學之園(海逸校)06K1

LydiaWong

Doris,
What's that assessment about? Do all kids need to do? What words can't Brian pronounce? I thought Brian  is pretty good at talking.

DorisTSL

Lydia,

Brian did improve a lot in talking.  He didn't start to speak until 2yrs 2mos.  He was assessed on his ability to speak when he was 2yrs 5mos.  It was found that his ability to speak was only about 1.5 yr.

A similar assessment was done after one year (last week).  It was found that he improved a lot.  His ability to speak is about 3.5 yrs, which is his actual age.  However, he couldn't pronounce some sounds correctly, e.g. 'b' and 'p', etc.  He also didn't understand some of the instructions given by the doctor in the assessment.

LydiaWong

Doris,
Brian shows great improvement. Preston did a speech assessment b4 at Heep Hong ~1/2 yr ago. He was advanced in some sounds but he can not pronounce 'l' sound well. I'm too lazy to practice with him(what a shame) so his 'l' sound is still not clear. Do you need to pay for the assessment?

DorisTSL

Lydia,

Brian was referred to Yaumatei Clinic by the Health Centre.  Only those kids who are identified to have significant problem in speech development will be sent.

The cost is $100 per visit

LydiaWong

Doris,
The fee is much more cheaper than Heep Hong. Heep Hong charged $600 for assessment.
Miss Cheng is so nice that she called me today that Preston got a small cut at his finger. Preston was happy to get a bandage coz it's like a sticker. He told Miss Cheng he got some pretty bandaid at home ('cars' and 'mickey' bandage) but he likes the one Miss Cheng gave him. He did not want to take it off tonight. I think she is very caring and really good to the kids.

DorisTSL

Lydia,

I guess the assessment in Heep Hong is more detailed.  Brian's assessment in YMT clinic only lasted about 20 minutes.  The therapist used most of the time in checking Brian's understanding in different types of instructions.  Brian didn't need to speak at all.

In the second part, therapist asked Brian to explain the meaning of some terms, e.g. What is holiday?  What is silence?  What is rabbit?

Finally, the therapist showed Brian a few pictures and asked him to describe what he saw.

The therapist just put some ticks and crosses on an assessment sheet quickly.  She then summed up those related marks and told me the result.  I just wonder whether the result is valid while Brian was only required to speak in less than 10 minutes.  Anyway, the therapist could spot out some of the weaknesses Brian has correctly, though not detailed at all.

Yet, Brian missed one Gym class due to attending the assessment.   

ljsze

Doris, Lydia

Back from Japan last night.  Back to school today & we take an extra day off today.

Picked Davin up after school.  Saw Miss Cheng & she said Davin was very happy today at school & talked about the trip.

Actually, I shopped & bought much less than I expected.  As you know, when you have a kid with you, you cannot really go shopping freely.

Next time if you go to Tokyo, I recommend Tokyo Dome Toy World.  It's very convenient & there are really a looooooot of toys to play.  It was amazing.  For kids, Ueno park is also a good choice.  It seems not a popular spot, but believe me, you can spend half a day there.

LydiaWong

ljsze,
Welcome back! You make me really want a holiday. Need to getaway from work, sooooooo tired every day. I'm thinking of a holiday to Malaysia or Hokkaido next year.

The weather turns cold today, time for the winter season. Put on extra clothes for the kids. Keep warm!

ljsze

Lydia

Davin starts to wear winter uniform today.  How about Preston ?

Both Malaysia & Hokkaido are good choices.  If we take kid with us for trip, leisure trip is much better.

Btw, Preston's progress of Kumon math is really amazing.  I'm also considering to let Davin take one more course.  And, I may not continue course in Parsons after little Mozart.

rebeccalols

del

LydiaWong

ljsze,
Preston started to wear winter uniform for a few days already. It's quite cool in the morning.

Preston really like Kumon and has no problem finishing the homework everyday. What kind of course are you thinking? I want Preston to learn Mandarin too but need to schedule to time.

ljsze

Lydia

Does Preston take Kumon math lesson everyday ?

Right now, Davin only takes art & music lesson.  I may want him to take language course but not Mandarin.  Maybe Kumon math, or performing arts... I have not made up my mind yet.

LydiaWong

ljsze,
Preston only attends Kumon once a week but there are homework to do everyday. Kumon's concept is to train the kids learn independently and do the homework by themselves. So far Preston is fine with homework and I hope he can build a good habit to do homework on his own. We try to let him think doing homework is fun and part of his daily life.

Today at school, Preston told Miss Cheng that is mommy's birthday (actually is tomorrow) and mom is 4 years old. Then the teachers and Preston made a birthday cake (from foam) for me. I was so suprised and it's very sweet from Preston and the teachers.  

ljsze

Lydia

How long does it take for Preston to do homework every day ?

It's so sweet that the teachers do something special for a kid.

I asked Miss Cheng about language acquisition last week.  Guess what ?  She gave me an article of over 10 pages for my reference.  I was astonished.

LydiaWong

ljsze,
Kumon only request the kid to finish 10 pages of work which takes less than 10 min. But it's so simple Preston can usually finish in a few min. time (if he is good that day).g

ljsze

I noticed that Davin has been singing a lot more songs learnt from school.  And, there are new songs during morning exercise session.  I then suggested to the school to provide us a CD (with minimal cost) so that kids can enjoy the music at home as well.  Wait & see what their response will be.

DorisTSL

ljsze and Lydia,

It's a good idea to have the CD for the songs.  In PN class, my Mom used to take video for Brian during morning exercise from time to time.  Brian loves watching those video very much.

By the way, have you heard of any comment about Ms Jill?  I know that some parents gave negative comments on the clothes she chose.  I didn't have a chance to meet her.  What's your opinion?

ljsze

Lydia, Doris

I do not hear comment about Miss Jill as I do not have the time to talk to other parents recently when I take my kid back to school.

Negative comments on the clothes she wear ?  I think it's a bit ridiculous.  She's quite fat.  And, most Westerners regard the climate now in HK is quite warm.  I noticed that she wears vest for quite some days.  Yet, she does not dress in a 'sexy' way.  And, I also don't think the kids have got problem with this.  Davin mentioned quite a lot about Miss Jill.  I think Miss Jill is doing her job quite okay.  I cannot say she's very good as she's new to all of us but time will tell whether she's good or not.

DorisTSL

It's strange that the message I posted two hours ago disappeared!

ljsze,

The negative comment I heard was from a grandma of a kid.  I haven't met Ms Jill before so I don't know if what she described is totally true.

Lydia, ljsze,

I found that the artworks done by kids in school are so creative.  I love the kite, spaghetti and the necklace very much.  Everytime when I praised Brian for his good work, he was very excited.

ljsze

Doris

If that's the comment of a grandma, it's fair.  To me, I think it's okay.

I also notice that they've got quite a lot of art & crafts work which I think is good.  Davin also loves art & craft time.  However, I also agree that we need to spare more & more space for storage.

Doris, Lydia

Does your boy sing the spaghetti song ?  Davin does & he asks us to sing as well.