Currently...

I am...

READING The Whole Brain Child. I am only halfway through it but at this point, I LOVE IT! Highly recommend it! 

PLANNING to move to Aussie! My hubby has decided to take on a new challenge in pursuing his Masters in Education there. I am eager to embark on a new journey and experience teaching in a different culture! I just know that I will thrive there. 

FEELING mixed feelings. I am eager, excited, worried and uncertain at the same time. 

NEEDING a short break! Caring for myself is important so that I have the energy to care for others. :-) 

Words to Remember

"A child's laughter and tears have equal importance. I would not want to take away from him disappointment, sorrow, grief. Emotions enable character. The deeper we feel, the more human we become."

Your Guide to a Happier Family: Liberated Parents, Liberated Children

by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish

Currently...

I am a trainee play therapist! The door has always been open for me to continue my studies and I have finally found the course I want to pursue! It has been an amazing journey of self-discovery. I have learned so much and I am filled with the desire to learn so much more! Part of the course is to complete 100 clinical hours and I have started clinical work in a centre which has an early intervention program for children with special needs.

I am homeschooling a 4-year-old. I quit my job at the preschool because I wanted to focus on my studies and clinical work. Not wanting too much commitment, I am homeschooling 3 days a week at the moment. It has been so much fun and I am enjoying the process. 

I am still teaching part-time at TweedleWink. I am excited by the new things they add every year. I do love their unique philosophy and teaching method. Can't believe I have been teaching here for more than 7 years! I love all the children I teach and it just doesn't feel like work sometimes. 

Overall, I am really REALLY enjoying my journey in 2017 so far. I am focused, driven, not stressed, well rested, and most importantly, doing it happily with all my heart! 

8th

It's my 8th time celebrating Teacher's Day!

I'm so blessed to be surrounded by children I love every day.

I'm so incredibly lucky to have found my calling. 

Although this year is bumpy, I believe that when one door closes, another opens up!

Great Me & Little Me

Did you know that you have two "me's". When you choose your Great Me, your frequency lifts, you shine like the sun! When you choose your Little Me, your light dims and your frequency drops. But you can always take a deep breath. Blow out your Little Me as if you're blowing out a balloon. 1... 2... 3... Breathe in your Great Me. 1... 2... 3... Now, try again! You can choose which "Me" to be. I hope you choose your Great Me!

This is a great Character Building story that I use with my children. Everyone has days where they feel like choosing their Little Me. At times, all you need is to take a deep breath, calm down and try again. It is great to have the children visualise they are blowing balloons. 

Rather than yell at children and get into a power struggle, or opposite, let the child get his/her way in everything, this Character-Building program helps the children think rationally of the consequences of choosing their Little Me. It ends positively, and children behave better when they feel better. Believe me, I've tried giving punitive time outs in the past when I was at my wits' end, but it didn't work. All I created was a situation where the child is upset AND I was upset. 

So when your child is throwing a temper tantrum, encourage your child to think of consequences, 

If you choose your Little Me, then the classroom would be messy and teachers and children will be sad. We would like to have a neat classroom. Let's blow out our Little Me's together. 1-2-3. Let's breathe in our Great Me's! Are you ready to choose your Great ME? (Big warm loving hug!)

Sometimes, I do it for myself. So that I have the patience to deal with the situation. 

Visit this page to purchase the e-books!

http://www.rightbraineducation.com/category-s/139.htm

When I was young

"When I was young, I was hit by my parents and I turned out fine."

"When I was young, we did not have any of these educational programs and classes and I turned out fine."

"When I was young, I didn't learn this and I turned out fine."

Well, when you were young, your parents did not have cell phones and internet and they turned out fine!

Like it or not, times are changing, and if the way you educate your child doesn't change, your child might miss out. Sure, he/she might turn out fine. But imagine if you read up on research and make INFORMED choices, how much better they could turn out?

People need to study and have degrees to build buildings or bridges. Is bringing up a child any less important than building roads?

The opposite of whacking your child is not letting your child climb on top of your head. You ought to strike a balance of a kind and firm discipline. I highly recommend reading up on positive discipline by Jane Nelsen.

