In the beginning of the year, Big Bee's teacher announced that their class would have the opportunity to participate in one of 2 special programmes outside of the usual academic curriculum, with the objective of enhancing the students' knowledge in whichever programme they chose.
One of the programmes focuses on critical thinking, with the ability to debate on current affair issues, nurturing the students' creative problem-solving competencies, while cultivating a strong understanding of socio-political issues in the world. Or at least, this was what I gathered after listening to a talk by the teachers in charge. This is a programme that is linked to other similar programmes internationally, and finalists may get a chance to travel to a conference in the USA to present their findings.
The other programme focuses on innovation. A little bit of Science and ingenuity combined, if you were to ask me. Where students would need to think out of their usual square thinking boxes, and create a new invention that would be useful for the community. This is a programme that is linked to the MOE Science Innovation Programme, and is a nation-wide programme for selected students. Finalists would get a chance to present their inventions in a science fair that is attended by selected primary and secondary schools.
The moment I heard about these 2 programmes, the first choice I made for Big Bee was the one on current affairs. As the days passed, Big Bee's strong preference for the other innovation programme came up distinctly, and we had several heated debates about her preference. I thought the first programme would be more useful to shape her understanding of the world, whereas she thought it was a lot more fun to invent new things.
Finally, hubby stepped in and gave me the best piece of parenting advice: "Let her choose what she is interested in, not what you think would be useful for her. Otherwise, she would never feel this is her own choice, and will not have interest in the programme. And will not excel in it."
The normally headstrong and stubborn me took a deep breath and an even bigger step back, and started more open conversations with Big Bee about why she preferred the innovation programme over the socio-political programme.
And then it dawned on me. Parenting is not about living vicariously through our children. It is not about enforcing our perspectives, opinions and preferences on our children. A good parent should listen to the wants and needs of our children with a really open mind. Even if we think they are making the wrong decisions, we should be generous enough to let them go and experiment in whatever ways they want. And learn through their mistakes or experiences. Because after a certain age, they probably know themselves better than we know them. And these are their first strides towards independence.
I admit I was not a very good parent prior to hubby's enlightenment. But thankfully, I was jerked into reality rapidly. And it gave me a warm glow in my heart to see Big Bee smiling contentedly as she filled up her preferred selection in the form. Albeit I still have reservations.
Ironically, my reservations came to naught. 2 of her fellow group mates and her enjoyed the programme so much that they invented something that made it through 2 successful rounds of internal and external judging. They were hence able to display and talk about their invention at their own booth in a nation-wide science fair with other finalists from other schools. She felt gratified and told me she learned a lot from the experience.
As for me, this is a huge wake-up call that I should never impose my preferences on my children.
You can read about her entire experience with the innovation programme (and what her group invented!) here. Enjoy reading!
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| The poster for their invention, taken by one of Big Bee's classmates on her phone, hence the poor quality of the photo |
