the DAY

28 Feb - Miss Lim‘s “last” day @ LSK
From Jan-Feb, Miss Lim spent about 8 weeks in LSK.

From “Office Staff” to “Do-Anything Teacher“ to “Nursery Assistant Teacher“ to “PreNursery Assistant Teacher“.
From helping with “Kindergarten Wide Phonics Resource” to “Chinese Reader Powerpoint” to “Weekly Tasks“ to “Daily Chores” to “Termly Works“.

I’m thankful that I’m able to leave fingerprints and be of help to LSK and colleagues in many ways.

For a moment I felt bad where recently LSK went through some changes and needed staff but I cant help much cause got to be away.

Really going to miss everyone & everything @ LSK - the children, the colleagues, the culture, the environment, the routine, the duties etc.

Will Miss Lim be back @ LSK after 6mths?
Will the PreN little ones still remember me when I return after 6mths?
Will thingy be the same when I return after 6mths?


LSK, goodbye for now!
Thank you all for your love, care, prayers, JIAYOUs and the wonderful memories!

Go home.. Go home..

Another time with crying Little Child J
Little Child J: (crying) I want Mummy~~~
Miss Lim: Okok… we go office to call Mummy
Little Child J: (crying) Yes~~~
Miss Lim: * pretend to talk on phone * Hello mummy, you come and bring Child J home ok
* Little Child J burst out crying *
Miss Lim: Mummy, if Child J is crying you don’t come. Oh! She stop then you come right
* Little Child J stopped *
Miss Lim: We wait for mummy ok… She must take bus first

Little Child J: (sobbing) I want Mummy~~~
Miss Lim: A… Your mummy can fly a not?
Little Child J: (sobbing) No~~
Miss Lim: Ah! Then must wait… Mummy must take bus

Throughout the day on and off on and off, Little Child J will sobsob to ask for Mummy but she be ok the moment I replied her differently like:

Oh! Mummy coming already…
Wait ok. Mummy must bath first…
Oh! Mummy wearing shoes already ok…
Coming ok. Mummy taking bus now…

Something unrelated to the title…
Was at play with the PreNursery children when suddenly Little Child J popped out saying “Poker Face“ and “Paparazzi”.
I was shocked to know this little child listens to Lady Gaga? Haha!

Go home...

Right from the beginning of the school term, Little Child N has no problem adapting to the school culture/routine. She was so steady that she helped her peers and even asked the crying-peers not to cry.

But after being sick and mc for a week, Little Child N returned with a bad & crying mode. Almost everyday (at least for now), she will enter the school crying and will cling on tight to Ah Ma. As she tends to cry till vomit, Ah Ma was asked to stay with her throughout.

Started last Fri and today, we “take it by force” but of course asked the Ah Ma to hang around but hide from Little Child N.

Little Child N cry big time when I took her away from Ah Ma but was later calmed down quickly and much easily. This is one thing encouraging, to meet an easy-to-coax child. You be amazed there can be some who can be hard-to-coax, either due to language barrier or just refuse-to.

Both last Fri & today I was with her or I should say, she was with me.
She can be playing with her peers but the moment she turned and don’t see me, she will cry big time - good and bad actually.

Conversations I had with her:
#1
Little Child N: (crying) I want to go home~~ I want to find Ah Ma~~~
Miss Lim: Ok! I bring you go find Ah Ma but you must stop crying first
Little Child N: (crying… almost vomit) I stop crying already~~ I want go find Ah Ma~~~
Miss Lim: A.. A.. You stop first, we go to the office to take telephone and call Ah Ma
Little Child N: (tried to stop crying but still sobbing): I want to go home~~~
Miss Lim: * pretend to talk to Ah Ma on the phone *

Miss Lim: Ok! Child N, Ah Ma coming ok, Ah Ma must walk first
Little Child N: (sobbing) Ah Ma~~ Ah Ma go buy cake~~~
Miss Lim: Oh yes! Ah Ma go buy cake first then she come bring Child N go home ok
Little Child N: (crying) I want~~ I want to go home
Miss Lim: Okok! We wait for Ah Ma to come. Ah Ma’s leg pain pain so must walk slowly.
Little Child N: (sobbing) I want find Ah Ma~~
Miss Lim: Oh! You want Ah Ma to run then fall down?
Little Child N: (sobbing) No~~
Miss Lim: Ah! Then Ah Ma must walk slowly right
Little Child N: Ah Ma~~ be careful
Miss Lim: * tried not to laugh * Yes! Ah Ma walk slowly ok… so we wait for Ah Ma

