The Importance Of Formal And Informal Education

Traditionally our schools are responsible for formally

educating our children and young people, and families and

friends supply the informal portions of their educations.

Both of these portions of a child's education are of equal

importance. They both contribute greatly to a child's

learning experience. They affect the way a child thinks

and communicates with society.

"Formal education is the hierarchically

structured, chronologically graded 'education system',

running from primary school through the university and

including, in addition to general academic studies, a

variety of specialized programs and institutions for

full-time technical and professional training."(Smith)

Formal education contributes greatly to a child's

development because this is how the child will learn the

sciences and arts. It helps people acquire the skills they

need for such everyday activities as reading a newspaper or

managing their money. It also gives them the specialized

training they may need to prepare for a job or career.

People must meet certain educational requirements and get a license or certificate before they can practice accounting, law, or medicine.

"Informal education is a truly lifelong process

whereby every individual acquires attitudes, values, skills and knowledge from daily experience and the educative influences and resources in his or her environment - from family and neighbors, from work and play, from the market place, the library and the mass media."(Smith) Informal education contributes greatly to a child's development because this is were he/she will learn all the other things about life that they wouldn't learn at school. This has more influence on how the child will learn to interact with others. Informal education is an essential part of a child's education; this is how the child will become "street smart". "Street smart" means that the child will obtain the knowledge and skills to survive by his/her self in society. Informal education is important because it helps people increase their knowledge and understanding of the world. Education helps people acquire skills that make their lives more interesting and enjoyable.

Both ways of education are important to a child's

development. Each type of education helps in its own unique way. All children should be educated by using both types of education.