Patience

I've seen kids who like to scold their friends. When I look at how the parent talks to the child, I know why. Children are parrots. They imitate EVERYTHING that we do. That's why it is so important for us as adults to be good role models for the children. 

I've had parents comment, 

"I really don't know how you do it. It's so difficult for me to deal with just one, and you have to deal with 20!"

Breathe

Practicing yoga has helped me become more aware of my breathing. Take time to take a deeeeeeeeeeeeep breath when you feel your anger rising.

Tea

I bring lavender or chamomile tea to work. Thus, when I feel overwhelmed, I take a sip of tea, and ahhhh, I feel the stress melt away.

Talk face to face

Overseeing a number of kids is no easy task. Sometimes, I see a child at the other side of the room misbehaving. Although it seems easier to yell, it would be much better to walk up to the child face to face and talk to the child. 

Rest

It is vital to ensure that you have sufficient rest so that you have the energy to be patient. 

Here's a great website for some more tips from an amazing mum who decided to stop yelling at her kids:

The Orange Rhino Challenge: Yell less, Love more!

orangerhino.com

Separation Anxiety

It's the time of the year. One of the most difficult time of the year - for teachers, parents and children. A new beginning for many children. A new milestone - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

It is not easy for children as they have to leave their secure homes and step into an unfamiliar environment and learn to trust a stranger (the teacher).

It is not easy for parents to see their children crying, and sometimes parents feel heartbroken to see their little babies go through this phase.

It is not easy for teachers - can you imagine juggling three crying children, and at the same time, ensure that the other children have your attention, too? At the beginning of the day, I have to make sure I have my caffeine and my chicken essence to give me extra energy to face the challenges.

Easing Separation Anxiety
The best way to ease separation anxiety is to bridge the gap between home and school. In school, we invite the parents to stay with the children for the first few days of school. This is so that the children can start to build relationship with the teachers in a secure environment.

Children may bring in their own toy from home as a security blanket. Parents can give a family photo so that the children feel connected too their families during the day. If the child is not settled, come early, so that the child is not separated for such a long period of time.

Parents have to trust the teachers to take care of the children. Sometimes, it's difficult, but you just have to let go. The more you linger, the more difficult it is for your child to settle down.

Over the years, I have experienced many types of reactions to separation. Every child is unique and behaves differently, but generally, these are the categories:

The Nonchalant
Some children have no issue at all in going to school. Bear in mind that every child have different attachment patterns. This does not mean your child loves you any less than the one rolling on the floor crying. These children love to come to school and are so busy playing that they do not even look up to say goodbye to their parents.

The Silent Crier
This child does not burst out crying, rather, the tears well up in the eyes and drop down sadly. This child needs lots of reassurance, but calms down easily. The key is distraction. After acknowledging the child's feelings, I distract the child with fun things - Let's do drawing! Wow, look at this book! Come, let's play with the dolls!! I had a child who loves songs, and whenever he cried, I'd sing, and he'd sing along through his tears.

The Child who Rolls on the Floor Crying
This is the challenging one, as when they start screaming, it affects the other children as well. This child usually needs one to one attention separately from the class. Some might even vomit (that's the reason I always have spare clothes with me in school). Step one - build trust. This child needs to form an attachment to a teacher. Once that happens, I would have a shadow, following me wherever I go - even to the toilet! Over time, the child will slowly get used to other teachers, too.

Different children take different lengths of time to settle down. Sometimes, they are simply not ready. I had a child who cried hysterically every day for hours for a month. We then decided that the child was simply not ready and advised the mum to give her some time away from school. Three months down the road, she tried again. On her first day back at school - she said goodbye to her mum without a single tear!! That shows that sometimes, they just need some time.

Advice for parents - work together with the teachers if you are concerned. Make sure you find a school where you can trust the teachers to take care of your child when your child is vulnerable.

Happy schooling! :-)

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 :-)

Work

It's labour day! (That's why I finally have some time to do some blogging!)

