Intellect or Age Peer?

[sleepy]

raisintan:

It's always a struggle isn't it? If we over-teach, our kids will get bored in class.

I suppose it's a delicate balance. If child is motivated to learn more & is able to absorb, why not?

[metz]

Chenonceau:

raisintan:

Hi 2ppaamm and chenonceau,


Can u share what do u mean by holding back? As in hands off and not being involved?

I refused to teach beyond what Teacher was teaching. I didn't know that schools test beyond what they teach. Since I have to teach, I might as well have gone all the way and my son would already be way way ahead.

Not teaching ahead isn't necessary bad, especially at a younger age. Sometimes, it allows the child time to consolidate what he/she knows. And when ready, he/she will self-propel to greater heights. Remember your advice on my kid's writing? We put off the task completely until last oct or nov. His thinking and writing skills has shown much more complexity and maturity now (but he's still not an avid writer yet).

Perhaps, holding them back a little at times will encourage them to go further in the long run.

[2ppaamm]

sleepy:

raisintan:

It's always a struggle isn't it? If we over-teach, our kids will get bored in class.

I suppose it's a delicate balance. If child is motivated to learn more & is able to absorb, why not?

Why not. Because the teachers ask us not to, and because he acts too smart in class, because the teachers and principals assume he is hot housed at home, because he asks too many questions those teachers cannot answer. Because of all these, it is better to dumb down your child in school. Such is my experience. If he attends tuition, his enrichment is to score As, if we enrich the kids, and our aim is not to just score As, his experience is totally different. He will have a different way of looking at things, a wider and more intellectual way, his knowledge is not confined to what the school will cover, so he asks questions that teachers don't know how to answer, like why did the communists in Singapore have to retreat and not allowed to return until the last 1990s? Writing this, \"γειά σου\" in a composition is not appreciated, even in quotes. Telling your English teacher she spelled a word wrongly in class is not appreciated when you are only 10.

Geez... some even go as far as to tell the children algebra is not accepted as answers to Maths questions... what kind of a world is this?

[metz]

2ppaamm:

sleepy:

[quote=\"raisintan\"]It's always a struggle isn't it? If we over-teach, our kids will get bored in class.

I suppose it's a delicate balance. If child is motivated to learn more & is able to absorb, why not?

Why not. Because the teachers ask us not to, and because he acts too smart in class, because the teachers and principals assume he is hot housed at home, because he asks too many questions those teachers cannot answer. Because of all these, it is better to dumb down your child in school. Such is my experience. If he attends tuition, his enrichment is to score As, if we enrich the kids, and our aim is not to just score As, his experience is totally different. He will have a different way of looking at things, a wider and more intellectual way, his knowledge is not confined to what the school will cover, so he asks questions that teachers don't know how to answer, like why did the communists in Singapore have to retreat and not allowed to return until the last 1990s? Writing this, \"γειά σου\" in a composition is not appreciated, even in quotes. Telling your English teacher she spelled a word wrongly in class is not appreciated when you are only 10.

Geez... some even go as far as to tell the children algebra is not accepted as answers to Maths questions... what kind of a world is this?[/quote]
Hmm, I am confused here. Am I reading that you are encouraging parents to send their kids for academic enrichments? Oh dear, does that mean i'm shortchanging my kids if they have none since birth? The only enrichment I could afford is books...

[2ppaamm]

chamonix:

2ppaamm:

[quote=\"sleepy\"]
I suppose it's a delicate balance. If child is motivated to learn more & is able to absorb, why not?

Why not. Because the teachers ask us not to, and because he acts too smart in class, because the teachers and principals assume he is hot housed at home, because he asks too many questions those teachers cannot answer. Because of all these, it is better to dumb down your child in school. Such is my experience. If he attends tuition, his enrichment is to score As, if we enrich the kids, and our aim is not to just score As, his experience is totally different. He will have a different way of looking at things, a wider and more intellectual way, his knowledge is not confined to what the school will cover, so he asks questions that teachers don't know how to answer, like why did the communists in Singapore have to retreat and not allowed to return until the last 1990s? Writing this, \"γειά σου\" in a composition is not appreciated, even in quotes. Telling your English teacher she spelled a word wrongly in class is not appreciated when you are only 10.

Geez... some even go as far as to tell the children algebra is not accepted as answers to Maths questions... what kind of a world is this?

Hmm, I am confused here. Am I reading that you are encouraging parents to send their kids for academic enrichments? Oh dear, does that mean i'm shortchanging my kids if they have none since birth? The only enrichment I could afford is books...[/quote]O no, did I sound like I am encouraging children to go for enrichment? Not at all! Explain later... daughter needs help...

[Chenonceau]

chamonix:

Chenonceau:

[quote=\"raisintan\"]Hi 2ppaamm and chenonceau,


Can u share what do u mean by holding back? As in hands off and not being involved?

