Forest School Reflections Part 1

Reflection on the Forest School Singapore article on 'Japanese Forest Kindergarten: Thoughts from Atsuko Sensei' and 'Why Planned Inconvenience?'

Reflecting on the article on Japanese Forest Kindergarten. 

https://forestschooleducationseries.wordpress.com/japanese-forest-kindergarten-thoughts-from-atsuko-sensei/

I fully agree on the part about parents being on board with the philosophy and working together with the educator to support the program. Imparting knowledge and communicating with parents is very crucial not only for the child, but for the whole family's growth and well-being. I love how Atsuko Sensei said the philosophy became the strength for raising kids and giving back to the community. I think we really need that here, to empower parents to educate and nurture the children in our community. 

I have a question about being drop off at a young age. I think before a certain age, there is a natural attachment with parents and depending on individual child, we cannot be sure what is the best age for drop off. I feel very sad to see children (babies) are being drop off at infant care/ child care at far too young an age. They grow up prematurely without healthy attachment to their parents and family, and we are doing this in masses and its as though that's  the way it should be. Any child not in school by age... lets say 2 is considered odd. Parents also believe they are not capable to educate their own child and education should be out sourced to a professional institution.

With my own experience with my children, each grow at their own pace and we have to respect their emotional attachment need. As a parent, I also wanted to share first hand experience in the forest with my child and not listen to their stories after. As an educator, I feel parents should be very much part of the space so that they are part of their child's growth and learning experiences. I am curious how it will look like with different age group of children as a drop off program, and how parents can still be very much part of that village that raises the child. The nature group that I run for the homeschoolers have always been a co created space with the parents. Maybe it's the briefing I give prior to the meet up or the fact that homeschool parents generally are present and more willing to give their children the space they need to explore and grow, so far our nature program have been quite smooth and children have been given the respect and space to explore the forest and grow. But I am open to learning and understand why it has to be drop off.

Reflecting on the article on 'Why Planned Inconvenience?' 

 https://forestschooleducationseries.wordpress.com/why-planned-inconvenience/ 

Living in Singapore, not many realise it but we are a super efficient, almost perfect country where everything works, no shortage of electricity, water, public transport on time, safe, super super conveinient.

No complaints about this, I am grateful. But growing up in Malaysia and travelling the world a bit myself, I see that this reliance on convenience may become a problem for my children. That is why I constantly travel back to Malaysia and travel to less developed countries to allow them experience the inconvenience of life. We start to grow when there is inconvenience. I believe there is merit when we accustom ourselves to hardship.  When there is a shortage in electricity, we learn to be creative and work with what we have. When there is a shortage of water, we start thinking about others and use less water when we shower, we wash things and start planning ahead to see if there is enough water for everyone to use. What is essential and what is not essential.

When the train breaks down, or our bus is delayed, we learn to be creative and think of other ways to get to our destination or if really cant help it, we learn to be patient and wait. 

I feel this is when our brain starts thinking and working. Our characters are strengthen when we think of others, think of ways to solve the problem. 

In Singapore, it's a little difficult to find inconveniences, but being in the forest helps to remind us to let go and accept the seemly inconveniences. However these inconveniences is actually the key to inner happiness, something that is good for our soul.

This year is a year of learning!

After 2 decades of motherhood, I have decided it's time to take steps towards my dream of establishing a school. A school with a real difference. 

So this year I am taking both a Master's in Education and a Forest School Diploma! It sounds crazy, but I need to do both, and the timing seems to be right, so here I am, deep in the mud, literally.

The first 2 weeks have been really tough. I doubted myself, asking whether I am qualified enough, whether I have enough experience, whether I am cut out to study again. My brain feels so rusty, and I struggled to cope with the expectations of the Master's. It's one thing to study, it's another to be homeschooling a kid, managing a household of 6, plus commitment to neighbourhood community building endeavours. And on top of that, I am struggling to keep up the energy to do all the above while fasting. ( It's the Bahai fasting month.)

I have been running a homeschool nature co-op group for 9 years now, so forest school diploma should be a walk in the park, oh so I thought. I realised that while I was running the program over the years, I myself wasn't really immersed into the forest myself as I was more observant of the kids and trying to connect with them, thinking ahead of risk/decisions to make/how to guide the group. Since last year, I felt that I was at a standstill, like what else can we do? How can we go deeper into the forest, and how can we connect more with Mother Nature? I wanted more, I feel the need to deepend myself and grow while I guide others.

