Crossroad

Recently, I was triggered by fear factor again when I talked to old school friend (alumni) about the standard of the selected primary school. Standard is high, no doubt. Higher Chinese is a mandatory throughout the 1st 4 years of their primary school life. Not a good news. Primary school is relocating due to upgrading program and it affects both boys. P1 and P2 would be in PM session from 2018-2019. Aha… the 2 years which Jon and Matt would be, P1 and P2 subsequently.

PM session is tough. Because "Before School Care" (BSC) is not going to be viable option. Who's going to drag the poor boy up early morning when we leave for work, just to send him to BSC. That's not going to work. The morning hours can be put to better use which also means I definitely need a GOOD HELPER. Good helper = settle the housework, look after Jonathan in the morning (settle his breakfast and lunch, bring him to take school bus). Current helper is barely coping well with housework so I don't think she is up to the mark to be that "good helper". My #1 logistics problem.

Logistic problem #1 can be resolved if the boys are not heading to my alma mater. Which is tempting because of the high standard of the school and higher Chinese. Recent PTM, elder boy's Chinese teacher said his interest for the language is zero. He would crumble and want to cry when he is asked to do Chinese homework. During class activities, he would sit at the far end and didn't want to participate. He is those that rather teacher would not call upon him and ask him to answer question.

We can't really understand why his interest level is so negative. After all, he was cared by my mum during infancy and my mum only speaks Chinese. So rightfully, he should have been well exposed to this language. Was it his pronunciation? We have been highlighting to his teachers, past and present on his weak jaw muscles which cause him to have pronunciation problem eg. the "W" sound, the "H" sound, basically sounds that need the mouth to round. But the teachers have been very careful and been encouraging. Sensing his dreadfulness to this language, it would make his primary school life rather miserable unless his attitude changes. #2 - Academic challenge.

On the other hand, Matthew is relatively easier to manage. His teachers adore him, even teachers who are not teaching him. Yes, he is playful and cheeky, but he learns thing fast. He's really good in his work. If there's something we should work on, that is to polish his writing a little and train him to be more focus on his work.

Having said all these, we recently visited another preschool because we learnt from a parent that the preschool is academically driven. The students are well-prepped for P1. Yup, it is true. The students have an hour each of solid drilling in English, Chinese and Math. They also have violin lesson and Chinese calligraphy being thrown in as per of their curriculum (included in the monthly fees). But when we think deeper into the curriculum offered by both preschools, current one (the boys are in) although doesn't drill them so much academically, the inquiry-based learning is something I like. Some parents told me inquiry-based learning is only attractive if the teacher is good because it is pretty much dependent on teacher quality. I have to say the boys have good teachers who teach them out of traditional English, Chinese and Math. Maybe the subject doesn't scream out as "English" or "Science" but my elder boy came back and told me the importance of White Blood Cells one day.

Aha.. my Jon knew what's Universe, where's North and South Poles, how to define Equator. Would you think he is stupid because he is not strong in recognising words, or could read a book by himself? I love to see him interested in so many things that's out of textbook. He is probably better in telling you how to get around in our Singapore MRT system than me.

But you see, he won't fit well into our Singapore education system. So I told the father that we must be prepared that his school teachers would be telling us that he's not up to standard and he probably will score low in his tests. We just have to keep believing in his strength and let him understand there's a need to balance between his inquisitive and the local education system.

The younger one is smart, no doubt, but every strength could be a weakness too. One who thinks he is too smart for everyone else, will turn deaf ear to wisdom. We spot his stubbornness to listen which landed him in undesirable situation. I also fear that he is crippled by greed and cause his downfall. Every child is so precious to their parents. Every parents want their child to excel. And it is every parent's responsibility to teach them well.

We are still praying for wisdom and guidance so they could grow up and develop to their full potential while still revere for God. As the teaching goes "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. " Matthew 6:33 (NIV)