Addressing the Gap(s)
Between Students

Introduction

“Gap”.

A keyword in education circles currently, a divisive word. If it’s your child they’re referring to, then it’s unlikely to sit well with you. But, do not lose yourself in worry about how to help your children. Firstly, let’s be clear about what “gap” is relevant to you—if any. There are multiple gaps, and we may be the first to highlight some of them.

In this Blog, you’ll read the gap word several times, used in different contexts. Still, it’s only a gap, and any gap can be bridged, filled or closed. Specifically, since Learnest’s field is education, the gap we are focussed on is the learning gap.

1.

The pandemic gap and catch-up

‘damage’ and ‘harm’ 

However, the inclination and/or ability of any household to source learning materials, and initiate regular activity for their children while at home, can significantly alter the extent of catch up they face at this stage.

Accessibility to high quality, inclusive learning material should not cost the Earth. All households being equal, and we certainly hope that any socio-economic inequality can be significantly diminished, all children would have access to libraries like Learnest’s.

The post-pandemic reality demands that ‘catch-up’ applies to all of our young learners. They all missed out on many things—some more than others. These learning gaps can be closed, but it will require your effort and help from a library like Learnest’s.

The summer of 2021 is the summer of catch-up. 

2.

The parental priority gap

If a child’s education doesn’t begin with a parent’s ideas, where does it begin?

Some parents have some form of plan before their children are born. At least, they have decided that they are going to be attentive and initiate lots of activities to stimulate their child’s motor skills and brain development.

Such interaction and communication with even the very youngest mind is positively beneficial to them. Given the widely recognised value of early learning, it is apparent that the attention we give to our children in the “early years” contributes to a gap in some of the key skills required for learning.

Given the varying priorities, only some children start a journey of rigorous academic schooling from the outset. Others are unengaged by the time their schooling begins. Naturally, these different outlooks on a child’s education produce different results. This contributes to the ability gaps between our students in the typical Secondary classroom.

3.

The Primary school achievement gap 

4.

The examination anxiety gap

All Primary school children will sit some form of formal examinations before they enter Secondary school.

It is true that these phases in a child’s education can raise the pressure levels and cause anxiety to some. We should be conscious of what separates the nervous but calm student from the stressed one.

Some children do not fear exams, they relish them. Others, probably most, would prefer not to sit exams. In academic terms specifically and solely, preparedness for tests is the major dividing factor in respect of general anxiety levels.

What that means in detail is not a matter of revision and cramming in the months prior to exams necessarily. It’s more a case of the long-term depth of learning achieved over the Pre- and Primary years. Plus, to some degree or other, test practice to build confidence (and technique) in taking exams—some say:

“no testing, no learning”.

‘Preparation’ is relative in respect of school exams. Each child’s own ambition determines what they are seeking from their time at school—which in itself is a gap worth closing. In any case, if you are ambitious and want your child to achieve their best potential academically, then thorough preparation is the key to anything like an anxiety-free education.

Closing learning gaps and getting ahead

Since everything is stimulating to a child’s mind, parents and childminders get to select what influences them most. 

We are also the people who can instil confidence, good habits and ambitions into the children. So, essentially, our earliest aim ought to be to engineer scenarios with the children where we can exercise praise, encouragement, and regular activity.

The Learnest aim is to reach children at Pre-school age and support them, and their parents, throughout their Primary school years.

The earlier we begin, the better—

especially if you have considerable ambitions for their education.

Of course, a child’s first test has nothing to do with academia—and our first opportunity to praise and encourage them comes long before school. We should take those opportunities, it will help to reduce the gaps and increase their general interest in learning.

Interacting with your child with some intentional activity, and maybe even a target outcome, will grow their ability to focus on something, anything, in the non-school environments. With every target completed, there is an opportunity to applaud and evaluate their

The children observe what we do, and for as long we manage to set a good example they might just follow it. So, choose your message—know that you are transmitting to your child, and note that young minds have no preconception that books are boring and ‘toys’ are fun.

effort and achievement.

First time round, some activities feel like tests—the 4-piece jigsaw, the 12-page book, the objects and the holes. Passing those tests are unique moments, graduations worthy of celebration before moving on to the 8-piece jigsaw, and so on.

With momentum, growing confidence and any form of progress there is a base on which we can very easily instil curiosity and grow true passion for learning. We believe this is the most authentic way to close the gaps.