Why Children Learning Leadership is So Important

 

Students who learn LEADERSHIP can Self-advocate Negotiate Use their voice Listen Cooperate Be confident Take initiative Assume responsibility Act independently

Leadership is not reserved for adults; leadership opportunities come in various shapes and sizes for all ages. Student leadership is important in school. Through modeling and role playing, students practice decision-making and how to be appropriately self-assertive. 

At The Country School, students begin learning leadership skills as early as PreSchool and PreKindergarten. Students see examples of leadership when teachers give examples at story time, during group meetings, and on the playground. As students get older, they learn more about how to be good leaders as they participate in team building activities. Students start to become leaders as they learn how to communicate, negotiate, listen, persevere, solve problems, and cooperate. Frequently practicing these skills helps to build self confident students. 

At The County School, students are taught to look for opportunities to exercise their leadership. For example:

Other areas of leadership include asking questions to extend learning, sharing new information or stories, keeping the classroom and personal work neat and organized. Celebrating leadership is important; at The Country School teachers and students pause to be grateful when children demonstrate or model student leadership. 

As students mature as leaders, they naturally gain more independence in both their social and academic lives. By assuming responsibility, they demonstrate a willingness to help others, to listen empathetically, and to make sound decisions. Helping students to develop these character traits is why student leadership is very important in school.

Becoming leaders themselves shows students that a leader is not only in a person in charge of a group but someone who can lead quietly by example, whether it be on a sports team, or by doing the right thing when others are looking and more importantly when others are not. 

Students learn that leadership involves responsibility in several areas.

Student leadership encompasses learning to: 

Students learning leadership skills not only benefits their development but it also helps their interactions with others. It helps students learn the importance of  watching out for one another in and out of the classroom, settling their own social issues with the guidance and modeling of the teacher; and making the decision to join team sports and participate in class meetings.