We have just completed our ThinkingMath™ Parents Workshop (Part I and Part II) and I went away inspired by the parents, our participants. It may be unthinkable for some that parents are actually going to the extent of attending workshops on primary school subjects yet I have gained insights to this supposedly weird phenomenon otherwise known as ‘kiasuism’:
Observing children and family in Transit
It was hang-out night at the club with the Dart team and while the men were busy trying to outbeat each other, the ladies just chat about and June went, "Jerald is a real bully and he is only 4! We put him into a swim class and he went about pinching the girls and throwing his weight about the other kids. I had to pull him aside to discipline him!" Nisha, a mother of 2 very grown kids (in their early thirties) jumped to Jerald's defence, "No. Don't need to discipline. He does not understand wad... actually the fault lies with the other parents, why don't they teach their kids how NOT to be bullied! Jerald is just being so street smart!"
Needless to say, Nisha's comments brought about an active debate way past midnight. Her son-in-law whom we were nudging to quicken the baby-making went, "Now that's another reason not to have babies."
Ok, it is an acceptable observation that boys tend to speak lesser than girls - at least with mine. However, I noticed that my son (now 14) has started to response lesser to us in our daily interactions. And yes, they are rather petty things like a simple, "Son have you had your medication?" or "Are you in your room?" or "Taken your bath?". Unless reminded frequently, it would take me at least 4 times of repeating the question or raising my voice before I get a response :(
Met a friend over coffee yesterday and was updated that his 11-year-old son has topped in Science in his GEP (Gifted Education Programme) class and now into Diploma level for his violin. His 8-year-old daughter (not as smart as the brother, so he said) is at Grade 7 for her piano and has cleared the 1st level selection for GEP. The father was not boasting at all. We knew each other for a long time yet he hardly spoke about his kids and their exellent academic performances.
I 'meet up' with my 14-year-old niece Min quite often - via MSN IM. Though she lives like a 3-min drive from my home, it's tough catching up in person. So sad but in today's context, relationship is built through the click of a button! Well, at least there's the click...
Maybe it's just me or perhaps my kids' circle of friends. Of late, I have taken a special interest to observe our children's social etiquette in particular, the ability to greet and thank another. Sounds odd but yes, I am talking about "Hello, auntie" or "Thanks for the ride uncle." No, it does not come naturally anymore. I think I must be the most to-be-avoided auntie because I will tell my kids' friends that they have forgotten their hellos, goodbyes and thank you. So many times, I have received my kids' friends at home without being acknowledged and times when I have the opportunity to offer a ride to my son's classmates and not being thanked for the gesture. This did not occur once but repeatedly.
Recently, I noticed students sneaking out of a neighbourhood secondary school during school hours. The kids cleverly found a way out via a drain that links the school to our estate. When I first discovered the truancy, I spoke to the boys (Secondary 2) and they told me that there were bored. They further added that their teachers would not miss their absence. They left soon promising that they would return to school. Days later, I saw more students including girls leaving via the secret pathway.
I have been into mind mapping for a long time and use it almost daily at work and home. It is therefore not a surprise that I had my kids into it as well.
My girl got a hang of it quite quickly and readily. She would not start her composition without first drawing her map and it has definitely helped her in her structuring. While my son does make use of it especially for Science when he was in Primary 5 and
6, he did not quite enjoy the mapping process and had to be pushed to do it. This year at Secondary 1, he has many more content-heavy subjects such as History, Geography, Literature, etc. I know mind mapping will help him a great deal if only I could convince him to use it willingly and more frequently. Finally, I decided to work at where he would find most interest in - computer! I downloaded the mind mapping software into his PC and after a few minutes of tutorial with him, he has since gotten hooked! In fact, he so impressed his classmates and teacher when he presented his last History summary presentation using the mind mapping sofware. Today, he uses the mind mapping software willingly, frequently and with such ease. This entire holiday, it’s just mind mapping for all his revisions and I need not utter a word to convince him further. The wonders of technology!
My girl got a hang of it quite quickly and readily. She would not start her composition without first drawing her map and it has definitely helped her in her structuring. While my son does make use of it especially for Science when he was in Primary 5 and
6, he did not quite enjoy the mapping process and had to be pushed to do it. This year at Secondary 1, he has many more content-heavy subjects such as History, Geography, Literature, etc. I know mind mapping will help him a great deal if only I could convince him to use it willingly and more frequently. Finally, I decided to work at where he would find most interest in - computer! I downloaded the mind mapping software into his PC and after a few minutes of tutorial with him, he has since gotten hooked! In fact, he so impressed his classmates and teacher when he presented his last History summary presentation using the mind mapping sofware. Today, he uses the mind mapping software willingly, frequently and with such ease. This entire holiday, it’s just mind mapping for all his revisions and I need not utter a word to convince him further. The wonders of technology!
Visit www.freemind.com for the free source mind mapping software if you face similar challenges.
I thought I heard wrongly when my hubby mentioned that my 13-year old son, Daryl wanted a Crumpler for a bag. Ok, am lost - what happened to Nike, Adidas or the like?
Then when I saw it (at the retail outlet), I was really baffled. It was not a backpack. I took a quick look around me and realised that most of the kids are now into messenger bags! “Crumpler is different. It’s water resistant and well designed. Also very durable,” so my son added. And it cost at least $102 and more, depending on the model. The most popular amongst the students is the Western Lawn.
Two weeks later, I asked my 14 year-old niece what she would like for her birthday. “A messenger bag like Crumpler?” So, my son is definitely not alone! “Correction. Mum, your son is definitely alone! He is NOT one of the 70% with a Crumpler!” That’s from Daryl as he popped his head over my shoulder while I was working on this submission.
Indeed, we did not accede to his request (neither did my niece’s). How did we do it? We gave our son 2 choices:
1. He could save up for the bag and we will subsidise 50% of the cost or;
2. We fully bear the cost for a new bag and buy him a Crumpler-alternative at only $40.