As parents, we want the best for our children—top-notch education, exposure to diverse extracurricular activities, and overall development.
However, in the quest for the best schools, we sometimes overlook a crucial aspect: the daily commute.
For parents in Gurgaon, sending their children to distant schools might seem like a worthy sacrifice, but is it really in the best interest of your child’s well-being? Let’s explore the reasons why a long school commute may not be ideal for your young ones.
What is Physical Health impact of long daily commutes?
Long hours on the road can take a toll on a child’s physical health. Sitting in a bus for extended periods every day can lead to:
- Posture Problems: Prolonged sitting can affect your child’s posture, potentially leading to back and neck pain.
- Lack of Physical Activity: Time spent commuting is time not spent playing or engaging in physical activities, which are essential for a child’s growth and development.
- Increased Fatigue: Early mornings and late afternoons – long commutes can leave your child tired and less energetic throughout the day, impacting their overall productivity and enthusiasm for learning.
What can be Mental and Emotional Impact of daily commutes?
The daily grind of a long commute can also have significant mental and emotional repercussions:
- Stress and Anxiety: Navigating traffic, dealing with potential delays, and the sheer length of the commute can contribute to stress and anxiety in young children.
- Less Family Time: Long commutes mean less time at home, reducing the precious moments spent with family members that are vital for emotional bonding and support.
- Social Interaction: Spending a large portion of the day in transit limits the time available for after-school socialization with friends and participation in community activities.
Can long daily commutes impact Academic Performance?
While distant schools may offer excellent academic programs, the benefits can be negated by the drawbacks of a long commute:
- Reduced Study Time: Commuting can cut into the time your child has for homework, study, and rest, potentially affecting their academic performance.
- Decreased Engagement: Fatigue and stress from the commute can make it harder for children to stay engaged and attentive in class, impacting their ability to absorb and retain information.
- Missed Opportunities: The time spent on the bus could be better utilized for practice, extracurricular activities, sports, hobbies, and other personal development opportunities.
An extra hour in the morning & similar travel waste in the afternoon – can add up to wastage of a whole day – each week; or 75 days in a year or an utter waste of over 2 months each year.
Sometimes in our school’s counseling sessions with some new parents – a careful analysis of learning gaps sometimes does uncover how the child has been wasting precious hours daily on long commutes to a distant school.
In short just not worth it.
After all time to practice, reflect, read & play – is as important to develop learning & develop your child.
Safety Concerns
Sending your child on a long commute increases their exposure to potential safety risks:
- Traffic Hazards: The longer the commute, the greater the likelihood of encountering traffic accidents and other road hazards.
- Stranger Interactions: Long commutes may increase the chances of children interacting with strangers or finding themselves in unfamiliar, potentially unsafe environments.
QUESTIONS ON WHATS GOOD FOR YOUR Child’s FUTURE? do reach us – maybe schedule a visit one of our campuses with your child.
We will strive to answer your questions – with the perspective of what’s best for your child.
why – the Sixth Element?
Very simply, the Sixth Element was a phrase coined by the school founders 20 years back, to illustrate igniting the joy of learning – so important for children’s development – as we nurture, and get them ready for the future.
How to Foster a Well-Rounded Child?
While there is lots of operating structure and detailed SOPs in school’s daily /weekly/monthly/annual – schedules – “how” the same is executed is unique – i.e., the Sixth element way of incorporating co-curricular & scientific & artistic activities, project work etc – leading to children enjoy learning & look forward to coming to school each day (and interestingly they do miss school on holidays 😊 ! )
Some examples of what’s done on instilling values & character building:
- Instill values: Understanding differences between right or wrong, is discussed in its many facets often. As also discussing environmental issues, volunteering for community activities, clean-ups, and respecting all living beings.
- Values as a Compass: Values are the moral principles that guide our actions. The Cambridge International Curriculum, with its emphasis on global citizenship and community service, fosters values like respect, empathy, and responsibility
- Embrace sustainability: Reduce waste, conserve energy, and grow your own food together. Encouraging minimalism (BTW we are a uniform school), up-cycling, gardening, and exploring green technologies like rain water harvesting, recycling, etc
- Building Confidence: The curriculum’s focus on individual & team achievement (over experiential projects in small groups) and overcoming difficulties – and making progress, encouraged by the teacher helps build self-esteem. By setting and achieving goals, students develop a strong sense of confidence and resilience
- Life Skills for Real World: The curriculum’s focus on independent learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving equips students with essential life skills. These skills are invaluable in navigating challenges and opportunities- building confidence
THE SIXTH ELEMENT School’s commitment to sustainability?
