5
2017
Learning Mandarin: Ayden’s Reading Progress @ 3Y9M
Ayden has been attending Mandarin enrichment class for over a month now. This has totally changed our routine and I am still trying to adjust having to go to bed earlier at night so that we can wake up early for his class. This also means I now have less time to work on my blog and it kind of driving me crazy a little but it’s okay. I’ll find my way to make this work eventually.
Anyway, this is Ayden’s first time attending a class. I am not in favour of children attending school so early in their life but I have to prepare him to master Mandarin so that he can cope in primary school later. I did the same with the elder brother and I am following the exact path for Ayden. Big brother Ethan did not attend any kindergarten until the last 6 months of his preschool years just so he can receive a certificate (in case the primary school request for a kindergarten cert but in his case, they did not).
Ayden is attending 90 minutes of class, 5 days a week to learn Mandarin. No other subjects, only Mandarin as I can guide him in other languages.
I sat outside to wait for him but I did not let him know that. I told him I’ll have to leave as parents are not allowed to be around and come fetch him when his class is over. So this was his update during the first 5 days:
Day 1
He entered the class like a champion. Before I get to say goodbye to him, he already disappeared into the class on his own.
In the evening, I made a STAR to reward him for his first day of school. I told him I’ll make a star for each day he is in school (for the first week only).
Day 2
Separation anxiety kicks in. He woke up saying he doesn’t want to go to class. Managed to talk him into going but as he reached the class, he refused to enter. Saw a ‘friend’ entering the class so I told him, “let’s go. Let’s check out what toys your friend brings to class today”. He hurriedly said Goodbye and entered the class.
I thought mission accomplished but no. A while later I heard him crying. The facilitators tried to calm him down. He stopped crying. Fifteen minutes later he cried again. This time louder and shouting out, “Mummy! Mummy! Mummy!”
My heart sank but I had to remain calm. I told the facilitators not to let him know I am outside and to only release him when class is over. They played some dinosaur videos to calm Ayden down. Crying stopped.
When he emerged from class, I pretended like nothing happened and greeted him with a wide smile and a big hug. The first thing he said when he saw me was, “Mummy, you TIPU me!”
I was taken aback. I asked him, “What did mummy tipu you? Mummy said Mummy will pick you up and Mummy is here, right?” He answered, “You said my friend brought toys. He did NOT bring any toys!”
Ok. Lesson learnt. Kenot lie to this boy even if to distract 😣
Then, in front of the facilitator, he told me, “I cried just now”. I asked him why? He said coz he misses me. Aww.. I did not expect that answer so I terdiam kejap.
I put him to sit with me on my lap, lifted up his right hand and placed it on his heart.
I told him to ‘feel’ his heartbeat. He said he can feel it and asked me why? I said, “the next time you miss Mummy and feels like crying, touch your heart and feel the beat coz that is Mummy right there with you, in your heart” He touched his heart for a while and told me, “I can feel you“ 💞
Made another star for him.
Day 3
He did great. Woke up happy. Chatted all the way in the car. Went to class happy. After class, he asked me, “Mummy, why I have to go to class?” I asked him if he is happy in class and he said YES but he wants to know why he needs to attend class.
I asked him what he wants to do this weekend. He looks around and saw an LRT train passes by above us. He said he wants to ride on that train. So I told him, to ride on that train, you’ll need to have at least 5 stars. I asked him how many days of class does he need to attend to collect 5 stars? He immediately answered FaiVE days! Wow. Not bad this fella’s Math! No need to attend Kumon Math like this 😂
So I said, “Ok, you attend 5 days first and collect those 5 stars so you can ride on that LRT. Same goes in life, you need to study well to be able to do greater things”.
Dunno he understands or not but nevermind, at least I tried.
Made the third star for him.
Update:
After he collected 5 stars, he decided to ride on Thomas train instead of the LRT so we brought him to Sunway to fulfill his wish.
Riding on Thomas train.
Day 4
He woke up even before the alarm goes off. Excited to go to class. Happily walked in. Heard laughters in class. His voice is so loud and clear. At the end of class, he waved goodbye to the facilitators and said, “chai chien”
He earned another star
Day 5
He was his loudest today. I can hear every single word he said in class. He reads after his teacher loud and clear. They seemed to be having lots of fun as I kept hearing laughters.
He collected the final star
He brings his stars to class everyday and proudly show them to his teachers
He is used to the routine already by now but just like any other kids, there are days he is sleepy but all is well.
We have picnic everyday after class. He loves it and looks forward to this every day. This is one of the motivation for him to attend class.
I hope he’ll remain happy in his class as he’ll be spending at least a couple of years there.
Here’s a video of Ayden’s reading progress after over a month attending that enrichment class:
*VIDEO*
Ayden @ 3Y9M
I speak a bit but can’t read.
Good that he is adjusting well. Good to expose him to Chinese class. Like my Jamie, a banana, having weird accent when speak Chinese. Wahaha. Now Iam trying to speak more Chinese to Jamie now.
Omg. This boy. Sweet till I kenot…. and seriously clever too. Miss him much.
Can you recommend the Chinese class? Am scouting for my 5 yr old too. Thanks!
Ayden is such a smart boy to understand why he needs to attend class. Did you send him to one of those franchise Chinese enrichment classes?
You are one of the Best Mummy I have come across. You have very smart, innovative and good ideas in parenting, so I should give you 5 Stars too! If I could turn back the clock, I would wish to be in the Chinese school so that I could be fluent in Mandarin today.
Aiyo so cute lah his accent!