What is Primary Education?

Education. Most people hear that word and their mind turns to school. Children running about trying their best to fit in and make friends. Teachers trying their best to instill knowledge into those same children. Book bags, and textbooks, and lockers, OH MY. The truth is that the image I’ve just plopped into your mind is only one of at least seven types of education, each with their own goals and difficulties for educators, students, and parents. 

Primary (5-12)

Typically, a student will begin their educational career around the age of 5. This is the start of their foray into Primary Education. Primary Education focuses on developing the basic skills that will be needed in life and as one furthers their education. Basic literacy and numeracy skills are developed and as they master counting and reading the focus will move to developing those skills further. Reading simple sentences becomes reading chapter books and writing book reports. Counting becomes arithmetic and math skills are developed to pave the way for more advanced classes like algebra and geometry. By the time they reach the age of about 12 the student will have an educational background full of reading, writing, arithmetic, social studies, potentially an additional language. In addition to their educational development, while they are in their primary school years (5-12) they will develop their interpersonal and emotional health. Going to school with kids their own age prompts them to try and develop connections with other students, many of whom do not have access to other children their own age. As they bond and connect, they will begin to develop opinions and ideas of their own and practice their communication skills with a wide variety of individuals, topics, and circumstances, supporting their development.