Child Readiness

I’ve just got hit with reality reading Alicia post on “Child Readiness”. As much as I want to lay the foundations for J and was put on waiting list when I tried enquiring from the various enrichment centres since last year. When I signed up for drop-off phonics class for J last year, he attended 2 lessons and was crying so badly as if I’m abandoning him when he could see me from the door window.

I withdrew him when he started having phobia for the week. The class was on Sunday and he would ask every day from Monday before he slept if there’s class tomorrow. It was simply too stressful for a 3.5 year old. I don’t want him to have nightmare just so I thought he would be learning lots. With his fear, he probably wasn’t even able to grasp anything from the class anyway.

Beginning of the year, a Chinese enrichment centre called up that there was a slot for J. I was so eager to enroll him last year that I’ve put him on waiting list. I was excited when the centre called and arranged for a trial class. Then I tried asking J if he would be keen to play & learn in Mandarin, he hesitated and asked if I would be in the class with him. I knew then that he would develop the phobia all over again. Also, with us re-working our finances, I decided to drop the trial.

I try not to be obsessed with enrichment classes now that he’s only going to turn 4 year old, I decided to spend more time on activities with him over the weekends. As I watched him play over the last weekend, I knew he was enjoying his limited childhood. How many more years could he enjoy like that?