#2
Little Child N: (crying) I want to go home~~ I want to find Ah Ma~~~
Miss Lim: A.. wait right, Ah Ma walking already
Little Child N: (crying) Ah Ma walk~~
Miss Lim: Yes! You look at the sun… hot hot right, Ah Ma must take umbrella first
Little Child N: (sobbing) Ah Ma take umbrella~~
Miss Lim: We wait for Ah Ma ok?
Little Child N: (sobbing) Ok~~~ I want Ah Ma~~~

#3
Little Child N: I want to go home!
Miss Lim: Yes! We will go home when Ah Ma comes ok?
(3 secs later)
Little Child N: I want to go home
Miss Lim: Ok! Later you go home ok!
(3 secs later)
Little Child N: I want to go home!
Miss Lim: Ok! Later 245pm you go home, I go home, all of us go home ok.
(3 secs later)
Little Child N: I want to go home!
Miss Lim: Ok!
(3 secs later)
Little Child N: I want to go home!
* Miss Lim flipped *

HmmHmmHmmHmmmmm...

Had super mixed feelings about being blessed with SOT'11 fees.
Of course I am very very very happy, very very very grateful to God for this very very very huge blessing from very very very generous "anonymous".

I shared the testimony with cg and even with my Principal who later shared with the staff to encourage them but… but… don’t know why I find it hard to be real happy. I know that’s very bad!

More than happy … my “don’t feel good” feeling is stronger.
Cause afterall is not, really not a small amount.
Like what I blogged before, I may joked and asked people for sponsorship but that totally jokingly. I will never dare/want to take other people’s $$ for my own benefit.

Shared with few people about this, received many different comments to encourage me to just accept. But… But… I can’t! Just find it hard to get this.

A free meal, a free movie ticket etc I may be able to accept.
But not a huge amount like $1800!
Even just one month installment of $300 I already don’t feel good, what more to mention a sum of $1800!!!

From the day I received Pst KH’s sms till today, trust me - never one day I didn’t think about the amount and feel very bad about it. Sad to say - yet to freely enjoy the blessing. Hmm and can I say I don’t think I can and will be (or even never will be) able to?

Beside asking Pst Lily who refused to tell me & Friend T who also denied though at first admitted, I also went to the extend of emailing one of the SOT administrators. Hmmm…

=(

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!
Dear readers, if you already know or happen to know in near future who the “anonymous“… can you pls, pls help me convey a message that “Yanni is thankful, very thankful for the blessing but she is really feeling terrible, very terrible to accept it!”

Dear readers, can you pls also let the “anonymous” know that if has yet to make the payment, pls DON’T as Yanni really wants to pay it on her own. If not pls allow Yanni to return the $1800 when she gets back to the work field. Yanni really appreciates the "anonymous".

Dear readers, last but not least - can you also let the “anonymous” know to pls reveal identity if not I probably will spend the next 6mths feeling guilty and bad.

Hmm... is it that serious?
Sad to say, yes - at least to me!
I really, really, really cant take the $$!

Oh!!!!!!!!

When I read the sms, I was SHOCKED and … SHOCKED!
I passed to the colleague who was with me to read, she was surprised!
Shortly after, I msged Da Jie & Er Jie … they were happy for me too!

The sms goes like this…
“Dear Yanni, this is Pst KH. Just to let you know that your school fees for SOT11 has been sponsored by an anonymous donor. God bless.”

I replied to ask for the contact of the donor so that to thank personally but Pst KH replied: “Hmm… The donor wishes to remain anonymous… I will convey your appreciation to the person.”

I have my guess to who anonymous person/people is/are.
Since then, I have been “haunting” Pst Lily to tell me but she refused.

I’m totally grateful for the anonymous person/people.
But I’m feeling very very very (x10) bad to take the $$.
Is not $180, is not $300 but $1800 - is not a small amount!!!

Guess I am not going to give up finding out who the anonymous person/people. Beside wanting to thank personally, I want to return the $1800 when I get back to the work (at least half of it, to whichever the person/people willing to accept).

=(

I want! I want! I want!

“I want my Mummy!”
“I want my Daddy!”
“I want to look for my Mummy & Daddy!”
“Mummy?”
“Daddy where?”
“I want Aunty!”

