Am I doing my ds a disservice?

[metz]

EN:

Many argued that it’s better to send the children to enrichment centre rather than let them sit in front of the tv, play computer games or do nothing.

By the way, my kids are home now while I’m at work. They are either glued to PSP, tv, reading, drawing, or playing with lego/doll house. It's school holiday, they are chilling out.

Hi5, En! That is what my kids are doing too! They watched \"UP\" and played Wii this afternoon. At this very moment, they are still playing Wii Super Mario with their friend.

And beats me, I don't understand why doing nothing is necessary bad. For my kids, it would be time to do whatever they like - devising their own games etc. . As long as no mess for me to clear up, I'm happy to have some me time alone.

[metz]

ks2me:

Again just for the record, I have NOTHING against academic enrichment /tuition nor any other kind of enrichment at all(KSP's example sounds fine to me). Just appalled at EXTREME cases of multiples of similar enrichment for same subject when a child is not weak in the subject but just to gain a few more points or get 1/2/3 in position. :faint:

Sigh... my friends have started their kids on academic/brain training enrichments way before P1.

And now, the kids have embarked on their P1 enrichments/tuitions (group/one-on-one) journey for all subjects. No need to even assess if their kids require the extra \"help\" when they begin P1 next year.

Add on : They are very nice people, just parents hoping their kids will have a good headstart in schools. But I suppose the fear of their kids being left behind leads them to buy some \"insurance\".

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

[quote]Yet to introduce her to robotic. Is it a boy thing or suitable for girls too? [/quote]
I really don't know. I'm just throwing some ideas for the thread's starter. However, I did ask ds if he would like learn about robotic. I dont ask once, I asked several times. Answer still no. If he likes, than he can take robotic as eca since it's offered in school. But then, sigh...he's not interested.

I'm throwing ideas to get the feel of what other parent's think if they are in the same situation as the thread's starter.

[quote]PS: En, thanks. Robotic class reminds me that I should be starting him on his Mindstorm soon. He has fixed it ages ago, just waiting for me to work on the program with him. [/quote]Good for you. Mine still not interested even after I try to sell him the idea.
[quote]And beats me, I don't understand why doing nothing is necessary bad. For my kids, it would be time to do whatever they like - devising their own games etc. . As long as no mess for me to clear up, I'm happy to have some me time alone. [/quote]I ummm indirectly get them to practice listening/talking in mother tongue. They are into watching old movies. They enjoyed it very much but then I realize my children are busy reading the English sub-titles.

[tamarind]

sleepy:

tamarind:

What if the child wants to get the number 1 position ? Kids can also be very kiasu, like myself When I was number 1 in P1, I pushed myself to maintain that position until P6. My mother did not stress me at all, she was happy enough that I can get 90+ marks for all subjects.

Back then, there were no enrichment classes. If I were born in this generation, I would probably ask my parents to send me to the Learning Lab if it can help me get those extra marks.

That generation, parents were mostly in relax mode. Yet their children were motivated to do well in studies & worked hard to achieve their goals

Back then we have nothing better to do, no TV, no toys, no outings, so studying is the most interesting thing to do Kids nowadays have too many distractions.

Robotics is certainly not a boy thing only. Girls should be encouraged to learn Robotics if they have the interest. I used to have a job doing robotics used in manufacturing for many years.

Kids(or adults) should learn programming first before doing robotics. It is very useful to learn programming languages because it can be applied in many fields, like banking, research, telecommunications, etc. Many adults now are earning a living writing computer programs only. Anyone can learn computer programming on their own.

Try this free software that teaches programming in a 3D environment.

http://www.alice.org/


Or download the free Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition.

http://www.microsoft.com/express/product/default.aspx

[metz]

EN:

Good for you. Mine still not interested even after I try to sell him the idea.

Mine wasn't very keen initially too. But when his best pal told him what he did in his robotics class, he got all excited about it. Hmm, will peer influence work for your son?

[corneyAmber]

chamonix:

ks2me:

Again just for the record, I have NOTHING against academic enrichment /tuition nor any other kind of enrichment at all(KSP's example sounds fine to me). Just appalled at EXTREME cases of multiples of similar enrichment for same subject when a child is not weak in the subject but just to gain a few more points or get 1/2/3 in position. :faint:

Sigh... my friends have started their kids on academic/brain training enrichments way before P1.

And now, the kids have embarked on their P1 enrichments/tuitions (group/one-on-one) journey for all subjects. No need to even assess if their kids require the extra \"help\" when they begin P1 next year.

Add on : They are very nice people, just parents hoping their kids will have a good headstart in schools. But I suppose the fear of their kids being left behind leads them to buy some \"insurance\".

Thanks for sharing chamonix. If their kids are little geniuses and enjoy all these, then it is good for them. If it is buying insurance...

[corneyAmber]

insider:

My eldest daughter is one of those wants to be No. 1 in her studies but personally I place having a good balance in life more important than being No. 1 if being No. 1 means she has to spend most time on her books.


