A dilemma

Ever since Sean started school, I don't really know what he does in school anymore. Obviously I can't hang around and peek through windows to see what he does at school. The teachers would probably shoo me away! =P

But I do miss the time when we go to playgroup together when I can be with him and meet up other mums.

We could still go for the morning playgroups because our names are still on the list. Playgroup in the morning has started for 2 weeks now but we haven't attended a single one. One reason is because Sean has been trying out the extra activities, which started at 11.45am, at school last week.

He tried

Modern dance - Nope. He can't follow the instruction, he was doing his own things. All the little girls were following the dance movements really well though.

Mental Maths - Not that we really want him to send him to Maths. It was supposed to be Singing, but they made a typo error. So we were at school almost 2 hours early with nothing to do. So I just sent him into the Mental Maths trial so he had something to do. He couldn't sit still. Anyway it's for the 5 and 6 years old. =P

Art and Craft - The teacher said he could follow instruction but he just drew his aliens anyway, which he can do at home for free!

We decided not to enroll him for the extra activities for now.

So now some of our mornings are free. But I'm just wondering whether or not I should rush him from the playgroups in the morning and then to school in afternoon. It's not necessary that he goes to them. But I do want to meet other adults too. Seriously, the playgroup is more for me to meet other mums. =P.... ha ha ha

I'm still undecided. We'll try it out next week and see whether or not it'll be too tiring for Sean.

Sean's 1st day at Diyana

Yesterday, we went for Sean's orientation and I found out that school starts today!

I was mistaken because I thought he starts on 18th like the English Nursery students. We went to his class and met his new teacher. We liked her. She is smiley and friendly. She speaks English well too. So that allays my fear about not being able to communicate with his Mandarin teacher. It was a short meeting and he didn't want to leave so soon. =D

Today, he was excited to start school. From the moment he stepped into school, he was in a hurry to go to his class. His class was right at the end of the large school compound. It was a long walk but he was rushing to go to school. No uniform yet because we haven't confirmed and pay the school fees. Will do it in the next few days.

I love that he is excited to go to school. =D It's a great start of the new year.

We had to think up a chinese name for Sean. So like anyone of our generation, we Google for ideas. Finally we decided on a name: Wei Sheng. FIL passed on a book they had on chinese names. I just found out that the chinese character I chose wasn't the right one. The Sheng we picked out meant holy, wise rather than the one we wanted which means victory. So tomorrow I'm going to have to inform his teachers about the change of chinese character.

Ha ha ha... It's a good thing this is not official.

Tadika Diyana

After much thought and headache over whether or not we should prepare Sean for chinese primary school, we have decided to register Sean in a Kindergarten which has both streams, i.e. Tadika Diyana.

I went again this time with Sam to see the place. Today, we had a better impression. The children were lively and were having a good time at school. I checked the play area and it was bigger than Peter and Jane's. They also have a big hall where they do PE and we saw children having a good time during PE, which I feel is important at this age.

We were both quite happy with the school and Sean seems happy there. So we registered there and then.

http://www.tadikadiyana.com.my/

Why are we even talking about chinese school?

Obviously, we are rather concerned about the standard of the Kebangsaan school. If we decide to send Sean to a chinese primary school in 3 years time, we have to make sure that we prepare him for it, which is why I've been having a tough time deciding which school to send Sean to. I didn't even consider chinese school when we started the kindergarten search. We've only thought about it last week. All the ratings I did was based on my observation of the teacher's ability to speak english and the general feel of the place.

I've talked to many other mothers about their opinions on chinese schools and what their thoughts on how to proceed for us since we can't speak mandarin or even any dialects. Most of them suggest that we send Sean to a chinese kindergarten even from now so he gets a good exposure to the language first.

Since we are still undecided, we decided that we'll let Sean try to do his kindergarten in mandarin. I'm hoping that he's not going to object too much being put into the chinese stream next year. If we see that he really dislikes it, then we'll take him out and put him into the english stream, and later on to a Kebangsaan primary school.