“I want to look for my Ah Gong & Ah Ma!”
“I want to see Jie Jie!”
“I want to go home!”
“I want to go home now!”
“I want carry!”
The common remarks made by the (crying/moody) Pre Nursery little little ones.

Some easily “coaxed and calmed” & some quite challenging.

Some cried the moment they stepped into school, some cried suddenly during lesson & some best - cried when they see their friend cried.

Some stopped immediately, some took a while & some took a long long while.

Some cried silently, some cried with screaming, some cried with whining and some will cry, stop, ok, cry, stop, ok.

Been ~7 weeks into school, on and off there are still little little ones crying. Esp after the long break from CNY but thank God for now, they are settling down well and getting used to the “routine”.
Sad to say… in few weeks time, they will be off for one week holiday. Opps! Haha!

Today Miss Lim’s tank was stretched to the max!

Everything and everyone were ok during morning Pre Nursery but the afternoon’s was challenging. Think they have very bad Monday Blues.

Those who usually don’t cry … CRIED today
Those who usually cry … CRIED more/longer today
Those who usually take short while to calm … took much longer today
Those who usually sit during lesson … took a stroll in class
Those who usually pay attention ... "played" with the shoes/socks
Hahahahahahaha! Really no joke!

The “scary” moments of Miss Lim today…
#1 - both crying (very badly) Little Child C and Little Child E wanted me to carry
Solution: Miss Lim lifted up and gave a hug to each individually then held one on the left and one on the right to walk together

#2 - Best! Haha!
I had crying Little Child C on my lap who every few moment looked at me with “I want to look for Ah Gong, Ah Ma and Ah J!“
Sat right in front of me was sobbing Little Child E who repeated “I want Mummy & Daddy!”
Turned to my right, I found Little Child V took off her shoes/socks.
And on my left were crying Little Child J (who being placed there for a while by another teacher) and see-friend-cry-also-cry Little Child T (but thank God calmed her fast).
Not only that - my eyes got to be on this Little Child A who despite getting him to sit, he went for a stroll around the class. Haha!

Sentences that Miss Lim repeated many times:
"Mummy coming!"
"Going home already!"
"Ok! I call mummy!"
"Ok! I call Ah Gong to come now!"
"Oh! You see the clock! Going to be 245pm already!"
"Later we go press the bell! Then we all go home together!"

Just when the Little Ones were much cool (going home time), I took over a new child, Indian Little Child who cried and screamed and whined to go home and asked for mummy.
* fainted *

Hopefully I will have a “peaceful” sleep tonight… =p

Whew...

Finally took up the courage to inform my parents about going SOT.

Honestly I was expecting some “big reaction” or “nagging” but thank God not at all. My first shock was both of them were calm and cool after I announced.

My second and happiest shock was when dad offered to help me pay my school fees first as he is concern I be tired to work and study at the same time. Of course I didn’t take up the offer but assured him that if really need, will take from him. At least now there is something for me to fall back on? Hee!

But of course as much as possible, I want to be able to clear my school fees on my own.

Fear Not!

Few weeks ago, I was called by principal into the office to get my pay slip. On top of my monthly pay, there were addition blessings!!!

$300 - “Stay Healthy Scheme”
This is one of the benefits LSK teachers have. For the entire 2010, I didn’t take any mc thus entitled to that

That $300 was pretty expected.
But what shocked me was when I saw another $300.
I was so shocked that I immediately asked Mrs E Tan “Oh! Why!?”.
She was shocked by my reply too. Haha!

Her first reply was “extra milo for you!” In my heart I was thinking “Milo Dinosaur?" Haha! But later she replied “to thank you for the extra mile you went!”
Awww… Awww…

Not more, not less but exactly $300 - my month installment.
That’s not it!
There was another $100 given for Hospital Insurance Benefit.
This really got me scratching my head as I’m only with LSK officially for two months and even knowing that I may or may not return after bible school, Mrs E Tan still willing to let me enjoy the benefit.

2 out of 6 installments officially settled!!!
ps: as of today… 3rd installment settled!!!

Counting

Entering into week 6... Miss Lim’s “last day” with LSK draws near.

Mixed feelings!
For 6mths, I wont be in close contact with LSK children & colleagues.

