Sending your child to boarding school?
The decision to send your child to boarding school isn’t easy.
But it may be a necessity because you live on the outskirts of a town and may be far away from your child’s school.
Or you may have a hectic work schedule which allows you little free time to spend with your child and help them with their homework. In these instances, sending your child off to boarding schools can be beneficial to their development and growth.
Prepare your child
You need to prepare your child before sending them off to boarding school. They’ll need to know there will be strict rules and regulations which they have to follow. Read through the code of conduct with them. And explain to your child that they’ll be required to eat meals, go to bed and study at certain times during the day.
Benefits of boarding school
Responsibility
Your child will gain some independence. When your child lives under your roof, you have to make sure their uniform is clean, they brush their teeth and they’ve done their homework. But when they’re in boarding school, they’ll be responsible for ensuring they get to class on time and all their projects and homework are done. They won’t have mommy or daddy chasing them around to make sure their homework is done.
Self-confidence
When your child goes to varsity, they’ll be a step ahead of the other kids. Because they’ll be more independent. They’ll learn to be more self-reliant and self-confident while they live in boarding school. Whereas children who have always lived at home might find it hard to adjust to their new living arrangements.
Learn more quickly
If your child has trouble grasping a certain language, boarding school could help them improve. It’s easier to learn a language when you’re surrounded by other people who speak it fluently. Your child will be able to grasp how to use certain phrases, pronunciation and syntax.
Diverse group
Your child will be part of a diverse group. There will be children from all walks of life and cultures living with them. This will help build their social skills and help them develop interpersonal skills. These skills will help them in life, whether it’s at a later stage in their professional or personal life or right now.
Things your child will need
Bedside lamp
They’ll need a lamp so they can study or use their laptop at night. Turning the bedroom lights on could disrupt their roommate and prevent them from sleeping.
Books
When boredom creeps in, your child will need some form of entertainment. You could buy them a variety of books to keep them company. They can read the books after school when they have free time or during the weekend. And books are a good way to help improve their vocabulary because researchers estimate we learn 15 percent of all words we know from reading.
Essential items
Buy uniforms, clothes, shoes, socks and towels so they are fully prepared. And make sure they are all clearly marked with your child’s name so that there’s no mix up when they come back from the laundry room. Or if your child misplaces them, they’ll be able to identify the items because they’re clearly marked.
Bedding sets
Your child will need a duvet cover, sheets and pillows. Your child will spend hours on the bed reading, eating, sitting and sleeping. So make sure you supply them with an extra bedding set so that when they get dirty, your child can use the extra set.
Tasty treats
Make sure you pack delicious treats for your child. Whether it’s packs of 2-minute noodles or chocolate biscuits, your child will crave comfort food during the day. Ensure you store your treats in containers so that insects don’t find their way in. Just ensure you find out about the school’s rules and regulations on the food they can bring.
Laptop
Your child will need a laptop in order to do their homework or school projects. They can also use the laptop for entertainment when they’re bored during the weekends. They’ll be able to watch series, movies or just go on social media.
Earphones
Your child will need earphones in order to block out any noise from the other students while they’re studying and preparing for tests or exams.
Alarm clock
Most children aren’t able to wake up on their own and may need the assistance of an alarm clock. It will help them wake up so they’re never late for classes.
Your child will benefit from being at a boarding school. They’ll learn how to be disciplined and responsible. They’ll be able to live in a community with other students and be able to grow up more quickly than their peers.This will prepare them for when they leave for college.