On Pushy Parents

"Having pushy parents is four times more important than financial background in terms of their success in later life, a major report has found."

"Children whose parents take an active interest in their education are more likely to go on to higher education and a good job, regardless of whether they come from a rich home."

The quotes were found here at dailymail . The original report, called Unleashing Aspiration, was published by The Panel on Fair Access to the Professions in UK and commissioned by Gordon Brown. You can go read the original report, or like lazy me, read the summaries / reviews. There are lots, just google it. I'll just quote those that supports my view (haha) : here, here and here.

Quoting from here : "the report identifies six pivotal points in an individual’s life which can have a significant impact on their ability to access a professional career." Go read what the six pivotal points are, but as parents, we can influence three of the six points, namely their aspirations – based on their initial exposure to and impressions of the professions, their education – in particular, their school years and the support that young people get to make decisions about their career, and their opportunities to get into university. The other three depends on social standing/networking and luck- being in the right place at the right time.

The report dealt a lot with thwarted or suppressed aspirations in UK, read here. Glad to say that there are many more pushy parents over this part of the world. Isn't that why there's lots of hoohaa every year when top students didn't get scholarships to universities?

I actually first read about this in Domestic Goddess's blog. She sums it up nicely, so go read it here.

Also explains why I've been MIA from this blog......... in the midst of Girlet's exams. Gotta go be a pushy mom now.

Edit: Oh dear! I'm a bad writer. Now everyone thinks I'm a pushy ogre. haha. To clarify, the report originates from UK, where the culture and level of 'pushiness' is pretty different from here (Msia & Sg). What was dubbed as 'pushiness' there was actually parents taking active interest in kids' education. I don't think they have a culture of forcing kids to non-stop academic tuitions and homework there.

Anyway, my philosophy is simple. Let us all participate actively in our kids' education. Expose them to a wide range of disciplines. Pay close attention to their interests, and fan their passions. Teach them good values and good learning attitude. Let them have a sense of accomplishment in what they do, so that they'll strive to do their best. Most of all, just love them and enjoy their process of growing up.

Babylet's Activities

Here are some activities that Babylet and I do at home.

Painting with Magic Painting book. Just apply water and the colour appears.
Do not disturb - Artist hard at work. Babylet in intense concentration.

Practising fine motor skill with scissors and punchers, colouring, and pasting work.

Here, I put bento tools to good use. *_* Helped Babylet as she was not strong enough to press the puncher. But she cut out the grass herself with a scissor, and paste all the cutouts onto the picture. Also insisted to colour the girl's hair green. Hmm.... she'd better not dye her hair green when she's older.
Babylet with her weapon of choice - glue stick.

Creative play with Sand.

Couldn't resist adding Boylet's pic too. He's so skinny now compared to the two girls that you can count his rib bones.

Tap and Modern dancing class

Girlet had her ballet concert in May, during which she was very impressed with the tap dancing sequences. She had been bugging me to let her learn ever since. She's so busy with so many classes, still want to take more.
Another mom told me, "If she's interested, you shouldn't hold her back. Let her experience more things, then she'll know what she likes." Yeah, the problem is I would have to buy the whole paraphernalia that comes with it and tap shoes are not exactly cheap. After letting her wait for a few months, to ensure that she's still interested, rallied the other ballet moms and asked the dance school to start a tap class right after her ballet class. That is the only time she's free and also can reduce my commute time. As it is the other two siblings' schedules have to revolve around girlet's since she's the busiest.

Sidetrack a bit here : Is that considered unfair or biased? As she's the eldest, she gets to tryout and choose different activities and schools. And for convenience, the other two not only follow her schedule, but eventually her choices of schools and activities as well. It is hard to be totally fair to each kid.Anyway, back to the topic. Just look at this happy face with her new tap shoes on. She's now tapping everywhere the house, despite me telling her not to scratch the marble and parquet floors. She declared that dancing classes are her favourite activities. For a start, the school is combining tap and modern dance and next year, the kids can decide which they want to branch into or both. She will have to choose one as I'm putting my foot down on three dance classes *faint*.

Chinese primary school?

