Choosing the right school for your child can feel like navigating a minefield, especially in a bustling & fast-growing city like Gurgaon – with lots of big brand school chains – and more than adequate schooling capacity fortunately.
While we all want the best for our kids, the reality is that the so called – ‘modern’ schooling, particularly in Gurgaon, presents unique challenges for our kids/families that parents need to reflect on.
IS THIS SO CALLED ‘MODERN’ SCHOOLING MODEL REALLY SETTING UP OUR CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS, OR ARE THERE HIDDEN PITFALLS?
LETS REFLECT ON SOME OF THESE:
The Over-protection Trap: Creating Unconfident Children
We get it. As parents, we want to protect & shield our children from every bump and bruise -even the smallest. But in Gurgaon’s competitive environment, this overprotective instinct can inadvertently backfire. Constantly hovering and solving every problem for our kids can prevent them from developing their essential life skills like resilience, problem-solving, and independence.
Children need to experience challenges, learn from their mistakes, and build the confidence to navigate the world on their own. Are we, in our well-meaning efforts, inadvertently creating a generation of children who lack self-assurance to thrive or navigate a rapidly changing world?
Are over-sanitized, fully air conditioned – always enclosed environs – where we often rush to pick up the child – at the slightest bump/fall – truly good for them? or are we in our endeavor to over-protect – keeping them away from the highs & lows of life & the elements, making them too soft (and possibly emotionally weak) and perhaps unknowingly making them somewhat unfit for real world – where change and handing difficulties, is the only constant.
In our view – while protecting & supporting them – we (both school & parents) need to aim to strengthen them & make them better (both physically & emotionally) & smarter (academically & socially) – and equally support them to choose a good peer group & develop good behavior & values.
The Great Gurgaon School Bus Exodus: Where Did the Day Go?
Gurgaon’s sprawling landscape now often means long bus commutes to school (often taking away 2.5 to 3 hours daily). While often traveling in fancy air-conditioned school buses seems ok at first sight – we should consider that each bus spends so much time – to fill up with children across colonies – and in navigating traffic – both morning & afternoons daily, to/from school.
Yes Gurgaon school buses from many big schools are often air-conditioned, usually do have cameras and various safety features/processes.
But think about it: that’s valuable time daily snatched away from what really matters for the child. Time for play or practice, for exploring hobbies, for reflecting on & solving problems (both academic and others) or simply being a child.
How much of your child’s day is actually dedicated to learning, developing and growing, factoring the time wasted just getting to/from school?
This daily grind often leaves little room for academic practice & reflection at home, extracurricular or sports activities, family time, or even just relaxing and recharging.
Is this trade-off really worth it? Are we sacrificing our children’s real well-being for the sake of a prestigious albeit distant school name/campus?
PPut yourself in the place of your child – imagine going by a school bus daily to work, which takes time to fill up and unload at multiple stops twice daily – besides wasting time navigating traffic? whew??
Screen Time Overload: Digitizing Childhood Away?
In the race to embrace technology, some of Gurgaon’s modern big schools are going all-in on digital learning, imagine all screens based learning from Grade 1 onward.
Where are the books? Writing on paper/copies/reading books have given way to the so called – modern, screens-based education. While technology has its place, a screen-heavy or screens only curriculum for young children raises serious concerns. Talk to doctors or parents of older kids from such environments to really understand the impact. Lets reflect on the increasing mental illnesses being noticed in young kids.
Early childhood & younger years – are foundational for children. Development in these years – especially till age 12 – learn best by hands-on experiences, social interaction, and physical activity. Too much screen time can hinder crucial developmental milestones, impacting everything from brain development, fine motor skills to social-emotional learning.
Are we prioritizing digital literacy at the expense of our children’s overall development? Are we forgetting the importance of real-world experiences and human connection? And are reading books & writing on paper not relevant?
Nations like Germany, France, and Australia are increasingly recognizing the importance of minimizing/substituting or even eliminating screen time, particularly for \younger children, and promoting traditional learning methods
Research is now concluding that reading paper books and writing by hand on paper are fundamental skills that are essential for academic success and cognitive – brain development.
