8 月 2025

分類
家長園地

幼稚園上/下午班,應該怎樣選擇?

資料來源:註冊教育心理學家彭智華

家長即使未到十居其九,也有十居其七八也想孩子讀上午班。孩子和家長一起起床,一起出門上班上學,也可以午睡,學習比較好。基本上,大家對讀上午班的期待會高一點,但是會遇到甚麼問題呢?

但是幼兒,特別是K1或N1的小朋友的睡眠時間可能多一些。因此,早上起床時可能產生不少情緒問題。在這情況下,家長即使不情願,也應讓孩子讀下午班。不是因為你申請不到上午班的學位,而是刻意申請讀下午班,原因是甚麼呢?

原來夫婦二人很晚下班,可能7時後才回家,然後跟小朋友玩到12時。親子時間是很寶貴的,你覺得學習時間重要,還是親子時間重要?第二天早上可以睡到11時,其實跟午睡沒有分別。因為由晚上12時睡到早上10時,足足10個小時。換句話說,就算沒有午睡,也可以有足夠的睡眠質素,還有充足的親子時間。

如果申請入讀上午班,而孩子又不願起床,將來就要循序漸進地適應。可能由10時起床,慢慢到9時半、9時、8時半,還有叫他起床時是有數個技巧的。曾經有一個個案,叫他起床時不是叫醒他的腦袋,而是叫醒身體,包括按摩腳部、叫醒腳部、叫醒肚子、叫醒背部,然後叫醒手腳。再加上充足的光線,拉開窗簾,再開電視機,然後加上早餐的氣味,最後才叫醒他。如果有喜愛食物的氣味,香噴噴的話會更容易令孩子起床。

家長要有兩手準備,一方面不要必然覺得上午班才是好,另一方面如果因為某些原因要讀上午班,起床的時間加多些循序漸進的步驟,以及多感官的刺激,令他最後才是以意志醒來。因為最擔心他的意志醒來,但身體未同步,就會非常辛苦了。

分類
家長園地

給膽小鬼孩子

Written by: Mr. Leung Wing Lok, the Octopus Parent

Earlier during the summer vacation, I let my child participate in various extracurricular activities. My eldest son, Hei Gor, and his kindergarten classmates took part in an outdoor activity venue located in Tai Po called “Tree House,” which has grasslands, farmlands, fish ponds, and more, allowing them to get close to nature. The highlight of the activity was climbing up to the 5-meter-high treehouse. Hei Gor, known for his timidity, would get weak in the knees and sweaty hands even when standing by the glass railings in shopping malls. Standing at a height of 5 meters, he said, “Oh… I thought there would be stairs to go down from the treehouse…”

Hei Gor was afraid to descend from the treehouse and was ‘mocked’ by the coach

Under the guidance of the coach, parents helped their children put on climbing safety gear, ready to climb up to the treehouse. As the parents climbed following the coach’s instructions, the children felt reassured seeing their parents demonstrate and followed suit. After Hei Gor climbed up to the treehouse with step-by-step guidance from the coach, he began to regret it, not knowing how to get back to the ground. Having to hug the metal pole and ‘play firefighter’ to slide down (although he was suspended by a safety rope) was a huge challenge for him. No matter how I coaxed and instructed him, and regardless of how the parents and classmates on the ground cheered him on, Hei Gor just braced his feet against the tree trunk and refused to approach the metal pole.

The coach let the other children land first, one by one. Some were playing with smiles on their faces, some were crying out of fear, but all landed safely. Only Hei Gor was resolute in his refusal. The loving coach kept coaxing Hei Gor in his unique way, saying, “You are 100% emotional, be a little rational, and don’t be scared.” Hei Gor said, “No!” The coach suggested, “How about the parents below… (I thought he said: applaud to encourage him) How about raising money together to buy a refrigerator and air conditioner for Hei Gor to spend the night in the tree house.” After hearing this, Hei Gor cried out even louder, “I don’t want to spend the night here.” I thought to myself, “Education is a sacred and solemn task. If you don’t know how to teach, you’re in big trouble.”

Overcoming Fear, Parents Feel Relieved

The coach continued to Hei Gor, “You see, your aunt is heavier than you, and she landed safely. It’s okay.” Hei Gor laughed through his tears, “Dad is the fattest and heaviest!” At that moment, I wanted to jump down from the tree house. Despite several attempts, the coach talked about politics, Wong Tze Wah, the property market, and songs by Danny Chan, to which Hei Gor said, “I don’t know what brother is talking about.” When all the children had gone up and down once, and some had started their second round, Hei Gor and I were still enduring the high temperature for over half an hour, “watching”. In the end, I lied that his brother would slide down with him, and let him buckle the safety belt, Hei Gor held the iron pole and slowly descended. The process and landing naturally involved continuous crying, and the first thing he did when he landed was to hug his mother.

Hei Gor took a rest and suddenly said to me, “I was really scared.” I took him back under the tree and said, “You climbed up to the tree house all by yourself just now, which is very high, and you did a great job. Although it took some time to come down, you have succeeded no matter what, and there’s no need to be afraid anymore. Would you like to climb it again next time?” Hei Gor replied, “Yes, I want to!”

Hei Gor, you are timid, but your courage to overcome your fear of heights certainly makes your parents relieved. However, it is your overcoming of fear and expressing the hope to climb up again next time that makes me proud. (Although you might cry and make a fuss again next time).