slmkhoo:

My solution to that was that I would reduce the amount of computer time if they nagged too much! I would tell them in advance that if I got nagged by them more than twice, then they would forfeit the next time (I allowed daily computer time during vacations), and I kept my word. It's amazing how that reduced the nagging! I also said they would forfeit the time if they did not switch off when they were supposed to. If you are firm, it really works.

slmkhoo:

debbiehsl:

Yup. That's why I only allow games in weekends now. Hope it works. : ( but like you said they will complains and keep asking you can I play. I finished my work can I can I....especially during weekdays...

My solution to that was that I would reduce the amount of computer time if they nagged too much! I would tell them in advance that if I got nagged by them more than twice, then they would forfeit the next time (I allowed daily computer time during vacations), and I kept my word. It's amazing how that reduced the nagging! I also said they would forfeit the time if they did not switch off when they were supposed to. If you are firm, it really works.

debbiehsl:

Yup. That's why I only allow games in weekends now. Hope it works. : ( but like you said they will complains and keep asking you can I play. I finished my work can I can I....especially during weekdays...

Mawar:

slmkhoo:

[quote=\"debbiehsl\"]...even tell you nothing else to play or watch if you forbid them to play...

Kids know how to push your buttons - they know that parents hate them to be bored. I harden my heart when my kids tell me that, and tell them to read a book or do a craft. Failing that, I will tell them to do housework or more schoolwork! That usually keeps them quiet. I have always been very strict about computer time, and at P3, my kids were only allowed 40mins a day, even during vacations. You have to be extremely hard-hearted and act deaf when you first start imposing limits because they will complain long and loud, but it's worth it.

slmkhoo:

debbiehsl:

...even tell you nothing else to play or watch if you forbid them to play...

Kids know how to push your buttons - they know that parents hate them to be bored. I harden my heart when my kids tell me that, and tell them to read a book or do a craft. Failing that, I will tell them to do housework or more schoolwork! That usually keeps them quiet. I have always been very strict about computer time, and at P3, my kids were only allowed 40mins a day, even during vacations. You have to be extremely hard-hearted and act deaf when you first start imposing limits because they will complain long and loud, but it's worth it.

debbiehsl:

...even tell you nothing else to play or watch if you forbid them to play...

Steadyberry:

I also notice that my ds has lost interest in his study. He is only in P3. Still a long way to go. If I keep all his fav games or toys, he would rather sit and do nothing. He told me lesser tuition so I am cutting down. But prob is he doesn't do assessment books or revision at all at home. Sigh...

concern2:

debbiehsl:

I told him I wanted to stop his drum CCA but he cried. I suppose he likes the drum and that is the only thing to destress. The supplementary class on Wed is short term.

Hi debbieshl, how is your boy now? Hope both of you are coping well. I can imagine how he will feel if you stop his other activities.

Very often, we feel we need 'me' time after spending so much time on work, kids, etc., and one of the things that some of us may also neglect is giving our kids their own 'me' time.

debbiehsl:

I told him I wanted to stop his drum CCA but he cried. I suppose he likes the drum and that is the only thing to destress. The supplementary class on Wed is short term.

mummy of three:

school teachers teaching lesser and lesser

many cannot control class

mummy so kiasu:

debbiehsl:

[quote=\"Imp75\"]Sorry to say but seems like a burnt out child. There's too much tuition and academic work, no time for passion or relaxation.

I know but just dunno which one to let go. All subjects are average only. If letting tution off with only school supplementary will not be enough. Did ask if he wants to let go the tue& thurs tuition or wed and sat tution he said dunno. Haiz.. he dunno i even dunno how to handle, which to let go and what to let go. letting him go drum wants to destress him cos he likes. : ( sad sad sad dunno what to do. Any advise. shall i let go all? will he flung? I so worry.

sleepy:

debbiehsl:

He is P5 now.

Mon - end school at 1pm, 130 to 230pm school math supplementary, 430 to 630pm pvt tuition
Tue - end school at 1pm, CCA drum from 130 to 330pm
Wed - end school at 1pm, school creative writing 130 to 3pm, 7.30 tp 9pm (pvt EL paper 2 tuition cos Mon & Thur tuition dun cover much on cloze and compre.
Thur - end school at 1pm, school chinese supplementary 130 to 3pm, 430 to 630pm pvt tuition
Fri - end school at 1pm
Sat - pvt chinese tuition 9 to 1030am, creative writing 1245 to 215pm
Is it too much? The home base tutor dun cover compo. also only english, math and science. : ( I feels that he is doing it for the sake of doing but nor for himself.

Yes, too much.

You might want to do some restructuring eg. find a tuition that covers both paper 1 and 2 in one lesson.
May not be possible to cover paper 1 every week but there should be at least one compo a month.
I believe whatever learn during tuition need time to digest too so revision is important

Are the supplementary classes in school useful? May not need to replicate the compo writing with private tuition if already done that during supplementary classes

I think maximum is 3 tuition a week (really the max) because child still needs to do school homework, tuition homework, time revise what was being taught.

By the way, I opt my kids out of CCA

lovinglife:

What if the child is advanced and complaint that classes are boring? Challenged the teachers that work is too easy? Always too fast to finish the school work but got to wait for the rest (majority) before can move on? How will teacher handles such kids? Should we slow down the child's learning pace and encourage to take up more non-academic? Or do we throw even more challenging work to the child if school's work can't satisfied them? I am referring to a lower primary child before any class streaming..

happyheart:

jedamum:

my elder's son teacher allowed the classmate (who went on to GEP) to do his own stuff (he did assessment books) during class (or help marked the students' work!).

my younger son teacher allows those who finished their work fast to read/draw in class.

That is true. Most teachers will permit students who finished their work earlier to read or draw quietly while waiting for the rest to finish up.

happyheart:

jedamum:

[quote=\"happyheart\"]

I feel that lower primary kids are not only learning academic stuff but also other skill sets like patience in waiting , helping classmates who are slower, discipline, empathy, group dynamics etc. Unless the kid is proven in many areas that he/ she is extremely bright and very much ahead of others, it is ok to allow the kids to go with the class flow for now. Eventually, a bright kid will be identified by the teacher to go to better class from P4 onwards. Outside classroom, there are many enrichment centres (not tuition centres) that provide courses that challenge this group of kids or to let the kids explore their non-academic interest.

my elder's son teacher allowed the classmate (who went on to GEP) to do his own stuff (he did assessment books) during class (or help marked the students' work!).
my younger son teacher allows those who finished their work fast to read/draw in class.

jedamum:

happyheart:

[quote=\"lovinglife\"]What if the child is advanced and complaint that classes are boring? Challenged the teachers that work is too easy? Always too fast to finish the school work but got to wait for the rest (majority) before can move on? How will teacher handles such kids? Should we slow down the child's learning pace and encourage to take up more non-academic? Or do we throw even more challenging work to the child if school's work can't satisfied them? I am referring to a lower primary child before any class streaming..

I feel that lower primary kids are not only learning academic stuff but also other skill sets like patience in waiting , helping classmates who are slower, discipline, empathy, group dynamics etc. Unless the kid is proven in many areas that he/ she is extremely bright and very much ahead of others, it is ok to allow the kids to go with the class flow for now. Eventually, a bright kid will be identified by the teacher to go to better class from P4 onwards. Outside classroom, there are many enrichment centres (not tuition centres) that provide courses that challenge this group of kids or to let the kids explore their non-academic interest.