Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Nursery Portfolio Day..
Today we went for the Portfolio of Nursery!!
All new experience for me. During our times there was nothing like this, wasn't sure if De will be able to explain what all he did in the class all through the year. (for him Jan-June)..
Was surprised he could remember everything!
It was AMAZING to see that, he has actually DONE so much work... within 2 min he finished showing us everything he did.. and took me more than 15 min to recollect and write them down on notes lol...
Lots of effort has gone into all this... :-)
No wonder she used to lose patience so often... with more than 15 similar kids around..
The most interesting thing I noticed. - Story telling
There were few pictures on a A4 sheet and the children were asked to write a story. Basically they wrote a few alphabets and scribbled. Then teacher asked them what they wrote. Here's what he said -
"Dev is going to Dusseldorf to get chocolate in this space ship(he drew something in the shape of a rocket). Dev is driving the spaceship..."
ahh I again forgot whatelse was there..
shall add up when I recollect.. :)
1 more topic - building where they made their HOMES (cut out triangles, squares, rectangles etc)
Dev - playing, eating..
Mama - sitting
Papa - cooking - lol - grrrrr... this has never happened - Papa does "sitting" & Mama cooking..
Good Lord what picture he is giving the world about his family.. :-P
He was very enthusiastic about showing the changing seasons.
There was painting of tress, with green leaves, yellow-orange leaves, no leaves
and also pictures of children out in the snow & green grass in all the season.
All new experience for me. During our times there was nothing like this, wasn't sure if De will be able to explain what all he did in the class all through the year. (for him Jan-June)..
Was surprised he could remember everything!
It was AMAZING to see that, he has actually DONE so much work... within 2 min he finished showing us everything he did.. and took me more than 15 min to recollect and write them down on notes lol...
Lots of effort has gone into all this... :-)
No wonder she used to lose patience so often... with more than 15 similar kids around..
The most interesting thing I noticed. - Story telling
There were few pictures on a A4 sheet and the children were asked to write a story. Basically they wrote a few alphabets and scribbled. Then teacher asked them what they wrote. Here's what he said -
"Dev is going to Dusseldorf to get chocolate in this space ship(he drew something in the shape of a rocket). Dev is driving the spaceship..."
ahh I again forgot whatelse was there..
shall add up when I recollect.. :)
1 more topic - building where they made their HOMES (cut out triangles, squares, rectangles etc)
Dev - playing, eating..
Mama - sitting
Papa - cooking - lol - grrrrr... this has never happened - Papa does "sitting" & Mama cooking..
Good Lord what picture he is giving the world about his family.. :-P
He loved showing different home:
Bear lives in the Cave, Birds live in the Nest, Spider live in the Web, Bee live in the Hive, Dev lives in Home.. :-)
He was very enthusiastic about showing the changing seasons.
There was painting of tress, with green leaves, yellow-orange leaves, no leaves
and also pictures of children out in the snow & green grass in all the season.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Revisiting - Home Remedies
Is this true ?
- Drinking fresh tomato juice can help regenerate damaged liver.
- Cabbages are richer in Vitamin C than oranges.
- Vitamin C in guava is five times more than in an orange.
- Many of us avoid eating nuts for fear of weight gain. Such fears are groundless. In fact, people who consume nuts at least twice in a week are much less likely to gain weight than those who almost never eat nuts.
- Application of ginger juice on the navel provides relief from loose motion.
- Pouring ritha (soapnut) water in the nostrils provides relief from jaundice.
Home Remedies
Friday, June 18, 2010
Teacher - student - school post - revisited...
After all the self-analysis and speaking repetitively both with my child and his school faculties (staff, teacher, principal & also parents from different countries); most of the feedback and response came as clear indication that there wasn't a problem for which I should be so concerned. My child is like any other boy of his age and growing up naturally with all his new pranks to keep me alert all the time.
Coming back to what I had written in my earlier posts:
http://devacharyamenon.blogspot.com/2010/06/teachers-pet-is-that-you.html
http://devacharyamenon.blogspot.com/2010/06/view-of-educationist-regarding-india.html
Teacher's pet - is that you ?
