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How To Know If My Child Is Ready For Preschool?

So your child has celebrated his third or perhaps the fourth birthday. What’s next?

Now for many parents, deciding WHEN to send your child to preschool is a milestone worth celebrating. It’s a start, a big start in education decision.

The most important question of all, one that all parents have to consider:

Should I send my child to preschool?

If yes, when? 3 or 4 years old?

Early childhood care and education (ECCE) in Malaysia

According to schoolmalaysia.com, early childhood care and education (ECCE) in Malaysia is divided into two age groups:

  • 0-4 years old
  • 4-6 years old

The first group (0-4 years old) involves:

  • childcare centers
  • nurseries
  • taska

The second group (4-6 years old) involves pre-school education:

  • preschools
  • kindergartens
  • tadika

Preschool vs Kindergarten

Most Malaysian children start to attend preschool at the age of 3-4 as preschool programs are generally more flexible; it’s like a kindergarten training ground.

Kindergarten is then attended between the ages of 4 to 6. In other words, kindergarten is the first step in your child’s formal education.

The choice is yours to make.

Some parents may choose to skip preschool altogether and send their child to kindergarten at 5 or even 6 years old.

However, although age is the main indicator, we would like to highlight other factors that should be taken into consideration before you enroll your child in a preschool.

How to know my child is ready for preschool?

Here’s a preschool readiness checklist to help you out:

Has basic self-care skills

Basic self-care skills include knowing how to use zippers and buttons, washing hands, and eating a meal without adult assistance.

It’s best if your child is fairly independent and self-sufficient to make the most out of his time attending preschool.

Potty-trained

Most preschools do enforce the requirement that your child must be potty-trained. Teachers won’t have time for diaper changes.

Your child may feel insecure and ashamed when he sees other kids are not wearing diapers.

Furthermore, preschool is where your child should be learning and developing new skills, not hindered by the lack of confidence due to not being able to go to the toilet on his own.

Understand simple directions and can follow a structured schedule

As your child grows, he learns things more easily including understanding and following instructions and schedules.

A progress in this area is a good sign that your child is ready for preschool.

Comfortable around other adults and children

The first few days of tears shouldn’t be an issue when your child starts attending preschool. They should be able to adapt to his new environment pretty soon if they are comfortable to be with teachers and other children around his age.

So, do take time easing him into a similar environment when they are younger such as enrichment program and playgroups.

Able to cooperate and take turns while interacting with other children

Preschool activities are usually set up in a group environment.

So it would be best if your child has some form of social skills such as being able to cooperate and take turns while interacting and participating in activities with other children.

Every child is different in terms of cognitive progress. We believe readiness to attend preschool is better based on their development in oppose to age.

Some children may already begin to speak well at 2 years while some may only be so at 4 years old.

So, do take your time to nurture your child until he’s ready for preschool and beyond!

Is Your Kiasu-ness Harming Your Child’s Learning?

Just the other day, I was having a casual conversation with one of our customers, and I was asked by a mom if she should send her child to a brain development class.

Her child is just 9 months old.

I was just… shocked!

I mean, really? Brain development class? 9-month old?

Apparently, all the mommies that she knew, were sending their children to classes such as these.

At first, you may think that it is a wonderful idea to send your toddler to these classes at such an early age so he is prepared for school in the many more years to come.

You can’t be wrong, right? Since everyone is doing it too. But is it really true?

Can early academic training produce long-term harm to your child?

Toddlers in preschool.

Is preschool necessary before kindergarten?

Take a look at this excerpt from Psychology Today:

Early academic training somewhat increases children’s immediate scores on the specific tests that the training is aimed at (no surprise), but these initial gains wash out within 1 to 3 years and, at least in some studies, are eventually reversed.

It means that when you send your child for “training”, he will, of course, be good at it but these advantages tend to fade off as he grows, and it causes harm in certain instances.

Here is a study published in PubMed which states that sending your child to a preschool too early is not advisable.

