Joyce is in K2 this year so the teacher started to give them 10 spelling words and 1 dictation to better prepare them for P1 next year. However, it was not very well received by some of the children including Joyce. Maybe it is because she is just not ready for that stage. She doesn’t like it and cried whenever I pushed her to complete the whole spelling list. She simply shut down. Like any other mum, I have her interest at heart. I wanted to help her to learn and do well and be interested so that she finds it fun. But most of the time, we become stressed, impatient and unknowingly, we raise our voice and she gets our negative emotions and breaks into tears.
I know that I must do something immediately before I kill her interest completely. I talked to her teacher and got the spelling list reduced to 5 words. My strategy is to build up her interest and confidence first. Then increase the no of spelling words incrementally. If she improves after a month, we will add 2 more words until she gets all her 10 spelling words and dictation back. I don’t mind to start slow and steadily build up her interest and good learning habit. I also changed my revision method with her and got her to help prepare the learning materials. We used the colourful cards given by her teacher and Joyce enjoyed writing the alphabets in different colours on these cards. Then we use them to play spelling game. We mix and match into different words and say them out aloud. I also let her use white board and colourful markers to write out the words. No more tears and she is happier during the revision time now since we use these new methods 10 days ago.
This morning, I’m seeing some results. Joyce started writing her new spelling words on the whiteboard all by herself after breakfast. When I asked her to leave for her childcare, she told me that she is learning her spelling and that it is not a game. I praised her for her good behaviour and learning attitude to encourage and motivate her. Bravo! Joyce. Keep up the good learning behaviour. I’m glad that she is more serious with her spelling now. My ultimate goal is for her to be a self-motivated learner.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Reading
It is heartening to see that Joyce is getting more interested to read her reader nowadays. Whenever, I say “reader time”, she will say “Yeh!” and starts reading on her own. She feels good about reading them as she knows most of the words in the reader and is proud of it. I will usually ask her to stop after 1 reader so as to keep her interest but she will plead me for 1 more reader. Hence, we stop after 2 readers nowadays.
However, she will still not pick up book to read on her own except for her bedtime story book. She will definitely want us to read at least 1 story every night. She will pick up a story book and want us to read to her. Usually, her daddy will read to her when he is in town. Otherwise, I will read with her and I will ask her to read with me ie I read two sentences and she reads 1. But sometimes, I read more when she’s reluctant to read together and just want to hear me read. I think it is important not to kill her interest and just let her enjoy the story.
I understand that reading is vital as it is an efficient way to acquire information, knowledge, skills and experiences and improve oneself. It is also the most fundamental skill to help children to be successful in school and in life. Moreover, Joyce will be in P1 next year and she must know how to read so that learning becomes a breeze. Hence, we’ll have to brush up this year despite it requires a lot of effort and patience to help her learn to read and to get her interested in reading. Hope that before long, she will grow to love stories and books. And eventually, she will want to read on her own.
However, she will still not pick up book to read on her own except for her bedtime story book. She will definitely want us to read at least 1 story every night. She will pick up a story book and want us to read to her. Usually, her daddy will read to her when he is in town. Otherwise, I will read with her and I will ask her to read with me ie I read two sentences and she reads 1. But sometimes, I read more when she’s reluctant to read together and just want to hear me read. I think it is important not to kill her interest and just let her enjoy the story.
I understand that reading is vital as it is an efficient way to acquire information, knowledge, skills and experiences and improve oneself. It is also the most fundamental skill to help children to be successful in school and in life. Moreover, Joyce will be in P1 next year and she must know how to read so that learning becomes a breeze. Hence, we’ll have to brush up this year despite it requires a lot of effort and patience to help her learn to read and to get her interested in reading. Hope that before long, she will grow to love stories and books. And eventually, she will want to read on her own.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
A brand new year 2008
Today is the 1st day of school. For some children, it means going into a brand new school or class to meet and make new friends! Usually, in Joyce’s childcare centre, there will be some new child especially, those younger ones, joining them at the beginning of the year. To prepare her mentally and for P1 next year, I told her that she must learn how to take care of herself as she is now in K2. Moreover, the teachers maybe busy and giving their attention to the newer children this 1st week. I also told her to help the younger one when necessary as she is now ‘Jie Jie’ to build up her caring and social skills. Have fun and enjoy your day, Joyce!
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