When we first started homeschool I was weary about it being too much for W. He already has been doing Chinese with a tutor every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings for three hours. I always thought a child his age should be playing more than learning, but we decided to try.
I am surprised that he has been able to go for six weeks. On Wednesday, it was a really hard day. W was very upset because he wasn't focusing and we were getting frustrated with him. We kept trying to make him sit and do his school work. He just kept saying over and over again, "I am sad because you keep making me do school and I just want to play." This broke my heart! I kept thinking I needed to be consistent so I kept insisting he continue practicing his writing. Eventually I thought to myself that if he and I don't get some space between us, I'm going to turn into a mad woman. So I made him go outside and play. Of course, W just sat out there and cried while our sweet cat kept rubbing up against him and he would pet her. I was sitting there watching him, just trying to cool my jets. After about ten minutes I went outside and we talked for about an hour.
One thing that really stands out to me about our conversation was when I asked him, "Do you think Mommy is mean?"
He replied with a head nod. I then asked him, "Why do you think that? Talk to me."
He said, "I just want to play and you keep giving me negative points and making me do more work and it's just going to take longer until I can play."
That was it. I was being made out to be the bad guy when I didn't like the idea of him doing school AND Chinese in the first place. I wasn't going to be that anymore. I told him that on the days he does Chinese, we will not do school unless he wants to. I wrote out two scenarios for him, weekly schedules if you will, and had him circle which one he wanted to keep. He chose to do Chinese two days a week and homeschool three days a week. We talked to Dad about it and Dad is going to talk to his Chinese tutor and see what she thinks. Dad is not thrilled about the idea of him doing less Chinese and I can understand that. But I personally just want whatever W wants. He has to learn school in a constructive way, but it has to be how he wants it to be (with our guidance).
W is only four, he will be five in about one week. He is not even due to go to Kindergarten until next school year. Kindergarten is a half day of school. If he does first grade cirriculum for the same amount of hours as a Kindergartener goes to school, for two years, then he's still be ahead of his peers. It's not like being ahead of his peers is what is important. I am simply stating that he will not be behind, and this will be easier on everyone.
Grandma desires to be enlisted as a teacher for Woodruff Hall. I think it will be fun for W to go to Grandma's on a Saturday every now and then for a special lesson. I'll probably take her up on it.
I think Grandma teaching a "class" is an awesome idea! That would be so fun! Even though I think it is awesome he is in Chinese, I'm surprised he's going 3 days a week for that long... that's a lot of time spent on just one subject.
ReplyDeleteI used to think the same thing, Juli. But then I realized what they do and it really is beneficial to be going for that amount of time. She is basically teaching him everything he is taught in English, but in Chinese. Like shapes and colors and numbers, to geography. The Chinese language is also very complicated - lots of characters and four different tones. Many words could sound the same to us Americans who speak English, but are completely different words to the Chinese because each word is spoken using different deflecting tones.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think I could ever learn Chinese, my boy amazes me! His tutor said he is reading Chinese at the same level a third grade Chinese kid. He is speaking it at the level of a kindergarten Chinese kid though.
Good for you Anna for recognizing that the education pressures on Will are too much for his age. I don't know if you received that info with the homeschooling idea's that I sent you but you are on the right track. Take some pressure off and make learning fun. These are the ages where they enjoy learning through, laughter, activity, hands on learning. Have you researched learning centers? Those make for amazing learning moments for you and your child. Check your state rules on homeschooling. I think you are only required two or three hours a day. You may already know this of course. And those hours can be broken up. I have some more info that a friend sent me. I will e-mail it to you. Keep up the good work and let him have fun so that he doesn't resent learning. You're doing great! Hugs!!!
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