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Extra-curricular Activities For Starters

Discussion in 'Schoolgoers & Teens' started by Naari, Oct 6, 2017.

  1. Naari

    Naari Platinum IL'ite

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    Yes big peppa pig fan! Also, daniel tiger, princesses and crazy about my little pony.. We have all possible ponies in this world!:facepalm: And they all look alike to me! So if Celestia is called rarity by mistake, it's done, I get a half hour lecture from her for my ignorance and inability to distinguish:smash2::(
     
  2. nandinimithun

    nandinimithun IL Hall of Fame

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    Mine likes only peppa pig and doraemon.... she says pony isnt nice
     
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  3. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Most of the on campus afterschool activities tend to be of a little less quality, as they often cart the supplies to the school, are conducting in a classroom used by regular school teacher, or in the school forum where other activities also are going on. The kids are kind of tired after the school day, and chattering away as they meet friends. Some are having a late lunch or snack.

    It is a good option if the child is getting a break from an afterschool setup that is not very organized etc. Or, if the child herself is wanting to attend the activity.

    Until 2nd or 3rd grade, better use of any free time is reading books, visiting museums, trying out a musical instrument casually, some science & earth exploration, swimming, learning mother tongue. And, more specifically -- improving handwriting, making sure pencil is held right (teachers don't check this). And, if parents are keen, imbibing Indian culture, values through books, and other activities. At that age, my DD had a favorite Ganesha DVD from Netflix. Aiyo.. how many questions I answered.. : )
     
  4. Naari

    Naari Platinum IL'ite

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    @Rihana I recently discovered something that has rendered my whole question redundant. I have been recently volunteering in Dd’s Classroom & was shocked to discover that she is not paying attention in classroom most of the time. She lags behind in classroom activity & execution because she isn’t listening to the instructions & it isn’t one off, it’s most of the time I was there. This has left me greatly worried & upset. I was thinking of approaching you directly knowing that you are educator. Pls share your thoughts on this. I am happy to answer questions if you have.
     
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  5. sanjuruby3

    sanjuruby3 Platinum IL'ite

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    Oh.. I am feeling so much pressure right now My 3.5 yrs old does not focus on anything. She goes to school FT and I get weekend for my cleanup/washing activities. Taking her to anywhere feels work. I tried dance and yoga at home but she won't sit. I almost enrolled to gymnastics but last minute got discouraged by H so I will enroll in couple months.
     
  6. Naari

    Naari Platinum IL'ite

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    @sanjuruby3 I am seeing this ‘ short attention span ‘ amongst all kids this generation. But the degree varies. Not sure if it’s the effect of technology, various media or too much going on.

    Dd actually knows answers to questions I ask , which tells me she is bright & learning something in school but not looking up at all or not participating in circle time/ answering questions, not focusing on school activity. She is sometimes playing on her tablet & answers / interrupts in our conversation, when something relevant to her comes up which is kinda surprising again because it means she is listening to my & Dh’s conversations in her subconscious. So, that’s kind of multi-tasking. So , going back to my puzzle, why school sessions are not absorbing for her. Is she multitasking there too? Periodically listening & dreaming at same time?
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2017
  7. vidhyalakshmid

    vidhyalakshmid IL Hall of Fame

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    Please don`t sign up for too many classes for very young kids. This will build up unexplained stress in them. One or two classes are fine.
    When my DD was little we spent more time together by drawing and teaching the mother tongue alphabets. Now she is not at all allowing me to come near her and teach any thing. So spend time together when they are little.
     
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  8. sanjuruby3

    sanjuruby3 Platinum IL'ite

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    Yeah, I have noticed similar things in my kid, she looks very bright and notices things. When we go out to grocery or shop, she remembers if we have same stuff or shoes or books at home. Once I was in computers books section in book shop and far top, there was a book I had at home. To my amazement, she pointed me to that book that mummy we have that book at home, which I had not noticed in isle full of >1000 books. She does not speak much outside but notices.
    She is 3.5 yrs so not in academics per say yet. I do not get much complaints from teacher about her not noticing etc yet. But I know she is not trouble child in school, infact very shy. So I do not know how much she focusses in school But she comes and I ask her wht did u learn or do in school she won;t tell.
    Then school has show and tell, she won't sit and learn at all.I know she fails but teacher have not said anything yet..
     
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  9. Laks09

    Laks09 Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Was this your first time volunteering in her class? She probably was excited about you being around and couldn’t take in the instructions.
    I’ve had my DD’s teachers tell me that she is slightly active but when I’m there she’s through the roof. I was asked to volunteer outside of class to keep her on task.
    She’s in kinder, still getting used to the setting and probably taking time to adjust to school. I think you should write to the teacher, ask her in general about your daughter and her school work(without mentioning what you saw) and see what the teacher says.
    I used to have a mom friend who volunteered at school too and she used to give me inside info on my dd. I used to feel annoyed that I was the only mom who couldn’t go volunteer. Now, with my son, I drop him off and take off through the nearest exit, least somebody catches me to volunteer :)
     
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  10. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Laks is right that it is better to ask the teacher and without exactly mentioning what you observed. A few other thoughts in random order:

    - what you observed does not make the EC's question redundant. When choosing EC's you could find those that she likes and that need some instruction following. KG, first grade teachers usually recommend martial arts classes for this. Child might not learn much of the martial art itself at that age, but, the discipline needed and group setting helps. And they look so cute in the uniform and colored belts. Plus, the classes are usually 2-3 times a week, so change would be seen sooner.

    -first few months of KG, teacher and kids are getting used to routines. Give it until Jan. Also, teachers have so many rules, need to have rules as they are 18-20 kids in class. So, if child not following a few instructions, it is usually fine.

    - meet the teacher other than the scheduled parent-teacher meeting. you can request a meeting. keep the request casual. Say something positive and then a hint of the concern you have, and that you are looking for what you can do at home to help child do better at school. do not take child to this meeting. leave her home, not outside the classroom in the hallway so you are having to keep an eye on her.

    - two parts to such issues. Whenever you identify such an issue, there is the parental worry and there is the action to be taken. : ) The former is harder to tend to. As a mom, I would make that particular issue my project for weeks. Now I know, most such issues are phases that pass or become bearable. I wish I hadn't worried much and hadn't worried the better-half much and nagged him for being uncaring. Most of the time, these issues bother us more than they do the child.

    If she can draw like that doodle you posted, and explain it like she did, and has a mom who asks and listens... all will be well. Honestly. Not to be flippant, but a child who is too insistent on following rules and too eager to follow instructions is a bigger problem. Such child can become a tattler or bothered when others don't follow as sincerely as she does.
     
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