At the Sixth Element, we believe that education should go beyond classrooms. Our green airy, spacious campuses are a living laboratory, where children learn experimentally about sustainable practices. From solar panels to rainwater harvesting, recycling & near no plastics usage.
Our curriculum integrates sustainability into every subject, fostering a deep appreciation for nature, science, commerce & the arts – while instilling a desire to protect our planet.
By igniting the joy of learning, nurturing curiosity, confidence, values, and environmental consciousness – we empower children to become not only successful individuals, but equally responsible members of society and global citizens.
Does a unique International Curriculum School like the Sixth Element help?
A progressive holistic school following Cambridge International Curriculum significantly contributes by lots of experiential learning and project-based work.
The Sixth Element School: Where Cambridge International meets India- in an exclusive, low density, impactful format
Reason why we chose Cambridge International curriculum is because the blend of teacher directed as well as learner self-driven learning & research seems to be relevant for aspirational kids from Indian families, keen on preparing their kids to be global citizens of the future – weather based in India or overseas.
Is the Sixth Element School duly registered with Cambridge International?
Yes, The Sixth Element School – is duly registered as one of over 10,000 schools globally – as a Cambridge International school with a global registration number IA 892
Keen to see what a unique school like The Sixth Element School offers? Schedule a visit and see for yourself why it could be the perfect launchpad for your child’s bright, global future!
We started the first sixth element school 20 years back in 2004 @ Gurgaon.
Our schools & afternoon extended school & afternoon ‘activities enriched’ daycare centers are unique, exclusive compact neighborhood green campuses – where a lot of outdoor activities & experiential learning (physical – not digital) takes place with children on most days.
Our unique Smaller campus – with only 2 sections per each class grade – and very limited children on campus, allow us to focus on each child’s growth & development properly.
We are proud of our high quality, committed teachers – the very backbone of any good learning environment.
We raise well-rounded future ready individuals who are prepared to face the challenges of the world with confidence and integrity – with the right methods and practices. As an example – our foundational fitness program delivered in partnership with xfit kids , our gym, our green playgrounds and great coaches – give a great foundational fitness and start to our school kids.
A good understanding and partnership between parents and schools is key to nurturing the future leaders of gurugram, our great nation and our planet.
THE SIXTH ELEMENT SCHOOL WE BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF CATALYZING & ENSURING “THE SIXTH ELEMENT – i.e. THE JOY OF LEARNING ” FOR EVERY CHILD. OUR CURRICULUM IS BENCH-MARKED WITH THE BEST INTERNATIONALLY, WHILE DRAWING FROM OUR VERY OWN CORE ANCIENT INDIAN BEST PRACTICES SUCH AS THE GURU SHISHYA PARAMPARA) & VALUES. THANKS TO ITS 20+ YEARS EXPERIENCE AND ITS CORE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES DRAWN FROM PIAGET, VYGOSTKY AND BRUNER – WHICH IS INCIDENTALLY THE RESOURCE POOL – FOR THE FOUNDATIONAL YEARS SCHOOL CURRICULUM OF THE UPGRADED NEW EDUCATION (NEP) UNDER ROLL OUT IN INDIA NOW.
So in line with some of India’s top and globally the very best : we are now a unique 100% Cambridge International School.
Do you have any suggestions/specific thoughts or questions about your child’s readiness for school?
Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Meanwhile enjoy developing your child at home and outdoors
There are some great parks/green spots near our school campuses – consider locating a suitable one in your neighborhood:
- SouthCity1
- Sector31
- Sector40
- Sushant Lok
- Sector72
- Sector70
- Sectot71
- Sector48
- Badshahpur corridor*
- Leisure Valley
(*) which is right next to the Sixth Element – Tata Primanti campus – and the trees there near our school’s north/east boundary – help filter our school campus air too.
CONCLUSION
While it is understandable to want the best education for your child, it is essential to consider the hidden costs of a long daily commute. Local schools in Gurgaon offer a range of quality educational opportunities, many of which are closer to home and provide a balanced approach to your child’s overall development. Prioritizing proximity can ensure that your child enjoys a healthier, happier, and more well-rounded school experience.
So in line with some of India’s top and globally the very best: we are now a unique 100% Cambridge International School.
the Sixth Element School
the school children love
SOUTH CITY 1. TATA PRIMANTI (sector 72)
85272-74695 or 97736-32626
since 2004(20 years)
limited enrollment available in pre-NURSERY, NURSERY, KG & DAYCARE, grade 1 now – in our prenursery to K12 school programs.
@ Gurgaon’s only single section “exclusive” boutique VENTILATED, AIRY, SPACIOUS. GREEN SCHOOL CAMPUSES