The PSLE – what a joy! Seriously.
This year is not a PSLE one for us, Shannon finished hers twelve months ago and Amber has twelve to go. However, we’ve already starting to give her the stress needed to get that fire burning under her behind. She, for one, needs it.
For many, it could be pressure and stress. However, I think it is a privilege and joy. Most parents would not agree, calling the exam unnecessary and outdated, which could be true. Besides escaping to another country with relaxed and “modern” education systems, we’ve learned to handle it like every Singaporean child has done for almost sixty years.
Use it as a time for bonding, conversations, and discussion? I think that’s a great idea! Besides Chinese (because we are both so bad at it – just me), we don’t have tuition for the kids – maybe we’re doing something wrong? At the primary level, the other subjects are quite easy, you just need to sit down and do a little studying yourself and attend a learning session organised by the school (which I believe most schools do). Flex those neural muscles and get yourself reacquainted with a pencil and paper again.
Once you’ve re-mastered topics like the respiratory system, fractions and ratios and filling in the blanks using relevant words, you can then sit down with your child, have a (nice and quiet hopefully) conversation, discussing processes, methods and the such. This could have the potential to spiral into a battle, or a lesson in patience and understanding, which I think could help you both to grow closer, gain you respect from your child. Mindfulness and self-control would also be something you might naturally acquire after a while as you try to look at problems from different angles, looking for a way to get your ideas across in a combination of words, drawings, and gestures.
I know not many of us have the time and fortitude – but for me, I think this is one of the joys of having a child, that looks to you to teach, share, love and parent.
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| It's normal to sit at Macdonalds and eat a homework-burger |
Use it as a time for bonding, conversations, and discussion? I think that’s a great idea! Besides Chinese (because we are both so bad at it – just me), we don’t have tuition for the kids – maybe we’re doing something wrong? At the primary level, the other subjects are quite easy, you just need to sit down and do a little studying yourself and attend a learning session organised by the school (which I believe most schools do). Flex those neural muscles and get yourself reacquainted with a pencil and paper again.
Once you’ve re-mastered topics like the respiratory system, fractions and ratios and filling in the blanks using relevant words, you can then sit down with your child, have a (nice and quiet hopefully) conversation, discussing processes, methods and the such. This could have the potential to spiral into a battle, or a lesson in patience and understanding, which I think could help you both to grow closer, gain you respect from your child. Mindfulness and self-control would also be something you might naturally acquire after a while as you try to look at problems from different angles, looking for a way to get your ideas across in a combination of words, drawings, and gestures.
I know not many of us have the time and fortitude – but for me, I think this is one of the joys of having a child, that looks to you to teach, share, love and parent.