學之園(海逸校)06K1

ljsze

Lydia

Learning progress of your son seems to be quite good.  Have you thought of the reasons behind ?  Is it because your son had attended 1.5 years of school ?  Is it because your son is born in early 2003 (it's just my guess) ?

I agree with you.  I'm also trying to teach my son according to the progress of the school.  Have not yet taught him how to write letters & numbers.  I noticed that he could only draw better now (straight line, curve line, circle, triangle...).  Will take my time to get him learn more according to his progress.

Doris, Lydia

I don't know yet whom my son usually plays with at school right now.  I only know that he enjoys playing with other kids & he is not scared of strange & new environment.

DorisTSL

Lydia,

Preston is very smart that he can start writing at an early stage.  Brian's development in using pens is slow.  I think Brian is still not ready for drawing and writing.

The seminar last Friday was a short one (about 1 hour).  Ms. Yip introduced to us what kids are going to learn in each level.  This was followed by the sharing of a parent of a K3 kid.

ljsze,

It's good to know that there is a teaching assistant in the class.  The teacher- to-student ratio of 1 : 9 is really good.  

Do you know if the TA will stay all the time with the kids?  Anyway, when all the kids are adapted to the new environment, two teachers in a class will be sufficient.

ljsze

Doris

I did not ask the school if the TA will stay, but I think they will disappear as soon as most kids are settled down.

Doris, Lydia

I dropped some comments & questions in the school diary & Miss Cheng called me immediately yesterday & made the explanation.  When she called me, it was close to 6pm.  I haven't thought that they have to work that late.

LydiaWong

Doris, ljsze,
Preston is not that smart. Some of the kids from Jan 03 are even more advanced in learning, esp. for girls. But one thing he likes is to read books and keen on learning. He'll ask everything in details and sometimes I have no idea how to answer him. The other day we were taking the train, he asked ' why there are no seat belts in train?'. I thought that was quite brilliant and I'm not sure how to answer him.

ljsze

Lydia, Doris

I totally agree that reading is good.

As far as I remember, my son seldom asks why.  Yet, like other kids, he asks 'what' a lot.  He may even ask about the name of the details of a part of an object.  Sometimes, I also cannot answer immediately.  I cannot give the exact name but have to use sentence to describe what it is & the usage.

Recently, my son also likes to ask 'what happens' when we (adults) discuss about things & matters.

DorisTSL

ljsze,

Ms. Cheng is really a responsible teacher.  I am not sure if Ms. Cheng is also the teacher of K1C (PM session).  If so, leaving after 6pm is acceptable as a teacher.  They have a lot to do after school.

ljsze, Lydia,

Brian improved a bit in his attitude towards reading.  Although he is only interested in the pictures, he pays attention and he attempts to describe what he sees.

Brian also asks 'what' questions a lot and he never asks 'why'.  Recently, he used to ask 'what time is it?' frequently.  It is funny that he can ask over 10 times the same question in an hour.

LydiaWong

ljsze,Doris,
Preston used to ask 'what' a lot a few months ago. But recently he asks a lot of 'why', if it's me, he'll first ask in chinese and if I cannot answer him, then he'll try to ask in English (he thought I don't understand and translate for me?). E.g. he'll ask why it's raining, why people use an umbrella, why there is a typhoon,..... on and on. I think your kids will ask 'why' very soon. Be prepared to be a walking encyclopedia.

As for reading, Preston is at the stage of trying to read the words he knows by himself. he can recognise some words, both English and Chinese. Or if he's listening to us, he'll ask where the word is in the book and we'll point to him. He's very curious in some of the more difficult words, so sometimes reading one book will take a long time.  

ljsze

Lydia

Your son is really more advanced in reading.

Doris, Lydia

I learnt from a parent from PNA to K1B that they sometimes gather together during weekend for fun so that kids can play together.  I do think it's a good idea but I won't do so that often (if given a chance).  Though sometimes we won't have special activities (except taking lesson), I still prefer doing something else.  What do you think ?

LydiaWong

Hi, guys,
Are you busy?

ljsze

Lydia

I'm not really busy.  Just waiting for your response.

Lydia, knowing that your son is taking quite many lessons, would like to know how you manage the time of your son ?  Is he taking lesson in late afternoon during weekend ?

I really don't prefer sending my son for lesson on both Sun & Sat.

LydiaWong

ljsze,
Actually Preston is not taking that many courses. One of his friends (ex-PNB, now K1A) is taking courses almost every day and Sat. Preston only takes 1 course on one-day weekday and 3 others on Sat. No course on Sunday (maybe Sunday church class later) and keep Sunday free for family activities. So far OK and if we're available, we'll take him, otherwise my maid will take him to classes. So far Ok and he enjoys taking courses and even requests to do Kumon homework.( Hope he's like that when he grows up)

ljsze

Lydia

I really can't imagine a kid aged 3 taking lesson everyday.  It's good that Preston likes Kumon's method.  To me, it may be a bit boring for the kids.  Of course, it's just my feeling since I only learnt this from chatroom or others.

