Portfolio? Isn’t it a bit too early?
Parents often think that there is no need or rush to develop our child’s CV or Portfolio. Many assume that this is only required when they are in their late teens, when they apply for overseas tertiary applications and in most cases, only when they start hunting for jobs after leaving school.
Why develop that portfolio? What do I have to do first?
It is never too late to start listing down some preliminary thoughts or ideas about your child’s character, ability and talents, or even set some goals – both in the academic and non-academic areas. This will help you to understand your child’s potential and identify key areas where you can help to expand your child’s knowledge or boost your child’s talent. Having a portfolio will help you to monitor your child’s progress from a very early stage.
Cardinal Rule: Having a portfolio should not add undue stress or pressure on your child. This will only defeat the main objective of this exercise - which is to help you understand, motivate and encourage your child.
What Can I do with a portfolio?
After engaging your child and identifying areas of potential for growth, look for different ways in which your child’s overall interest and talent may be reviewed and developed further in a positive manner. This may include:
- applications to special schools/institutions, in some cases in aid of your child’s participation in the Direct School Admission Programme
- entry into clubs/organisations as a member or office bearer
- exploring opportunities for your child to take on leadership positions in school, community projects etc.
- The portfolio will help highlight your child’s character and traits and help to engage the party you want to address. Your child’s portfolio should reflect your child’s personal journey.
How do I get started on a portfolio?
Ready to move to the next step? Here are some guidelines on developing a general portfolio.
When creating your child’s portfolio, you may wish to include:
Personal MISSION statement
- Personal vision or mission statement
Academics
- Educational goals
- Include evidence of your child’s academic abilities and strengths. Possible skills to highlight include critical thinking, communication, etc. Supporting documents may include former academic projects, papers,activities or assignments.
- Outstanding examples of your child’s academic accomplishments. Supporting documents may include transcripts, course descriptions, syllabi, sample paper or schoolwork.
Leadership Experience
- - Club and organization involvement
- - Conferences, workshops and camps
- - Committee Work (on or off school grounds—include special roles on committees)
Community Service learning and Engagement
- Service-Learning projects and activities
- Volunteer work
- Service-Projects
Honours, Awards and Recommendations
- Awards received
- Newspaper or other media coverage
- Nominations
- Letters of recommendation from teachers, clubs/organisations
Personal Talents, Abilities and interests
- Examples of fine and performing arts involvement and/or work
- Participation in sports
- Other hobbies and interests
If you would like to go a step further after this exercise, you may create specific sections for each interest, talent or niche ability.
A final suggestion
Be creative! Your child’s portfolio should be both pleasant to read and appropriate to his or her field of interest. Do not forget to include your child’s photograph as well – sometimes a picture paints a thousand words!