The first session of forest school diploma training was surprisingly tough. I was too conscious of myself, I felt I should be connecting with the forest but I found myself thrown into the situation... without control of the environment and unable to see what lies ahead. A range of emotions swelled up, and I became scared, as if I was in the forest for the first time. At one point, I felt tears coming into my eyes, which I tried to hold myself together and kept them in. Maybe I should have let it out, all the bottled-up feelings, empty my cup so I can start experiencing and learning.

I feel like if I tell other people of my feelings at this point, it would be like "You ask for it ma!"
Yes I asked for it, I have to survive this no matter what. I need divine assistance to pull through this year! God please help me!

Gap year Worldschooling

Our family of 6 is embarking on a year long journey to travel the world to learn and to serve and volunteer where possible. Where this idea came from was the fact that we live in Singapore. A small red dot on the map of the world. Dont get me wrong Singapore is an amazing country! In a short span of 50 years our nation was transformed from a small, backward, fishing village to one of the most properous and advanced nation in the world. 

The founding prime minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew had a vision for this small island. And he was the one responsible for putting a small island on the map of the world. Being a small country, we do not have land or any resources. The resource that Mr Lee capitalised on was Human Resource. The people. I always knew we are fortunate to be living in Singapore and growing up in Malaysia, I appreciate it more. But my children grew up most of their years here and not intentional but we take a lot of things for granted. Simple things like having continous uninterrupted electricity, having fresh flowing drinking water from the tap, having efficient public transport system, free schooling, clean streets and environment, homes to live in....etc. We are blessed, owning these comfort to our founding fathers.

My parents transfered me to study 'overseas' at a mere 10 years of age, seeking a better English based education in Singapore. Every day we board a yellow school bus and carry our passports to cross the causeway. Being independent and studying in a foreign country at such an young age gave me a great exposure to the world. I am thankful to the education that I have received through some of the most amazing teachers that have inspired me till this day. 

There is so much merit to traveling. To move is an innate instinct in humans. To move from one position to another is the most fundamental characteristic of any living thing. And to move is to change. And Abdul Baha, the son of the prophet of the Bahai faith said that : “Change is a necessary quality and essential attribute of this world, of time and place.”. The reason that change is necessary, He explains, is that “the world of existence is progressive”. So to progress we need to move, we need to change for growth to occur. 

Growing up into my teens and young adult years, I have always loved to travel, to see the world. As a Bahai we often get to travel to different states of Malaysia and neighbouring countries to participate in camps, conferences, musical tours, volunteer work as a English teacher and so on. With each trip, I grew and gain so much. With each experience, my maturity grew, my vision and understanding of the world grew and in return I found my interest and my strength and that made me who I am today. 

After getting married and having children, it did not stop us from travelling. I would wear my baby in a baby sling and bring him whereever I went. Even though a baby is seemingly not able to comprehend the travel we took, I realised the effect of travelling with a baby is much deeper. He doesnt remember the experience when he grow up but the experiences actually form part of him, he absorbs the culture, the language, the way of life. I am certain that that will make him more able to relate to others and have a connection with the different places he visits and people he meet. 

Fast forward 17 years later, my eldest son finished his secondary school and realised that he does not know what he wants to do. I told him to take his time to think about it and if he is not ready, take some time off and just experience life, find his strengths, interest and find out which direction he wants to go from here. Dont need to follow the rat race and keep up with everyone. Being the one who attended school his whole formative schooling years, he does not have much time to ponder much about what he wants to do when he grow up. I try to support him in his hobbies and interest in Piano, Speed Cubing, Sports...etc but he is not too sure which of this is something he wants to do as a career. 

Some time ago, I also did a calculation that the year 2023 is the 1 year that all of the boys are able to take off to travel together. Tristan finished O-levels and if we wait till next year he has to either start tertiary or enlist himself in compulsory national service in the army for the following 2 years. Trevor my second boy is still homeschooled (technically I dont teach him, so I would say he is unschooled or no-schooled!), he can take a break off formal schooling and do some lessons online then come back after a year to continue. Tyler my 3rd by is primary 4, he is in school. Following years are a little more crucial as he needs to prepare for the all 'important' Primary School Leaving Examination - PSLE. Travis is 5 and happy homeschooled/unschooled. So after much consultation with Chris and the boys, we have decided to take a year off together to travel to a few countries around the world. To travel, learn and serve the community we visit. Later only I found out that there are many families who does this on long term basis. They are nomads, sold their home and travel and mostly work via an internet connection from any parts of the world they decide to stay in. These families call themselves Worldschooling families. 