I can't believe that we have to think of primary school even from now. But if we don't prepare Sean for the possibility of going to a chinese primary school from now, the possibility that he'll adapt later on is very slim.

We were set to put Sean in Fairfield because we felt it has the best english teachers out of all the schools. But I brought Sam to see Diyana because it was the only school he hadn't seen. He liked it and Sean seemed quite happy with the place, happily running around and playing at the playground. We had discussed the night before, ok, no chinese school because the cultural difference between an english speaking home and a chinese school is very different. But when we went to Diyana, we saw the possibility that it may work.

Diyana seems to attract many parents who don't speak chinese to put their children in the chinese stream. So I'm hoping that Sean won't feel out of place when he starts school next year. I'm also hoping that the teachers know how to handle children who come from non-chinese speaking family gently and introduce mandarin in a non-threatening way.

So here is to us hoping that we made the right choice.

Need info on Chinese Primary School

Seriously, this kindergarten search thing is giving me a headache. Maybe it's just me, I feel the need to know enough to be able to make a decision, but the more I know, the more choices there are. So we've decided to let things take it's own course. We've done our research and we've finally ranked them in order. So we are now just waiting to hear from the schools whether there'll be space for Sean next year.

I don't want to think too much again. LOL.

Now, there's something else bothering me. I wish I'm not the type to think so much about all these. It would be nice to just decide, Hey that's fine and that's it. But that's not me.

It's the whole Chinese versus Kebangsaan issue. At first, we were quite sure that we are not even going to think about sending to a Chinese school because both of us can't speak any Chinese at all. We didn't want him to have to take too many tuition or to feel too much pressure on school work.

But recently we heard that Chinese school isn't that bad. The facilities are good, the teachers are dedicated, and they are no longer that harsh, and if you learn chinese early enough, you shouldn't have that much trouble with the work at school. Now I'm not sure if any of these are true, but it has made us be open to the idea of sending Sean to a Chinese primary school. Maybe only, it's still a new thought.

I know it's still early, but I heard that you have to register by next year! I'm not sure if that's correct, but I need more information about this.

So if anyone can enlighten me about what Chinese primary school is like, I would be more than grateful.

In search for a kindergarten - part 2

New info:

I've just heard from a friend whose son is in Peter and Jane that they have changed the school hours from 3 to 4 hours, which means the school fees have increased substantially!

She was complaining that she calculated that the snack costs her RM10 each day, and her son is only getting biscuits and milo. She also doesn't like the teacher and her son's class is next to the toilet. Despite asking for class change, she was told that there was no space. I do feel that it's unfair because I feel that the Mutiara Damansara P&J has excess space!

So I'm really glad that we decided not to send Sean to P&J.

We really like Tadika Diyana. Sean liked it immediately and there was no fuss at all when h started school. His teachers speaks both English and Mandarin well. She is also very nice. Despite his class being next to the toilet also, it's not a problem because it's a closed class and air-conditioned. He is very comfortable in his school and looks forward to going to school.

So if anyone read this entry about kindergarten. My choices will be:

1. Tadika Diyana
2. Fairfield (for English session)
3. Peter and Jane (but the school fees is even higher than before!)

The kindergarten that I thought I was not even going to take a look at (because of the expense) turn out to be the one that I really like, i.e. Peter and Jane. Unfortunately, their morning session is already full. So next week, we'll go take a look at the Peter and Jane in Mutiara Damansara.

Our current possible choices are:

1. Peter and Jane. They are full for morning classes in Taman Sea, only afternoon classes are available.

2. Fairfield. My only concern is that there'll be only 1 class of 4 years old next year. That may be too few possible friends for Sean.

3. Juara Cerdik. Because it's nearby and the fees are affordable. But Sean may not like it because of the drastic change from being able to play a lot to having to sit and study so much. So I forsee a lot of "I don't want to go to school, Mummy" in the first few months.


My review of the kindergartens, if anyone is interested :P
These are in a sort of order of rank.

