“Punctuality is the Politeness of Kings”
Strict observance in keeping TIME is called Punctuality. Time is a resource which cannot be renewed. Some people also say “Time is Money”. Punctuality is *key* to good Time Management. Being punctual, shows respect and consideration for others. Punctuality also shows you have self-discipline and organizational ability.
Poor attendance and punctuality, even at the earliest age, can affect achievement in later life. Establishing good habits from the start helps children to settle more quickly into new settings and routines. People who value others’ time have always been successful in life.
Good habits of attendance and punctuality are key skills for adult life. Parents and Schools need to respect and value each other and work collaboratively to instill this habit in children.
School’s share in encouraging punctuality:
- Regular attendance and good punctuality are important for maximizing achievement and obtaining the greatest benefit from education
- Good relationships with children and their families are vital in encouraging regular attendance and punctuality
- Children settle well and want to attend settings when they feel valued and have a sense of belonging
- Praising good attendance and punctuality is likely to promote continued regular and punctual attendance
- The way that staff responds to families where there are patterns of lateness is crucial in affecting punctuality and attendance. Make sure that absence and lateness is followed up on every occasion
Parents’ share in encouraging punctuality:
- Children learn more by watching and imitating their elders. Thus, along with teaching punctuality, you need to preach it. You need to be punctual yourself and your child will automatically learn and adopt this important value
- Parents have to first ensure that the child reaches School on time. This implies having some fixed timings for him to sleep and wake up. Having some sort of discipline at home helps in teaching the child the importance of time and punctuality
- Child has to be rewarded when he/she is punctual and finishes his/her tasks on time and also be disciplined when he/she refuses to follow the moral of punctuality
- Allow children to experience consequences when they are late. They may lose a chance to go to a special place because they miss a ride, lose their place in line or miss out on a coveted seat at the table
- Teach children how to pace themselves and how to project how much time is needed to be prepared for a ride or responsibility. Watch the clock with them when they are dressing or bathing, and point out how long it typically takes them. Tell them when you see them procrastinating
These are being followed by all International Schools. The Association of International Schools has collectively come to an agreement on the importance of instilling the value of Punctuality in children. They have been working together with parents to inculcate punctuality in children which is a vital moral that children carry with them throughout their life.