Zech attended the programme, 'Adventures with the little bat' for 5 days every morning from 11.30am to 1.30pm. This programme focuses on cultural immersion using lots of dramatization, songs and play. No word recognition and writing at all. Cultivating interest in learning and encouraging the little ones to speak in Mandarin is the key goal in the programme.
On the first day at Chengzhu, I was really impressed with the high standard of cleanliness for the N1 and N2. This playground is just outside the N1 and N2 classes and is solely for the younger ones to play.
The classrooms look very well-maintained and clean too which is very important for young kids. Class size was capped at 10. Quite reasonable. There was a teacher assistant with the teacher. Throughout the week, I could see lots of interaction between the teachers and the kids. The glass panel on the door of the classroom allows parents to see what is going on. The teacher shared stories, poems and songs to keep the kids engaged. What I really like was the use of dramatization. The teacher would dress up as the little bat while the teacher assistant dressed up as other insects. The lights were switched off and the spotlights turned on to resemble a theatre. Very cool I thought. The setting captured Zech's attention.
Although there was no writing, there was Chinese ink painting. Felt it was good exposure for Zech. The teachers helped the kids quite a fair bit I think.
At the end of the day, 5 minutes before class was over, the teacher would come out and brief the parents who were waiting about what was done and the overall progress of the kids. Didn't expect this at all. After the class, the teacher was very approachable whenever I asked about Zech's progress. She sounded experienced too. In fact, I noticed the teachers in all the N1 and N2 classes were consistent in delivering the lessons. All the teachers were very lively and expressive. No wonder the kids were intrigued.
On the last day, what impressed me most of all was the half hour open class for parents to sit in and watch the kids perform. A day before, the teacher had briefed the parents so we knew what to expect. During the half hour open class, I could see that the kids were well trained in introducing themselves and presenting their class performance. Though Zech was not confident enough to complete his speech (he could only manage one line), the teacher was encouraging and prompted him till he was done with his introduction. After all the kids were done with their introduction, they presented the stories, poems and songs they have learned in a week with the teachers. Very entertaining for the parents!
The hol programme at Chengzhu Mandarin Centre was a very positive one for Zech. Since then, I've been reading the stories of the little bat and singing the songs together with him almost every night.
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