School re-opened..

Term 3 has just started yesterday. I was happy to know IZ didn't cry, he naturally knocked the door to the classroom and made himself at home. That's my boy.

I know there was a new classmate, one of this blog reader corresponded with me and I get to know yesterday, her girl started in the same class. Isn't that a small world? :-) I hope her girl enjoys going to school as much as IZ and friends.

As usual, when I reached home and asked what he learnt in school that day, he would not reply me, or gave me rubbish answer like Humpty Dumpty etc. Right, teacher taught Humpty Dumpty everyday if you ask him.

Last night, while we were lying down, unwind to sleep, he was in talking mode mood. He suddenly talked to me as if he was an adult. Thinking and answering my questions properly without moving here and there.

I treasure that moment, wish we could talk all night. But I needed to put him to sleep.

He asked that the dad to be in the room together. When I wanted to pat him, he said "don't pat me, daddy pat me".

That's my boy.. my precious boy.

Meeting teachers.. May'13

Kinderland takes in kids who turns 3 in that year. So technically IZ turns 3 this year. He joined when he just turned 2! That's the advantage / disadvantage (depends) of being a December baby.

And so, before the school holiday started, IZ has attended 2 terms in Kinderland Serangoon, in Pre-Nursery.

On why I chose Kinderland.. there are a few reasons, I can't tell you now, which is most important, as they gel up together.

1) The school is walking distance from our home (2 blocks, 1 main road away)

2) while CS Montessori was also walking distance (additional 1 more main road away), Kinderland's fee is generally cheaper.. we are paying about $1610 a term (whereas CS would charge about $2400 a term for nursery onwards - if I've not mistaken)

3) Kinderland has a COMPOUND! I have nothing against schools at the void deck nor houses turned into schools.. but I cannot imagine myself studying in the settings, so I would not want to put IZ into somewhere I wouldn't want to be in the first place.. Compound is cool! you can jump, run, chase and all.. they also have a playground right outside the school!

4) did some readings, apparently Kinderland kids can adapt better in Primary school (well, I know it depends on individuals.. but then, I'm trying to minimise the risk you see)

5) as we have a helper and an elderly at home, it just doesn't make sense to send him to childcare, I only need him to be away for few hours a day to play with his friends, so he can minimize or eliminate if possible, ONE CHILD SYNDROME.. Haha! But more selfish reason was I couldn't bear to send him to full day childcare.. My poor baby..

6) also sending him for a few hours means few hours less facing the tv? I really do not like the fact that he watches too much tv at home.. Not that he has never watched tv, but usually with a time limit..

Ok.. and so...

We were invited to our first PTG (Parents Teacher Gathering) at the end of the first term (in March). Why GATHERING? Coz we really just gathered to be briefed by the teachers on what they taught the kids in the term, took a look at their portfolio, took their activity book back, and also what's the theme for next term and if we've got any feedback - whole class of parents, really.

Then, we were invited to our first PTM (Parents Teacher Meeting) (notice the difference?) at the end of the second term (just last week) and this time, we were given time slots. I was given a slot at 9.40-9.50. So short right?!

I thought 10 minutes are not enough too.. but apparently 10 minutes for each English and Chinese teacher to review with parents, INDIVIDUALLY this time.

Ok, what I get to know from Ms Fizah was not something new. I spent a good 15 minutes talking to her over the phone when she called to talk about the MINNIE book. Right, so we've more or less caught up with each other before this. What's more, I was very pissed while waited for my turn as the time slots were not respected, and I really do not have much of anything, what to say PATIENCE.

She told me IZ had less of Humpty this term, to my disbelief, seriously. Coz I can swear we listen to Humpty for 10,000 times if not 1,000,000 at home!

Chinese teacher told me his Chinese improved, which is good enough. And we think so too!

We are looking forward to next term :-)

Talking sense into IZ..

