Month: December 2019

Yesterday, on Christmas Eve, the Straits Times published a letter by modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge. A mother wrote to the national spread sheet, saying the year-end school holiday is “too long”. She said her children are too restless and she had to plan activities to occupy their time. She also mentioned how her children will forget the mother tongue with a lack of practice, recommending making March and Sep holidays two weeks instead. A few thoughts to my mind: 1. Selfishness Just because you cannot handle your children, you want everyone else to have a shorter holiday too. 2. Language Why isn’t there a complaint about English? Surely, it hasn’t been taught for six weeks too? If you are concerned, then get your children to read and write Chinese for the six weeks! Why is there a need to deprive children of holidays because of this? It is insufficient to just rely on lessons to improve your language anyway. You MUST use it daily. 3. Cut your holiday I don’t think your children can handle having you at home in one stretch too. You will get restless and think of appalling ideas. I need to suggest to your boss to only allow you to take two-three days break at any ONE time. 4. This is why Singapore cannot be creative Every time someone meets an obstacle, he/she thinks about having a rule/law imposed to resolve the issue. There isn’t any effort to try to go around the problem. Also, the year-end school holiday is one that the children look forward to the most. After a long year of studying, one can finally take a break. Isn’t it right that we need a break to rejuvenate ourselves? Isn’t it right that we need a break to stop and think about the important matters in life? Isn’t it right that we need a break so we can spend quality time with our family? To this concerned parent, the children have earned the right to be a tad restless this Dec holiday. Have some Christmas spirit and let them enjoy themselves before working hard again next year. If you put your mind to it, I am sure you can think of ways to bond with your family without making everyone else suffer with you with a shorter break. Merry X’mas! Ktksbye. #thurswithwei Photo credit: Jim Carrey’s 2009 A Christmas Carol movie poster

Posted on by Wallace

Yesterday, on Christmas Eve, the Straits Times published a letter by modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge. A mother wrote to the national spread sheet, saying the year-end school holiday is “too long”. She said her children are too restless and she had to plan activities to occupy their time. She also mentioned how her children will forget[…]

Today, you would have received the SMS notification of your child’s secondary school. Congrats if you got into the school of your choice. If you didn’t, it is okay. Fortunately, schools in Singapore generally have a decent standard. The school matters, definitely. However, the child’s attitude and the parents’ support matter even more. For the students, regardless which school, they are facing more subjects, spending a longer time in school, knowing new friends, getting a new school, discovery of one’s own body, discovering independence, and becoming more self conscious. For parents, you are learning to deal with a more rebellious child, face the fact thata your child is growing up without you (at times) and letting go. With a school of your choice or not, the path ahead isn’t easy. But that’s what life is all about. Facing new challenges and becoming a better/stronger person. Don’t dwell too much about the school choice. More importantly, look forward and do the best. Focus on what you can control. Good luck. #secschlife #secschposting #psle

Posted on by Wallace

Today, you would have received the SMS notification of your child’s secondary school. Congrats if you got into the school of your choice. If you didn’t, it is okay. Fortunately, schools in Singapore generally have a decent standard. The school matters, definitely. However, the child’s attitude and the parents’ support matter even more. For the[…]

Question: My 15-year old son wants to be a singer. I have discouraged him, but he is persistent and refuses to listen to my wise words. What should I do? Answer: Hi, Debbie Downer! I understand where you are coming from but I do not think the approach is right. In Singapore society, where we are pragmatic, we want to make sure our children succeed. We often measure it with the the traditional modes of success, i.e. do well in studies, secure a good job, rake in lots of money, get married, have children, then eventually die. ? In our parents’ generation, Singapore was still young, the population is not as educated and the country not as prosperous. Good jobs were hard to come by, hence there was a lot of risk aversion. Times have changed, Debbie. If the person in question is 60, goes completely out of tune and cannot support himself because he is still pursuing a singing career, I will say wake him up. But is it too quick to pass judgment when one is 15? Moreover, he may really have the talent. Here’s what you can do. 1. Lay ground rules for him. – He can pursue his passion as long as he reaches his goals in his studies. 2. Support him – If you have the financial means, get him the help he needs. – If not, at least support him emotionally by being there for him. This will bode well for your relationship with him too. Dreams make one driven and alive, and that’s what growing up is about. I had a dream growing up- being a radio DJ. Since my primary school days, I would be glued to the radio for hours daily, knowing every slot, jingle etc. I love the imagination that radio lends to its listeners and the creativity DJs could have. I would grow up to become a part-time DJ for five years during my early 20s before pursuing another interest- journalism. I wasn’t a good DJ (by any stretch) but was glad I had fulfilled my childhood dream. We were all young before. We know how it is like to have an interest, a hobby and a dream. We shouldn’t deny your son that too. Also, he may forget about this a few months later, pick your battles. As long as it is not illegal and it’s reasonable, be supportive. #thurswithwei