The youngest children were rated by teachers as having more language deficits, behaviour problems, and poorer academic progress at the end of the school year.

As you can see, you just got to do a little digging and the answers you find may not always be in favour of what the community thinks.

A toddler playing.

How does a toddler learn?

To know what age do you send your child to a preschool, you must first understand how a child learns first.

A TODDLER LEARNS BEST THROUGH PLAY

The American Academy of Pediatrics has pointed out that a toddler learns best through playing.

Why?

  • Playing helps your child to get along with other children.
  • Playing helps your child to learn from adults. They observe what you do. How you treat others. How you communicate with other adults.
  • Playing helps them to understand emotions such as fear and anger.

Children at play.

So how do you do it?

  • First and foremost, you have to let your child play.
  • More play time the better.
  • Understand what your child likes. His interests. Then create activities that get his attention.
  • Play with your child too.
  • Have fun when you do it.
  • Playing and pretending helps your child to learn and grow.

Your role in your child’s learning is definitely the most important factor here. To play with your child is actually a lot of hard work. And exhausting too!

Then again, no one says it’s going to be easy. You want the best for your child, right?

Children in a nursery.

Aren’t kids better off at the preschool?

While I am not against parents sending toddlers to preschool at an early age, but I’m not in favour of parents (without the right information) encourage other parents to do so the same, without getting their facts right first.

After all, we should know all the benefits and negative effects of making the decision. No?

I had written a short article on this earlier, which you may want to give it a read.

Now that you know how your toddler learns, you will have a better idea of picking the right preschool for him. A preschool that focuses on play.

You do not want to be sending your child to a preschool that makes him sit quietly, reciting words and numbers every day. This will not help his overall growth.

What are the disadvantages of going to preschool too early?

A majority of research conducted focuses on the socioemotional development of a child during the early stages of life and the effects are linked with sending your child too early to preschool.

WHAT IS SOCIOEMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

Basically, it is your child’s emotional growth, how he experiences new things, expresses himself, manages his own emotions like stress, anger, sadness, etc. and more importantly, the way he interacts with others.

To sum it up, here are the downsides of sending your child too early to preschool, or at least preschool that focuses mainly on academics rather than play. You will not see the effects immediately, but these issues tend to start with your child is older.

An angry child.

Behavioural issues

Higher chances of committing a crime, being aggressive, etc. I know right. Sounds a bit far-fetched if you ask me too, but these are the results of a research study but take it with a pinch of salt.

Language deficit

If your child goes to a preschool too early, do you think he would be able to sit down and listen attentively as compared to an older child?

Based on responses from preschool teachers in general, a child learns best when he is able to sit at least 15-20 minutes without being distracted.

Poorer academic progress

Similar to the above, academic progress tends to get worse when your child grows older.

TO APPLY WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNT IS BETTER THAN JUST MEMORIZING

If your child is able to recite numbers from 1 to 100 and is able to recognize all of them, you may think that his skills are pretty good.

But, wait. Before that, check again and see if your child is able to make use of the numbers instead. Get him to get 3 favourite toys from his toy box or 2 pairs of pants from the drawers. I believe you know where I’m getting at.

For another child who only knows number 1 to 10 but is able to make out what those numbers are for is considered better off than a child who can only remember and recite numbers without being able to apply them in real life situations.

A mature child will be able to grasp this concept readily as compared to a younger one.

Behavioral issues in toddlers.

Difficulty in interacting with others

If a child has been too focused on academics, he will have a tougher time in creating or maintaining relationships in the future.

Since he is groomed toward achievements at a very young age, other aspects of life no longer matter to him.

He may grow up being an “emotionless” adult and may even have difficulty getting married in the future!

The benefits of learning through play

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this during Singapore’s National Day in 2012:

It is good for young children to play and to learn through play

Unlike some politicians who don’t know what they’re talking about (you know who), there must be a specific reason as to why PM Lee mentioned that.

Let’s take a look at Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

I’m sure you are wondering, what is this EYLF?