I refused to teach beyond what Teacher was teaching. I didn't know that schools test beyond what they teach. Since I have to teach, I might as well have gone all the way and my son would already be way way ahead.

Not teaching ahead isn't necessary bad, especially at a younger age. Sometimes, it allows the child time to consolidate what he/she knows. And when ready, he/she will self-propel to greater heights. Remember your advice on my kid's writing? We put off the task completely until last oct or nov. His thinking and writing skills has shown much more complexity and maturity now (but he's still not an avid writer yet).

Perhaps, holding them back a little at times will encourage them to go further in the long run.[/quote]Must know your child. Must know yourself.

I Know Myself
I know how to be a good Learning Companion. When I myself decide to homeschool, my kids move ahead FAST through discovery. I've never really TAUGHT either of them. But I have to plan and acquire materials ... ask the right questions to open their minds. Then I have to read them and respond and find strands of interest to encourage and weave together with syllabus... and then let them go to explore some more. Even now, I don't TEACH my son. I can't read Chinese and I can't get past his Math Paper 1... how to teach? Because of my job, I am well-trained to Teach Less... so that the learner Learns More. This is not something everyone can do.

I Know My DS
I didn't try with my DS. I ASSUMED that because he was so blur and never near the top of class that he was unable. After P5, I know his mettle. It was convenient that I assumed because I was lazy and selfish... and I expected MOE to do its job. I thought it was ok to have him plod along. But he failed... and so I was forced to notice... and in the process, I discovered my son.

In my particular situation, I regret. God gave me children to sculpt into beautiful beings. I could have done a more conscientious job of it and they would be happier. There is great joy in the discovery of knowledge. It isn't all pain. I regret because I know how... and my son can... but I didn't. And this caused him unnecessary pain. Makes sense?

[metz]

Hi Chen,


Thanks for your sharing your regret openly. Truly, I agree very much with what you shared on HS. Kids can move much faster with HS. I deliberately held my son back on Maths. Even he proved himself capable of higher level stuff at 4 years old. I stopped at P1 and merely encouraged him to explore and read on his own. We remain status quo until we moved overseas. Progress took off again. Beauty of HS.

Actually, after reading 2ppaamm and your posts, I am starting to wonder if it is a mistake to hold my kids back. My P1 daughter has been begging to do P3 maths since last year but I have been putting her request on hold. Perhaps it’s a wrong decision to do so. But then again, I also see the benefits of holding back. If I have drilled my kids on multiplication and division, they wouldn’t have learnt to be creative and discovered solutions by themselves.

Hmm, looks like I have some thinking to do.

[Chenonceau]

chamonix:

Hi Chen,


Thanks for your sharing your regret openly. Truly, I agree very much with what you shared on HS. Kids can move much faster with HS. I held back my son on Maths. Even he proved himself capable of higher level stuff at 4 years old. I stopped at P1 and merely encouraged him to explore and read on his own. We remain status quo until we moved overseas. Progress took off again.

Actually, after reading 2ppaamm and your posts here, I am starting to wonder if it is a mistake to hold my kids back. My P1 daughter has been begging to do P3 maths last year but I have been putting her off. Perhaps it's a wrong decision to do so. But then again, I also see the benefits of holding back. If I have drilled my kids on multiplication and division, they wouldn't have been learnt to be creative and discovered solutions themselves.

Hmm, looks like I have some thinking to do.

If there is joy in it. I think maybe dun hold them back. As long as you're watching emotional and social aspects carefully, it should be ok. DS had social issues I needed to watch out for but holding him back denied him the sense of pride that would have helped the social issues somewhat. For them it's just like play and if they like to play in the intellectual arena, why not?

My kids and I have always had fun learning together... I thought it was good to just have fun so I wouldn't have to work at it. I just needed to do that bit more to tie to syllabus.

I think must go case by case. And you need to weigh the various aspects of development and see how they interact to slow another aspect... or to enhance another aspect's development. It's a Mom's decision. No one can read your situation better than you.

Do you drill in homeschool? I never did. We didn't even REVISE. I drill now for PSLE, and it's no fun.

[metz]

Chenonceau:

chamonix:

Hi Chen,


Thanks for your sharing your regret openly. Truly, I agree very much with what you shared on HS. Kids can move much faster with HS. I held back my son on Maths. Even he proved himself capable of higher level stuff at 4 years old. I stopped at P1 and merely encouraged him to explore and read on his own. We remain status quo until we moved overseas. Progress took off again.

Actually, after reading 2ppaamm and your posts here, I am starting to wonder if it is a mistake to hold my kids back. My P1 daughter has been begging to do P3 maths last year but I have been putting her off. Perhaps it's a wrong decision to do so. But then again, I also see the benefits of holding back. If I have drilled my kids on multiplication and division, they wouldn't have been learnt to be creative and discovered solutions themselves.

Hmm, looks like I have some thinking to do.