Posted on by Wallace

Question: My 15-year old son wants to be a singer. I have discouraged him, but he is persistent and refuses to listen to my wise words. What should I do? Answer: Hi, Debbie Downer! I understand where you are coming from but I do not think the approach is right. In Singapore society, where we[…]

Physics Tip: Kinematics – How to interpret a velocity-time graph well Our IP Physics guru Lisa would like to offer a tip on kinematics today. This is relevant regardless whether you are taking IP or the ‘O’ Levels. A common question is to describe the motion of the velocity-time graph in the graph. Steps to take: Always look out for key points in time when the motion changes, label the parts as shown by A to F in the graph. 1. Decide the direction for positive velocity: forward direction 2. Locate the part of the graph to describe: AB 3. Observe if the velocity is increasing or decreasing: Increasing for AB 4. Conclude that increasing velocity is acceleration & decreasing velocity is deceleration: Accelerating for AB 5. Observe if the gradient of the curve is positive or negative: Positive for AB 6. Observe if the gradient of the curve is increasing or decreasing, to conclude if the curve is increasing acceleration of decreasing acceleration: Decreasing acceleration for AB Combine the above step into the final answer. Answer: From A to B, the object moves forward with a decreasing acceleration, from B to C, the object continues forward with increasing acceleration, from C to D, the object moves briefly with constant velocity before continuing forward with increasing deceleration, from D to E, the object moves backward with decreasing acceleration and from E to F, the object continues backward with increasing deceleration and finally comes to rest at F. The object did not go back to the starting position as the area under the graph for the curve above the x-axis (which represents displacement) is greater than the area under the graph for the curve below the x-axis. If this is useful, remember to share this post! Lisa teaches upper secondary IP Physics at Study Room on Wed and Fri evenings. If you have a preferred timeslot, you may PM/DM us to form a new class too. #physics

Posted on by Wallace

Physics Tip: Kinematics – How to interpret a velocity-time graph well Our IP Physics guru Lisa would like to offer a tip on kinematics today. This is relevant regardless whether you are taking IP or the ‘O’ Levels. A common question is to describe the motion of the velocity-time graph in the graph. Steps to[…]

Five Ways to Prepare Your Child for Primary 1 Entering Primary 1 is a milestone. Both parents and child can be nervous about this change. What can you do to make the transition smooth? 1) Be confident Your child can sense your uneasiness and feel that this new journey could be turbulent too. Have faith in your child that he can adjust and so can you. 2) Let him be independent You have been the best parent for your child the past six years, worrying about his well-being and looking after his every need. This is a chance for both to grow. Let him learn how to tie his shoelaces, button his shirt and carry his own schoolbag. I know the bag is heavy but he needs to know he has to be responsible for his own belongings. Don’t rush to school because he forgets a ruler. Don’t hover around the classroom past the first day. He needs to learn to be independent. 3) Pocket money It’s a great way for him to learn counting and responsibility. Guide him on the 20 percent saving principle, buy him a piggybank or start a bank account for him. 4) Learning – Good to instill discipline where the child knows he must finish his homework once he reaches home. – Studying with the child is equally important. This way, you know what he is confused with and also use this opportunity to bond with the child. – Make sure learning is fun. When you are teaching him the difference between “this” and “that”, take him out of the house and get him to learn in real life. When you are teaching him measurements, get a ruler to measure things around you. If he doesn’t like Chinese, use words learnt in class in daily conversations. – What if your child is slower than the rest? That’s okay. There are only bite-sized assessments now. Every child is different and may not start on equal footing. Most importantly, he shouldn’t fear learning or school. NEVER say things like “You are so stupid/slow” in front of him. 5. Teach him about safety – Things such as not talking to strangers, be careful about his surroundings and belongings. – Teach him to be adequately careful but don’t turn him into a wimp. Good luck! It’s going to be an exciting journey. #primary1 #firstdayofschool

Posted on by Wallace

Five Ways to Prepare Your Child for Primary 1 Entering Primary 1 is a milestone. Both parents and child can be nervous about this change. What can you do to make the transition smooth? 1) Be confident Your child can sense your uneasiness and feel that this new journey could be turbulent too. Have faith[…]