I understand that there are various methodology of educating children and it varies from teacher to teacher as well student to student. Not all students respond to instructions in similar way. It does not necessarily mean that do not follow them or they are not obedient, but given a child of 3-4 yrs. their area of interest and "mood" varies from time-to-time
As, far my child is concerned, I know he does not like to be ordered or commanded to do anything. He gets more stubborn if he is not spoken poliently and if we show anger or raise our voice. Thats what concerned me in the earlier posts, he was getting more stubborn to prove he is a "bad boy".
It was a phase and has gone past now. As per his teacher, sometimes students react very positively when you praise others infront of him and hence try to improve. Ignoring a child and giving "stickers/gifts" as a token of appreciation to them, helps him to do the activities he otherwise is not willing to do. This also increases the competitive spirit. Hence, all these extra efforts were to make Dev sit down to writting activity. Thats the thing he does not like to do sitting at a place.
Regarding the colour of skin:
This kind of discussion in there amongst the students in all the class. A parent of Grade 2 once told me, "Teachers do not speak about this. It's the student who discuss. The Indian girl wants to be reborn as a girl with blond hair and white skin. One of her other friend wants a dusky skin with black hair. These are just their fantasy."
After hearing this I left the dicussion there. And thought it needs some more time for me to conclude anything. Moreover, he will be going to a new class from August. A new teacher and new class with new things to learn might just erase a few thoughts from his mind.
View of an educationist regarding Indian Education System:
I agree to most of the things told here. It's good or bad cannot be really judged if you do not consider India as a whole. The system which we follow in India is best suited for the given time, and considering the rising population.
Every statistic has told us that by 2012 India will be the youngest nation. Hence, the students fighting for a seat in a prestigious college for any professional degree will be enormous compared to our generation.
Given this situation, the child has to know to fight from a very young age if he has to succeed in his profession or career. Memorising and Pushing nature is a product of this, which in my opinion is nothing to be ashamed about.
Inspite of so many regional languages, many of us choose to visit a sschool with English as a first language to stay at apar with the world. Hence any Indian kid would be speaking atleast two languages from a very early age, say 2-3 yrs. When I learnt my "German" language at college, primarily I used to "think" in English and translate in "German". This time-span decreased as we practiced speaking more often. So, the "thinking-time" cannot be contributed to being a "confused" person.
It's by nature that we tend to think in our mother tongue. Right now, when Im typing these words Im not thinking in Bengali but in English. Same goes for the students. considering how fast a child picks up new things they don't take much time speaking any new language either. Moreover like in my family, we speak mainly "Hindi" and "English". Both mine and my husband's mother tongue is different (Bengali and Malayalam & Tamil). My child is more comfortable speaking in English right now because of his environment and the time he spends at school. That does not mean he is/will grow up to be a confussed "individual". Yes, while speaking in Bengali he uses many English words now, which even I do while speaking Hindi/Bengali, inspite of knowing the equivalent words.
Because, of the grinding we go through in the initial years, a student is able to cope up with the challenges doing further studies anywhere across the globe. We are also doing excellent at professional fields where ever we are. The methodology which we follow in India can't be followed in other countries. And the International Schools in India though claim that they are using different methods, parents still feel the need to educated their child with the board in Indian system. Well, there are exceptions, where one has the luxury to shift base to other countries for child education.
With respect to a boy's and a girl's inclination to study, well its a known fact that "girls mature at a younger age than a boy". At school or home and amongst friends or siblings its natural to see such differences in liking of activities. Yet in a classroom of boys and girls all of them are of equal agegroup +/- 6 months and coping up well.
So, I shall like to see my child go to the next class. He might not be perfect with respect to the writting and organising skills compared to a girl/student of his class. But I shall give him a fair chance to be able to take responsibilities for his own development. If this means I'm a "pushy" parent like a typical Indian, then I'm so.
