chickens... in diff styles and poses

chickens... in diff styles and poses

From TODAY, Voices

Monday December 15, 2008

 

By Melvin Tang

 

THE other day, after putting my son to bed, I entered my bedroom to find it a scene of desolate despair, hopelessness and surrender. Ok, I exaggerate, but essentially, it was the look on my wife’s face.

 

She had recently tried to enrol our 2-year-old in daycare. However, during her “chat” with one of the “Einstein-producing-factories” — admittedly one of the more popular schools — a member of the staff didn’t even bother to hide her laugh/scoff/you-must-live-in-a-cave-in- Pulau-Unknown disdain, as she explained to my wife that my son needed pre-nursery “education”. Unfortunately they were fully booked until the next Ice Age and had a waiting list of 200 eager toddlers.

 

We soon found out we were late and some “schools” are booked just as the baby’s head is crowning.

 

This got me thinking, what’s with the pre-everything?

 

My colleagues tell me their kids are taught to read and write at four, in both English and Chinese, and that’s because the school encourages (read: demands) such early learning to prepare the child for what’s expected of him or her at the next level.

 

And so, by Primary 1, he’s expected to be writing proper sentences, reading books and conversing eloquently in two languages. I looked up “Primary” in the dictionary and discovered it is defined as “ elementary: Of or being the essential or basic part”; and as far as I know, 1 is the first number after 0. So what Primary 1 really means, in my interpretation, is the first basic essential education your child requires.

 

PRE- IS FOR PRE-SSURE

But what about pre-primary? Well that’s just preparing for Primary, which is the first basic essential education your child requires. And Nursery? Well, that’s just preparing for pre-primary. So in fact, it’s pre-pre-primary. But when does this stop and is there an evolutionary chart that plots the emergence of pre-primary and pre- pre-primary?

 

What should I be expecting next? Pre-natal education?

 

It’s incredible that even before babies can learn to be toddlers, they are being prepared for the pressures of the year ahead because that in itself is insufficient preparation for the year ahead of that.

 

Just last night, as I read my son his favourite bed-time storybook, I looked at the pure innocence and amazement he expressed as I turned each page, and wonder if I should be reading him books meant for 3-4 year olds instead, just so by the time he gets there, he can start on his 10-year series.

 

I chose instead to pick up his favourite toy car and “vroomed” around the room with him until he fell asleep on my chest, still gripping the winning car from a race he will always win.

 

I SAY: Pressure-cooker Babies

From TODAY, Voices

Monday December 15, 2008

 

By Melvin Tang

 

THE other day, after putting my son to bed, I entered my bedroom to find it a scene of desolate despair, hopelessness and surrender. Ok, I exaggerate, but essentially, it was the look on my wife’s face.

 

She had recently tried to enrol our 2-year-old in daycare. However, during her “chat” with one of the “Einstein-producing-factories” — admittedly one of the more popular schools — a member of the staff didn’t even bother to hide her laugh/scoff/you-must-live-in-a-cave-in- Pulau-Unknown disdain, as she explained to my wife that my son needed pre-nursery “education”. Unfortunately they were fully booked until the next Ice Age and had a waiting list of 200 eager toddlers.

 

We soon found out we were late and some “schools” are booked just as the baby’s head is crowning.

 

This got me thinking, what’s with the pre-everything?

 

My colleagues tell me their kids are taught to read and write at four, in both English and Chinese, and that’s because the school encourages (read: demands) such early learning to prepare the child for what’s expected of him or her at the next level.

 

And so, by Primary 1, he’s expected to be writing proper sentences, reading books and conversing eloquently in two languages. I looked up “Primary” in the dictionary and discovered it is defined as “ elementary: Of or being the essential or basic part”; and as far as I know, 1 is the first number after 0. So what Primary 1 really means, in my interpretation, is the first basic essential education your child requires.

 

PRE- IS FOR PRE-SSURE

But what about pre-primary? Well that’s just preparing for Primary, which is the first basic essential education your child requires. And Nursery? Well, that’s just preparing for pre-primary. So in fact, it’s pre-pre-primary. But when does this stop and is there an evolutionary chart that plots the emergence of pre-primary and pre- pre-primary?

 

What should I be expecting next? Pre-natal education?

 

It’s incredible that even before babies can learn to be toddlers, they are being prepared for the pressures of the year ahead because that in itself is insufficient preparation for the year ahead of that.

 

Just last night, as I read my son his favourite bed-time storybook, I looked at the pure innocence and amazement he expressed as I turned each page, and wonder if I should be reading him books meant for 3-4 year olds instead, just so by the time he gets there, he can start on his 10-year series.

 

I chose instead to pick up his favourite toy car and “vroomed” around the room with him until he fell asleep on my chest, still gripping the winning car from a race he will always win.

 

Santa and Jesus

 

Santa lives at the North Pole. Jesus is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh. Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year. Jesus is an everpresent help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies. Jesus supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited. Jesus stands at your door and knocks and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa. Jesus is as close as the mention of His Name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap. Jesus lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is, "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"

Jesus knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address, too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our head.

Santa has a belly like a bowlful of jelly. Jesus has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is "Ho, ho, ho!" Jesus offers health, help and hope.

Santa says, "You better not cry." Jesus says, "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers makes toys. Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle, but Jesus gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under the tree, Jesus became our gift and died on the tree.

 

It's obvious there really is no comparison. We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about. We need to put Christ back in Christmas. Jesus is still the reason for the season.

 

May the Lord bless and watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas. And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year ahead.

 

JESUS is the reason for the season!

Santa and Jesus

 

Santa lives at the North Pole. Jesus is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh. Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year. Jesus is an everpresent help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies. Jesus supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited. Jesus stands at your door and knocks and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa. Jesus is as close as the mention of His Name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap. Jesus lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is, "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"

Jesus knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address, too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our head.

Santa has a belly like a bowlful of jelly. Jesus has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is "Ho, ho, ho!" Jesus offers health, help and hope.

Santa says, "You better not cry." Jesus says, "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers makes toys. Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle, but Jesus gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under the tree, Jesus became our gift and died on the tree.

 

It's obvious there really is no comparison. We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about. We need to put Christ back in Christmas. Jesus is still the reason for the season.

 

May the Lord bless and watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas. And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year ahead.

 

From TODAY, News

Thursday December 11, 2008

 

Jurong BirdPark’s upgraded Waterfall Aviary exhibit offers visitors a peek into the flora and 1,500 free-flying birds of the world’s second largest continent. Like the African tropical rainforests, the exhibit simulates the natural habitats with high cloud forests, mangrove swamps and a 35-metre-high net ceiling that gives the African birds more space to fly. Weary visitors can rest at the ‘suspension bridge’ and ‘African Hut’ amid the lush landscape and exotic fauna.

PHOTO COUR TESY Wildlife Reserves SINGAPORE 

 

Jurong Bird Park improvement

From TODAY, News

Thursday December 11, 2008

 

Jurong BirdPark’s upgraded Waterfall Aviary exhibit offers visitors a peek into the flora and 1,500 free-flying birds of the world’s second largest continent. Like the African tropical rainforests, the exhibit simulates the natural habitats with high cloud forests, mangrove swamps and a 35-metre-high net ceiling that gives the African birds more space to fly. Weary visitors can rest at the ‘suspension bridge’ and ‘African Hut’ amid the lush landscape and exotic fauna.

PHOTO COUR TESY Wildlife Reserves SINGAPORE