This so-called framework is actually a guideline for children educator’s in Australia to follow.

It’s a format for educators to fall back unto when they teach children from birth to 5 years of age, and also during the transition to school.

And you know what? Learning through play is the main point.

You can read all about it through the Australian government portal, just be aware of the awful lengthy text.

Benefits of play-based learning.

So what are the benefits of play-based learning?

  • it helps your child to concentrate better
  • better learners
  • stimulates curiosity and creativity
  • develops a strong sense of identity (shapes confidence)
  • your child learns to engage with people and objects
  • learn about common sense in the social world
  • your child becomes an effective communicator
  • better at expressing feelings and emotions

If play itself is really important for an early childhood development, and preschool is part of your grand plan for your child, then having a preschool which focuses on play-based learning would prove beneficial, for both you and your child.

Children in school.

Take home points

  • Don’t be in a hurry to send your child to preschool too fast
  • Give your child time to mature
  • A toddler learns best through play
  • Look for a preschool that focuses on play rather than academics alone
  • Your child learns best when he is with you
  • Sending your child to preschool too early may worsen his academic progress later
  • Poor socioemotional development if a child goes to preschool too early

In my humble opinion, there is no right or wrong whether you should send your child to preschool or not. Preschool has its own pros and cons. We have to take into other factors like time, work and money too.

Facts are facts but we just have to be realistic. However, we need not be compelled to do so because others are just doing it. As long as you have the right information, just do what is right for your child.

At the end of the day, we just want our kids to grow up well and healthy.

References:

  1. Early Academic Training Produces Long-Term Harm | Psychology Today
  2. Little To Gain Much To Lose | Alliance For Childhood
  3. Age of Entry to Kindergarten and Children’s Academic Achievement and Socio-emotional Development | PubMed
  4. Younger children experience lower levels of language competence and academic progress in the first year of school: evidence from a population study | PubMed
  5. Playing is How Toddlers Learn | Healthychildren.org
  6. Belonging, Being & Becoming – The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia | Australian Government

Is The iPad Hurting Children’s Brain Development?

It is very common to come across children who are so caught up in their mobile phones, iPad or any other tablets for that matter.

These children are so focused on these devices that they become so oblivious to their surroundings until they are taken away from their hands.

IS THE IPAD REALLY HURTING A CHILD’S BRAIN?

One mommy even shared with us that she tries her very best not to use her smartphone in front of her child to avoid exposing her child to these gadgets at an early age.

Such determination!

In this topic, we will be touching on these:

  • The negative effects of using iPad or any electronic devices on a toddler
  • The symptoms indicating an addiction
  • The recommended screen time according to age
  • 8 ways on how to limit screen time

Do you have the same thought as this mommy?

If you do, then keep reading.

You can jump to sections relevant to you using the table below.

A toddler using an iPad.

What are the negative effects of iPad on toddlers?

Before we answer the question, understand this.

Looking at the time and society we are currently in, these electronic devices are everywhere and it is just impossible to avoid them all unless you decide to live in a jungle.

SCREENTIME REDUCES QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR CHILD

It’s not that these media are all bad and stuff, but rather the quality that you should spend with your child has been drastically reduced because of these devices.

Now, to answer the question.

The negative effects.

A toddler getting her eyes checked.

Bad for the eyes

Really? Is iPad bad for toddlers’ eyes?

Truth be told, iPad itself does not cause direct damage to your toddler’s eyes but rather the lack of sunlight devoids your toddler the chance of a healthy eye development.

How to reduce the chances of your child wearing spectacles?

Most toddlers who use an iPad stay indoors most of the time, which deprive them the chance of getting natural light.

SUNLIGHT REDUCES THE RISK OF GETTING NEARSIGHTEDNESS

Take a look at this study comparing nearsightedness in children of Chinese ethnicity in Sydney and Singapore.

The rate of nearsightedness in Singapore is almost 9 times higher than in Sydney.

The reason?

Singapore has a competitive education system in which toddlers as young as 18 months are enrolled in a preschool before getting into primary one.