Coming back to what I had written in my earlier posts:
http://devacharyamenon.blogspot.com/2010/06/teachers-pet-is-that-you.html
http://devacharyamenon.blogspot.com/2010/06/view-of-educationist-regarding-india.html
Teacher's pet - is that you ?
I understand that there are various methodology of educating children and it varies from teacher to teacher as well student to student. Not all students respond to instructions in similar way. It does not necessarily mean that do not follow them or they are not obedient, but given a child of 3-4 yrs. their area of interest and "mood" varies from time-to-time
As, far my child is concerned, I know he does not like to be ordered or commanded to do anything. He gets more stubborn if he is not spoken poliently and if we show anger or raise our voice. Thats what concerned me in the earlier posts, he was getting more stubborn to prove he is a "bad boy".
It was a phase and has gone past now. As per his teacher, sometimes students react very positively when you praise others infront of him and hence try to improve. Ignoring a child and giving "stickers/gifts" as a token of appreciation to them, helps him to do the activities he otherwise is not willing to do. This also increases the competitive spirit. Hence, all these extra efforts were to make Dev sit down to writting activity. Thats the thing he does not like to do sitting at a place.
Regarding the colour of skin:
This kind of discussion in there amongst the students in all the class. A parent of Grade 2 once told me, "Teachers do not speak about this. It's the student who discuss. The Indian girl wants to be reborn as a girl with blond hair and white skin. One of her other friend wants a dusky skin with black hair. These are just their fantasy."
After hearing this I left the dicussion there. And thought it needs some more time for me to conclude anything. Moreover, he will be going to a new class from August. A new teacher and new class with new things to learn might just erase a few thoughts from his mind.
View of an educationist regarding Indian Education System:
I agree to most of the things told here. It's good or bad cannot be really judged if you do not consider India as a whole. The system which we follow in India is best suited for the given time, and considering the rising population.
Every statistic has told us that by 2012 India will be the youngest nation. Hence, the students fighting for a seat in a prestigious college for any professional degree will be enormous compared to our generation.
Given this situation, the child has to know to fight from a very young age if he has to succeed in his profession or career. Memorising and Pushing nature is a product of this, which in my opinion is nothing to be ashamed about.
Inspite of so many regional languages, many of us choose to visit a sschool with English as a first language to stay at apar with the world. Hence any Indian kid would be speaking atleast two languages from a very early age, say 2-3 yrs. When I learnt my "German" language at college, primarily I used to "think" in English and translate in "German". This time-span decreased as we practiced speaking more often. So, the "thinking-time" cannot be contributed to being a "confused" person.
It's by nature that we tend to think in our mother tongue. Right now, when Im typing these words Im not thinking in Bengali but in English. Same goes for the students. considering how fast a child picks up new things they don't take much time speaking any new language either. Moreover like in my family, we speak mainly "Hindi" and "English". Both mine and my husband's mother tongue is different (Bengali and Malayalam & Tamil). My child is more comfortable speaking in English right now because of his environment and the time he spends at school. That does not mean he is/will grow up to be a confussed "individual". Yes, while speaking in Bengali he uses many English words now, which even I do while speaking Hindi/Bengali, inspite of knowing the equivalent words.
Because, of the grinding we go through in the initial years, a student is able to cope up with the challenges doing further studies anywhere across the globe. We are also doing excellent at professional fields where ever we are. The methodology which we follow in India can't be followed in other countries. And the International Schools in India though claim that they are using different methods, parents still feel the need to educated their child with the board in Indian system. Well, there are exceptions, where one has the luxury to shift base to other countries for child education.
With respect to a boy's and a girl's inclination to study, well its a known fact that "girls mature at a younger age than a boy". At school or home and amongst friends or siblings its natural to see such differences in liking of activities. Yet in a classroom of boys and girls all of them are of equal agegroup +/- 6 months and coping up well.
So, I shall like to see my child go to the next class. He might not be perfect with respect to the writting and organising skills compared to a girl/student of his class. But I shall give him a fair chance to be able to take responsibilities for his own development. If this means I'm a "pushy" parent like a typical Indian, then I'm so.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
...accept me as I am...
