the mini robot syndrome
illustrated by Sum Qian Yu
1 a e v a h u o Do y
t o b o r i min ? e m o at h
Traits of a robotic child 1
Lack of Social grace Many youngsters today are less respectful than their counterparts in the past. For example, students in the past were generally more respectful to their teachers.
2
Excessive Studying Students in the early elementary school years are getting significantly more homework than is recommended by education leaders, in some cases nearly three times as much homework.
3
Lack of Independence Many children do not have self-help skills until they are in primary school. Being independent can raise a child’s self-esteem while the lack of it tends to make them feel helpless and inferior.
After a while,
it gets stifling.
It's okay, my child doesn't need tuition.
how can u not send your child to tuition?
the mor the
i think john needs more tuition.
seems like I need to sign Alfred up for more tuition, if not he might not keep up with his peers...
re tuition, better!
I've registered alex in the new gold star maths programme.
The survey of 500 parents, conducted by The Straits Times and research company Nexus Link, found that
7 in 10
enrolled their children in extra classes.
my daughter goes to tuition four times per week!
The biggest stress for students:
parental pressure Unrealistic parental expectations of a child's abilities and potential seem to be the most common cause of stress among students.
Generally, high achievers and Asian parents find it difficult to accept a less-than-stellar performance from their children. For example, a student might be advised to take the core, rather than the extended, paper in an International General Certificate of Secondary Education exam. Parents immediately resist the recommendation, given that the maximum grade would then be a C. Their response is fairly consistent: "We'll get him (her) a tutor and he (she) should get an A." We as parents need to re-examine our notion of academic excellence as being the only measure of success. And we should give more credence to developing enhanced human values in our children so they may apply themselves wholeheartedly to their various roles in society. We need to see our children as successful simply when they have done their best.
Don’t let your child be one of those robots Play is just as important as study, in the development of a well-rounded human being, and that’s where many 'kiasu' parents falter. Without the benefit of experiential learning, kids may be able to answer test questions but get stumped when they have to use their instincts or think outside the box. Mastery of a skill or hobby often starts in childhood, when one should have more time for play. Your child might have the potential to display real talent and passion at something, but neither of you will ever know what it is if the first 18 years of his life are going to be spent cooped up in tuition centres Young children should also have opportunities to practise values with people, rather than just be spectators. Empathy is one which many children lack these days. They are unable to ‘walk in the shoes’ of others when they are so obsessed with their own wants.
2 THE
t o b o r i min S I S O N DIAG
y 01 Case Stud
2 1 r e d n U
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Case Study 02
Stress and death The cases of two Pioneer Junior College students who leapt to their deaths less than three weeks apart in 2009 were ruled a 'sad coincidence', by State Coroner Victor Yeo, reported local media. The recent deaths of two junior college students have once again highlighted the primary ramification from a highly-competitive and rigid education system: tremendous stress and pressure. Many might conveniently brush off such assertions as ludicrous, establishing the opinion that kids need to get used to stress sooner or later, and that they should be taught how to manage such pressures per se, instead of being lulled into false senses of comfort. However, when this stress originates from rote-learning, memorisation and the regurgitation of facts for the sake of acing examinations, where exactly are the positives? Most students who have experienced multiple major examinations should share the sentiments of painful preparations in the hope of fulfilling expectations from within and without: parents and teachers who expect nothing but the best.
Case Study 03
Private tuition fever The private tuition fever for the younger kids in Singapore, especially the pre-schoolers, has become a national issue requiring the Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, to specially highlight it in his annual National Day Rally speech. A survey of 500 parents, conducted by The Straits Times and research company Nexus Link, found that only a third agreed that tuition actually pulled up academic performance by "a noticeable extent". These kids spend two hours each week on extra academic classes. It is common knowledge that Singapore’s young school children are burdened with excessive private tuitions, in addition to loads of school home work and extra-curricular activities which form an integral part of its highly competitive education system. Sending children for extra tuition classes can definitely add stress to students’ already-busy lives. However, the PM commented that Singapore’s young kids are being subjected to too much private tuition which would deprive them of a happy and balanced childhood. He warned that this may be detrimental to their mental well-being as they grow up.
3 THE
N O I T A C U ED gap
Finland's approach to education aims to stimulate creative development, curiosity for learning and a collaborative effort. The Singapore education approach is much more academic when compared to Finland's play-based curriculum. Preschoolers spend most of their time playing and engaging in imaginative play. Teachers guide children in the development of social and interactive skills, encourage them to pay attention to other people’s needs and interests, to care and have a positive attitude toward other people, other cultures, and different environments. Finnish students only take one standardized test during their entire primary and secondary schooling, and spend relatively lesser time on homework. A 2014 study of 15-year-olds around the world by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said that on average, Finnish students spend 2.8 hours a week on homework.
4 Y A L P T S E B THE D L I H C R U O Y FOR
! Y A L P E ROL
READY FOR A
BETTER WORLD!
When children do roleplays, they naturally become someone or something else. As most roleplay areas will reflect a real life context, roleplay is therefore an effective way for children to make sense of the world around them, and help them understand how things are operated in this world.