Most learning and activities are conducted indoors.

On the other hand, children in Sydney has extracurricular activities and spend an average of 14 hours a week outside as compared to children in Singapore, who spent a measly 3 hours a week.

In summary, iPad does not cause your toddler’s eyes to deteriorate but the lack of natural sunlight does as usage of electronic devices are usually confined to a house.

A mother playing with her baby.

Reduced sensory stimulation

Screens do not provide your toddler with the necessary stimulation needed for his growth.

Just imagine your child watches a beach on the iPad, apart from sight, what else can he feel?

We are blessed with 5 types of sensory:

  • touch
  • smell
  • vision
  • taste
  • hear

Why use one when you can use all 5?

Your toddler will have a richer experience if he is actually brought to a beach instead. He can feel the breeze on his face, the texture of the sands beneath his soles, the smell of the beach, the sound of the tides and the taste of the seawater.

Can an iPad give you all that?

A child using an iPad before sleep.

Sleep interference

I do not deny the fact that iPad contains lots of informational and educational apps that may aid a toddler’s learning.

However, truth is, nothing beats reading a good old book.

When it is close to bedtime, using the iPad may not be a wise choice.

The blue and white light emitted by electronic devices stimulates the toddler’s brain, tricking it into thinking that it is still daylight.

Your toddler will have a tougher time falling asleep after using an iPad as compared to reading a book.

Delay in language and social development

That’s right, it delays development!

Albeit the popular belief that iPad will enhance your toddler’s learning ability, it does not.

Learning in itself, especially for little ones, is a 2-way process.

Do you know that babies will have a larger vocabulary and higher intelligence if their language environment is richer?

That means you have to get involved. Speak to your child, and not let the iPad do the talking.

We will talk more about this in the following section.

A child playing games on the iPad.

A moody and lazy child

As you know, excessive exposure to iPad causes sleep disruptions.

What happens when are you tired?

You are cranky, right?

This applies to your child too!

Also, if your little one has started playing games on the iPad, albeit educational ones, it may also induce a certain amount of stress in your toddler when he plays it.

If the stress level builds up, it may cause your child to feel irritable and agitated.

GAMES MAKE YOUR CHILD LAZY

Apart from that, these apps (that provides rewards) and games on the iPad put your child in a “feel-good” state for as long as he is playing with it as it triggers the constant release of dopamine, a hormone that creates this feel-good feeling.

In other words, instant gratification.

When you take this feeling away from your child, he will be demotivated and has a lack of energy in performing other activities as they are not as rewarding as playing with the iPad.

As a result, you are creating a lazy child.

A lonely child.

Not able to make friends

Being lazy is one. Not being able to make friends is another.

Your child will lack the ability to understand emotions and have difficulty in creating relationships with others.

You know why?

This is because your child has been only taking to the iPad itself. Or more like the iPad “talking” to your child.

There is no communication involved.

Increased screen time stops your child’s frontal brain from developing which is needed for social interactions.

You don’t want your child to be a zombie and a lone ranger, do you?

Parent and child using a tablet.

Why is screen time bad for toddlers?

Alright, sure. You are still not convinced about not letting your child use the iPad.

You still believe that using an iPad or any electronic devices may help your toddler to be smarter.

Like “You know what? My child knows how to operate the iPad by himself and starts his favourite app!”.

Personally, it is not actually an “achievement” that you should be proud of. It is more worrisome rather than an accomplishment.

There are always two sides to a coin.

Yes, your toddler is definitely good at what he can do with the iPad, but there are also other serious implications that may have gone unnoticed.

Is your 2-year old not talking at all?

Let us take this for an example.

  • You have a busy schedule.
  • You need some time to run your errands.
  • You hand your child an iPad to keep him entertained for the time being.
  • Chore gets done.
  • Your child remains glued to the iPad.
  • Given this opportunity, you think to yourself “Why not I get a few more things done too?”.

A busy mom.

As time goes by, you will find yourself repeating this process over and over again.