It was bed-time again and as usual Krish selected his story and asked me to read this one. At the end he said, "..accept as it was" - meaning.. Then followed a few exchange of words and he kissed me, "Goodnight Ma" with a smile on his face.
His smile seemed to say a lot more than his words. Or am I imagining too much !!! Surely he is growing up fast & maturing too !
The story:
"Once there was a crow who was always brooding about his colour. He thought sadly, "I am so black and ugly. If only I was colourful as other birds!"
One day as the crow sat on a tree, a group of peacocks strutted by. They were walking with their feathers fanned out. The crow felt sad again, when he saw the peacocks' feathers. When the peacocks left, the crow found some of their feathers scattered on the ground. He picked them up and went to his friend the monkey. With his help, the crow tucked the feathers on his body. Then he went to the peacocks and said, "Let me join you for now I am as beautiful as you are."
But the peacocks grew angry and pecked the crow away from there. The crow flew back to his own friends. But the crows said, "Go away from here. you cannt live with us because you don't feel proud to be what you are."
So the poor crow was abandoned by his own fellows and had to lead a lonely life. He learnt to accept himself as he was.
His smile seemed to say a lot more than his words. Or am I imagining too much !!! Surely he is growing up fast & maturing too !
The story:
"Once there was a crow who was always brooding about his colour. He thought sadly, "I am so black and ugly. If only I was colourful as other birds!"
One day as the crow sat on a tree, a group of peacocks strutted by. They were walking with their feathers fanned out. The crow felt sad again, when he saw the peacocks' feathers. When the peacocks left, the crow found some of their feathers scattered on the ground. He picked them up and went to his friend the monkey. With his help, the crow tucked the feathers on his body. Then he went to the peacocks and said, "Let me join you for now I am as beautiful as you are."
But the peacocks grew angry and pecked the crow away from there. The crow flew back to his own friends. But the crows said, "Go away from here. you cannt live with us because you don't feel proud to be what you are."So the poor crow was abandoned by his own fellows and had to lead a lonely life. He learnt to accept himself as he was.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
View of an educationist regarding Indian education system
I'm not sure if I'm fighting to see Indian students be treated like any other student in a foreign land or all the thoughts are to be shrugged off without much ado. I'm so full of doubts and concerned and petrified all at the same time. I hope its not true in US or elsewhere or even with all students.
Towards this attempt, yet again I met the principal of the school today and heard the same words again. I had spoken to the manager of his kindergarten earlier last year, the principal, consultant of the schools both in Germany and Switzerland in the past 1 year.
The views are not positive & they are so prejudiced. The generalisation about us is my concern and I'm completely aghast now and wondering how so many Indian children who have to come back to India and continue their studies, cope up with this attitude their teachers and friends have towards them.
This is what they say about Indian education system and how Indians react to their children:
(there were many more such statements - I shall include when Im able to recollect)
For a mother of boy child:
The below comparision b/w boy and girl came about because of the recent "development" in my child's academic interests. Though it was also mentioned, "there are exceptions and gifted kids too".
What is your take on these arguments?
I'm drafting my views on this, till I read yours.
Towards this attempt, yet again I met the principal of the school today and heard the same words again. I had spoken to the manager of his kindergarten earlier last year, the principal, consultant of the schools both in Germany and Switzerland in the past 1 year.
The views are not positive & they are so prejudiced. The generalisation about us is my concern and I'm completely aghast now and wondering how so many Indian children who have to come back to India and continue their studies, cope up with this attitude their teachers and friends have towards them.
This is what they say about Indian education system and how Indians react to their children:
- Indian education system just believes in "memorising" without giving a thought to "application"...
- Indian children speak more than one language & hence they are more "confused"...
- Indian parents forever "push" their children to "learn" and not "study"..
- Indian children find it difficult to speak "English" as the parents speak "local Indian" language...
