As children go into 10th grade, they and their parents get stressed and anxious. They want to perform
well in the 10th exam, but they also have to choose the right stream to pursue higher
education. The stream that your child opts for will determine their career path. Hence, there is
added pressure to choose between science, commerce, and humanities.
While your child may have their ambitions and aim, your expectations may cloud their
judgment. The added peer pressure does not help. So, it is advisable to use these tips rather
than pushing your child to take up a stream that conforms to your wishes or what their friends
have opted for.
Understand Your Child’s Aptitude and Interest
Before you decide on a stream, determine your child’s aptitude and interest. It is prudent to
remember that many times, aptitude may not be clear. Under such circumstances, it is
advisable to get your child to take an aptitude test. The test will assess your child’s strengths
and give you a clear idea.
Along with aptitude, interest in a specific subject is also essential. If your child is interested in
writing and is constantly penning down stories, humanities is a better choice than science or
commerce. Likewise, if your child prefers working with numbers, they may excel in the
commerce stream.
Educate Yourself and Your Child About the Different Streams
Just choosing a stream is not enough. You should know more about the three streams –
science, commerce, and humanities. You need to know the subjects offered in each stream,
how complicated the level is, and what professional courses your child can pursue after
completing 12th grade. Make a list of these courses and the career prospects so that you and your
child have all the details on hand to make an informed choice.
Use the Services of a Career Counselor
Sometimes, your personal views and expectations may cloud your judgment and prevent you
from helping your child select the right stream. If that is the case, it is best to approach a career
counsellor. The counsellor will conduct a series of tests to ascertain your child’s aptitude,
interest, and personality. Based on the test results, the counsellor will recommend a stream
that is best suited for your child.
Avoid Pushing Your Child into a Stream Chosen by their Friends
This happens more often than most parents would like to acknowledge. If all your child’s
friends have chosen the science stream, you may push your child to do the same. This is not
prudent as they could end up taking a stream that they don’t prefer. As a result, they may
underperform. Please help your child select a stream based on their interest, aptitude, and
ability. That will keep them motivated to perform well throughout the course.
You and your child will have to consider different aspects before choosing a stream. Remember,
the best stream is one that your child has the aptitude for and is interested in. Use the tips
mentioned above to determine your child’s strengths and weaknesses and then select a stream
and subjects that ensure their success later in life.
You can even connect with career counselors to help your children select the right stream.
My son wants to take up commerce but we are from engineer family and I was bit of doubtful of his choice. But your blog helps me.