Right Brain Education: A Teacher's Perspective

I was first introduced to right brain education when I joined TweedleWink as a teacher in 2010. Being a totally new concept to me, I had so many questions and so I did a lot of research about the subject. I was trained by Pamela Hickein, the founder of TweedleWink. Besides learning about the TweedleWink method, I also read Glenn Doman's book and Shichida's books. I would also recommend reading Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, which offers a different perspective on why right-brainers will rule the future.

This is my perspective on the subject:

One of the main concepts of right brain education is LOVE. It is important to enter the classroom with the right mindset. The right brain pathway opens up when it feels loved, relaxed, safe and secure. Thus, as a teacher, I don't yell at the children to sit down & listen. Some children are kinesthetic learners and need to move around. They do not feel relaxed when they are restrained. That's why it's important to give the children space to move around in class.

Right brain education is not a miracle. You can't just expect to send your child to class once a week and expect him/her to be a genius. Your child's early childhood years are precious. You have to spend time with your child and nurture his/her love of learning. Follow your child's interest. Read with your child. Take time to learn with your child. Don't just focus on how many flashcards you can flash a day, take time to explore, do crafts and nurture their creativity.

Just remember not to focus so much on the results. Enjoy the process. Have fun while learning. Don't compare your child with others. Every child is unique and learn differently, at different paces.

"You can struggle for weeks to teach a child to identify colours before they are ready.
Or you can do it in a few moments when they are ready to learn."

I believe it is the same for any other concept. When they have the interest, they learn very quickly. But when they are not ready, both parties will struggle and end up frustrated. I know, because I've been there, done that.

Most right brain classes only offer a weekly program. How about the other days of the week?

If you are looking for a preschool, I would recommend TweedleWink Playhouse. I have been to many schools and I can confidently say that TweedleWink Playhouse is truly one of a kind, offering a unique curriculum which blends right brain education with Montessori principles. It combines both methods beautifully and harmoniously, enhancing whole-brain synergy. 

You are most welcome to contact me if you ever want to find out more! 

The Hundred Languages of Children

My role as a teacher:

Learn to
Listen to the hundred languages of children.
Marvel with them
Love them
Sing with them
Discover with them
Invent with them
Dream with them

Encourage them to
use their hands
their minds
their hearts
- all together,

Encourage them
to listen & to speak
to understand with joy
to love & to marvel
all the time

Tell the child:
work & play
reality & fantasy
science & imagination
sky & earth
reason & dream
are inseparable.

Believe that
The hundred is there.

Little Teachers

When it comes to toddlers, sharing is a constant challenge, because at the age of 3, they are still rather egocentric - they think about themselves before thinking about others. In school, I am constantly encouraging the children to share. I do not force or demand them to share. Rather, I guide them in asking politely. If the other party is still playing and not ready to share, I encourage them to wait for awhile. When their friend is ready to share, they will.

One day, Little O and Little R are playing together. Little Y comes and grabs Little O's toy without asking. Immediately, Little O starts to scream! As I was about to step in, Little R says to Little O, "You do not need to scream. If you scream, your friend won't know what you want. You can ask, 'Can I have the toy, please?'" 

I beam with pride as I hear what she says. I've created little teachers! 

Of eating

When it comes to fussy eaters, one of the trick I have up my sleeves is giving children choices.

Scenario:
I don't want to eat carrots!

Rather than forcing them to eat, engaging in a power struggle where both parties end up frustrated, I respectfully offer:

"Ok, you choose: would you like to eat 3 pieces or 5 pieces?"

They usually would choose 3. But occasionally, a child who likes the number 5 (or perhaps can't differentiate more or less) would choose 5!

Sometimes, they negotiate. 2!

Ok, but 2 BIG pieces.

Win-Win!

The thing is, as adults, there are certain things we do not eat either. No one is ever going to force me to eat bitter-gourd! That's why I believe that we should not force the children to eat what they do not like. Of course, we encourage them to try. We encourage them to eat a bit, even if they don't like the taste.

The other day, I tried something at the spur of the moment.

"OK, if you don't like the carrot, how about you close your eyes when you eat it. I'll mix it with some chicken. You won't taste it!"

Surprisingly, it worked!

Kids Say the Funniest Things

We have a family tapestry in class, featuring the family photos of all the students and teachers. It's nice to have my family picture up there so the children are aware that I have a mummy, daddy, brother & sister, too, just like them.

One day, little L is looking at the family tapestry together with her mum and sees mine. (I used my wedding photo as my husband is my family, too.) She gasps as she looks at my picture.
"Mummy, is Ms Yen Nee a princess?" she asks.
Her mum & I laugh.
"Nope. That is Ms Yen Nee's wedding! She was getting married. But she looks like a princess, doesn't she?" her mum replies.
Little L says, "Yeah. She looks like a TALL princess."
At barely 155cm tall, no one EVER calls me tall! LOL. I guess to her, I am!

On a separate note, every time children see my husband's picture next to me, I'd innocently ask them who they think that is. 9 out of 10 times, the answer is......

"Is it your daddy?"

LOL!

A reflection of my journey

It's Teacher's Day! As I look back on my teaching journey, I realized that I've come a looooong way.

I started teaching in the church Sunday School on 9th September 2007. I had just turned 16 and I was starting to ponder on what I would like to study after high school. I fell in love with teaching.

Right after high school, I studied early childhood education in college and was deeply inspired by some lecturers. I loved to learn and would read and study on the train on the way to college (I am nerdy like that). I worked and studied at the same time as I believed that my learning would be more meaningful if I can apply and practice what I learned.

Whilst studying, I worked as an English tutor in a tuition center, a Mandarin teacher to 2-3 year olds, an assistant teacher in a very teacher directed school, a right brain teacher in an enrichment center, did my practicum in a so-called play based school. Then I graduated.

I taught right brain enrichment full time for 2 years (I still teach part time now) before moving on to a kindergarten. In a kindergarten, I get to bond more deeply with my children. However, the school I was teaching in was a too-many-students-in-a-class, too-many-books-to-complete-before-end-of-the-year, children-sit-down-and-listen-to-me kind of school. I did not enjoy teaching that way and felt the pressure of completing workbooks. I decided that that kind of teaching is not my cup of tea. I then joined TweedleWink Playhouse, a wonderful Montessori inspired right brain school and I really enjoy my work here.

Everything happens for a reason. I learn from good experiences and learn what not to do from bad experiences. And everything that has happened has led me to where I am and to be who I am now. I have never regretted my decision to be a teacher and I am so blessed to have found my calling. I never get Monday blues, and whenever I think of my children, I smile :-)