We started our journey on the 3rd Novemeber 2022, and here we are almost 9 months and 5 countries later. All I can say is that we are different people now then when we first started. These travels have enriched us with appreciation of what we have and that really, our life in Singapore is very much like a bubble, outside Singapore, life is not that easy nor perfect. But all these imperfection are also an important part of the enriching experiences we had and sought. I am humbled my these experiences and what made our journey the most memorable is the amazing people whom we have met along the way. They made the difference. More on our adventures campervan-ing in Australia, Serving in the Lotus Temple in India, Surfing on the beaches of Vietnam, Travelling on speed train in South Korea and Volunteering in schools in the villages of Cambodia. 

 #TohFamilyTravels #TohFamilyAdventures #Worldschooling

Jeon Ju, South Korea. Gyeonggijeon Shrine.

We are back to homeschooling a Preschooler and a High School kid.

Yes! My 2nd boy is out of school, first big question I faced is WHY? Why did we decide to take him out? How are you going to homeschool secondary level? What is going to happen next? 

Well, I thought 2 years of homeschooling a Primary kid in P5 & P6, ended in PSLE. Maybe I thought  since he is a little older, a little more mature to handle whatever stress school, and I am convinced I can never do secondary school stuff anymore, we decided going back to Secondary school was the only option for him. On top of that I was also convinced that those who are homeschooling in Singapore in the High school years are taking foreign curriculum which will end up leading to tertiary education overseas. With 4 kids, that might not be the most affordable option for us. So up till last year this time, homeschooling secondary level is out of the question for us, and so I thought.

My son attended 1 year in a local government secondary school in 2021. I think he got into reasonable good neighbourhood school which I thought was suitable for him. Not too focused on academic, his school teachers were nice and were quite observant of him. First few months he slept early, woke up on his own and took public bus to school. I was happy that he was motivated and happy to go to school. First 2 months was quite fun as they have orientation, fun activities and trying out different CCAs and getting to know new friends. However as the months go by, I can see this excitement dimed. He started waking later and frequently late for school, dragging his heavy 8kg bag to school everyday. He kept repeating that he do not want to go school. But at that point, I told him we do not have a choice he has to try his best to accept and settle into school. 

My 2 homeschooled kids-
Trip to the zoo .
 

Months went by, I see that he is getting more and more exhausted and everyday after school, he will dive directly into his computer games and escape from reality. This behaviour continued and soon, I hear feedback from teachers about him not handling in his work, forgeting to bring things, day dreaming in class. The same feedback I had when he was in Primary school. I also started to notice his unwillingness to go out with us, constainly feeling tired and not wanting to socialise and hang out with family. He rather be in his own virtual world. He also started developing tics, an involuntary movement of the facial muscle that is probably caused by environment stress or triggers. 

Here we go again, looking for help. went to see different Drs, psychologist...etc. One year of schooling has done a lot of damage. ( Yes damage is the suitable term here.)

He cant explain why he feels this way, he just dont like school. But he says most teachers are nice, he has friends, he like the school food and recess is his favourite subject. The worse subject for him is the one with the longest period. I guess for kids, they just say they dont like it. but unable to elaborate or understand why.

I put myself in his shoes, and tried to understand what and why he feels the way he does.

He says he tries to listen to what the teacher is saying, but after a while, he just cant anymore and switches off and do his own thing.

I felt... he must have felt suppressed. He needed to move to learn, he needed to do things to be engaged. He is not a 'sit down listen to lectures' person. And I think sit down, be quiet and listen is not the best way to learn and some people just can not learn this way.

He spends about 8 hours in school, but he is not learnning much. And ends up becoming withdrawn, moody, irritable, depressed, cant sleep well and exhibited signs of anxiety and stress.

I think there is nothing wrong with him, or nothing wrong with school. It just does not suit him. And there is no point for me to fight the school system and trying to medicate him or make him fit into this box that is not meant for him. He is unique the way he is. 