1. Tadika Diyana - classroom concept

I went for a 2nd look with Sam. This time our impression is much better. The children were quite lively today, which gives us the same impression as the other schools above.
Guided by Montessori approach for Nursery but little of it is practiced. More emphasis on academics for K1 and K2. Teacher student ratio = 2:20 for nursery

Pros: A beautiful school structure. Classrooms are quite spacious. Has many facilities. Fees average. It has English and Mandarin stream, which makes it flexible for people like us who have not decided where we will be sending Sean for Primary school.

Cons: Some of the teachers and students looked rather bored. Classroom arrangement more suited to be a Primary school. It would be great if several classes of children can play together during playtime, but despite the big school compound, it's play area is small. I checked out the play area again. It's much bigger than Peter and Jane's play area. And they have a big hall where they do their PE.

1. Peter and Jane - Open concept
Nursery (4 yrs old) - Montessori approach. Lots of learning through hands and play. Emphasis on motor skills, creativity, music and learning through activities. Teacher student ratio = 1:14 for nursery.
K1 and K2 (5 & 6 yrs old) - Gradual introduction of more academics, maths, reading, writing and communication. K2 is divided into English and Mandarin sections.

Pros: Montessori approach. Friendly and warm teachers who speak well. Clean, bright and cheerful. Teaching system is well thought out. Gradual learning of new languages. Children seem to enjoy themselves a lot and yet it's orderly.
Cons: Maybe a little noisy because of the open concept, but I think Sean may thrive in such an environment. Expensive.

2. Fairfield - Classroom concept
British system. Emphasis on reading, creative writing and communication. Teacher student ratio = 1:15

Pros: Older, more experienced teachers. A big grassy field where all the children play together during play period. I like the fact that they get to play together. The children are friendly and polite. Principal and main teacher are ex-Garden International.
Cons: Classrooms rather small. Quite expensive.

3. Nakorn Sari - Classroom concept
British system. Emphasis more on play. Great for children below 4 years old. Teacher student ratio = 2:15 (I think)

Pros: Very fun and has lots of activities. Teachers are cheerful and friendly.
Cons: Lack of order and discipline. Quite expensive.



5. Beaconhouse Gasing - classroom concept
Guided by Montessori approach for Nursery. More emphasis on academics for K1 and K2. Teacher student ratio = 1:15 for nursery

It's really average because it neither impresses us nor was there anything wrong with it.


Fungates open concept
It's marketed to be learning through play but I saw more studying than play. The high emphasis on academics can be a pro or con depending on parents' viewpoint. A lot of emphasis on workbook and practice. Exams and homework start from 4 years old. Seems to emphasis a lot on Mandarin lessons than any of the other lessons.

1. Juara Cerdik - Fungates
Pros: Teachers seem ok. Teacher student ratio = 1:18 for nursery. Fees are affordable. Good value for money. Nearby our house.
Cons: May not have enough play time. Lots of studying. I saw a 4 year old girl practicing chinese characters!

2. Madeline - Fungates
Pros: Cheap. Quite organized. They have 2 options at K2, English and Mandarin.
Cons: Teachers do not speak English well. Teacher student ratio = 1:25. Classrooms seem overcrowded.

3. Sri Nobel - Fungates
Pros: None I saw.
Cons: Strict lots of rules. The environment is cold and factory like. Lots of cons!!!! It's terrible!

In search for a kindergarten

We are thinking of putting Sean into a full kindergarten next year. One thing is because I'm getting busier and don't have as much time as I used to with him. He also looks to be growing out of the current playgroups he is in. So therefore we've been checking out kindergarten this week.

Our criteria for a kindergarten:
1. Experienced teachers who are well-spoken and have warm personalities.
2. A good system which teaches well but nothing too academic because we feel that it's still important to have time for play and reflection.
3. A good level of discipline but not too harsh. Discipline is still important but it shouldn't be meted out in a harsh manner that it suppresses the personality of the child.