Guess it wont be easy for me in the beginning but know eventually I will be ok … “out of sight, out of mind” I hope.

f.i.r.s.t

Being in preschool field for quite some years, I ever work with Nursery for a year at the first kindergarten. After that, for many years, I only work with mostly the K1s and K2s. Recently I had my FIRST taste with the Pre-Nursery. Their age group 2 plus 3 or 3.

A group of the Pre-Nursery children are actually not toilet-trained thus they are in diaper/pulls-up.

When it comes to changing diaper, believe it or not I have never change for any until during my time @ HT Schoolhouse (~2yrs ago) where for the first time I changed for one of the children before his nap. Think I ever blogged before. Since then, I never get the chance to touch diaper again. Haha!

Entered into 5th week of school in 2011, I’m proud to say that I changed diapers till I lost count. Haha!

I started - "trembling hands" when I encountered, “pinching my nose” when I changed, “looking elsewhere when I covered the diaper” and “holding the edge of the soiled diaper” when I threw. Haha!

And now - "steady hands" when I encountered, “numb” to the smell when I changed, “no feelings” at the sight of the soiled diaper” and “full control” of the diaper when I threw too! Haha!

Plan B

Met up with Principal Mrs E Tan.
Plan B activated!

It is confirmed - wont be back in LSK during the 6mths of SOT.
After some consideration, she decided to put me on “sabbatical leave” instead of me resigning.

Even so, she didn’t give me any pressure of returning back after the 6mths. She is ok with any decision I would make, even if I decided to move to elsewhere. But she assured me that LSK doors will always be opened for me.

I’m thankful and grateful for a boss who supported me in so so so so many ways.

Now question - what’s Plan B since no $$-source from LSK during the 6mths of SOT??

Little Moment #3

Little Child Z - Miss Lim’s “shadow”

In the early weeks, probably 8 out of 10 days, the teachers at the door will welcome both crying Little Child Z and his sister (apparently cried almost everyday last year when she was in Nursery).
This year probably 5 out of 10 days but recently improved, up to no tears for the entire week. But Little Child Z still in “adjusting mode”, still cried on and off.

It used to be quite bad when both of them combined power to CRY. As they entered, both hugged tightly and CRIED together. At times the sister hugged tightly to the grandma as she CRIED to ask for a kiss. Little Child Z will then grab tightly to the sister as he CRIED too. When both being brought in by the teachers, both still tightly together and refused to be separated.

Once it turned can be quite “drama” when the sister hugged the grandma tightly as she CRIED and refused to let go, the grandma then pushed the sister (quite rough) into the school and left w/o turning back.

Lately both entered the school w/o crying BUT both still held to each other during assembly. The moment Little Child Z got to be separated from the sister, he started to cry and of course can see the sister having teary eyes.

Back in class, on and off Little Child Z still CRIED and said “I want to go home!" or "I want Ah Ma!"

Reason he is Miss Lim’s “shadow”? He will follow very closely to Miss Lim. Maybe he is a boy who needed security?

He can be quite "funny" - When he has my hand to hold, he will hold my hand. But at times when my hands are busy, he would hold my pant, my shirt and even my leg… haha!

When I left the room to prepare for snack, Little Child Z followed behind. When I left my seat for a while to other child, Little Child Z stood up and followed. When I left him during lesson time, Little Child Z ran behind. Haha!

But thank God that from “glue very closely” and refused to let me go to now able to sit alone on his own for quite a while. Am happy to see his improvement!

Reunion!!!

LSK’s first of its kind - K2 reunion!
A project initiated by Principal for the K2 of 2010.

Main focus of Principal:
1) to have a proper closure with the children
2) to let them have an “air time”
… the time that teachers talk less and the children talk more
3) to let them know they are not alone
(of the “problem” they faced at primary school)

It been just 2mths since we last see them BUT trust me, most of them looked different! Some taller, some more matured-looking and MANY lost weight (haha… transition stress?).


During the arrival time, it was “Hey! Hey!” and “Wow! Wow” from the various teachers when they see the children! And it definitely brought great warmth when the different ones greeted me but the greatest was when they gave me a hug immediately when they saw me!

Throughout the 2hrs reunion, we just had just simple activities, games and songs that kept the children occupied but the most precious moments was of course the time they have with their friends!

It was basically a day of “no government” - they get to choose where they want to sit during snack time, they get to choose where/how they want to play at the learning corners, they get to stand in “group” instead of “pair” during queuing up time! Haha!


