Recorder

The other day I showed the recorder to my class, and asked them to choose what song they want me to play, having in mind children's songs like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, or Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Little A requested, Teacher, can you play Mozart? LOL. I told him, Sorry, I don't know how to play Mozart. He then requested for Beethoven. I told him I don't know that, either. And he hummed the tune for me.

Haha, kids.

Tiger Mama

I've recently read the Battle of the Hymn of a Tiger Mother. For those who have not heard of it, it is a memoir of how a Chinese mum raises her children, how she constantly forces them to practice their musical instruments (even when they're travelling), how she only expects the best of them.

Well, what do I think of the book?

It is certainly a page turner. This mum is the kind that people love to hate. I even wondered how her husband can stand her. But on the other hand, she does have some good points when she is comparing "Chinese parenting" with "Western parenting". Of course, these terms are vague and overgeneralize, but you get the gist. Being in a culture where we are "Chinese" but are taught "Western" values in the early childhood education field such as raising children's self esteem by praising them for every little thing they can do, not using negative words such as it's WRONG, it makes me wonder whether the "western" way overprotects children.

I guess the key to all of these is BALANCE.

At first I wondered, if her Tiger Mum parenting is wrong in so many ways, how come her kids turned out great and would do what she did? Well, after reading some interviews and articles about her, (they're everywhere!) I know why. It is because she did not write the whole truth in her book. The book is just about how she is the tiger mum. She states in interviews that her husband does the "western" part of parenting, having fun etc etc. She just left that part out.

Anyway, if you read the book, you'll find that her Tiger Mum parenting only worked on her elder daughter. For her second daughter, she eventually gave in and allowed her daughter to choose what she wanted. That says a lot, doesn't it. Each individual is different and you can't expect the same from every child.

It is indeed a good read, so do get it if you haven't yet!

Brain Rules

I am currently teaching in Beaconhouse, and as Beaconhouse is the education partner for the "Brain Rules for Parents & Educators", I had the opportunity to listen to the wonderful John Medina for Free! (Thanks, Beaconhouse!)

It was an enriching experience listening to the talk. One major thing I learnt is that there is still so much about the human brain that WE DON"T KNOW! But I shall share with you some things learnt that we do know, and is proven by research.

1. Learning involves Crystallized intelligence and Fluid intelligence, and as with all things, there must be a balance between the two.
Crystallized intelligence is the ability to remember/memorize something. Like it or not, learning involves rote learning. To be "successful" in learning, you definitely need to have good memory!
Fluid intelligence is improvising/making creative associations of the info as soon as the brain receives it.

2. It is important to teach your kids how to deal with FAILURE.
It is WRONG to praise your child like this: You got an A! Good job! You're so smart!
Why? Because when you praise your child for his innate ability, he will see it as, If I score an A, it means I'm smart. If I fail, it means I'm STUPID. They do not understand  why they have failed and will see errors as personal failings.
This is how you should praise your child: You got an A! Good job! You must have worked really hard!
Appealing to their effort allows for growth. Your child then sees it as, If I score an A, it means I worked hard. If I fail, it means I Did Not Work Hard Enough! They perceive errors as problems to be solved.
So, parents and teachers, teach them how to handle failure. We don't need to protect them from failure, but we need to teach them how to face these failures properly.

3. Emotional Stability of the Home directly affects children's academic performances.
How your kid turns out depends on how you reacted when your kids' feekings run hot/ intense.
This is how you should react when your kid is angry, upset, disappointed, frustrated...
FEARLESS - Don't be afraid of what others think. You don't need to be embarrassed if your child throws tantrums in public. Don't all children do that at one point or another? Your priority is your child.
Firstly, set behavioural rules in "stone" and consistently explain them.
You must always be form in your rules, but always make sure you explain them. If your child wants to reach for the vase, instead of saying "NO", say "DANGER! You might get hurt"
Secondly, be aware of children's emotions and help them verbalize them on a consistent basis.
Help your child name his feelings. He wants his teddy bear but it's not here right now? Tell your child, I know you are feeling FRUSTRATED. You miss your teddy bear now, don't you? It's OK to feel frustrated. (Don't we, too, feel frustrated when we don't get what we want?)
Thirdly, exhibit consistent empathic behaviour.
Comfort your child. See things from a child's point of view. Surprisingly, your child will feel better in a while. =)

Do log on to http://www.brainrulesasia.com/ for more info.
John Medina has authored two books: Brain Rules and Brain Rules for Baby.

Struggles

I have recently started a new job. I was quite looking forward to it as my friend who introduced me the job is very impressed with the system and everything. I thought it is play-based, but it's not. To be honest, it was a let down. However, I can't just leave the job after two weeks, can I? So I've decided to stay there and learn what I can and just make the best of the situation.


The sad thing is, I've got to conform and do what I've been taught not to do. I've got to accept that this is the kind of kindergartens parents in Malaysia would send their children to. The kind I would send my children to (unless I plan to home-school my children). So that they are prepared for primary school. Especially if they're going to Chinese school. How else can they manage and keep up with the mountain piles of homework?


