Any parents of gifted children here ?
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Now on DS2…who is P2 this yr.
He has attended
- Tumble Tots (once a week)
- Seimpi (for 1yr), JMC (4 Terms), and now private. I told the teacher my focus is to let him enjoy music and not to take exams etc. So teacher has been getting books with songs on Star Wars, Disney, Christmas Songs, etc. And DS2 really enjoyed playing piano daily and looks forward to the lesson. This teacher also emphasize a lot of musicianship, body movement, etc. so far, quite happy with her. (started with her only in Nov 08)
- Shichida (1yr)
- Total Brain Development Training (in E&P… 2 yr course from Mar 06 to Feb 08)
- Kumon (K2 to P1), just stopped in Dec 08… We stopped the lesson so that he can spend more time with DS1 as this year they are in different school session, so only can see each other at night.
- Chess (P1) - He started with Beginner…then stopped at Intermediate. We wanted him to take a break. In the meantime, we are using a software to revise the chess moves that he has learnt. Will put him back into the chess class after he has mastered the moves and strategies.
In terms of Pre-school,
- Montessori Childcare (Playgroup)
- Creative O Preschooler’s Bay (from Nursery to K2)
Current enrichment class :
- Swimming (since P1…but he has been swimming once a week since 2yo when we bring DS1 for swimming lesson. )
- Wushu (since K2)
- Morris Allen
- Chinese (still with Jiang Education, as unlike DS1, he is able to concentrate in classroom setting)
- NAFA Art (He has been in NAFA since K1)
- Piano
I used Glen Doman program since he was 1 month old. He started reading at 3.5yo. He is a kinesthetic learner while DS1 is visual learner. Hence, I need to adjust my teaching style accordingly.
Again, with DS2, we spent a lot of time reading and playing board games, educational games and IQ games.
His favourite stories are Journey to the West, Black Beauty and Romance of the 3 kingdom. All thanks to his teacher in Creative O who makes "Introduction of Classic Novel" part of the nap-time reading.
My focus on DS2 is to expose him to things beyond his school curriculum. So, we seldom go through his school work. I leave that to the school teacher. -
Now on DD…who is K1 this yr.
She has attended
- Baby Jumper Gym (Playgroup for 1yr)
In terms of Pre-school,
- Montessori Childcare (18mths to 30mths) -> reason for attending this childcare is because Creative O doesn’t take in children who are not toilet trained. Otherwise, I would hv put DD in Creative O since Day 1.
- Creative O Preschooler’s Bay (from Playgroup to now)
Current enrichment class :
- Swimming (starting this Saturday. Like DS2, she has been swimming once a week since 2yo…so we think that she is ready for lesson. )
- Total Brain Development (in E&P, just started Oct 08)
- NAFA Art (just started this yr)
- JMC (now in Term 3)
I used Glen Doman program since she was borned for about 2years. Since I have 3 kids now, it is really quite a challenge to spend enough time with each. Fortunately, DD is a very fast learner and she does pick up things from her brothers too. Her speech development is very good and could speak very fluently and clearly since young. Listening comprehension is no problem too. I am working on her reading and numeracy now.
I am using the Welcome To Reading series of books in our reading. We also have the Peter and Jane series. She is also very active and has short attention span. So, usually, after reading 1 book, I will ask her to pack her school bag for the next day, or help magic-clean the floor, or play a tune on the piano. Then, after the "moving’, we will read another book… -
Thanks for sharing, Emelyn. Is your DS1 in GEP course? He sounds like a bright chap.
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Emelyn:
Now on DD....who is K1 this yr. ...
Emelyn, you are our Consummate KiasuParent of the Month!
OK, I'll stop grumbling to my wife on having to Ahmad my daughter to her Berries class every weekend. -
EN:
1) MMI (2 years)
Sleepy, kiasulang, Angel64, shylyn, would you be able to share what are the enrichments or daily activities your child has since baby to date? It might be good to share to other parents on picking out the good enrichment program suitable for their kids to allow their children for a head start.
2) Shichida (5 terms)
3) Kumon (4 years)
4) Piano (1 year)
5) Tried various courses at community clubs eg. Chinese Dance, Children's Art, speech & drama
Has since stopped all the above. Kumon is the enrichment that gives her quantum leap.
Now she's only taking English enrichment, Arts, swimming
I'm coaching her in Chinese & Mathematics
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wow, I wonder if all the above is a reflection of the times - and I'm far far behind!