So after researching, planning and talking to many people, we have decided it would be best for him that he learns in an environment that is more customised to his learning needs. Homeschooling beyond primary is actually a viable option in Singapore with options for certification and continued education in local tertiary institution and overseas. 

After fighting a battle for the last one year, trying to find out what is wrong with school, what is wrong with him, dealing with many pyschological and emotional challenges, I found peace that we decided to take this step. I am not sure what the future holds, but I am hopeful it will turn out alright.

Finally out of Hibernation! Some thoughts on Homeschooling and Education .

Inspiration way passed midnight.

I have some random questions in my mind which I have been thinking about.

Why do kids say they are not good in anything?

Why do kids feel they are bad at certain things?

Why do kids get bored easily?

Can kids be motivated to learn?

When I tell them I took my son out of school to homeschool at P5. 

People either say: "wow.. You can la! I can never teach my own. I will vomit blood." 

OR

"Wah, you must be very good in all subjects huh?" 

OR

"You mean its possible? Is it legal?" 

OR

Some might probably think that I am crazy and I am ruining his life!

There is so much so much misconception of how children learn and how children are actually naturally curious and want to learn. It is us.. and our one size fit all system that put this fire out for the kids. 

I homeschool my boys, but I don't teach my boy much. You must be wondering.   Then how does he learn? 

Children naturally want to learn! So if we do not interfere with nature, they will learn even without me teaching. 

My role is more like a facilitator and a manager. I plan and manage his curriculum in collaboration with him and his needs and interest. I help to organise educational experience that will feed this interest and further develop his skill and ability. I support their learning. It is only this year where we prepare for the national exam that I had to step in to teach the specific skills and knowledge needed to pass the examination. And some I engaged good tutors to assist.  Yes homeschool kids can go tuition and they can take classes from others beside their mom. But in Singapore, a child who is a citizen, cannot enrol their child in a private full time institution like a private school. 

A visit to Victoria Concert Hall.
(Picture taken before Pandemic.)

So... Point is education can be twitched to fit the child. And homeschooling provide the space and time for my boy to grow and learn holistically. And through this, he is discovering himself, his interest, his passion, strength and knows what he want to do in life. And also he knows his family well and though we sometimes argue but we have a good talking relationship. Very rare to be on good talking terms with tweens or teens these days. 

Did you know what you wanted to do when you finish secondary school?

We are asked to follow and we are being fitted into the standardised good student that anything outside the standard means we are not good, not smart or not successful. We dont have much time to explore our interest because we have fixed program that we have to attend, heaps of homework to do and lots of after school tuition. We are being dictated what to do. In the end when we do conform and fit in..  We loose ourselves. No wonder most are clueless of their strength and what they want to do in life. Because the formative years are being used to accessively push the child towards academic success, which is the accepted norm of what success look like. Anything outside is considered a failure. 

Further into life we see graduates who are placed into their fields because of society expectations and of motivation for monetary gains instead of truly realising their strengths and potential and really loving what they do and knowing what they do best. This is when fulfillment is very low and we end up having high rate of depression. 

This is a very vicious cycle... And it needs to begin with a good, balanced education that respects the child as an individual. To see the future through the eyes of each and every unique child, each having some amazing to contribute to the whole. Instead of having a system who filters the kids who do not fit in and decide their life for them from a very young age. 

God willing we will be able to recognise this and move towards a greater ever advancing civilisation with the right kind, true kind of education which will unleashed the latent powers of our children for the betterment of the world. 

-->Will write about the other questions another day.

--> And stay tuned... I will be updating on my 2year journey of Homeschooling a P5-P6, PSLE kid in Singapore.

-->Our chapter for Homeschooling in the primary years will be closing soon. But homeschooling a 2.5yr old will begin soon!

#HomeschoolSG

#HomeschoolingSG

#FreeToLearn

#UnleashPotential

#BettermentOfTheWorld

#EverAdvancingCivilization

Fear Of Missing Out

Advertisements are everywhere!!?!?! We are slapped with so many statements to tell us we are not good enough, we need what they are offering to feel happy, to succeed, to be rich, to be able to fly???

Facebook, youtube... everywhere I turn is showing me what they think I am interested in... For my case is educational related ads. Firstly I am being tracked.. Hhmmm not comfortable with that.

Secondly these ads.. It makes me feel I am not doing enough for my kids or they are losing out and will not get a headstart in school if I dont sign them up for the math class, the psle course, the make your child focus... Brain training... Etc...

