Let children choose own career paths, parents told

 

Parents shouldn’t pressure their children into choosing certain professions, say educators.

PETALING JAYA: Educators have advised parents not to pressure their children into certain professions, and suggested that parents have open discussions with their children to allow their interests and skills to dictate their career path.

Speaking at a forum in recognition of the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness, psychology professor Deborah Hall said this helps to ensure students enjoy a positive transition into university life.

Hall, who is with Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, said that “while having choices to make about our future path is a privilege, it can also be a burden,” as the litany of options for school leavers can be confusing and stressful at times.

“A message to mums and dads: please resist the urge to make decisions for your child at this point (in time). Try and maintain an open, flexible mind, and be curious to explore some of those options together.”

She said a more positive approach would be to take into account a child’s interests, hobbies and strengths, and discussing where these traits would be best applied going forward when choosing higher education options.

On the topic of online classes, Martha Caddell of Heriot-Watt University UK’s Learning and Teaching Academy reminded teachers to keep happiness and well-being “at the heart” of their students’ learning and ensure classes don’t solely consist of recorded videos and virtual lectures.

She said students must be given practical tasks they can do from home to help them apply what they’ve learned, such as creative assignments or interactive modules, in order to keep them engaged with the subject matter.

“There has been extensive research that highlights the way student well-being impacts their learning, and that how students are taught and assessed in turn impacts their mental health. This is especially important for online learning,” she added. - FMT