I've finally received the letter confirming the allocated primary school for girlet. Still in a dilemma whether to send her to a chinese school as both d'hubby and myself were not chinese educated. In fact we're 2nd generation of non-chinese educated people. What we like about chinese school is of course learning mandarin, the discipline, and supposedly better teachers (compared to the kebangsaan schools). Also more affordable than private schools, which she'll probably attend in secondary school. But we're worried that she can't cope, or we can't help with her homework.... don't even know half of what she's learning now in kindergarden. Have to formally enrol her by end of the month. Would appreciate if any experienced mothers share your thoughts.

Workshop - Quantum Speed Reading on August 18-19

I received this via email and thought to share. The workshop is organised by fellow "Shichida mothers" and is conducted by Mrs Yumiko Tobitani - official website is here . Unfortunately the early bird discount had ended.
-----------------------------------------------
Dear all mummies & daddies:

Good news! We proudly present to you the 1st children right brain education workshop by Mrs Yumiko Tobitani this coming 18th – 19th August. Mrs Yumiko Tobitani is a 17-year experienced right brain educator and the head of research and development branch of Japan Shichida Child Academy (SCA).

Get your child trained by experienced right brain educator from Japan Shichida Child Academy (SCA). We know what is lacking in our present right brain school and our country. As a parent who is passionate about right brain education, we know we need to get the proper guidance. Only then our children ability will blossom. Here is the chance for you to meet a whole-hearted sensei from Japan and get direct training by her. Do not wait, grab the seat now. Mrs Yumiko Tobitani only takes 24 kids for the workshop. It is base on first come first serve basics.

Who is Mrs Yumiko Tobitani?
- 17 years experience right brain educator since 1992. Developer of dot program, the right brain memorization and sensory training program, Quantum Speed Reading (Wave reading) and the right brain speed calculation system and junior program at Shichida Child Academy (SCA) in Japan.

What will you get from the workshop?
- Your children get proper guidance in right brain education.
- Latest right brain training method from Japan.
- Small group, personal attention. Everyone benefit.
- Get your question and doubt answered during the parent briefing session.
- Children above 9 year old can pick up right brain method too, which is not possible from our present right brain school.
- Your investment worth every single penny.
- Be the 1st group enjoying this special privilege.

Mrs Yumiko Tobitani will only take 12 kids per session this time. Grab the seat .First come first serve. Early bird promotion price is RM 980 (save RM 300), and a FREE book written by Mrs Yumiko Tobitani. Actual price is RM1280. Registration closes at 8 August 2008. Kindly fill in your registration form and make the deposit. Seat is confirmed once the RM500 deposit is received.
Please help to spread the news. If you think your friend’s child will also benefit from the workshop, please forward this email to them. They will be pleased that you include them. We will too. Have a great day ahead.

Yours sincerely,Sue & Miki
-----------------------------------------------------------
If interested, you can contact the organiser, at miki308m@yahoo.com.sg. When I spoke to her last, there were still 5 spots left. Too bad I will be away that week (school hols). I am getting the book though, and reading it page by page. Wish I could read just by flipping the pages rapidly, save me the allnighters with an unputdownable book *_^.

Maths tuition - Kumon or Enopi?

Strangely, I thought that a Chinese Kindergarten's maths level should be very high. But girlet so far has been doing simple addition and just beginning with subtraction. This is what she's been doing in montessori kindy last year.

Being kiasu, I went for a consultation at Kumon to find out more on Kumon's method of learning. Am impressed with the focus on developing good learning habits, concentration, responsibility of own work leading towards being an independent learner. But a little hesistant with the daily worksheets, as she has a lot of homework on writing Mandarin from kindy as it is.

Then went to check out Enopi, which is the Korean method to learning maths. Seems similar to Kumon with exception that this include problem solving, and less homework. A friend thinks I'm weird to be looking for less homework because "for Maths, the more she practise the better she becomes".

Erm, so which to choose? Proximity wise, both are about the same. In the end, chose Enopi because I can set maths problems for her to do anytime but lateral thinking is something that I don't know how to teach her. Let's hope this is the best decision for her.