Lawal: ‘My Vision for Practical Teaching is Simplifying Learning for Children’

Founder of Shorecrest Schools, Lagos, Mrs. Temitayo Lawal, has shared that her vision of incorporating practical teaching into the education sector is simplifying the learning experience for children irrespective of their unique learning capabilities.

While speaking with THISDAY in Lagos earlier this week, she explained that practical teaching methods plays a key role in student motivation, participation and eventual learning noting that learning has evolved from a one way effort to a give and receive process.

Lawal while pointing out that a major challenge in the education sector is that many students struggle with understanding foundational terms, explained that practical teaching is tackling this gap by first exposing children to the physical representation of concepts for easy understanding.

By engaging practical teaching models which is more of a participatory art, she noted that children find it easier to recall subjects which are generally considered difficult.

“At Shorecrest School, what we do mostly is practical teaching. We understand that students have different learning capabilities and practical teaching helps to level the learning field. If we want to teach fractions for example, we bring objects to class — like a cake — and let the children divide it, showing them, by practice, what half means.” She said.

She added that the school also extends learning beyond the classroom, incorporating play-based activities and outdoor sessions to reinforce understanding.

According to Lawal, the school integrates diverse teaching aids for visual and audio learners through pictures, videos, and other multimedia tools, ensuring every child finds a learning method that works for them.

Lawal who attributed the growth of the school from a summer school of less than 10 pupils to an institution of over 100 children added that the school is strengthening its community by sustaining a strong interpersonal relationships with parents, staff and students.

To build a positive culture among pupils, the school runs a constant anti-bullying campaign which encourages mutual respect with the the help of audio visual tools.

“Parents want their child to be safe and to learn valuable things and that is what we prioritise at Shorecrest Schools,” she said.