Mukhtar Ahmad Qureshi
As educators, parents, and policymakers, we all share the same vision, making sure our children have a bright future. The most powerful ways to achieve this are strengthening Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in the early years of learning. FLN is not just a matter of teaching letters and numbers but it is building up a strong foundation for lifelong learning, cognitive development, and allround academic success. I could see it happening at my school as well, Govt. Girls Middle School Boniyar. We had a hard time holding the attention of young learners and just couldn’t upgrade enrollment but with activitybased and playway methods, everything changed. Enrollment has increased to 40, and the children’s and parents’ enthusiasm has been beyond expectations.
Why FLN matters
A child’s earliest years are significant. Since a child’s brain, 95 percent of which forms by age five, what is done in early years directly relates to the success of the child in the future. Without FLN, children fail to cope in subsequent classes to recover lost learning. In most cases, it ends up frustrating them or even making them drop out. How does FLN shape the future of a child? This is only possible by the methodology we use. Once kids have a good basis of reading, writing, and simple mathematics, they can catch even the complex things very easily because they are confident learners. It is through FLN that I can be ensured that the children are not merely memorizing but learning, using, and enjoying the process.
My experience with FLN at Govt. Girls Middle School Boniyar
The results were fabulous as we implemented the playway method in our classes of ECCE. I vividly remember a situation that led me to believe in this methodology. We adopted games, storytelling, songs, and handon activities during teaching. The eagerness of learning was so multifarious that even children requested not to take any holiday on Sunday. The number of students turning up to the school became wonderful rather than mere compulsion and enjoyment in it. This alteration in teaching fostered a much more cohesive attitude between the children, teachers, and parents. Parents began to notice the change of attitude in the learning of their children and appreciated more this new teaching method. They told me that children who stayed away from talking or writing before now became active participants in discussions on issues with parents and raised further questions to get ideas, and even problems on math were practiced at home.
Power of engagement and playbased learning
Learning by doing My experience implementing FLN shows me that the children learn better through interaction, play, and meaningful experience. The moment learning becomes fun and related, information sticks.
Example
We replace number memorization activities with counting real-life objects such as rocks, fruit, and toys in the classroom. for language learning We encourage children to tell stories where they can speak in their favourite words to tell a story. This helps them express themselves with confidence. We use songs and poems to teach pronunciation and vocabulary. And it makes learning a language easy and doesn’t require much effort.
The role of teachers in FLN
Being a teacher is one of the most important responsibilities in shaping the learning experience of your students. In today’s world The methods of rote learning and passive learning are outdated. Child centered learning must be done through interaction. creativity and experiential learning methods, FLN taught me that we not only teach But it also inspires our students. We need to make learning fun so that students develop a natural love of knowledge. Children who enjoy learning in their early years They are much more likely to succeed in higher education and beyond.
How can you support FLN as a parent or educator?
If you are a parent Engage your child on a learning journey with activities such as reading stories together. Ask about school days and math at home (such as counting fruit or measuring equipment) can greatly improve their FLN skills. If you are a teacher Focus on interactive teaching methods. Avoid overreliance on textbooks and promote learning through real-life applications. Story telling and real experience Remember that children learn best when they are happy and engaged.
Future with FLN
With a focus on basic knowledge and computational thinking. We are shaping the confident, talented, and lifelong learners of tomorrow.My experience from Govt. Girls Middle School Boniyar reveals a belief. Learning under a system where we make learning full of joy does not mean that children should learn; rather, they are growing to be grownup human beings. This is not that program; this is a movement that would someday alter the whole system of education and society. Teachers, parents, and education leaders, let us all get together to cultivate a love of learning in our children, no way a child should be left behind. Take some time reflecting on this: What small steps can you make in your community to be FLN supported today? Every little bit matters, for every effort adds up to the making of a child’s future.
(The author is a teacher and can be reached at [email protected])
