My Son's First Teacher

When my sister suggested that I should transfer Riley into a private school, I ask her what's wrong in a public school? She said "Wala matutunan si Riley don!"

That's the biggest misconception about public school. Just because it's cheap and doesn't come with aircondition rooms doesn't mean wala nang matutunan ang bata. Ang gusto ko lang naman kay Riley e matutong sumunod. My problem with riley is this: for example, when his teacher ask them to get their yellow notebook, he will get his blue notebook. Not because he doesn't know what color yellow is, but because he just wants to get the blue one! In short, yung gusto nya ang masusunod! That was Riley in the first few days of school. But I am seeing improvements and I know he will master the art of obeying in the following days. 

Riley on his first day of school

I will admit that my son's classroom is crowded. Therefore his teacher is not able to check every student's work. But it's ok with me. Para ano pa na nagkaron ng magulang ang bata kung iaasa lang natin sa teacher ang edukasyon nila? Public or private, we as parents should be our children's first teacher. Hindi lahat maituturo sa school. Education should start at our very own home. Morally or intellectually, it should always begins from home.

As for me, I am happy pouring all my knowledge to my son. He still amazes me. Magugulat na lang ako minsan, nkagawa na siya ng animals using his blocks. Or nkapagdraw na pala siya ng happy face. And the latest discovery is nakakasulat na siya ng letters without tracing. Tinawag na lang niya ako at pinakita ang sulat niyang A. The good thing about kids is you can teach them kahit hindi sa scientific way. I mean Riley learned colors by his car! Tatanungin ko cya anong kulay ng car mo? And from there, natutunan na nya ang diffent colors. Pati pagbilang, he learned while playing his toys!

He spends most of his after school time making these

 

He has a poster of animals and he will look at it and copy the letters.

Riley imitating the face he draw! Haha!

So you see my dear sister Janice, it doesn't matter if Riley is in a public or a private school. He has a teacher in me and he will learn regardless of what his school is! I am my son's first and forever teacher.

11 Days of Summer Class

Last April 30, Riley's summer class ended. I thought I would have to drag Riley to go to school but in the duration of his class he only complained once. I was just glad we finished it and I am sure now that my son is ready for school. With this summer class, I learned a lot of things also.

For one, Riley is a normal kid! LOL. I thought si Riley lang ang may problema sa pagkontrol ng emosyon nya, until I saw one of his classmates punch his very own brother in the face. Hard. I also thought Riley cries a lot for his age. Nah! I saw one of the kids cry non-stop while having their class. One kid cried too when one of her classmates sit on her chair. I also saw some kids who cling to their mom so much. They didn't want their mommies leave the classroom. Most of the kids like to play only during class. Our day  by day experience made me realize that Riley is not that bad. I mean some kids are worse. So when Riley is being difficult I just calm myself and remind myself that it's normal!

Here he is with his very patient Teacher Mhay.

The second thing I learned during his summer class is that Riley needs a lot of encouragement. I always took a peek while he is inside the classroom. I would observe him during class and I saw that he doesn't respond to his teacher's question. It bothers me because he knows the answers to the questions. I know because I always ask Riley and he answers correctly every time. He knows all the colors, shapes, letters, numbers, body parts and animals. He knows the sign of the cross. He knows how to answer questions such as What's your name, How old are you, Where do you live and What's the name of your mother, father, lola, etc. He even know how to count. Sometimes I will ask him how many cars do you have or how many toys? And he could count correctly. I don't know if he's shy or he just doesn't hear the questions? That's why I always told him to always listen to his teacher. And to not be shy! I know how hard it is to be one because I was extremely shy growing up. My last word before I go outside and left him at class is "Huwag kang mahihiya. Kaya mo yan!" And day by day I saw improvements on him. I won't get tired encouraging him.

There he is while his teacher checks on his notebook

As much as I could, I don't meddle with their activities. I let him get his things and do things himself. I just observe from afar. I am just happy that he is getting more comfortable with his teacher and his classmate. This school year, I only have high hopes and positive outlook to Riley's education. School Year 2014-2015 ready ka na ba kay Riley?! :)

First Ever Summer Class - success!

Summer Class

It was Riley's first day of summer class yesterday. It was no big deal. You know, children go to school eventually and it will be part of their lives for say, 20 years? But I don't know. Something about preparing his baon, buying his first composition notebook, and leaving him in a room full of kids his age make me sentimental. Ganito pala magpaaral ng anak ano?! Parang nag-aaral din ako! Hehe. I was nervous for him. I was praying na sana hindi siya magtoyo. And sana hindi siya mabored at sabihin ang mga katagang "Uwi na tayo mama." Because once Riley utter that phrase, I know I lose the battle. :D

Well, he didn't get bored. At first, he sat at the floor. But after a while, he sits properly at the chair. I don't know if he's listening to his teacher or his mind is somewhere else! I don't blame him but I know pretty soon he'll get used to it. :) 

Riley: Mama hindi pa ba uwian?

Riley survived his first day! And by the looks of it I think he likes school. But this morning while I was waking him up, he said "Ayaw." He said "School madilim. School sarado!" Hahaha! Day 2 and he is already making excuses not to go to school! I told him "Bukas ang school kaya gumising ka na." I left him to prepare our breakfast and when I came back, he went back to sleeping! Buti na lang, konting bola lang (na pupunta kami sa bayan later) and I was able to shake his sleepiness completely. He likes the school, it's the waking too early that didn't appeal to him. Afternoon classes for him then.  

Good thing he went to school today. He gets to share his crayon to his classmate Yuan! I know he'll learn more in the coming days. Not just intellectually but also socially. He is learning how to share. How to meet new people. Learning new songs. Interacting with other kids. School is fun! That is the most important part -  knowing Riley is having fun. And I am happy that Riley and I are able to share this moment. :)

What are the odds that his teacher has a Jollibee stamp like this?
This is Riley's favorite thing about school! 

First Day of School

Last week, Riley went to school literally but not technically! It's just that I had a training as a Financial Advisor (will blog about that sooon!), and someone has to look after Riley. So it's decided he would go with his ninang and get to sit in in her ninang's class. I SPECIFICALLY told my sister to take tons of photos of Riley while he is at school. I don't know with other parents, but this is momentous to me! This is history in the making for me. So I want to witness it kahit sa picture man lang. Kaya lang tatlong pictures lang ang kinunan ng ninang nya! (boo!) Oh well, when Riley goes to daycare next year, I will post at least a hundred photo of him! That's a promise! ^__^ 

In case you're wondering the ONLY three photos my sister took, here they are: 

First day of school - precious!