IZ has this habit of bringing "something" to school since the school started in Jan. On most days, he would bring an egg to school. Yes, you read right, an egg... not the real one of course, although they do look like real ones. You have no idea how many kinds of eggs we have at home. Haha!

One type of Eggs we have at home..

I bought the Eggspression in Isetan coz I found them so cute, with expression on the eggs. There are happy, excited, sad, angry etc. IZ would usually bring the happy egg to school.

Aren't they cute?

Could also make into stacking toy

At times, he would bring a hand puppet I bought for him.

This week, he brought a mini Disney hardcover book, the one with Minnie Mouse on the cover. He developed special interest on Minnie and would hold on to the book wherever he goes, read: toilet, nap, sleep, and of course to school.

To sleep

On Tue, my helper called me after she picked IZ up from school, and told me that teacher would call me to talk about IZ bringing something to school. I panicked.. hmm.. can't he hold on to something while he walked to school? They kept whatever object he brought in the bag before class starts anyway. Helper told me that IZ also hold on to something in the class, DURING the class. And I asked, what's the problem with that? As long as he returns the "something" before class ends, and not bringing it home.

I was puzzled for a day..

Until yesterday, when I watched videos my helper took of Earth Day in Kinderland. I saw that IZ was holding on to his Minnie book (it was not kept in his bag!). And helper told me, one of his classmates actually snatched his book, and 2 others looked on longingly and pointed and whispered Minnie softly.


To school

Now.. I know what's the problem. It caused problem to the teacher. She would have to disperse the interested onlookers, and also conflict if any, coz some of them may want to snatch or touch or share for that matter.

So last night, I've decided to talk to IZ about it, in the hope he would give up bringing Minnie to school. He looked for Minnie and held on to it while he drank milk and I took the chance to talk to him.

"You know, IZ, tomorrow onwards, could you not bring Minnie book to school?.."
"Your friends would be unhappy when you bring Minnie book to school coz they are not able to touch, play or share the book with you..."
"Nicole would be unhappy.. Sasha would be unhappy.. Kayleia would be unhappy..."
"Do you want your friends to be unhappy?"

He shook his head.

"That's a good boy. You could bring some other things to school.. you could bring your egg.."

He paused sucking his milk and said "happy egg"..

"Yes, you could bring your happy egg to school.. and not Minnie book ok.."

Silent..

Few mins later..

IZ: "Nicole unhappy.. Minnie book.."

"Yes, Nicole would be unhappy if you bring Minnie book to school.."

IZ: "happy egg"

"Yes, you could bring happy egg to school"

Then he fell asleep holding on to Minnie book.

This morning, my helper got panicked, she wanted to hide the Minnie book just before we were ready to leave the house. I told her to leave it just where it was and see if IZ could remember what I told him last night.

"Time to go IZ, is there anything you want to bring to school today?"

IZ: "NO Minnie book"

"Yes, that's right IZ, mommy is so proud of you. No Minnie Book, do you remember why?"

IZ: "Nicole not happy"

"Yes, Nicole would be unhappy if you bring Minnie book. You remember what mommy said last night, well done. So, is there anything you want to bring today?"

IZ: happy egg!

And so he went to school with his happy egg.

I'm really proud and convinced once again, that talking to him works well.

Edited on 24th Apr'13:

As expected, Ms. Fizah called me yesterday and she started the conversation by saying she told my helper that she would call regarding what IZ brings to school... etc..

So I told her frankly I know her concern now, and I made sure I've told and reminded IZ not to bring Minnie book to school telling her the above post, not in details of course! :-D

She shared that the girls in the class love Minnie thus it really imposed problem when IZ brought Minnie book. Ok, point well noted. (I did the corrective and preventive action right away, so this shouldn't be a problem).

Edited on 25th Apr'13:

This morning, he sneakily wanted to bring Mickey soft toy to school but we told him no, as it would make his friends unhappy. He switched to Happy Egg immediately.

