks, make mistakes, and grow when they have secure and trusting relationship with their teachers. It is a relationship, which is sacrosanct being born out of positivity, care, and respect. When a teacher gets to focus on the child’s abilities, strengths, and needs then the curriculum is taught to the child in a way that suits the learning of the child. At instrucko, we don’t believe in factory producing education for children, but rather giving it the human touch to create a rich learning environment for the child to foster social-emotional development.