All these will result in
4. Children who are warm and friendly. So we also want to see the children who are studying in the school because they will be the community of students that we want Sean to be friends with.

And last but not least

5. A place that Sean likes. So his personal judgment is still taken into account.


We went to see 3 kindergartens this week and including the kindergarten that Sean attended before, they rank in this order:

1. Fairfield (British system)
2. Nakorn Sari (I think British system)
3. Beaconhouse (own system)
4. Madeline (Fungates)

Unfortunately, we went to Beaconhouse and Madeline on their open days and could not see the children. But they did not meet our first criteria.

We like the feel and teachers of Nakorn Sari but criteria no.3 is not met, which is I think the reason Sean does not like it despite the friendly and cheerful teachers over there. Actually Nakorn Sari seems like a really fun place but every time we even pass the school, or the other day when we went for the Lantern Festival, Sean always comments quite emphatically " Don't like this school."

So at the moment, our current choice is Fairfield, which seem to meet criteria 1-4.

Sean did not say whether he likes it or not, which is why we're still going to look at a few other kinddies:

5. Sri Nobel (Fungates)
6. Juara Cerdik (Fungates)
7. Tadika Diyana (not sure yet)
8. Peter and Jane (maybe)

With the Fungates system, I'm just wondering whether it's just too academical? It feels a bit like a factory system where the children (crammed in a class of 25) are fed academics subjects throughout the whole morning. I can see that by the time they leave at 6 years old, they will have learned quite a lot.

However, does this system take away creativity because everyone has to do the same thing at the same time? I know that will be what they'll have to do once they get to Standard 1, but they are only little kids now, and isn't this the time when they can relax and play?

I can't make up my mind about it yet because we have yet to see children in the school setting. So hopefully when we see the next few kinddies later, we'll be able to make a better judgment.

Finally I let go

Today is the 5th day Sean went to Nakorn Sari. He was particularly clingy this morning and kept going out to look for me, who was sitting on a bench outside a glass door, every 5 minutes. He could see me from inside but No.... this little boy of mine wants to be with his mummy all the time.

I think the fact that I'm so accessible makes it harder for Sean to get on with school. Of course it's more fun to be with mummy, but I wanted him to join the class and participate. Finally I told the teacher to lock the door from inside. The next time he wanted to go out, I just smiled at him and wave at him as he cried while trying to open the door. The teacher came and took him into the room where the students are and got him calmed down.

I made my coffee and got ready to wait the morning. After a while, I realized my little boy wasn't appearing at the glass door anymore looking for me and he was with the rest of the class. He wasn't always listening to the teacher but at least he was with them. So I decided, this is it. It was time to leave. I have to let go and trust that he'll be ok.

When he looked for me later on, the teacher just told him I went to the toilet ..... ha ha

When we came to pick him up, the teacher said he was ok but was rather naughty ha ha ha.... I told them that they can be a bit more strict with Sean. Well, they are not very strict at all, but I told them they can be more firm with Sean. =P

I guess like everything else I do with Sean, breastfeeding and toilet training, I took a longer time to let go. I'm sure most mummies don't sit at school the whole morning waiting for their sons to get comfortable in school for several days. What's the point of sending them to school right?

But I'm glad I did it my way because Sean joined the school activities with minimum fuss, I think he cried for less than a minute. And at the end of the day, we peeked on him and he looked truly settled down. No more looking for mummy. =D

3rd day at Nakorn Sari

Last Wednesday, I had to stay within sight and in the same classroom with Sean, otherwise he would cry and refused to stay.

Today, things were better. I stayed the whole 31/2 hours at the school while Sean had his lessons. In the morning I walked him into his classroom and stayed for a few minutes, and kept telling him ' Mummy cannot stay inside, I'll be outside' It went pretty well. He still came out and looked for me every 20 minutes, and I would walk him into the classroom again. In the meantime, I had my coffee, chatted with a grandmother who was accompanying her grandson who is also a new student, and read a book.