It made me =) and -_- when I heard them shared about their life in primary school.
Some of them shared they like their new school, few shared they don’t, some said they didn’t cry on their first day/week, few said they did, some said they were afraid, few said they don’t… surprising, most of them said they have fierce teachers! Haha!


Recently one of the mothers of my ex-student from this batch of K2 shared with us that her daughter was still adapting to her new environment. She told the mum, “How come my teachers never hug my friends when they cry?”. Mum then jokingly shared with us that the things we are doing in LSK don’t know should consider good or bad cause good as we showered the children with love but bad is that when they may be upset or get some “culture shock” when they don’t get the same “treatment” in their primary school.

The reunion ended with Principal praying for them.

Throughout my years of teaching, taught many batches of K2 but this is still the first batch who I still get to see them “officially” after they graduated.

Confirmed!

Spoken to the person-in-charge…
Confirmed that “Plan A” not going to happen…
“Plan B” got to be activated…

Believe! Trust!

SAME but DIFFERENT

There seem to be quite a number of “children who needed special attention” in LSK this year.
- some “medically diagnosed” but some “suspected” cases
- some only attend LSK but some also attend special school
… early intervention, kindergarten is like a place for them to mix with others and a place for them to put what they have learnt into action.

One thing that I really salute Mrs E Tan - she never reject any parents who want to send their child who needed special attention to LSK. But her policy is that during the trial period and when accepted, one of the child’s caregivers must be present at all time, reason being that this particular child may need one-to-one attention.

Recently there was this K2 child, Child GY who seem to be rejected by other kindergartens as he was diagnosed with “Dyslexia” - according to Mrs E Tan, reason would probably be that since he is medically diagnosed, not many schools/teachers will want/know how to handle/coach/teach since he may need special attention/teaching.

Mrs E Tan accepted him for trial first. One of the days, Child GY’s mum came to the principal and asked “Can Child GY come to school tomorrow?” and when Mrs E Tan replied “Yes! Can go buy school uniform for Child GY already!”, there were tears in the mum’s eyes as she replied “Really?! Child GY can continue in LSK?!”.

My heart breaks when I heard this, who knows how much this mum and of course the child went through in search for a kindergarten.
4weeks into school, according to Child GY’s form teacher, Child GY is doing well in class and he has not much difficulties learning too.

Never “label” a child...
Never stop a child's learning opportunities…
Never despite what the child can do even if the child is “medically diagnosed”…

Sometimes when I look at the “children who needed special attention” in class, it can also be quite heart-breaking.

There is this particular Child EK in the N-class that I assist. He attends school twice a week, with his grandma with him at all times. He is medically diagnosed and is quite “severe” actually so for his case, he really need one-to-one. Reason mum sent him to us is for the area of social skill.

At times it made me =( when I see how he struggled to follow/do what other children follow/do easily - be it snack, work, queue, lesson or even as simple as playtime.
And how his friends look at him with this "why he like that" expression, esp when he screamed during lesson. I am not being disappointed with his peers cause I know they don’t mean anything bad but… but… haiz… hard to explain with words here… mind in deep thoughts when I saw that scene.

During one queue up, partner Child JW used all his mights and strengths to hold Child EK’s hand. Despite Child EK struggled and struggled. Child JW still hold on tight with his two hands, though can see from his look that he must be thinking why Child EK is like that.
Eventually Child JW gave up holding Child EK’s hand as his reaction is too massive and rough. Is a simple sight but it got me in deep thoughts again...

Whenever I look at them, especially recently - I do feel helpless at times. I don't find myself talking about my years of experience with children or people with special needs, I don't find myself talking about child's psychology or some special needs theory.

But I know something I can do and I want to do it well, very well - to love them more and to love them the way they are! =)

Done!

Registered online… Docus sent (finally!)…
Next is to wait for interview and… … I be an official SOT student!!!

Though “struggled” a little during the first two weeks being a non-teaching staff but thank God am more or less settled now.
Of course I still prefer teaching! Haha!

Will continue in LSK till SOT starts in Mar.
Have yet to talk to principal about the arrangement “during SOT“. On one hand, I do hope that she will offer me a part-time job but on the other hand that if she offer, I may not accept.