Grow with roleplay! Imaginative play is unlike any other form of play. It engages the minds of the children and is a platform for them to grow. Children becomes more responsible as they are given a task that they will need to fulfill and completing such tasks can gives them a sense of accomplishment. By taking on tasks and duties, it is likely to increase the child’s willingness to try out & explore more. Roleplay can also build on children’s self-esteem, perseverance and independence. It teaches children the spirit of perseverance and independence and learn to do things on their own without the help of their parents. Through roleplay will get to test their own capabilities in the “real world” and to find a sense of competence, security and independence within themselves.
“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.� -O. Fred Donaldson
Play & uncover valuable skills 1
To be Empathetic Children will have the opportunity to understand different points of views simply by putting themselves in someone else’s shoes, which helps them to be more empathetic.
2
Teamwork & Collaboration Roleplay allows children to work cooperatively with one another towards a shared purpose.
3
Sparks Imagination and Creativity The play context is ideal for supporting children’s creative and imaginative thought because it offers a risk-free environment, and helps to children to develop a problem-solving approach to learning.
5 D E D N E M M O C RE Y A L P ROLE
S E I T I V I T C A
Let's play! In this chapter, you'll find different type of roleplay activites for your children. It's time to kick start their imagination and engage their learning!
fun roleplaying ideas for children Stimulating kids’ creativity is easier than you think! These fun roleplaying ideas for kids can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like, using items you likely already have lying around the house. Here are 3 solutions for hours of fun, cooperation, and imagination. Let your kids take these starters and run with them!
Roleplay
activities for you and your child
Imagine a city that is run by kids, where work means play and all your dreams of a better world come true. Kidzania is themed as a child-sized replica of a real city, including buildings, shops and theatres, as well as vehicles and pedestrians moving along its streets. In this city, children aged 4 through 14, choose professions and activities, such as being a police officer, doctor, mechanic or even a sushi chef! By combining role playing with reallife experiences in a kid-sized city to provide unique “edutainment� fun, KidZania Singapore is set to educate, empower and inspire children.
Where learning comes alive
Kidzania Singapore is an indoor family edutainment centre which offers an interactive learning and entertainment experience for kids, through over 80 roleplay activities. Kids will engage in stimulating roleplay as they make their way through a replica of a working city and real-life scenarios. Kidzania is set to empower children and encourage them to live out their dreams as they choose from over 80 roleplay activities that let them experience their ideal jobs, earn money, manage their bank accounts and tackle everyday challenges. Some of the existing activities includes radio station, music academy, the KidZania newspaper, aviation academy and the city tour bus. Adults and parents are welcome to observe the roleplaying activities their children are taking part in, or they can spend their time in The Lounge.
to empower and inspire Roleplay acts as a platform for children to discover, make sense of their world and their environment. Beyond being just a fun place, KidZania is built and designed to facilitate learning through carefully crafted activities. KidZania aims to equip kids with the skills and values that can enable them to pursue their dreams with confidence and independence. KidZania provides an enriching experience to the kids by improving communication skills, boosting confidence, promoting creativity and logical thinking, building character and equipping children with life skills such as financial literacy. Children will have the opportunity to understand different points of views simply by putting themselves in someone else’s shoes, which helps them to be more empathetic with others and help them get along better with people in the society.
6 E H T G N I P E KE
N O I S PAS E V I L A
Search for a spark It all starts with a spark. Every child has one. Passions can often be traced to an impactful experience. Make the time to visit museums, historic sites, re-enactments, and exhibits, anything that may be intriguing to you or your son or daughter. Lying under a star-filled sky to watch a meteor shower can trigger a fascination for space. A love of history can be traced to a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, Plymouth Plantation, or Sturbridge Village. Political careers can be rooted in early visits to the voting booth and the discussion of civic responsibilities that arises from that trip. For those who enjoy hands-on, interactive learning experiences, field trips can have a powerful impact. Encourage your child to see the world through all their senses and, most importantly, with “new eyes.�
Dream Passionately Everyone has talent. what's rare is the courage to follow it to the dark places where it leads. As children grow and develop they’ll begin to show interest in many different things. They’ll start to give more attention to certain things that really interest them, some of which will turn into dreams. If your goal is to help your children achieve these dreams, you should show them how and help lead the way.
Contributors
Anjali Hazari is a full-time news reporter and writer for South China Morning Post. He is currently based in SIngapore. Huang Huifen resides in the sunny island of Singapore and a freelance writer for Healthxchange. Cheryl Tan is a writer and full-time preschool educator. She specialises in early childhood education and is based in Finland. Lam Pin Foo is a retired lawyer and a freelance writer. He keeps a blog at www.lampinfoo.com. Daniel Wong is trained in children studies and is a freelance writer for Yahoo News. Jan DeLisle is a professional early childhood educator with over 25 years of experience in the early childhood industry. She is a freelance writer based in Finland. Valerie Frankel is a mother and freelance writer for goodhousekeeping.com. Currently based in Singapore. Kevin Geary is a secondary school teacher based in Singapore and he occasionally writes childhood article for Young Parents magazine.
Publisher The Mini Robot Syndrome is a special issue publication published by Young Parents Magazine, www.youngparents.com.sg, 82 Genting Lane, Level 7, Singapore 349567 MICA (P) No. 180/02/2016 ISBN 942-767-02-01802-96
Play is just as important as study in the development of a well-rounded human being.
published by
illustrated by
Sum Qian Yu