Busy new year.....

It's been so long since I come back to blog.  The year took off so quickly and 1 quarter passed.  My time with kids increased significantly ever since I started teaching tuition.  As the kids commented, we had more small pockets of time together than my corporate life.

This year would be interesting for me and stressful for my elder Son due to his PSLE.  The whole family is working together and hope he gets to his dream Secondary school.

Ever since I taught primary students in Maths and Science, I observed a relationship between kids result in school and parent's time for their kids.  From our center, kids who had only TLC (tender, loving, care) since K1, do not do well in their Mathematics or Science. My sample size may not be big enough for analysis but it started me thinking on the gaps in today's parenting.

I understand a bigger picture now on teaching these kids.  I need to start from the parent.  I am looking forward to every moment of my time with these new venture.
 

Tree Top Walk

We finally attempted the HSBC tree top walk last week.  The kids were excited initially as we reached the carpark.  Once we studied the map on the distance, they began to have cool feet.  We agreed to conquer the 7.6km route and target to finish before lunch time.


The initiate track is muddy and rough.  I was glad my kids were co-operative and helped each other through the initiate 2.4km till we reached SICC.  From then till the bridge, they started to show fagtiue and started to appreciate our clean environment around our home.  I appreciated the sign post along the way and direct us to the brigde soon. Some of the steep slopes along the way really tired them out.




The whole family energy increased once we reached the bridge.  The sight from the top of tree is spectacular.  As the path is narrow on the brigde, we could not stay too long to take more photos. 

 

After the bridge, the trip back to the carpark was an easier route due to down slopes.  Maybe, the whole family were so hungry, we reached the carpark in much faster pace.  After the trip, I confirmed that my kids are city kids and I have a big gap to bring them into nature appreciation.

Cycling with Kids

Last Friday was our cycling day in East Coast.  I didn't expect the convenient ride from East Coast to Changi Airport Cargo complex.  I would recommend family to attempt this route as it builds great family bonding.  The kids are so determine to reach the final destination at Changi.  We found nice resort chalet in NSRCC and will plan to attempt this route again.

I observed how such activities helped to bring the kids closer to each other.  They take care of each other during the ride and constantly prompting each other on danger or new discoveries.  I am also glad to note how determine they have been.

Though a long tiring 4 hour ride, we all enjoyed in many ways throughout this cycling day.  We are looking forward to the coming tree top walk in coming Friday.

Primary 1 school orientation

It was a well organised event from FuChun Primary School.  I am impressed with the flow of events and the thought of collecting the kids at a common station.  I am pleased that my younger boy, Jerry, is joining his brother and sister in the same school.

During the scene of Jerry marching into the school hall, I can not help to realise how time has flew past.  He indeed grew up and ready to face the new phase of his life. This round of orientation is slightly different from the older kids as Jerry will be under the new scheme of PERI (Primary Education Review and Implementation) holistic assessment program.  In brief, there is no formal Q&A written assessment in each quarter. As for his language subject, there is no formal text book or workbook.  I am still not certain on the effectiveness of the program at this stage.  I am concerned about the knowledge assessment gap between the final PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) and the new PERI holistic assessment.  I will monitor and assist him to bridge the gap as it goes.

With the start of the school holiday now, my wife and I planned a series of program for them.  I am looking forward to our attempt to Tree Top walk soon.

Till then, I shall sign off here.

School holiday is coming

The cycle continues... Exam, school holiday. It's going to be a long 6 weeks holidays for the Kids. This holiday would be slightly different from last years as my Jerry is preparing for P1 next year. We still struggle to accept the fact that he is already a P1 kid. We decided this year holiday to explore Singapore places of interest. I will write about the places we go in this holiday in my next few blogs.

"Trick or Treat" with my kids

 It was a fright night out yesterday.  I am surprised to find out my neighbourhood transformed into a great spot for Halloween celebration.  There were so many people dressed up in various costumes and so many families welcomed all kids with sweets at their doorstep.


We had a great fun and also enjoyed some of the house decoration.

Check out our homemade costumes and my wife's face painting.  My daughter was even scared by her own look.

More scary in real form!

However, there were some cute costumes too.

 Come visit this neighbourhood next year! (Woodgrove.  Around American School Singapore)


 This is a great activity with family and I strongly recommend everyone to come join us next year in this neighbourhood.

Examination period

It is time for me to relax on their study this week.  I believe to stop revising during examination period. My belief ,which I shared with the kids, is that the results range is locked from the amount of preparing time since September.  This week is not a study week.  I allowed my kids to play Phone games, X-box, PSP during this period.  I always tell them that learning at the last minute does not help in the result.  In fact, it may confuse you further.  

Though I am relax, my kids become anxious over this examination week.  Daryl cannot sleep while Nicole seems to catch a cold.  Jerry still does not understand why the two older kids' behaviour.  I am on the contrary busy with my own business plans for November and December.  

One thing which make me smile today:

1) Jerry initiate to practise mathematics time table this morning and in the evening.  I am very happy with his attitude and willingness to learn.