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So anyway, I was queueing to renew my Jusco loyalty rewards card. Picked up a copy of their newsletter Jusco Pearl, flipped through and saw an article with the above title. Okay, I thought, let’s see what I can learn.
It’s not a bad article. And like most of what I read these days, it’s all quite common sense when you read it, but would not have consciously thought of it or doing any of what’s written, without reading it.
In the 2-page spread article, amongst the points of protection from (emotional) dangers, words of comfort, etc; the second last point for fathers to note was titled “Paint a vision of my future.” In a nutshell, it advocates instilling a can-do / encouraging attitude in one’s daughter, that a “consistent expression of uncertainty about his daugther’s future can potentially damage his daughter’s self image“. The what-not-to-do example offered was this:
A father might tell his daughter “Don’t worry about doing well in math, it might be too difficult for you.” Not only will the daughter very likely associate math with inadequacy, but all her other classes will suffer as well. A father who resolves to cast a positive vision for his daughter’s future and affirms her with words of hope and promise for their daughters will help her reach her fullest potential.
Caitlin has a laptop-shaped alphabet toy present from a previous birthday party. Each time the store room door is opened, she can see it and pleads to play with it. Our response has been “It’s not for you yet, you don’t know all your ABCs yet, wait till you know all your ABCs first!”
Are we making the exact same mistake with her??
Photo taken while shopping at the KL Twin Towers
4 responses so far ↓
1 Moomykin // Jun 26, 2008 at 8:34 PM
I understand what you mean. Some toys are just a little more “complicated” for a child to manage. BUT actually you’ll be surprised that she’ll be doing real well with it.
You can run a test. Give it to her for a week. Monitor her using it, help her play with it and teach her how to store them properly (just make sure all the pieces are in).
I bet it’ll improve her ABC!!
Moomykins last blog post..More Adventures for School
2 Lia // Jun 27, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I think its a common mistake to say things like that, I know Im prone to that, as well as Cuddly Daddy.
Lias last blog post..whew!
3 Cheong Mei Ling // Jun 27, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Agree with both Moomykin & Lia, let Caitlin try. She’s very bright and observant. A child will surprise you with their abilities. Let her explore and learn. Let her decide what she will do with the laptop. This will fine tune her to be innovative and resourceful; highly useful survival skills for the E-generation. Ooops forgot she is 3 going on 4….do tell me how this experience turns out
4 Ann // Jun 27, 2008 at 10:28 PM
My mum always tells me “Do not ever underestimate your child!”
I think we should always challenge our kids to greater heights and not allow the label on the toy or our preconception of things hamper what our child could possibly achieve.
My mum is a school teacher and so I know she knows what she is saying.
Anns last blog post..Majestic Weekend
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