*** mission accomplished ***

1st Week in Pre-Nursery

IZ ended his lernen-reise in CS Montessori in Nov. It has been my intention to do a half-year in CS and continue his journey in Kinderland. Towards the end, I felt very heavy hearted as he enjoyed going there and learnt a lot from his favorite teachers. His Chinese progressed tremendously, so much that I couldn’t believe my ears when Ms. Chen told us that he spoke to her in Chinese in the class, something he has never done before at home.

Anyway, this post is meant to talk about IZ’s adventure in Kinderland.

Day 1: 2^nd Jan’13

After the long wait, we have finally started in Kinderland yesterday. The school fee is just that tad difference compared to CS, but at least it’s a 3 hour programme (but hold on about this!). IZ and his friends (Si En and Kay) are in the same class, Creative 1, in Studio 6. Theirs is called Pre-Nursery.

We went for an orientation on 1^st Dec’12 to familiarize with the school and teacher. But having been away from classes (CS and enrichment) for some time, I guess IZ just had to re-start his engine to get himself going.

With his new classmates

aka playdates

IZ couldn’t wake up early in the morning; we had to literally drag him out from the bed. We walked to the school as it is just a 5 mins (adult walk), 15-20 mins (IZ walk). We reached the school at slightly past 8. He hardened when we queued for temperature check. The PIC told us not to rush him, let him be if he doesn’t want to. I talked to him again, telling him what I’ve told him days before, that he has to let his temperature taken, just like in CS and also have his mouth and hands checked. He agreed to do it. And we proceeded to the sanitizing machine. Place your hand under it and it’ll dispense within a few seconds. Cool! Think IZ was impressed too. :-D

We walked him to the classroom, wanting to drop him and go, but gosh, he was the first to arrive! We put his bag into a shelf and I took his water bottle and placed beside the bag. Ms. Fizah (the class teacher) held out some toys and IZ played with some blocks. Then more children came into the class.

On the way to school

Busy snatching

I attempted to leave the classroom a few times, but IZ never failed to notice and cried his heart out. :-(

Children were crying, and I think Ms. Fizah and Mdm Sok Huay didn’t do a good job to manage and control the “crowd”. First day of school I figured, but yet, something could have been done better.

Ms. Fizah tried to tell a story, but I couldn’t even hear the soft-spoken her from where I stood, near the shelves. I wonder how the kids would be enticed to join her in her storytelling. And she then moved to body parts, I figured that would be the theme for the term. IZ was proactive in naming body parts and also helped to stick a piece of ear onto the face on the wall.

I waited till Ms. Fizah took out crayons and asked them to draw. IZ loves drawing to max, and suddenly oblivious to my presence. And I sneaked out again for the 3^rd time. This time, hubby and I decided to just leave him there and we went for breakfast. 

Engrossed in his fave activity

I was told by a friend that he cried on and off. I guess it’s exactly the same thing he was experienced in CS, forgot about crying when he was busy with activities and started crying again when he was doing nothing.

I wish the teacher has more experience and she should have just moved on with all the activities, so the kids would join her and forget about crying.

Towards the end, IZ cried for me. Dismissal was a mess in here. The kids were crying at the glass panel (which we do not understand why they are transparent glass and the kids could lookout and saw the parent) and it was an early dismissal, at near 10.40am.

3 hours is a little too long for the crying kids, 30 mins for a subject that is not interesting would be like forever. Their concentration span, I think not there yet.

Day 2: 3^rd Jan’13

Today I brought IZ to school as hubby had to go back to work. He refused to put on the t-shirt, we had to somehow force him in.

He cried when I left him, and again during dismissal, and intermittently during the class.

Crying

Perfectly fine after school

Day 3: 4^th Jan’13

He refused to put on the uniform again. It did make me feel if the school is any good for him. I shall persevere.

But he showed tremendous improvement, didn’t cry much except for drop-off, and definitely not when I picked him.

Feeling it was a great accomplishment on his side, I brought him to a shop nearby to choose a sticker, but he chose to get a ball instead.

Exploring after school