If there is joy in it. I think maybe dun hold them back. As long as you're watching emotional and social aspects carefully, it should be ok. DS had social issues I needed to watch out for but holding him back denied him the sense of pride that would have helped the social issues somewhat. For them it's just like play and if they like to play in the intellectual arena, why not?

I think must go case by case. And you need to weigh the various aspects of development and see how they interact to slow another aspect... or to enhance another aspect's development. It's a Mom's decision. No one can read your situation better than you.

Do you drill in homeschool? I never did. We didn't even REVISE. I drill now for PSLE, and it's no fun.

We did two weeks last year for the sake of doing something structured and discipline. It literally killed joy in both parties. This year, I did it again for our impending return to Sg. We waved the white flag after one week. No, my kids are both very cooperative. But we feel we are not learning. The assessment books don't seem to allow them to learn as much as from just reading books. Science used to be his favorite and it has now become a drudgery when we tried to follow the syllabus. He has more fun talking about centrifugal force than trying to answer Science exam papers. Maths, he fascinated with fractals, factorial numbers etc. Recently, he even drew a figure and amused himself with factorial numbers.

So, drilling doesn't work for us.

[Chenonceau]

chamonix:

Chenonceau:

[quote=\"chamonix\"]Hi Chen,


Thanks for your sharing your regret openly. Truly, I agree very much with what you shared on HS. Kids can move much faster with HS. I held back my son on Maths. Even he proved himself capable of higher level stuff at 4 years old. I stopped at P1 and merely encouraged him to explore and read on his own. We remain status quo until we moved overseas. Progress took off again.

Actually, after reading 2ppaamm and your posts here, I am starting to wonder if it is a mistake to hold my kids back. My P1 daughter has been begging to do P3 maths last year but I have been putting her off. Perhaps it's a wrong decision to do so. But then again, I also see the benefits of holding back. If I have drilled my kids on multiplication and division, they wouldn't have been learnt to be creative and discovered solutions themselves.

Hmm, looks like I have some thinking to do.

If there is joy in it. I think maybe dun hold them back. As long as you're watching emotional and social aspects carefully, it should be ok. DS had social issues I needed to watch out for but holding him back denied him the sense of pride that would have helped the social issues somewhat. For them it's just like play and if they like to play in the intellectual arena, why not?

I think must go case by case. And you need to weigh the various aspects of development and see how they interact to slow another aspect... or to enhance another aspect's development. It's a Mom's decision. No one can read your situation better than you.

Do you drill in homeschool? I never did. We didn't even REVISE. I drill now for PSLE, and it's no fun.

We did two weeks last year for the sake of doing something structured and discipline. It literally killed joy in both parties. This year, I did it again for our impending return to Sg. We waved the white flag after one week. No, my kids are both very cooperative. But we feel we are not learning. The assessment books don't seem to allow the to learn as much as just reading books. Science used to be his favorite and it has now become a drudgery when we tried to follow the syllabus. He has more fun talking about centrifugal force than trying to answer Science exam papers. Maths, he fascinated with fractals, factorial numbers etc. Recently, he even drew a figure and amused himself with factorial numbers.

So, drilling doesn't work for us.[/quote]When I talked about acceleration... it didn't include drilling. My DS knows his stuff in Science. We spend entirely too much time critiquing how he can make his answer clearer... and how he must use key words... and how if he has 3 possible solutions, he should go for the simplest one in case his teacher doesn't get the more complex assumptions.

Same with compo... he can write. He wrote a Science Fiction story about organic robots. See below...


It is year 3012, the year of despair for all the unemployed. At the turn of the century, an inventor by the name of Robert Taylor had invented what the press dubbed “mankind's greatest innnovation thus far”. Strangely enough, it was created with the single purpose of enslaving men. The robotifier was a small circular plate with a few buttons, a USB port and minimal cost. However, with suitable machinery, one could insert it into the head of any human. This would strip him or her of all emotion, will, opinion and thought whilst causing the wretched victim to be entirely devoted to any chosen master at the press of a button. In short, he or she would be reduced to an it, an opinionless slave, an emotionless machine ––– an organic robot.

So the race was on, as companies and nations dashed to haul outlaws, pickpockets and murderers alike from their dark and dank cells for the operation. Shrieks of terror and spurts of blood escaped from the operation room as the convicts leapt from the frying pan into the fire. These robots of flesh and blood were soon found nearly everywhere, from dark-as-dungeon coal mines and smoggy factories to rich households and posh restaurants. Nevertheless, there was a limit to the number of crooks they could find. Demand soon outgrew supply. The prisons were soon barren, the click of the guard's footsteps ringing loud through the deserted corridors. The moans of the depressed old men, mingled with the hoarse shrieks of distressed young lads were replaced with eerie pin drop silence. Within a decade nearly all felons and jailbirds had been robotified.... cont'd

He can write. I know he can. But I need to now drill him for the specific rubrics of English Compo in PSLE. Like you said - a killjoy.