Many of us fall into this category because we need time to do things or time-off from their kids.

Don’t we all?

A CHILD SHOULD USE AN IPAD WITH SUPERVISION

Pause and straighten your thought.

All these time that your child is spending in front of the media, the numbers of hours gone by, there was no communication between you and your child.

How do you expect your child to learn this way?

I am sure that the next thing that comes to mind is this, “I’m giving my child educational apps to use and videos to watch, isn’t he learning something?”.

Here’s what American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends:

High-quality programs, videos or apps with supervision.

Your supervision!

When your child learns from these apps, there is only one-way communication as compared to when you view or learn it with your child.

A father uses an iPad with his child.

The disadvantages of excessive screen time without supervision:

  • It delays a child’s speech and language skill development.
  • A child will not be able to understand emotions as electronic devices are emotionless.
  • A younger child will have a skewed version of the world, unable to differentiate between a cartoon and a real object.
  • Poor short-term memory and attention span.

Sounds bad right?

Truth be told, letting your child use an electronic device is not a bad thing.

Just like an old saying, a bad craftsman always blames his tools.

Your electronic devices are not at fault.

It is you who is responsible for your child’s growth and development.

Screen addiction symptoms in children

There is this saying that goes “The eyes don’t see what the mind doesn’t know”.

If you don’t know the symptoms, then likely you will not realize that your child is addicted to the screen.

Here are the 8 symptoms that point towards screen addition:

1. No control

Your child just can’t stop using the device. Even during meal times, he has to use it.

If you are doing it too, you may jolly well have some form of addiction issues.

2. Loss of interest

Nothing interest your child more than the iPad itself.

He just wants the iPad and is not keen to participate in other activities.

3. Preoccupied

Just like a football fan during World Cup who eats, sleeps and thinks nothing but football.

Your child is doing the same exact thing, except with the iPad.

A family using mobile devices during a meal.

4. Does not socialize

Finds no joy in creating a conversation with others.

Rather face the iPad than people in real life.

5. Argumentative

Does your child argue with you when you take away the iPad from him?

Does he get angry and refuse to listen to you?

This is one of the symptoms of addiction.

6. Tolerance

Your child needs to use the iPad for a longer period of time to satisfy his need.

Over time, the time needed to reach the same pleasurable (dopamine) levels increases, which means longer usage of the device as compared to when he first started.

An angry child.

7. Withdrawal

He can’t seem to sit still when the device is kept away from him.

Easily agitated.

8. Mood stabilizer

Does your child depend on the device to keep calm? Especially on a bad day?

If nothing seems to be able to calm your child down apart from the iPad, be wary.

It’s just like an adult who needs alcohol to take his sorrows away.

Recommended screen time for children

Here is the screen time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for each age group:

Screen time for babies under 18 months old

0 hours. None. Zilch.

Although an exception is made for video-chatting (eg. Skype. Facetime, etc.) it’s best to avoid them if possible.

Screen time for toddlers between 18 to 24 months old

If you want to introduce digital media to your child, then wait till 18 months old.

In general, no longer than 1 hour (although no time frame has been given) since the maximum screen time for 2-year olds are 1-hour max.

High-quality programs, please. And be sure you explain to your child what’s on screen.

Screen time for 2, 3, 4 and 5-year olds

1-hour max.

Again, let me reinforce this.

High-quality programs and provided that you are using these programs or apps with your child.

Screen time for 6-year olds or older

There are no specific hours given but it is advisable to set a time limit.

More importantly, make sure that media usage does not take over your child’s physical activities or sleep.

Or any other activities that are essential for his growth and health.

A child looking at a mobile device.

Who is the teacher? You or the iPad?

After reading the above, I hope you should be able to understand the effects of iPad on little ones and be wary when you plan to use it.

More importantly, you can start off by using pictures books and cards if your child is less than 18 months of age.

Even flashcards themselves won’t teach your child anything if you just leave the cards to your child’s hands without spending the quality time teaching him how to identify and read.

