Mummy made a fuss in school today..
Yeah…I am that kind of parent la… you probably think. Not worth reading on, if you are a teacher, and you cannot tolerate ever- dissatisfied parent like me. But I really need to get my voice out, this time since my girl will be graduating from her pre-school very very soon.
Again this weekend, her school will have a small open house celebration for parents, and new-parents who wish to enroll their children.. As usual will be some activities like games, family photo contest, and some simple performance by SOME KIDS. Yes, again, BY THE OLD SAME KIDS AGAIN!!! without fail , every single event, every year, over the 3 years tenure while QQ is in that pre-school.
Understand that “small unimportant events like these” teachers normally will just ask the SUPERSTARS from each class or certain class to just perform since it is not a big deal. Easier to train in short period and not so time-consuming for teachers as well. After-all they just want to create a good impression to attract the new comers right?
When QQ told me her 2 classmate will be performing again this time, I was pretty HOT. HALO..how come the school has no other children is it?? What about giving chance to others? My girl told me that selection of dancer is usually done by their music teacher (an long-term outsource private teacher hired from Musikgarden). A parent told me it may be naturally for this teacher to choose student who also attend her private lessons most of all time. But still not fair right??
It is not about dancing or singing it right, but it is the building of confidence when a child is being chosen among the rest to stand out and perform. Although I already voiced out this earlier to QQ’s class teacher some months back, but obviously message was not channeled properly to the management.
Since I was burning hot, and still hot enough this morning, I turned back my car to the school again, and speak out my frustration to the headmistress about considering looking into other kids as well. Out of 3 years, 3 LONG YEARS, we see the same kids! Am not talking about the school concert ok, because that is different where everyone has to perform.
Not sure if other parents feels the same as how I feel? Pretty normal practice la..as my mum said since she was also a school teacher. After all when kids go to primary school, attention given will be even lesser. Obviously, I won’t be able to do anything like this when she goes to primary next year so I just had to grab this chance to help her this one time.
I feel her seriously, not only on occasions like this but also when she sadly told me how she was bullied by her superstar-influencing friend in school. For instant, she was happy one day when this friend of hers absent. I asked her why, she said all friends play with her that day because that girl (who asked other friends not to friend her) did not attend school. Sometimes, QQ rather use the blunt pencil provided in her class and had to hide away her mechanical pencil I have bought for her because her superstar friend demanded on using QQ’s instead of her own. How cunning this smart little friend of hers! I hope she meets one BIG WOLF like QQ’s mother one day to eat her pride all away!
With the boys, I have nothing to worry about as they behave “normally” just like other kids.In fact they shines among their peers (perhaps with their outstanding twin image and sweet talking mouth that attracts adults easily).
QQ just reached home and announced shyly to me that she will be dancing this Saturday. If only I have the courage to voiced out earlier, then she or other not-so-famous kids will have more chance to show their talent instead of living in the dark shadow, SIGH…..Luckily QQ is the eldest so she gets to be the boss at home. I think only the parents of the very low confident children would understand what I am going through ……
Good job CN, I will do the same if it happened to my kids!!
it is not easy because my son also is a shy type…not outstanding like other kids…
Good on you for speaking out. I agree with your point that every child should be given an opportunity. Sure, not all will be ’star performers’ but they are kids, it’s more important about building confidence in them to improve their skills rather than shafting them to the corner where they will not develop. As parents, we need to ‘champion’ for our kids, and also teach our kids to speak up when there is injustice.
is good to voice up to teacher what is ur need and hope for ur kids , i think is normal … we not saying we wan ourkids to b the superstar, at least give them chance to built their confidence …..
What is the root cause for QQ being under-confident? While I agree that parents should speak up, I also feel that children ought to learn how to speak up themselves. I thought you were thinking of sending QQ to speech & drama classes at one point in time?
Good for mummy!
wow chin nee..even in preschool oso got politics?
Thumbs up Chinnee…. hope QQ will enjoy her dance this Sat.
i will do the same for sure.
I will do the same too!!
wow, this superstar friend is a big bully huh? i hope that they are letting QQ perform because they understood what you brought up and not just because you confronted them and they just want to please you.
cn, you did a really good job!!!!
You have every right to be furious and hi five too. I am also a parent who would not hesitate to share my piece of mind when I see things being unfairly handled. Also a good opportunity to share with QQ sometimes we have to voice out ie ‘fight’ for our rights, for the things we desire.
It’s all about face…and money! They want to give a good impression as they want the business. My daughter never took part in anything when in school - she tried dancing but the teacher said she was too stiff. Ah well…
I admire your courage and you’re one good mommy! but entering school, QQ must learn to stand up for herself. My 2 kids are total opposites. Brendan is extremely shy while Eryn is an extrovert.
Brendan gets bullied by one or two of his superstar friends too but I’ll reason it with him and also get him to tell them that mummy will go look for their superstar mummies if they continue to behave like that.
So far, I’ve not seen any of them yet, so I believe all is still good in school
I absolutely agreed with you! Building confidence in a pre-schooler is very important as they will be going to Primary school with more challenges! I believed other parents will do the same too if they are in your shoes! Bravo Chin Nee!
Good for speaking up, Chin Nee. Hope QQ will enjoy her performance and that you’ll find ways to teach her to speak up for herself, too
I think if everyone involve in the performance, then only it makes the kindy activities more fun and meaningful.. Why can’t QQ kindy’s teacher see this?
The school has a very funny practice. I wonder why they only select certain kids to perform for concert?? I know most schools will ask all the kids to perform unless the kid herself does not want to perform. Good that u voiced this out to the school, good job!
Pat on the back for you. Bravo. GOsh…someone should tell the parents of that girl to teach their child some manners! And the school really is quite blind not to do anything. Really don’t they teach the child manners and all that as well apart from just being a result orientated child ?
luckily u spook to the headmistress.
and NEVER send ur boy to there any more.
Salute you.
Finally little QQ have chance to perform, show QQ girl power to so call “superstar”
You are so brave to raise up your concern. I hope i have the same courage as you.
Go get them, Chin Nee!!! EVERY child should get a chance to perform and do something. No discrimination no matter how lousy the child sings or dance or whatever. Tell them you will write to the newspapers. This is not what we want for the future of Malaysia.
the teachers obviously is taking the lazy way out without using their brains.. as in the effect on their kids. luckily Amber’s kindie is not like that but her childcare.. it’s a different story. the preferred kids gets to play w barbie,, she doesn’t. sometimes i feel to small getting to the bottom of kids squabbles,,, damn sien. I need to find her a new place
bravo to you :). It’s really unfair to other kids and parents too
u had done all you should & that’s good for QQ, hope in long term, she gets to learn mommy’s way
i definite feel for you as i shared a same experience too…
sean didn’t speak that well so he was only given a single line during his speech & drama production day. i was damn mad lar..so i text his principal & shot her the question directly : “why my son only got 1 line…so kesian” hahaha
of course things improved thereafter & d principal even explained my concern in her opening speech !!
hope QQ gets to improve along the way, u really hv to monitor her…my boys not only didn’t improved after going to primary sch but became weaker (in aspects i’m concerned) as days passed so i’ve no choice but to pull them off the chinese school
we just can’t let them be like that, our kids ma !!
The superstar sounds like a big bully - did you inform her teacher about the pencil snatching incident as well?
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