Writing

Every mother tends to compare their children's achievement. I am no exception. I always have the perception that Jesslyn is slower than Jerilyn academically. At 27 months, Jesslyn still can't recognise all the 26 letters and numbers. She mixes up animals and colours. Nevertheless, I have never been anxious with that. Is it because Mummies usually have higher expectations from the 1st child? However, being born in December, something has to be done to prepare her for school life. She has less than a year before she joins a montessori next year. She will be put with the 4yo while she is barely 3yo. Will she be left behind? Will she be bullied? Will she be prepared mentally, emotionally and physically for 4yo classes? Below is 1 of the beginning 'official' lessons I just had with her. I had to prompt her a few times to complete the exercise as after circling each number, she says "Finished". (how lazy) As compared to Jerilyn, she has better grip than her sister. She is steadier when it comes to writing. One could hardly see Jerilyn's writing when she was this age but Jesslyn pressed the pencil so hard that it looks like she will puncture the paper. When it comes to talking, she can babble non-stop. She can be very arrogant and demanding. For example:

• She asked for a pencil and I gave her a colour pencil, she scolded "Hey, I said pencil what?!"


• I asked her to pass a paper to her sister, her reply was "You take it. I am holding a pen."(both her hands were occupied).


• Jerilyn snoops at her at work, she instructed (just like the way I do) "You do your work."


• She scribbled her own flesh and asked "Eh? Who did this?" I pretended to be ignorant to which she proudly said "It's me!"(pointing at herself)


• She seeks attention by making sure that her pitch is 1-2 levels higher than us esp when we are engrossed in conversations.


• She doesnt like to be disturbed when doing her big business. She says "Dont disturb me. I want to poo-poo. Go away."

Random Thoughts

One fine day, I thought to myself: Jerilyn needs more pants for school so, I bought 2 pairs as shown in the photo. However, to my surprise, she pushed the idea away when I asked her to put 1 pair in her school bag. She said "Later, people will ask me 'why you wear pajamas to school'." Therefore, 'til now, she only wears those pants to bed.

Jerilyn can be quite a persistent salesperson. About a week ago, Jesslyn was down with flu. At first, I let it be hoping that the flu would subside itself but after a week, we decided to bring her to the dr. She was given some syrup and as expected, she didnt want it. All of us tried to coax her into taking including Jerilyn. This was what Jerilyn said: "It's delicious Mei2. Yummy. See. I also drink." Jerilyn took a sip from the cup and put he thumb up. After a few tries, Mei2 bought her idea. Jerilyn added "Drink it. It's ribena." (Yup, the syrup was red like ribena). I am amazed how persuasive Jerilyn can be.

Jesslyn learned some of Jerilyn's skills including persuading people. However, her's is more like commanding than persuading. For example, the time when Jerilyn had an ulcer in her mouth and medicine was necessary to heal the ulcer. Since young, she was afraid of it and I had to use force every time I applied it. When it was time for her to spit, Jesslyn taught her sister what to do "Spit. spit ar. spit into the basin..... ah... good. ok. good girl. spit. add some water."

In this house, the two girls are bossy in their own way and time. When it is playtime, Jerilyn, who is more innovative, will lead the game and tell Jesslyn what to do. When it is 'I want it this way moment", it's Jesslyn's turn to tell her sister what to do.

As for academic development, Jerilyn hasn't learnt much from school. I believe the kindy doesn't emphasize on academic achievement. Generally, so far, she has learnt to write A to G, counting and writing 1-3 and few lines in Mandarin, which of course she knows very well. I am not very satisfied lessons are carried in the sense that kids at this age should be given more input than output. So far, there is not much story-telling, nursery rhymes and reading. Before they write, they should be taught to read. In conclusion, I am sending her to another kindy next year. At the moment, I have to make up to the kindy's shortfall.
Jesslyn has just begun to show interest with alphabet and numbers. She still cant recognise all the 26 letters but she has more interest now. When we go out and she spots a 'F', she will point to us.