LydiaWong

ljsze,
Actually that little kid is very mature and he's been going to whole day school since May. His mom said he doesn't want him to stay home with the maid learning nothing, that's why she prefer him going to courses rather than stay home. As far as I know, he's taking Kumon, gymnastics, Mandrain, English, art etc. There are so many things I want Preston to learn too(I think kids at this age is good to learn and explore what their interest are), however, I don't want to exhaust him either. Not easy being a good mom. :cry:

Doris,
Where are you??

ljsze

Lydia

It's a lot easier being a father.  I think in general mother takes more active role in taking care of all aspects of the kids.

I know that kids at this age can absorb things quickly.  Yet, I do agree that I don't want him to be exhausted.  And, my in-law or myself will be a lot busier taking him for course.

Have you decided where you want to take Preston for art lesson ?

LydiaWong

ljsze,
I will go for a trial class at art palace(國際都會)this Fri 5-6pm. Are you inyerested, if yes, I can ask if they can take one more. The fee is $420/4 lessons. I asked one of the BK moms and heard good reputations. Just go for the trial class and see if Preston likes it.

ljsze

Lydia

In terms of environment, it seems good.  Fee charged is also acceptable.  However, location wise it's not that perfect if my son has to take the class at 5pm.

I'm thinking of joining Bird in tree located at Prince Edward Road West.  It's just 5 minutes of taxi from my home.  Environment not as good but they have a theme that lasts for a few months.  Course fee is more expensive, at about $200 per lesson (1.5 hr).

Maybe we can share the comments of these courses later.

DorisTSL

Lydia, ljsze,

Haven't been here for a long time.  Was busy since last week.

Lydia,

It's good to know that Preston is interested in a wide variety of learning groups.  I agree with you that kids of this age should try different sorts of activities and we can then know which one will suit him/her most.  Brian also joined a few trial classes of Gym, music etc.  However, I found that he shows little interests only.  I will not push him until he is ready and interested.  

ljsze,

Regarding the question you raised days ago.  I believe it's a good idea for the classmates to have gathering outside school.  Kids themselves need friends.  They may not have much free time in school.  What's your opinion?

ljsze

Doris

Welcome back.

I agree with you that we all need friends.  Gathering from time to time is fine.  I believe most kids like to play with the other kids.  Provided that we've got time, letting classmates play outside school is not a bad idea.

You mentioned that your son showed little interest toward the interests classes.  Do you notice that he sometimes mentions about those classes or sings those songs ?  If so, it's not bad.  He has learnt something.  Try to catch the right moment to talk about those classes & sing those songs.  Maybe he will gradually like these classes.

LydiaWong

Doris,
It's not a bad idea for the kids to father and play. But sometimes I want him to meet more people other than only form school. For Brian, I think he's like Preston a few months ago, more shy  and needs time to adapt to a new environment. So if he shows little interest in those classes, maybe he needs a few classes to adapt b4 he finds the interest in them. I suggest you let him try out a few more times rather than only one trial. Even for Preston now, he didn't show much interest in piano class for almost a month (4 classes), of course not too reluctant, I think it's good for him so I continue to try, then after 2 months, now he can play a short sentence and likes the teacher. So sometimes it's too early to say they don't have interest especially for kids like ours which need more time to adapt.
BTW, if we go to visit my mom, I'll call you and let Brian and Preston play together.

ljsze,
Preston always mentions about Davin. He told me 'Maggie and Shing shing' are naughty and Davin is good boy (of course, he said Preston is good boy first).

ljsze

Lydia

I'm so jealous that your son tells you so much about school.  Sometimes, my son will take the initiative to talk about school, but for most of the time, I have to ask.

Now that parents cannot spend much time at school like last year.  So, we can't really observe the kids' behaviour.

I got phone call from another art school & they can only offer a place on Sat.  Check with one more school & they offer lesson on Sat as well.  That's why I choose to try a lesson at Art Palace this Friday.  I just called to confirm my trial.  So, I shall see you this Friday.  Ha ! (The staff on the phone was quite nice)  If we confirm to take the course there, she mention that if the two kids take Friday 5-6pm lesson, then class can be started (for 2 kids only).  Otherwise, maybe they have to arrange other timing.  Friday 5-6pm is good to me.  My only worry is that my in-laws may have to wake my son up since it takes it longer to get there.

Lydia, Doris

How's the rating of your son for the first theme ?  In terms of scoring, Davin is the best in participation of activities & relatively weak in Chinese word recognition.  I'm starting to prepare some flash cards for teaching at home.