The very same principle applies to apps or education programs on mobile devices.

BE YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER

Once your child is older, you can introduce apps to him gradually, let him use them with you by his side as he learns and set a limitation to how long your child can use them.

You are your child’s first teacher.

Remember, no one can ever replace that.

All the books, flashcards, apps and other electronic devices are just your tools to help you along the way.

How you use them, will eventually dictate your child’s future outcome.

How to limit children’s screen time?

If your toddler has already started to use an iPad, you can either let him have the freedom to use the iPad as long as he wants and face the consequences later.

A child using an iPad.

Or, set a limit. If the limit is your pick, then here are 8 tips to help you out:

Be a parent and not a friend

You are your child’s parent. Set rules and limitations.

A lot of parents fall into this trap because of the unwanted meltdowns and screams.

In the end, they just give in to their child’s demands.

Making the bold move

Trash the iPad.

Okay, fine. Sounds a little drastic but you can sell the iPad, or even give it away.

If your child does not see one lying at home, the chances of him asking for it will reduce significantly.

Set an example

If you are a screen addict yourself, how do you expect your child to stop using one?

Children follow their parent’s footsteps.

So changes should begin with yourself, first.

Parents with child at the beach.

Play with your child

Children by nature, like to play. Not to be glued to the screen.

It is us that makes them a screen-addict.

Spend time with your child doing other activities. Be it arts and crafts or outdoor activities.

It takes effort but like the saying goes, no pain no gain.

No iPad/TV in the room

It is highly encouraged to keep these away from your child’s room.

Not even yours.

Keep bedtime special for you and your child:

  • Read a book
  • Sing a couple of songs
  • Run through the day’s event with your child

There is no better time to bond with your child than bedtime itself.

Agree on a time limit

If your toddler has some level of understanding, instead of just saying no, reason it out with him.

Discuss the reasons behind it and come to an agreement on the time he should be spending on the iPad.

A win-win situation for both parties.

A child doing household chores.

Do stuff together

Allow your child to be involved in your life. It’s easy to just chuck your child into a corner with an iPad while you do your chores.

Children are great little helpers.

Although it takes more time to get the work done with your little one helping, it teaches your child responsibility and independence from young.

Besides, it’s a great way to bond with your child too!

Family meal time.

Eat together

Meal times are actually the best time to have a conversation with your child.

Take this time to listen and understand your child more.

A lot of people are pretty much glued to their phones at the eating tables these days.

Even a toddler is given an iPad to watch while being fed.

Sad, isn’t it? Who’s going to make the change if it’s not you?

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) of Singapore summarized all the above relatively well in this short video clip.

Take home points

  • Advisable not to let your toddler use the iPad until he is 2 years old.
  • Use the iPad together with your child, not as a babysitting tool.
  • There are more negative effects than benefits of letting your child use an iPad at an early age.
  • For an older child (2 to 5 years old), limit the iPad usage to no more than 1 hour a day.
  • You are the teacher of your child, not the iPad.

What do you think?

Will you be compromising on certain (busy) days, letting your child use the iPad?

Or ban it completely?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

References:

  1. Screentime Is Making Kids Moody, Crazy and Lazy | Psychology Today
  2. Myopia, Lifestyle, and Schooling in Students of Chinese Ethnicity in Singapore and Sydney | The JAMA Network
  3. How To Limit Your Child’s Screen Time | Becoming Minimalist
  4. American Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Recommendations for Children’s Media Use | American Academy of Pediatrics

How To Get Your Child To Learn Fast & Effectively

In a classroom, the children were each given a jigsaw puzzle to solve. The jigsaw puzzles were all the same design. They were each given a piece of paper with instructions on how to solve it, and a teacher was there to guide them as well.

“First, start off with the corners. Then the sides, and then work your way towards the middle.”

Some watched their teacher put the jigsaw pieces in and they followed. Some read the instructions they were given. And some only listened to their teacher’s instructions.

