Last night Charles threw a tantrum again. He said he could not do chinese homework and he simply could not do it. We really had a tough time coping with his negativity. He screamed and shouted and even refused to take his dinner. He said we ruined his life by asking him to study Chinese Language and he said we do not love him. I told him "God helps those who help themselves" and if he does not help himself by trying, there is no way we could help him. He was displaying "learner helplessness" symptoms whereby people will stop trying even though they have the capabilities to do so. For example, a dog which was zapped by electric currents when it try to cross a line will not cross the line even though the electric current was switched off. They had learned through negative reinforcement that they would meet with obstacles and they stop trying.
Later in the night at 8 plus, I fried an egg and heated up the leftover rice for the boys as they did not take Hokkien noodles at 6 plus. Told them not to eat so many garlic bread when they came back from school but they refused to listen. Dinner time and they could not eat. Joe said to ration their bread? wondered how he would keep track? Will try to cooperate with Joe so that the chidren know that we work together as a team in disciplining them.
At about 9pm, charles came into the kitchen and asked if I could cut him an orange. He then told me that he got a F grade for one of the assignment for chinese Language. He was not taught and he felt terrible. He said he could understand and does his English work but simply could not do well in Chinese language. I told him not to give up he could do well if he does not give up. If he is good in English language, he can do well for chinese as well. Hope he will have more success in the chinese language, Maybe to tution him myself so that they will feel more confident. He is simply too smart for his age. He knows what he does well and what he doesn't. Well! According to the IQ tests done by DAS, both my sons have high IQ. I think it's essential we help them to overcome this fear for chinese language so that they can take flight in their lives.
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Hi Serene, as you wud ve noticed by now, I read your blog from time to time, esp now that I ve more time on my hands as Shan started cc. abt 2 months ago. Of coz I cannot keep up with your entries as you are a prolific blogger!!
Well, recently I read that dyslexia runs in families... Is it ok if you share with me what are some early symptoms with the twins? You can email me. Hope to hear from you in private correspondence :)
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