But I had fun...

It has been about a week since school reopened.  I am glad we have finally settled into a comfortable morning routine after fumbling through the first three days.  While I was still trying to figure out where the best drop-off and pick-up points were, Little Boy had taken to his new school like a duck to water.  It is amazing how a child can adapt so quickly to new environment and friends.  I suppose it's easier to make friends when most of his classmates were new to the school too.  The many games and group works done in class probably helped in the fostering of friendships as well.

Lessons wise, Little Boy is having a whale of a time thus far.  There's hardly any formal teaching in class, much less homework.  Lessons are conducted using games and group works with discussions among peers and teachers.  Inevitably, this is the best learning model for the active and articulate Little boy.  Just three days into school and he had enjoyed every lesson and liked all his teachers.  I, on the other hand, was feeling a little ill at ease, having been more familiar with formal classroom teachings and the rigour of homework.  I am aware of the benefits of learning through play but still I am concern if Little Boy is able to learn anything when having so much fun.  Like many kiasu Singaporean parents, I also worry if he has enough paper and pen practices necessary to score in examinations.

'What did you do in class?' and 'What did you learn?' soon became my favourite questions to Little Boy.  Our daily conversation would go like this:

Me:  What did you do in class today?

LB:  We played games.

Me:  What? Games again? What kind of games?

LB:  (went on to describe the games in details)

Me:  So, what did you learn from the games?

LB:  Alliterative Adjectives.

Me: *Phew! He did learn something*

It's indeed a great relief knowing that Little Boy did learn something while having fun but there were times when he didn't.

Me:  What did you do in class today?

LB:  We played games and did some group works.

Me:  So, what did you learn?

LB:  Erm... I don't know but I had fun (broke into a big smile).

During those times, I would take a deep breath, push all insecurities at the back of my mind and smiled with him.  Little Boy was right. At least he had fun.