I only sent DS for a short basic course in art & craft , and the only thing he's doing now is Taekwando.
No Baby Einstein, no GD, no Shichida, no Tienxia, no Berries, no Abacus, no Kumon...in fact I'm only just beginning to discover what they are.
All we did was go to the playground everyday, outings, and talk. At home he helped with the housework, and played with his trains and building sets. Highlights were bus and MRT rides, and attending performances.
Didn't read to him at all until he was about 3 because I didn't think he was interested and I found toddler books boring. He had three picture books and that was it for the longest time. Once we began reading we started with Thomas series. Now we read mostly non-fiction in English (borrow from library), and translated children's books in Mandarin. Just started teaching him phonics end of last year, and introducing new Mandarin words this year.
Maths is throwing questions at each other during shower time or in the car. He has began skip-counting without prompting, but that's about it.
School was anticlimatic. He was noted for being frequently absent. Now he's refusing all schools - so we're going to the zoo tomorrw.
Am I living on another planet? Maybe that's why my mum is so kancheong. :lol: -
Hi deminc,
Glad to see you back here.deminc:
Nothing lost there if you don't know what they are. Those baby educational DVDs are certainly overrated but they made great babysitters. :lol:
No Baby Einstein, no GD, no Shichida, no Tienxia, no Berries, no Abacus, no Kumon...in fact I'm only just beginning to discover what they are.
But I suppose the enrichment classes are, as what Kiasulang mentioned earlier on, like professional help. Not every parent is confident or thinks that they equipped with the know-how or patience to nurture their kids. Classes like Berries are certainly great for parents like me to take a backseat in teaching. Seriously, I have thought about withdrawing ds from Berries since he started kindy. But he has grown too attached to the teachers there.
[quote]All we did was go to the playground everyday, outings, and talk. At home he helped with the housework, and played with his trains and building sets. Highlights were bus and MRT rides, and attending performances.
Didn't read to him at all until he was about 3 because I didn't think he was interested and I found toddler books boring. He had three picture books and that was it for the longest time. Once we began reading we started with Thomas series. Now we read mostly non-fiction in English (borrow from library), and translated children's books in Mandarin. Just started teaching him phonics end of last year, and introducing new Mandarin words this year.
Maths is throwing questions at each other during shower time or in the car. He has began skip-counting without prompting, but that's about it.
School was anticlimatic. He was noted for being frequently absent. Now he's refusing all schools - so we're going to the zoo tomorrw.
Am I living on another planet? Maybe that's why my mum is so kancheong. [/quote]Rest assured that you are definitely not living on another planet. Just not kancheong?
I do know a fair share of parents who don't send their kids to any enrichments or preschools. 
-
ChiefKiasu:
Ha ! Ha !Emelyn:
Now on DD....who is K1 this yr. ...
Emelyn, you are our Consummate KiasuParent of the Month!
OK, I'll stop grumbling to my wife on having to Ahmad my daughter to her Berries class every weekend.
If you noticed.... DS1 attended a lot of classes than DD....
That's because DS1 was the \"guinea pig\", trying out a lot of clases.
When it is DD's time, I more or less know what is necessary and what is not, what is good and what is not.
I also agree with Sleepy that kumon gives the child the quantum leap.
The good thing is.... i usually can \"kill 3 birds with 1 stone\"... for eg, swimming -- all 3 together..... NAFA Art -- all 3 together..... JMC & Morris Allen --- chose a place where I can find both classes tog and choose the same day/timing..... -
kiasulang:
I guess we as parents, no matter how much of reassurance, we will still want our kids to excel thus, explains for the high enrollment for enrichment class. So in this case, did ur elder son's sch provide all these enrichment classes?That was before he turned 4, being a first time parent, I was clueless. My concern was to give him a headstart when he is ready for primary school. He was coping fine. He was advance in those classes that lasted from 2 weeks to 3 months. After that, he did not have a single enrichment class, apart from those conducted in school.
When I was in my elder son's GEP parents' briefing. The same advice surface from the supervisor: \"Parents! Please have faith in your child. Stop giving them tuition or enrichment class outside the school\". -
chamonix:
Hi Chamonix
Flashcards is a no-no for us too. I read 2 books by Glenn Doman and decided the methodology doesn't work for us.
Care to share why flashcards is no no for you? I also read Glen Doman book and it does sound really impressive..but lazy mummy, hehehe...didn't follow accordingly. Basically, for me, mainly is flash whenever my boy is interested..but most of the time, he is not..he used to be when he was younger though
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