THERE ARE 3 WAYS OF LEARNING

  • visual
  • auditory
  • kinesthetic

Also known as the VAK learning approach.

This represents the different approaches to learning – whether someone learns by hearing, watching, or practising it hands-on.

Children learning to write.

Is your child a visually-dominant learner?

These learners have two sub-channels: linguistic and spatial. A visual-linguistic learns by writing and reading, whereas, a visual-spatial absorbs information better with visuals such as flowcharts, pictures, videos.

How about an auditory-dominant learner?

They listen instead and learn better through verbal instructions. They repeat information to themselves and also notice and interpret the little things in a person’s speech: such as tones, pitches, and speed.

Kinaesthetic-dominant learners may be confused as having a short attention span. This is not the case for all children!

These learners prefer to explore the world around them and to touch and feel the things they are supposed to do. The best way for them to learn is to take frequent study breaks, perhaps play music while learning to ease time, even work while standing up.

A child reading.

With all that being said, there is no just one best way to learn. Learners may utilize one learning style for a task and then a combination of styles for others, depending on how they think something can be solved.

Memorizing numbers can be done by either seeing it or repeating it over and over again, but it’s not the same for memorizing directions home.

A certain learning style can be a preference or a dominant one, but some have a balanced mixture of the various styles.

A boy playing with an air plane.

So how does my child learn?

OBSERVE YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING BEHAVIOUR

Do they retain information better when they see it, when they hear instructions, or when they see another providing an example?

There are also online quizzes that your child can answer, or you can answer for your child. Take note though, that these quizzes are not an official evaluation of your child’s learning approach.

Each person has their own dominant learning style, but this doesn’t mean they can only learn in a sad way.

Having a dominant learning style simply means they prefer to learn via the said method and are more comfortable with it.

How To Choose (Math Or Music) For Your Kids?

The most common adage is to start things young. One too many proverbs (or peribahasa, as they are called in Malay) highlight the utmost importance of nurturing certain characteristics in children since young. “Melentur buluh, biarlah dari rebungnya” brings about the meaning of nurturing or teaching kids since young.

This Malay proverb has been used many times to set an example of educating children since young; whether to save money, to start recycling, or even to be considerate to others. In this context, how do the options I make for my child determine my child’s future?

A girl looking upwards.

We are brought up in a society that praises the academics. Although nowadays, teenagers and young adults are given a bit more leeway in choosing their study and career paths. But as we go back to a child’s upbringing, the question is: math or music?

Sean was a young boy, and he was starting off with the ukulele at a music centre. One day, his mother said that he would be stopping his music lessons. Instead, he would go for some robotics classes instead. Sean couldn’t say yes or no, he could only say, “Okay.”

Instead of asking a child to decide between two polar opposites, how about saying “Here are two options for you, but you can choose the one you want.” Studies have shown that learning one skill, like music, can positively affect other skills.

“Each child is different.” And different they are. Howard Gardner calls it ‘multiple intelligences’ – every child learns differently. Some need to read to learn, whereas some need to see or listen instead.

There is a strong correlation between math and music. Children who can play musical instruments can also work out more complex mathematical operations. A child’s strong math foundation is also built through the hard work and effort invested into learning an instrument, as well as the precision to detail.

A boy playing with the sand.

Why don’t you let your child choose for themselves? Children want many things; it won’t be surprising if your child wants to try everything at once and then decides to give up on them all. Perhaps it is this misconception, of spending money on so many activities only to have your child grow out of if, that is hindering parents from actually asking their child, “What do you want?”

There is no right or wrong option. Do not pressure your child to give you more than their best – they’re trying really hard! Nurture their new interest, support them. Be involved in their interests: are they having fun? Do they want to continue? If they want to quit, it’s perfectly alright. They are still searching for themselves and for their passion. Nobody has it all figured out as a child.

Let your child learn, make mistakes, unlearn, relearn, and gain experience. Sure, we’re all after perfection, but perfection is not achieved the first time. Children are humans, not machines, after all.