Let me just describe briefly the center. I am at the 5 year old school. There are 5 classes with around 20 children in each class. Means there are 100+ five-year-olds. The classroom uses an open concept, meaning that there are no walls dividing the classes. So when one teacher teaches, the other teacher can hear. Children have their assigned places and it is very teacher-directed. The teacher will teach and the children will listen. They have homework to bring home everyday, and they will be having their exams next week. Poor children =( The subjects they study are mainly bahasa, chinese, english, maths, with about one or two periods of art & craft, gym, computer, science, innovation each week.


Obviously, the main focus is on language. And its mostly reading and writing. Even in language, they do not have much storytelling. For english its mostly learning blends, vowel sounds etc such as ba be bi bo bu. Lots and lots of drilling and repetition. For mandarin its mostly recognizing words. For bahasa its learning new words and separating suku kata etc. Very Very Dull, in my opinion.


But, thinking back, that is what I went through when I was in kindergarten. I pulled through and I am alright. Is it wrong that children have to go through this? I mean, they can always have their play after school, can't they? I am really confused as it is so hard to practice what I learn in the real world. I am kinda starting to doubt the effectiveness of play based methods in Malaysia. Don't get me wrong - I know that play is good for children, but how far can play help children in terms of discipline? And discipline is greatly required in our schooling systems.

Speaking about discipline - it is actually one thing I admire about the school; but at the same time, one thing I despise. It is admirable that they can get the children to follow instructions and to keep quiet. But sometimes I feel they go too far. In the sense that, I myself can't sit through a college lecture without chatting with my friends, or letting my mind wander all around the world...and u expect a FIVE-YEAR-OLD to? 


I'm really really confused right now on what I should do. On what is the best way to combine the two extremes of play and of academic work. I guess I still have a long way to go and a lot of learning to do.

Play

For one of our previous assignments, we had to set up a booth at the cafeteria to educate the public regarding developmentally appropriate practices. I made some bookmarks to give out to the visitors and came up with this slogan for the bookmarks: "Play is the Way Kids Learn Best" 

My eight-year-old sister, my biggest fan and supporter, watched me as I made the bookmarks. And she made her own bookmarks and came up with her own slogan:

"Now is time to play! Kids learn more and faster!"

Bookmarks my eight year old sister designed

See, kids themselves advocate play!

Big Dreams

It started with wanting to be a housewife. I was 15. I knew that I didn't want to be a career woman in the future, instead focus more on my family. Then, I wanted to be an English teacher. My father suggested Early Childhood Education, and since I really love taking care and playing with my little sister ten years my junior, I thought "why not?" I joined the Sunday School Programme and enjoying teaching very much, I started my Diploma in Early Childhood Education after my SPM. I have not looked back ever since.

While studying, I learn about many issues in the Early Childhood field in Malaysia and realise there is so much I can do in this field.

I can teach, educating all the little ones I come across.

I can open my own center, doing things my way and not conforming to the wants and wishes of bosses. I have visited one play based school for one of my assignments and I was inspired and have been dreaming of opening one like that ever since.

I can be a special needs teacher. Although it will be very challenging, I hope to contribute to this field and gain amazing experiences in return.

I can be a lecturer, teaching future teachers and giving them the knowledge to help them be the best teachers they can be, so that in turn, they can teach and touch the lives of other children.

These are just some of my dreams. Yeah, I do dream big. I've even thought about being the Minister of Education so that I can change our education system. But the thought about being into politics just put me off. I may not achieve all my dreams, but I reach for the moon, so even if I miss, perhaps I'll catch some stars. =)

Some of the other career paths in early childhood:

- Nanny, licensed babysitter, child-care provider

- Classroom aide or assistant

- Early childhood specialist, administrator, supervisor

- Early childhood professor, researcher, scholar

- Early childhood psychologist

- Play therapist, speech therapist etc.

There is so much we can do, so much we need to, for these little ones.

Chinese New Year!

Once upon a time in China, there was a monster called "Nian".

Every year before the Chinese New Year, he will come into the village and destroyed the village, sometimes even taking the little children away with him. All the villagers were scared. Every year before the Chinese New Year, they would go into the caves to hide from the monster.

One day, an old man visited the village. He told the villagers that they should not be scared. "You are many and he is but one. Surely he could not swallow all of you." he said. He told the villagers that the monster was afraid of red colour and loud noises.

So that year, all the villagers worked together. They hung red decorations on the walls of every house. They bought new red clothes to wear. They played loud music on the streets. They played the drums. And when "Nian" appeared, they lit the fire crackers. "Bam! Bam! Bam!"

"Nian" was afraid of the loud sounds and red colour seen all over the village. He turned and ran away. Every year, the villagers wore red clothes and hung red decorations and played loud music and played fire crackers during Chinese New Year.

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This is just a simple story I told my two-year-olds. It was a multicultural lesson. They made ang pows (red packets), even putting coins inside, made Chinese New Year cards, made red lanterns, learnt Chinese New Year songs, played the drums as they sang, watched Lion Dance performances, made lion dance masks, made dragon puppets...And had lots of fun in the midst of learning!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Fa Chai!