The separation anxiety has lessened. He no longer tears up if he doesn't see me at every moment. In fact, I think it's easier if I don't hover around too close. It seems the moment he sees my face outside the classroom he tears up and wants to get out. So I made myself scarce. He pooped and the teacher cleaned him up. I didn't interfere. After all, when I'm not there in the future, the teachers will have to handle all these things.

I also told the teachers that they can be a bit more tough on him and spell out the rules to him. To tell him that at school he has to listen to the teachers. Although I don't want to put Sean in a school that is too regimented, I feel that a certain level of discipline is good for Sean.

At the end of playgroup, the teacher told me that Sean had made a friend already, and should be ready to be left at school after several more days. And once he can be dropped off by himself, maybe I can go for an exercise class. Woo Hooo!!!....=P

New school: Nakorn Sari

Today we tried out another new school. It's a Kindergarden called Nakorn Sari.

Now that we've got the hang of going to playgroup regularly 3 days a week, I wanted him to do something on Tuesdays and Wednesdays too. Nakorn Sari is perfect because unlike most kinddies, they allow children to come on a daily basis. Other kindy usually prefer that you go to their school 5 days a week, which means we won't be able to go to Play Centre and Children Corner's again.

I like going to these 2 places. Not only do I get to socialize and make new friends with other mothers, I also get to go to a library which has always been my favorite activity, and to learn from other more experienced mothers who put a lot of effort into their lesson plans.

Anyway, back to the story. We love Nakorn Sari!

It's the kindergarden I would love to go to. There are toys everywhere. The pre-kindergarden kids are allowed to roam within limits during lesson time. They are not very strict with the young ones because they want to foster a love for school first, which is what Sam and I believe playgroup should be like. It's very cozy and really fun, and seriously a lot of toys!

It is Sean's heaven. He was so distracted with the toys that he really couldn't be bothered by the lesson. We stayed there the whole morning because Sean still had separation issues but the school is ok about parents hanging about until the children are happy and settled in schools. And it just so happened that there was a birthday party today. So Sean got to eat cakes and sweets on his first day.

Just to check whether he liked the school we asked him, " Do you like the school?"
Sean: No (while playing toys)
Us: You don't want to come here?
Sean: No (while playing some more)
When it was time to go home, as usual, he refused to go. The teacher told him that he could stay overnight by himself. That got him going. =P

That's just Sean. So hard to get him to do anything and once he does it, so hard to get him off it. Oh yeah, the 'Yes' stage is gone now.

But anyway, we're enrolling him anyway. Once Sean gets into the routine, I'm sure he'll look forward to going to school in the morning. Did I mention the TOYS???? he he he.... I wish I was a child again, then I can go to this school =D

Playschool at Children's Corner

The one thing about not blogging regularly is that after a while you get lazy and forget about the little things that happened. The last 2 months have been a whirlwind of activities.

First, Sean started playschool twice a week at Children's Corner at the beginning of Feb. Then I had to prepare for Mary's wedding, getting my dress done, making the wedding chocolate wrappers, the flower basket and running around to do the countless little things that needed to be done for the wedding.

At the same time, Sean and I had flu which didn't seem to go away. I think it took 3 weeks for the flu to go away completely. All these made Sean a really whiny and grumpy little boy.

So he was one of the whiniest little boy at playschool. He really hated the ring of the bells. It meant that he had to stop whatever he was doing and do the next activities.

However, over the last two months, I'm seeing improvements. He is not as whiny now and is actually interested in learning new things. His speech has always been a source of concern with me since he does not speak much for a boy his age. However, he is at least interested to learn when we teach him new words now, whether or not he can say it properly. Previously, he would refuse point blank at even trying to say new words. He really enjoys lesson time at playschool. Sam took him to school once and was amazed that he took his toys and put them back on to the shelves on his own.

Today, while Akong and Ama were buying fish at the supermarket , he was signing the letter 'f' with his fingers and was telling them 'fish'. His words are not clear but I'm just glad he is interested in learning to speak now.