I have children from different background at my learning centre. There’re 2 cute Japanese girls newly enrolled this month for maths class, age 5 and 7 years old each. Since they’re from Jap-Msia Chinese parentage, they are studying at international school, which has different syllabus from our normal primary schools.

However, their mum insisted that the two girls study Std 1 and Std 2 maths, which after 2 weeks of coaching by myself, I found that they’re having a tough time to cope. Their mum (a sui lai lai) however thinks that the children will benefit from it.

I tried to explain the girls learning stage to their mum, but she insisted on the levels and asked me to take more time teaching them. I just don’t understand why the girls have to study something beyond their abilities now. Exp, the 5-year-old still can’t spell one to hundred (which normal 5-year-old can?), but the Std 1 exercises required her to do so; and the 7-year-old can’t remember multiplication by heart, but the Std 2 exercises already reach division. Mana boleh buat?

I personnally don’t think kids should do something which is too hard for them. I think as parents we should know what can our children do, and only encourage them to try something harder. But if they can’t do it yet, there’s no point forcing. Won’t the children feel insecure and doubt their own abilities if they’re being “challenged” by failures / hardship in their school works? Or will that made the child a better / brilliant kid? What’s your view?

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