- Becuase of the education system, the researches in India don't get an opportunity to work in India & hence are moving abroad.
(there were many more such statements - I shall include when Im able to recollect)
For a mother of boy child:
The below comparision b/w boy and girl came about because of the recent "development" in my child's academic interests. Though it was also mentioned, "there are exceptions and gifted kids too".
- From ancient times, we know men hae a natural instinct to be hunters, providers and protect their family. Schools were made to "tame" them.
- Girls are naturally drawn towards activites as they are "social".
- Boys need the company of girls to learn social skills.
- Girls are atleast 2-3 yrs ahead in "brain spurts" than boys.
- Boy have their maximum growth when they are at Grade 10th, so they excell better in Maths & Science..
- If boys are pushed for their age to be in the same class as girls, it would do them "irreversible damage" in their "self-esteem" when they are not able to cope up.
- boys are made of 90% male genes and 10% female genes (ie from the parent) (a little different is also possible)
- boys become "responsible" wrt academics only after the age of 5-6 yrs.
What is your take on these arguments?
I'm drafting my views on this, till I read yours.
First excursion - field trip of Nursery - exploring "Transport"
Yesterday, 9th June 2010 , Nursery went for a field-trip to Zurich city by the lake.
Topic: How we organise ourselves - Transport
Concepts:
Form, function connection
Focus:
Mathematics, science
Idea:
People use many different types of transport to mover from one place to another
Inquiry:
• Types of transport we use
• What determines our choice of transportation
It was lot of fun.
Topic: How we organise ourselves - Transport
Concepts:
Form, function connection
Focus:
Mathematics, science
Idea:
People use many different types of transport to mover from one place to another
Inquiry:
• Types of transport we use
• What determines our choice of transportation
• How each type of transport works
It was lot of fun.
Just be a child with a child
I did realise & act finally...
After the clumpsy last week which started with a few horrifying moments from Krish's sudden outburst... the weekend brought with it such a beautiful reason to smile... This time around I feel much more stronger and when it comes to one's child I guess all we moms act this way...
I had shared my concerns and got lots of support and strength from all my readers and friends... So, now I share my joy - another attempt to "Spread the SMILE"... :-)
Sunday, Krish helped me completely at kitchen. He cut our salad for the day & helped me peel the onion, potatoes. I made "Meen Puli"(fish curry Kerala style) & for the first time my husband felt that was so true to taste..
I kept him so engaged that not a moment he mentioned anything about school... usually he misses his teacher and friends....
In the evening - for the first time - we took his cycle out on the roads - and he just could paddle them so comfortably - this was his first ever paddling experience - earleir it was all inside the house which obviously he couldn't...
Then it started raining and he was all wet... he thought I would scold him as his dad was already, but was surprised to see me also join in getting wet.. we both loved it !
Glad I could keep away from being a "strict" horrible mom, as most of the times...
He is so happy!
I'm so happy to see the happy faces around...
Couldn't have asked for more... Thank God for everything !
The weekend finished with Rajneeti, ohh no not with him.. only us ;-) - not a bad movie at all... thought second half looked a bit goofed up with weird dialogues not from this era...
Tip to a happy family:
Yes, in that priority, if you are happy and make efforts to do things that make you happy everything else falls in place....
After the clumpsy last week which started with a few horrifying moments from Krish's sudden outburst... the weekend brought with it such a beautiful reason to smile... This time around I feel much more stronger and when it comes to one's child I guess all we moms act this way...
I had shared my concerns and got lots of support and strength from all my readers and friends... So, now I share my joy - another attempt to "Spread the SMILE"... :-)
Last Saturday we had a quicky trip to Mt. Titlis, did snow-tube rides/slides and sledging, cable cars and chair cars were awesome... still living the wonderful Titlis experience... Krish, eats an icecream and points the top of it says Titlis...
Sunday, Krish helped me completely at kitchen. He cut our salad for the day & helped me peel the onion, potatoes. I made "Meen Puli"(fish curry Kerala style) & for the first time my husband felt that was so true to taste..
