W

I was discussing with a a client whose son has difficulty in saying ‘W’. Both teacher and mother have run out of patience.

To be fair to the kid, I suggested a step-by-step approach:
1. Start with ‘da-da-da-da-da’
2. Followed by ‘bel-bel-bel-bel-bel’
3. Continue with ‘you-you-you-you-you’
4. Try pairing ‘da-bel’ and ‘bel-you’
5. After gaining confidence, put them together and encourage the kid to say, ‘da-bel-you’

I persuaded the mother to stop forcing the kid to memorize as he has been struggling with speech as well. Look at it this way –> A , B, C, …..P, T, V ..most alphabets must one syllable only. Thus, W is so HARD to the memory and the mouth to a 4-year old.

Reward can be applied after a job well done. Most importantly, the kid learns not to give up and will tackle any obstacle in life later on as W stands for WINNING.

Ideas:
Just remember, learning can take place anywhere and anytime. Play with ‘water’ and have fun eating juicy ‘watermelon’. If you are lucky, try experiencing cold ‘winter’ by using shaved ice. Or play catch and run and the shout ‘win’. Cut a picture of a ‘whale’ and paste it onto the bedroom or bathroom wall.

First Exam

Liya worked so hard for her first exam. She did pretty good. Now, wait. She did extremely well. She scored in core subjects like Math, Science and English. I have not rewarded her yet but congratulated on a job well done. I tried not to be a perfectionist but Liya has also picked up the habit of being competitive. Academic performance is still a measure to judge people here. It is still a big deal.

Some say that if our children do not emerge as top rank in their class, the teachers do not care less. They don’t sincerely encourage nor motivate.

There is some truth to it. My husband and I were high achievers so we hardly faced any challenges. So, I tried to volunteer at Liya’s school in a reading program, the teachers are somewhat dumping me with ‘these-group-that-we-can’t handle-anymore-so-see-if-you-could-make-a-difference’.

Firstly, my attempt is to make the children to ‘like me.’ Secondly, I must create that learning is fun. Thirdly, the children must constantly be persuaded and motivated. Hard work? Yes but in the long run, it’ll be worthwhile. Making a positive change in a kid’s life is truly a miracle and a blessing.

RIP Danny

It was a sad day indeed. Fortunately, both Liya and Ajib have been able to accept the fact that Danny was really sick. The kids had found him wandering and meowing at the playground by himself. Danny was never fond of fresh milk. Danny woke up after I had finished my earlier class on that particular day.

“How close is the animal heaven from people’s heaven?

“Very,” I said.

Collar

Liya was assigned to pack Daddy’s clothes while I was busy at the shop.

“Which one shall I choose?”
“Please get the one without collar, thanks dear,”

There was a deliberate pause.

“I see. Supposedly the one without the bell,” Liya answered referring to the word collar of which she meant ‘collar’ for her kittens.

“A round neck tee, that is,” I explained.