SEEing the right school: Its about the gut, not just your eyes
"Trust your gut", I tell parents when they decide which schools they want to consider for their child. I believe that a caring, well-meaning parent's instincts are more powerful than the best advice from experts. While the phrase sounds catchy and reassuring, I know that parents want a little more than that when choosing the right school. What does trusting your gut feel like? It comes down to being able to just SEE your child in the school. Look not just with your eyes. Look with your gut. What are you SEEing?
Classroom feel and materials: You walk into the classroom and some of the corners, some of the materials, some of the pictures remind you of your child's room at home. In fact, you see some of your child's favorite materials being used. Or you can picture your child just being sucked into the activity underway, the idea being discussed. The colors on the walls, the lighting draws you. This is particularly powerful for parents looking at Kindergarten classrooms. These classrooms are more inviting, warm and can carry a homely feeling.
Teacher talk: The teacher talks like you hope a teacher would to your child. Her tone, her manner of managing the class makes you feel comfortable. She speaks like you do. She challenges like you do. She positions her body in relation to the children like you hope she would or you yourself do. She feels like someone you could connect with you. She is approachable or she is an expert or she is both.
Friends for your child: You look at the children, their activity, movement, interaction and you feel like you can see some friends for your child. They ask the same kinds of questions. The seem drawn to some activities that your child might be drawn to. They move like your child does. A child in the classroom reminds you of your child's playmate. The not-so-shy children are connected and playing while there is still room for the shy child to watch, to be invited by the teacher. Seeing activity on the playground can help you get a feel for this.
A sense of belonging: When you hear the parents talk (they are sometimes present on school tours and always at the Open House or Information Night), they have a perspective you can relate to. You feel like you want to talk to one or more parents even more. They share some of the same ideas. They are involved in the same ways you hope to be.
You want to go to the school yourself: If you and your child share many traits, this is your lincpin. A shiver goes down your spine because you can see yourself going to the school. You wish, you so wish, this was the school you had gone to. You cannot wait to see your child go there because you can see how she would love it, just the way you imagine you would have. And, if she goes, perhaps you will end up going to, through the support you provide. You can both learn together. That is when you know you've found your school.
This list is by no means complete. Can you think of any other indicators of "gut-feel"? Respond with your own experience or comments.