She is not one of those gifted ones but hardworking and a goal getter. Knowing her competitive nature since she was young and actually I not approving of it, she has:

1. no enrichment at all other than a three months phonics course when she was about K1 or K2.

2. zero enrichment and tuition from P1 to mid of Sec 4 (except swimming course).

3. only Japanese tuition when she was closer to the end of O levels exam.

I think she can be 'groomed' to be a No. 1 if I want to grant her tuitions but a top 5 or 10 is always good enough for me.

I taught her to enjoy life and grades are not everything and being No. 1 is not important. Perfection in life is NOT IMPORTANT!

I taught her to see those extra few marks that are supposedly important to make her maybe be the No. 1 are not important as compared to other social activities that she can enjoy if she is willing to forego those few points.

My teaching drilled some sense into her I believe. Though she still maintains as competitive in her studies, through the years she has cultivated a variety of non-book interests and I think balance is the key. This is a child with the probable quality to be 'No. 1' and she has the attitude to be 'No. 1' but I intentionally pulled her back coz I want her to have the mindset of 'don't need to be No. 1 to be happy' and I don't think I am wasting any part of her potentials.

I NEVER believe in tuition for the quest of going to the top schools / being Number 1, even my elder son who is not strong academically attended minimal tuitions (zero from P1 to P5, only Chinese in P6 and Sec 1, this December onwards start his O level tuition in Maths).

Regardless of their results, I have faith that these two can make it in their careers subsequently as both have strengths in their characters that results can't buy.

Having said that, I am not against tuition. Just that think it should be given only when the child really needs it instead of 'pre-ordering' it even before the need.

Kudos to you insider! :celebrate: After reading so much across the spectrum of concerns by all types of ks parents, it seems that it takes alot of courage to do to do what you do and be true to yourself. :salute:

[znzyzyzx]

chamonix:

PS: En, thanks. Robotic class reminds me that I should be starting him on his Mindstorm soon. He has fixed it ages ago, just waiting for me to work on the program with him.

Hi,

may I know where you bought the mindstorm ? Is it mindstorm nxt ? Can buy it locally ? Or need to get from their website ?

thanks.

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

[quote]insider wrote:

My eldest daughter is one of those wants to be No. 1 in her studies but personally I place having a good balance in life more important than being No. 1 if being No. 1 means she has to spend most time on her books.

She is not one of those gifted ones but hardworking and a goal getter. Knowing her competitive nature since she was young and actually I not approving of it, she has:

1. no enrichment at all other than a three months phonics course when she was about K1 or K2.

2. zero enrichment and tuition from P1 to mid of Sec 4 (except swimming course).

3. only Japanese tuition when she was closer to the end of O levels exam.

I think she can be 'groomed' to be a No. 1 if I want to grant her tuitions but a top 5 or 10 is always good enough for me.

I taught her to enjoy life and grades are not everything and being No. 1 is not important. Perfection in life is NOT IMPORTANT!

I taught her to see those extra few marks that are supposedly important to make her maybe be the No. 1 are not important as compared to other social activities that she can enjoy if she is willing to forego those few points.

My teaching drilled some sense into her I believe. Though she still maintains as competitive in her studies, through the years she has cultivated a variety of non-book interests and I think balance is the key. This is a child with the probable quality to be 'No. 1' and she has the attitude to be 'No. 1' but I intentionally pulled her back coz I want her to have the mindset of 'don't need to be No. 1 to be happy' and I don't think I am wasting any part of her potentials.

I NEVER believe in tuition for the quest of going to the top schools / being Number 1, even my elder son who is not strong academically attended minimal tuitions (zero from P1 to P5, only Chinese in P6 and Sec 1, this December onwards start his O level tuition in Maths).

Regardless of their results, I have faith that these two can make it in their careers subsequently as both have strengths in their characters that results can't buy.

Having said that, I am not against tuition. Just that think it should be given only when the child really needs it instead of 'pre-ordering' it even before the need.


Kudos to you insider! After reading so much across the spectrum of concerns by all types of ks parents, it seems that it takes alot of courage to do to do what you do and be true to yourself. [/quote]Insider. Kudos. Yes, that’s not an easy feat to put into action for most parents.

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

Personally, I am teaching my ds it is okay not to be number one or be a graceful loser in a competition. It’s important for parents to support a child when he falls as long as the child has put his best effort forward. To be humbled by experience, internalize and take stock of the missing ingredients. As the child grows older, the competition field gets bigger, maintaining number one is no longer a feasible option for most.


I am not against enrichment, I believe in moderation. It’s good to listen to what the child wants but not necessarily we meet their demands. We are after all parents, an adult who is able to think through before making the final decision. A child is after all a child who may not be matured enough to have the complete picture and understand what they have missed in pursuit of being the number one.
[quote]Mine wasn't very keen initially too. But when his best pal told him what he did in his robotics class, he got all excited about it. Hmm, will peer influence work for your son? [/quote]
He says, “Eeee…..Mary (a fictitious name) is in the robotic club. No way, I’m going to join her”. :lol: Anyway, he is not the type to be swayed by friends. He is still thinking which eca to join next year.