Gaming Kids

There are many reports that state the negative effects of computer games have on kids. There are also times where kids have died from over indulging in the ecstasy of the online gaming world. Other much reported adverse effects of these online games have on kids include promoting violence, cultivating social isolation, dampening attention deficient (deficiency) disorder, creating unreal expectation in kids and the inability to differentiate between what is real and what is virtual. It all seems bleak from the parental point of view as to how kids can be refrained from this unhealthy world of online games.

However are online games all bad news? Basically, there are only very few stuff that are all bad and online games are not one of them. There are in fact many goods that can come out of online games such as creativity, competitiveness, alertness and even fruitful careers among others. The underlying problem here is that kids are not properly guided to benefit from this new and exciting media of online gaming environment.

Take for example driving cars. As there are countless road accidents that resulted in fatalities, does that mean driving on the road is all bad? Isn't it good for a bully to learn self-discipline through martial-arts trainings? Conclusively, one should not look only on the surface of a seemingly problematic endeavour like participating in online games. One should learn to work the good out of it to gain all the potential benefits. Do you agree? Please comment...

Luxury and Kids

The best for kids is not to let them have the best. Moderation and average breed appreciation. When kids indulge in constant luxuries, luxurious pampering will be regarded as norms. Luxury will then rob off the innocence joy of simplicity of life from kids.

For example for a cup of hot beverage like hot chocolate or latte, to enjoy it is to have it in an expensive joint like Starbucks, Coffee Bean or maybe an upscale cafe but never in an open stall. I have come across teenagers who refused to go out with friends with non-designer jeans.

However, luxury is relative. Some view Mercedes Benz as a common car while others might view it as a luxury. It is somewhat educational to guide kids to differentiate luxury from the average base on the financial standing of the family. On the other hand, it will be much much more beneficial if kids are able to appreciate simplicity from the sophistication.

Occasional luxury can do wonders in building a close and meaning family ties. Constant indulgence in luxury will bring upon more harm than good for a kid. Do you agree? Please comment...

Kids' Integrity

Recently a couple of teachers commented that the answer sheets for multiple choice questions (MCQ) were deliberately designed in such a way as to make copying difficult for exam candidates during exams. This had triggered the juice in my grey matter to flow and it kept me thinking about integrity, a value we valued greatly from others but seldom from ourselves.

Honesty, the basis of integrity, was once thought to be the best policy. However, nowadays, honesty no longer enjoyed that status anymore. At times, honesty was even regarded as stupid or inappropriate. When there was no honesty, how could integrity exist?

How should our educational system promote integrity? How should one instill honesty within a child? For me, leading by example is the only foreseeable approach. People around our kids, namely the adults they can and should trust, must live by example. Do you agree? Please comment...

Tuitioning Kid$

In this part of the world where I live, tuitioning kids are a very lucrative endeavour. Income from tuitioning kids on part-time basis usually exceeds the income of a common full-time job. When tuitioning kids become the full-time job, income is only second to the top management salary in the corporate world.

This dollar issue has somehow led to a very serious problem. Any Tom, Dick or Harry and Auntie, Siti or Mary suddenly become a 'legitimate' tuition teacher. Unquestionably some are highly qualified teachers, very experienced and truly dedicated in aiding kids in the process of learning. However, most are jokers and know nuts about teaching or even the requirements of the syllabus.

I have come across a tuition teacher who conducts tuition sessions with a ratio of one teacher to sixty students! I have also encountered countless people with very limited education conduct tuition sessions even for students preparing for major public examinations. Sad to mention also, much too often tuition teachers have problems solving even basic homework questions from school.

This is 'money over everything' kind of attitude. Who cares whether the kids are really benefitting from their tuition classes? As long as parents are paying, there will always be willing souls to tuition their kids, for one reason or another. Do you agree? Please comment...

Kids... BEHAVE!!!

Teachers often complain that kids nowadays are just not like yesteryears. It is said that kids just can't sit still and pay attention in class. Lots of abusive names like monkey, moron, stupid, dirt bag, good-for-nothing etc..., were uttered simply to quench the anger and frustration within. If one has no joy in their undertaking, how can one be effective in it?

I guess the problem underlying the situation above is in the understanding of kids. First of all, kids are not supposed to just sit still and pay attention in class. For those kids that do sit still in class periods after periods are definitely not normal psychologically. Kids are supposed to be actively engaged with the elements of their surroundings. They are curious, active, lively and noisy. Though they can sit still but their attention span will not last as long as most teachers would like them to.

With that said, it is the job of teachers to engage kids in their teachings in class. There are times when kids are expected to sit still and pay attention on the blackboard and there are times when kids should be allowed to participate in the learning process through meaningful activities. When the lessons in class start to arouse and satisfy their curiosity, when the lessons in class start to become fun and engaging, when kids start to look forward to their lessons in class, then and only then will teachers win over their kids in class to 'sit still' and pay attention. Do you agree? Please comment...

Ah... KIDS!!!

A teacher stormed into the staffroom, complaining and cursing as she slammed her books onto her table. Obviously, she was infuriated. The kids in her class must have caused her extreme anger. After her anger subsided, she asked herself if it is worth her effort to continue teaching those brats. This question got me thinking as well. Is it worthwhile teaching kids?

By looking at it, the word 'teach' should not be the focus. Basically teaching is not effective until a child is influence with the wisdom gain from lessons, may it be for the good or for the bad. Therefore, with this shift in focus, it is an extreme honour for someone to have an opportunity to influence kids in their growing years. Anyone, may it be a school teacher, a student leader, a religious leader, a coach, a relative or even a parent, who is given the honour to instil a rightful influence into a kid should treasure the opportunity. This may be the single most important contribution anyone can have for the betterment of humankind. Do you agree? Please comment...

Unteachable Kids

Is it true that there are indeed kids that are unteachable? The teaching profession is constantly being reminded that there are only teachers who do not know how to teach. Personally, I have witnessed many teachers struggle to hammer in new knowledge into kids under their guidance. Some are successful with certain kids but never have I notice any particular teacher that is successful with every kid.

There is a saying in Chinese that if a cow refuses to drink, no one can force its head down. Applying this into our classroom, if a kid does not want to learn, no one can force him or her to do so. While this is correct in some way, I feel that the main challenge in teaching any kids is not in teaching itself.

The main obstacle or to put it in a better perspective, the main catalyst in teaching any child is how to motivate learning so that when teaching begins, the will to learn is ready to tap in. Therefore, unteachable kids are simply kids that are not motivated to learn. How then, can kids be motivated to learn? Is motivating kids to learn the sole responsibility of teachers? Please comment...