my lil'Chomel

Over here it is a norm almost compulsory for every nursery or kindergarden to put up a school concert where all the kids (our beloved children) sing, dance, recite poetry, act and etc for their proud parents. Me inclusive.

On the "big" day, I cooked and fed Jon earlier because he has to be at the hall by 10.30 am (the concert starts at 12.30pm). Pack some food for him in case he is hungry and off he goes. Settled things at home, have lunch and rush to the hall. Phew, we were just in time for the first opening performance.

When we got into the hall, the principle told me that Jon cried earlier and that they will send the kids to the hall after the performance. My heart sank a bit. I was preapring myself mentally that I might not even see Jon on the stage (if he is still crying and try to be difficult). So when the youngest group went up... one by one lined up... hmmm.. where is Jon.

There he is almost at the end of the line. He was smiling and chatting with his friends. Phew. The kids looked so cute! They presented a poem "Mummy, Daddy, I love You" and sang 2 songs with actions. No acting what-so-ever. I don't think anyone in their sane mind would want to train a bunch of 2+ to 3+ year-old kids to act. I can see a lot of effort has been put in just to remember the words and actions.

(sorry the pictures are a bit blur. Daddy wanted to use the camera too)

(Happy mummy and Jon having his sausage bun after the preformance)

I was just so happy and proud to watch him perform (and not scared of the audience). He remembered all the actions. Muah muah...

"Teacher, teacher, I want bananas". Jon has been starting his sentences with "teacher, teacher" a lot lately. No, I'm not jealous. But sometimes he addresses me as "teacher, teacher". I'm just worried that he gets me and his teachers confused. I wonder how the teachers are coping with his "I want..." at school. And when Hubby comes back from work, he'll go "Daddy, daddy".

Just to make sure that Jon didn't forget his mummy, I asked him, "where is mummy?". He pointed at me and said "Here". Ok... still remember mummy, checked.

• Jon was not talking much or sometimes not talking at all
• I was encouraged by Hubby's cousin's son (isit Jon's cousin?) who went to a playschool at the age of 18 months. But I think it was a full playschool - just play for 3 to 4 hours (which we don't have it here unless if you go for Tumble Tots or Gymboree). And he was doing well in school.
• the principle and teachers at the nursery were so motherly and the kids there was so obedient and cute

In Dec 2007, at the age of 2 years and 2 months, Jon started school. The nursery was having some sort like holiday camp because the schooling session has not started. Jon cried the whole 3 weeks (last week of the month is full of public holidays). Refuse to go to school. Got attached with the principle's daughter because she was the one entertain Jon. Sleep in school a couple of times. At the end of the 3rd week, Jon refuse to leave school when I went to pick him up!

Jan 2008, Jon still couldn't pay much attention in class i.e. running around, taking other kid's things and playing with the ball. But the teachers were optimistic and comforting. I was nearing paranoid stage wondering why my son couldn't sit down and pay attention like other kids. That was when I called my friend and he made me realized that we were not talking or reading enough or doing some activities with him.

Feb 2008 - now, Jon progressed well much more than we have expected. He is

• able to write (he loves writing), colour, sing and watches his ABC vcds
• able to comprehend and follow instructions
• beginning to display distinctive characteristics of his own. And a bit of temper throwing here and there (which mummy will come running after him with a cane... hehehe... no la. Just light spanking if it gets out of hand)
• diaper free during daytime (ahem... still working on the poo part)
• able to count 1 - 20

So, now for the mid-year assessment (Jon's age: 2 years 7 months).

"Jon has develop a sense of self-confidence, able to understand and communicate in English, develop skills in pre-number activities... ... ... . He is able to hear the sounds in words for blending, building and reading regular words from the letter sounds"

Overall, he got a B-. I was like waahh... B- only ah. Hahaha. Mak bercita-cita tinggi pulak. They have high grading system la. Hahaha. I am just so happy, from nearly failing (for my level) to B-. A quantum leap I would say. I am glad that we decided to send him to school (I decide, Hubby OK in paying).

Can't wait for year end concert cos I think he is reciting something. It goes like this "Mummy, Daddy, I love you!...." and I can't really make out the rest of it. LOL. But it is OK. Those 5 words always never fail to bring tears to my eyes.

• Sometimes, he doesn't like people touching his things (toys, books).
• Like I mentioned in previous post, he doesn't like people to hold his hand (to be led la... hmm... leadership qualities? kekeke... now I sound so kiasu)
• Doesn't like to be shout at or scolded (I normally raise my voice to firmly state my instruction... menurut perintah ok?)
• Love to explore (touch everything he sees even though when you say "No")