It taps on our fears of missing out. Apparently theres a term for it. FOMO.

But why?... Is it ok if 6 year old is not reading yet?

Is it ok if my 10 year old doesn't sit and focus when we do math?  Can he lie down on the ground to do work? Can he be learning when playing?

Do my kids need to go for every enrichment classes there are? Ok.. This I got sucked in... I worked out my expenditure for the kids enrichment programs... And i saw the grand total... OMG..  Way way too high. But its for 3 kids.. So.. Hhmm not to say its ok.. I am thinking what is necessary. Should we continue sending because we can afford it? Is it necessary? I need to constantly reflect and review our priorities... Because I have some FOMO too... The influence is too strong.. I can ignore once.. Twice.. After a while, I start clicking and signing up for free trials.  Need to focus.. And control... If not our lives will be taken over by someone else priorities.

Another question is aren't they learning math in school? Why do they need tuition? If tuition works... Why do they need school??

This fear of missing out I feel is because...

Number 1: We believe ALL children must learn the same things at the same time. So if your child is not walking by a certain age.. He is losing out.. If he is not reading at a certain age... He is going to be behind in school... And that is bad... Because his future is going to be ruined if he doesnt do well in school!!!?!?!..

Number 2: We categorise learning into grades.. By primary 1, a child MUST learn this or that.. He dont need to learn science, because he needs to focus on building up languages first... (an example).

What if he is interested in the world around him.. Do we tell him, dont need to learn that now.. Because you are going to learn that few years later. And when the 'time' comes.. .. his curiousity.. his interest would have died.

We are all born to be creative, its not a gift or talent that only a few are bestowed with.

Reason why creativity slowly dissapear is because we tell kids... This is what u need to learn to pass the exam and that would mean that u are successful. Don't need to learn anything else because it is not in the exam syllabus.. Or if u are doing anything else other than studying for exams.. you should feel guilty and you are wasting your time.

Someone shared with me that... Many Grade A students end up working for Grade C students. Got me thinking... Why? Because grade A students is busy learning by the book and studying for exam.. Where grade c students is busy playing.. Catching spiders.. Imagining.. Dreaming.. About other things. And this time spent dreaming.. Thinking.. Playing.. These experiences makes him different from the cohord of students coming out with straight As from the factory (aka schools). (excuse the generalisation.. just my opinion.. And putting a point across. Great if you are those who can do both... :) ..

This day dreamer will be able to think creatively.. To problem solve... To go beyond required and pursue his interest or invent something.. Or.. I dont know.. The sky is the limit.. Or maybe there's no limit anymore.

Just something for me to reflect on... And sharing a message.

Beware... For we will fall into this trap, and feel inadequate. Reflect and ponder often, what is our values, what is necessary, what is more important in life.

Views on learning and education.

When we first move to Singapore, I often regret about the move. Leaving begin comfort and familarity.  But after 4 years, looking back, I realised that we were destined to move here. Things have happened along the way that have changed the way I look at things. My experiences homeschooling a toddler-preschooler, experiences in forest school, having met so many amazing homeschooling families from all over the world in Singapore and now homeschooling a primary 5 kid. The people I have met, have inspired me and truly treasure these relationships I have. 

My views on learning, parenting and life in general has changed. I now see schooling and society at large from a different perspective. Briefly, here are just some of my realisation. 

I have come to understand the following...

• Education is compulsory but not schooling
• Schools were create right about the same time when prisons are created. 
• Homework has not been proven to help improve grades or knowledge.
• Grades are not an accurate reflection of intelligence. 
• Being able to read and write does not equate to intelligence. 
• Children are naturally curious and love to acquire knowledge. Not just when they are baby,toddler or preschool ages.
• Children are self motivated if given freedom, space and time.
• Each child develops at their own pace and have innate potential.
• Children can learn through play
• Children can learn better through play
• Children learn better outdoors. (proven by research--will see if I can find the reference) 
• Resilence cannot be developed through textbook or man made situations.
• Letting go is hard but once I have started letting go and respect the growth and development of the child, I started to see magic. They begin to take charge of their own learning, I can see them bloom like a flower. Their innate potential and personality started to unfold and reveal itself.

Here are some of my learnings from these few years and especially these few months of homeschooling. I feel that I am just at the beginning of my journey or rather our journey. Please feel free to comment and share your views.