Where your child goes to school is a big decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Given how their education can impact their future, you might be tempted to take control and decide for them. However, you might be doing more damage than helping them in the long run.
Your job as parents is to support them throughout the process so they can choose their path and find an educational institution that will make them happy and bring out the best in them as they prepare for real life. Here are helpful ways you can help determine the best school for your child without going overboard:
Create a list of school options with your child. If your child doesn’t have a particular dream school, you should help them gauge their choices by brainstorming. You must take time to listen and understand what your child needs and wants.
For instance, if your child is an independent learner who learns best at his own pace, he might do better in a Montessori school. If your child responds better to a structured teaching style, then a traditional school might be best for him. Keep an open mind and decide what will give your child what he needs.
Visit school campuses with your child. Some academic institutions have impressive websites with carefully curated photos, but the school leaves much to be desired. Instead of relying on brochures and the internet, visit school campuses with your kid.
Schools are open to tours. You just need to schedule your visit in advance unless you’re an alumnus of that institution and have access to the grounds. You and your child can get a feel of the campus atmosphere to determine if it’s the right fit.
Provide guidance and support. While your child should have a say on where they will study, you should give them advice based on the pros and cons and what you know about the school options. Choosing a school is a big decision and might cause anxiety for your child, so it’s best to be there for them.
The best way to provide emotional support is by actively listening to them. You should make your child feel comfortable about discussing their options and fears. Listen to understand where they’re coming from so you can help them make the right choice.
Prepare financially as soon as possible. Tuition fees are very expensive, especially with rising inflation, so you must prepare and provide for your child’s education. This way, you can give the best education for them.
Once you have chosen your child’s primary education, it is time to consider and prepare for the next considerable educational expense: college. You can save up on your own, or you can get AIA Philippines’ Future Scholar, an insurance product that gives guaranteed cash payouts that can help pay for your child’s tertiary education. Whatever happens, you’re confident your child will be able to get the college education that you envisioned.
Future Scholar doesn’t just help you afford costly school expenses. Aside from guaranteed savings, Future Scholar has an investment component so you can look out for your child financially even after graduating college. Moreover, you can build your child’s education funds in five years or until the child reaches the age of 17. Should you decide not to use the funds for educational expenses, they can also be used for other significant costs in the future, like buying a car or doing post-graduate studies abroad.
In addition, Future Scholar gives you peace of mind. Whatever happens, your child will have money aside for future needs. Aside from that, your child or your chosen beneficiary can also be entitled to an additional lump-sum cash benefit should anything untoward happen to you.
“We know the pandemic and the volatile economy have made everyone insecure about their savings. As a parent myself, I understand every parent’s desire to ensure that there are guaranteed benefits intended for their child’s future,” said Tennyson Paras, AIA Philippines’ Head of Products. “And this is what we had in mind when our Products Team designed AIA Future Scholar. We wanted to make sure that no matter what happens, a healthier, longer, and better life awaits our children.”
If you want to know more about AIA Future Scholar and how it can help you guarantee savings for your child’s future needs, click here.