Who is taking examinations, parents or children?

When asked when he was having his examinations, the boy would just reply without even a second thought, "Ask mummy!". Does that sound familiar?

It is common to find parents, in particular the mother, getting more anxious and stressed when their children are having their examinations. The children do not seem to be too bothered by them at all. Is that desirable and does it really help the children?

I think there is something unhealthy that has crept into the education culture in Singapore. Since the children were young, the parents have been trying to spoon-feed them too much without paying much attention to training the children to be independent and self-motivated in studies and learning. The children, therefore, have been conditioned to just take instructions and be told what to do. They would not even take initiatives to do things on their own. I think parents should allow children to learn to take personal responsibilities in their studies. This takes time and progressive effort on the parts of the parents and the children.

Parents! Take heart. There are many successful students whose parents are not highly educated, let alone teach the children school subjects. I feel that parents should teach the children learn how to learn and guide them to stay on the right path. Encourage children to find one or two study buddies in school. Perhaps, after school, they can come together, do homework, discuss the lessons taught and learn from each other what they have missed out in class. Should there be anything that both of them are still not sure, ask the teacher in class in the next lesson. If the children are able to do this, frankly, there is no compelling need to send the children for tuition even.

Gradually, the children would become more disciplined and take personal responsibility for their studies and school work. Isn't this what parents and schools are hoping to achieve? But, I think many parents are simply thrown off-tangent by the competitive nature of education here in Singapore. Parents, take it easy! Give your children an opportunity to change for the better. There is a book that has changed the attitude of many students, you may like to purchase a copy at the local bookstores or click HERE to order.