I kept him so engaged that not a moment he mentioned anything about school... usually he misses his teacher and friends....
In the evening - for the first time - we took his cycle out on the roads - and he just could paddle them so comfortably - this was his first ever paddling experience - earleir it was all inside the house which obviously he couldn't...
Then it started raining and he was all wet... he thought I would scold him as his dad was already, but was surprised to see me also join in getting wet.. we both loved it !
Glad I could keep away from being a "strict" horrible mom, as most of the times...
He is so happy!
I'm so happy to see the happy faces around...
Couldn't have asked for more... Thank God for everything !
The weekend finished with Rajneeti, ohh no not with him.. only us ;-) - not a bad movie at all... thought second half looked a bit goofed up with weird dialogues not from this era...
Tip to a happy family:
Happy mom,
Happy relationship - husband & wifeHappy child
First cycle ride
on Sunday 6th June, we went out with our cycle for the first time on the roads.
Sounds very late considering the age, but given the climate here its not possible to learn to ride in all the time of the year!
Inspite of having a cycle last year, we were not motivated enough to take it outside and try it out. We felt it was taller that my child. but, on Sunday when we were out, and asked him to try out, he just could paddle it after 1-2 tries. Now its 3 days, and he already balances his handles.
Amazing!
Better late than never.
Sounds very late considering the age, but given the climate here its not possible to learn to ride in all the time of the year!
Inspite of having a cycle last year, we were not motivated enough to take it outside and try it out. We felt it was taller that my child. but, on Sunday when we were out, and asked him to try out, he just could paddle it after 1-2 tries. Now its 3 days, and he already balances his handles.
Amazing!
Better late than never.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Teacher's pet - is that you ?
What if you are NOT the teacher's pet?
Have you been ever?
Did it anyway affect shape your personality?
"Chubby Cheeks, dimple chin
Rosy lips, teeth within
Curly hair very fair Eyes are blue, lovely too
Teacher’s pet, “is that you”
Yes, yes, yes.."
This raises a question which I've experienced in my school days and keep haunting me still - NOT being the pet of your teacher!
2nd June 2010:
Im ANGRY, DISAPPOINTED, SAD, SURPRISED with the level of school staffs where Krish is visting... I do not know how to react to such things.
In past days, few incidents happened and he was crying the whole night in his sleep saying "Im NOT a bad boy"
Im feeling so sorry for my baby.. Lately I had been too strict with him with regards to writting and "sitting" activities... thinking his school is too liberal regarding the same..
And now I realised his teacher is behaving not too good.. infact ignoring him many a times...
really dont know how to calm him down...
Not every child is born an EINSTEIN.. my son may not be one of those boys who listens to every word commaned.. I know he doesnt like too many sitting activity... and because the session is coming to an end and she has to give reports she is making them do all these activities to submit... Their timing is 9-3:15 PM in Nursery.. he gets completely exhausted and then....
He came home completely distressed saying, "Melissa is not my friend, Raphael is not my friend.. they dont play with me... Teacher says I'm a BAD boy and they dont play with me..."
When I asked "why she said so?" - he said, "I didn't cut the TRUCK" - a paper cutting activity.. And then "why did u not cut?" - reply, "teacher said I'm BAD"
He feels, 'coz you said Im a bad boy - I will behave like a bad boy..
The same activity - cutting truck - he sat quietly and finsihed at home later...
3rd June 2010
"Papa, my skin is brown", teacher said
Is there any need for a nursery student to know that he is browned skin, his friend is white or black or yellow ???
They are not doing civilisation or countries or culture, then what makes them discuss such stuff in school - amazes me. My child knows he is an Indian and someone else is an Italian.. but skin colour.
I had heard till now that few are rasial. Could this be an instance to prove the same? Im feeling so scared and vulnarable for my child. Not sure if I should pack my bags and go home now.
Won't this affect him psychologically. Knowing he gets hurt and remembers things that has happened when he was 1 year old, Im more concerned now.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)