Reason being that by the time I head back to LSK after SOT class, it will probably be after school hours thus wont be able to be of much help to where they actually needed help at. Then even if she offer me to do admin, it wont be quite “hmm… hmm.. ” to me since LSK already has an admin clerk.

Couple of weeks more in LSK then it will be “the day”.

Beside excitement as “the day” draws near, there is of course bit of fear, uncertain about what’s going to happen.
One is of course in term of $$, it will be the “first time” that I may not be getting a full pay for 6mths. Even if I take up some other part-time job, it would still be different.

Yanni’s SOT Fees Fund… Yanni’s SOT fund… Yanni’s Mission Fund…
Know I very "thick-skinned" but people, don’t take seriously. Hee!

I may ask people to be my “sponsor“ for one of my installments, I may ask people to be my “sponsor” for my meals/leisure etc BUT of course all done out of fun (better clarify before my friends take it seriously or feel "pressurized"… Opps!).

As much as possible, though I don’t know how and from where but wants to pay for the SOT school fees on my own. Need to stay positive, hold on to the faith and trust that God will provide the provision.

Last but not least.. If you would love to be a blessing to Yanni through her journey in SOT, you can do so by: buying her ice-cream! Haha!
Just cheer her on and keep her in prayers! =)

Little Moment #2

Little Star #1: Little Child T (a chubby little boy, 3 years old)

Moment #1A
* during lesson time *
Little Child T: * touched his leg and spotted a small dot *
You… You see! You see!
Miss Lim: Yes?
Little Child T: I… I have pimple!
Miss Lim: * flipped * Haha!

Moment #1B
Little Child T: * out of a sudden * Where is my mummy?
Miss Lim: Oh! She will be coming later.

* shortly later *
Little Child T: Where… Where is my mummy?
Miss Lim: She went to buy something for you. She be back later.

* shortly later *
Little Child T: Tea… Teacher, where is my mummy?
Miss Lim: She be back later.

* shortly shortly later *
Little Child T: * innocent look* Where… Where is my mummy?
Miss Lim: Haha! Little Child T, you asked me many times already. Your mummy will be coming in a while to fetch you home ok?

* less than 1 minute *
Little Child T: Where is my mummy? * gave a cheeky smile *
Miss Lim: Hahaha! Little Child T…

* a while later *
Miss Lim: Little Child T, where is my mummy?!
Little Child T: * smiled shyly *
Miss Lim: Haha!

Moment #1C
* during written work *
* Little Child T started scribbling on his work *
Miss Lim: Little Child T, what are you doing?
Little Child T: * shy look *
Miss Lim: * held his hand and supported him *
Okie! Now your turn to write…
* the moment I let go his hand, he started scribbling *

Miss Lim: Little Child T! Little Child T! Haha!
Little Child T: Can… Can I help you?
Miss Lim: ??? Haha! You mean “Can you help me?”

Little Child T: * the moment I let go his hand *
Teacher, can I help me?
Miss Lim: Hahahahaha! Little Child T, you are so funny! You should say “Can you help me?”

Moment #1D
* during play time *
Little Child T: * showed me his “plane” * Tea… Teacher, you see!
Miss Lim: Wow! What is that, Little Child T?
Little Child T: Is… is aeroplane!
Miss Lim: Wow! Where are you flying to?
Little Child T: China!

Moment #1E
Mrs C: Ok, Children, go back to your seat and drink water?
Little Child T: * anxiously * Can I… Tea… Teacher… Can I?
Miss Lim: Yes, Little Child T, you can drink water.
Little Child T: Tea.. Teacher… Teacher!
Miss Lim: Yes?
Little Child T: Can… Can I?
Miss Lim: * puzzled * You mean “Can you help me to open?”
Little Child T: * nodded his head *

Miss Lim: * push out the straw for him *
Little Child T: No.. No… Can… Can I?
Miss Lim: ????
Little Child T: I… I don’t want the cute cute one (the straw), I want this (the cover)
Miss Lim: Cute cute one?! You mean you want me to open for you?
Little Child T: * nodded his head *
Miss Lim: -_-

Little Star #2: Little Child J (a Chinese-speaking boy, 3 years old)

* Little Child J’s hair styled up as spiky *
Miss Lim: Little Child J, how come your hair like that? Why stand like that?
Little Child J: * in Chinese * That time… That time when I was young… I fall down… Then then when I stand up, my hair also stand up…
Miss Lim: Haha!
ps: true story!