These activities promote brain & memory development, literacy, enhance vocabulary, reflection and improve critical thinking & numerous mental skills/abilities. The act of physically writing helps children develop fine motor skills and strengthens the connection between the brain and hand & develops the brain the right way. Unlike the passive experience of watching a screen, reading and writing require active engagement and critical thinking. They encourage children to process information, analyses ideas, and form their own opinions.
And now the AI is being allowed in schools too – too early in our opinion ?..…..there’s a time for everything …..its new/with unknown long term impact…lets therefore proceed with Caution especially until our foundational – primary grades ( i.e., age 12).
REMEMBER THE BYJU’S 100% DIGITAL LEARNING DISASTER?
The Mega-School Dilemma: Quantity Over Quality?
Many of Gurgaon’s modern Big schools are simply massive chains.
Many, many branches and with thousands of children on each campus, numerous sections in each grade – it’s easy to feel like your child is just a number – in a big retail chain – where process and volume-based practices override. In such large institutions, it can be challenging to maintain a focus on individualized attention and quality education – and some child may just get forgotten/overlooked in the numbers.
Are these mega-schools prioritizing volume led processes, administrative efficiency and enrollment numbers over fostering strong teacher-student relationships and nurturing each child’s unique potential? We know that like most retail chains – in many such schools – teacher attrition is high – so the feasibility to developing the important teacher – child bond is minimal.
They are usually run on automated processes like a factory.
The Factory Model in Education?: Standardized but Impersonal
Driven by the need for scale and efficiency, some of the big brand school chains have standardized everything in their operations – from curriculum delivery to teacher training,
it’s a factory-like, assembly-line approach to education.
While standardization can ensure a baseline level of quality, it often comes at the cost of genuine connection, personalized learning and lack of emotional connects. Teachers become implementers of a per-set curriculum, with limited autonomy to adapt to individual student needs. This can lead to a disconnect between teachers and students, hindering the development of meaningful relationships that are crucial for a child’s learning, development and growth.
SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?
s parents, we need to be informed and proactive. Ask tough questions during school tours. Consider the commute. Inquire about the school’s approach to technology and screen time.
Ask specifics – about teacher attrition- from existing parents. Prioritize schools that foster independence and offer a balanced curriculum that includes play, physical activity, and social interaction. Consider the scale & size of the school and the student-teacher ratio. Inquire about the school’s philosophy on individualized learning and how they foster teacher-student relationships. Explore alternative educational options like smaller neighborhood schools – with far fewer students on campus.
A Smaller neighborhood school is right – for your child.
So called – “Modern” schooling, particularly in a fast-paced city like Gurgaon, presents opportunities – yet unique challenges. We need to be mindful of the potential pitfalls, from over-protection to excessive screen time, long daily unnecessary commutes. the impersonal nature of factory like mega-schools, and the standardized approach of some large chains.
Ultimately, the goal is to find an educational approach that nurtures confident, well-rounded individuals with good behavior & values who are ready to thrive in a fast-changing world, not just on a screen.
Let’s start the conversation. Your thoughts?
The key is to remember that human connection, hands-on writing & learning, and a love of reading & our joint goal to instill values & good behavior are the cornerstones of a child’s education.
We are therefore a no screens up-till primary grades, in our compact green campus – exclusive neighborhood school – who as our child cantered policy do not enroll kids from far off locales within Gurgaon!
We hope this helps you, dear parent!
Meanwhile enjoy developing your child at a good neighborhood school, home and outdoors
There are some great parks/green spots/sports fields near at as well near our school campuses – consider locating a suitable one in your neighborhood, for encouraging physical activity – the seeds of any sports – near say
- South City1
- 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.
why – the Sixth Element School?
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 CATALYSING & ENSURING “THE SIXTH ELEMENT – i.e. THE JOY OF LEARNING ” FOR EVERY CHILD. OUR CURRICULAM IS BENCHMARKED 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.
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