In reflection of my work, I think that I actually work too much. And the thing is, I love working. Even if at the end of the day, I'm exhausted, worn out, drained, I love working. Why? Because I'm serving children. And that's the reason I have energy to start my hectic day all over again.

Yesterday was one of the student's last day, and as we were singing the 'I Love You Song'' and the 'Thank You Song' for the last time, I started tearing up and I realized this little girl has crept into my heart and has left a mark there. I looked back at the pictures of all my previous students and I can see them so vividly in my mind - their smiles, their behaviors, their laughter. Every one of them has a special place in my heart.

I remember that as we were talking about friendships in school, I shared to the children that you can be friends with everyone, because that the more love you give, the more love you'll receive. Indeed, I am rich with love. And that is why I love teaching.

Joy of teaching

I enjoy teaching. At times it's difficult, but the little things these little people say and do just make it so so rewarding.

I was reading the children a story when I got a paper cut. Blood started gushing out of the wound. As we went out to get a band aid, one child offered to hold my hand for me. 'It's OK, I'll help you, teacher!' Another rushed out to get me a cup of water. They all gathered around me as I applied the band aid. So sweet.

My kids are also such sweet talkers. They've learnt to say kind words and compliments, so during snack time, one would suddenly say, 'You look nice today, teacher.' And others would follow suit. 'You know teacher, your face is like, so amazing!' Haha. Aww, thank you!!

New Chapter at TweedleWink Playhouse

I've been so uber busy at my new school - TweedleWink Playhouse. It combines right brain education with Montessori elements, and I can see the children just adore coming to school. And so do I! I really love school. There's a reason I am willing to travel so far to come to school - PASSION. It is my dream school. I love how the program is beautifully designed to blend the best of Montessori philosophy with right brain education. All children learn differently at different paces, thus we follow the child and let them lead the learning.

At the same time, the children are exposed to so much because a child's early years from birth to six are the period when they have the greatest capacity to learn.They are exposed to famous composers and classical music pieces, world cultures and foreign languages, science concepts, famous artists and art pieces, and so so so much more! 

Besides imparting knowledge, we focus a lot on character-building - encouraging them to be kind, helping them deal with frustrations, assisting them in building their confidence, encouraging them to be independent. It's a tough job, but I absolutely positively love it to bits!

These are some snapshots of what happens in school! :) 

Baking muffins when we visited England

Working on dinosaur montessori cards

Baking Italian bread

Cooking French toast

Working on Montessori Colour Box 3

Art appreciation: Paul Gauguin

Art Appreciation: Winslow Homer

Art Appreciation: Claude Monet

Learning about volcanoes 

Preparing ingredients to make ratatouille

We made ratatouille when we visited France

Having a puppet show

Love it? I know I do!

Currently...

THIS WEEKS THEMES:
LEARNING, GATHERING, GIVING, WORKING, PLAYING

Me:

LEARNING about Montessori for my work. Looking forward!

GATHERING my thoughts. Or rather trying to. Overwhelmed with thoughts of jobs and buying house and finishing work and saying goodbye. Good thing school break is coming up in two weeks!

GIVING gifts. To mothers. To teachers. To students. To friends.

WORKING hard!! With the parent teacher meeting coming up, it's time to type up reports and file up portfolios.

PLAYING with my iPad quite a lot haha. Playing puzzles mental challenge and stuff.

The kids:

LEARNING about animals this month. We just heard real animal sounds and it's really interesting. Real pigs don't actually say oink oink! I wonder who came up with that. Haha

WORKING and PLAYING with animal puzzles and all the cool apps I have on my iPad! Hahaha. Loving Wee Sing where you can listen to animal sounds and also sounds of musical instruments.

Currently

I am currently...

ADMIRING the Montessori method. I am reading about Montessori again, and her work is uber inspiring.

LOVING all the little ones in class. (Duh) haha.

CLEANING the classroom with dettol every day! Every toy and material. A lot of work, but it's a precautionary step to make sure the Evil Hand Foot Mouth Disease doesn't attack anyone!

CREATING a new theme board. May's theme is Animals and I'm doing animals under water!