Little Moment #1

I =) just by looking at them…
I =) =) when I see them smile…
I “melted” when they give me a hug…
I’m happy when they stop crying...

I smile at their conversation they had with their peers…
I laughed when I had conversation with them…
I laughed my head off when they cracked something funny…
I enjoyed the time with them…


Still remembered week1, there were couple of crying children, especially after “separating” them from their loved ones.

Little Child I, Little Child T, Little Child R, Little Little Child N and Little Child G are some of the children who I managed to “calm“. And is nice to know that when they are back to school the next day, though for a while they refused to come in but when they see Miss Lim or Miss Lim let out her hand, they entered.

That’s why I make it a point to try my best to remember their names, especially those who may need slightly more attention at the start so the moment I see them at the door, I'm able to greet them enthusiastically.

There was once - after 3days of orientation, the prenursery parents were not allowed to enter thus the parents got to leave after we "take" their child over. Little Little Child N was holding on tightly to his mum and had a going-to-cry face but immediately when I saw him, I waved my hand enthusiastically and shouted his name. He looked up, smiled which for a moment melted my heart and released his mum’s hand and walked in. I’m so proud of him!

@@!

It was “physical shock” last school week.
As mentioned earlier - being with the older children for many years, need to make some "personal adjustment” when switched to working with the younger ones. It can be quite physical demanding as there are couple of things we got to help them, unlike the K2 who are more independent.

Few examples are like toileting - for K2, probably I only need to stand aside to monitor but for the younger ones, Miss Lim got to help some pull down/pull up their underwear/shorts, to carry some up the toilet bowl, to on the tap for some and to carry some.

Queue up! It can be a “nightmare” in the beginning. Putting aside counting on them to find their own partner, another would be to get them walk behind each pair. But it can be quite fun to see - just when you got Pair A into the line, Pair B wandered off, when you catch hold of Pair B, Pair A and Pair C gone then Pair D separated! Haha! Of course for the K2, I only need to give the command, stand aside and wait for them to get into their line.

Back in class - as they have shorter attention span thus to get them to pay attention can be challenging too. Teacher A is quite particular to get the children to sit accordingly on the floor but 9 out of 10times the children sat wrongly.
There was once Teacher A wanted this Little Child Z to sit back to her place, she called and called but there was slow/no movement so then I went over to carry her over. Haha!
Was joking with my colleague that by the time the children stand up and move, I think it be faster to carry them over.


And then it was a “culture shock” this week.

What shocked me was the "inconsistency" in the class. I shall not reveal much. But I guess I am just a temporary Assistant Teacher thus for now, I just got to be quiet and work. Have no "rights" to make any noise. =)

NEW journey

NEW school year… NEW school term… NEW role…
NEW responsibilities… NEW challenges

4 Jan - the day Miss Lim’s NEW journey started
Was overwhelmed by the welcome full of warmth and love from different colleagues.

Double joy - saw my mentor!!!
Just the day before school reopens, I was still thinking that “life in LSK is going to be different w/o her around” but thank God she decided to stay on (at least for now).

Week 1 - Orientation Week for Nursery to K2


Was assigned to help at one of the nursery classes.
Having to work with the older children for many years, it is really nice and fun to work with the younger ones… though it can be quite challenging for the start, especially being the first week of school.

Just the first three days, I encountered “vomit on my pants”, mucus and tears on my sleeves… Haha! Not forgetting - hands muscles were strengthen cause of carrying.

But there was great joy when you see the different crying child settled. Different strategy for different!

It can be quite interesting to be with them.
e.g I managed to quiet down Little Child M after a massive cry. He was ok when I brought him back to class. Just when he sat down, one of his friends who sat diagonally opposite him started crying then when I turned and looked at Little Child M, could see that he was actually trying, trying very hard to control not to cry. But the next thing you know it, Little Child M burst into tears! Haha!

e.g Another was Little Child T… quite similar to Little Child M. He was all ok until someone near him started crying. But unlike Little Child M who burst into tears, there flowed down one drop of tears. Awww...

On the third day of school, I felt so proud of myself when I managed to quiet down Little Child R who cried “massively” and eventually brought her back to class and even get her to do her work!

Haha!
Is not easy job ok - haha - just like how it pains the parents’ heart to see their child cry so badly … it also pains the teachers’ heart as we take them away.

Looking forward to Week 2
… the week where the Pre Nursery children arrive.