tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post5452272280595199536..comments2024-02-17T01:11:34.207+08:00Comments on Of Kids and Education: The true value of sportsmonlimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-35731857050720251432015-06-17T11:49:17.697+08:002015-06-17T11:49:17.697+08:00MD: Good to hear from you! Comment more often lah,...MD: Good to hear from you! Comment more often lah, then can chat :D Would you like to pm me on the FB page regarding the coach?monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-53127991536215347162015-06-17T10:42:16.387+08:002015-06-17T10:42:16.387+08:00Hi Monica
It's me again. Haha..after a long ...Hi Monica<br /><br />It's me again. Haha..after a long while, but I have been your reading your blog, just never left any comments. Oh, your FB posts too. Time flies since my last comment here. Well, my son is in the school team this year but like you have mentioned about Andre when he was in P5 (my son is in P5 now), his skills have kind of stagnated. We thought of getting him a one-to-one personal coach than to be trained in the CC in a group, on top of his twice a week school training. I thought of you; that perhaps you can introduce a good coach.<br /><br />Thanks<br />MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-92011277500820982672013-02-20T18:34:01.784+08:002013-02-20T18:34:01.784+08:00MD: Haha, I understand what you mean. I've see...MD: Haha, I understand what you mean. I've seen bloggers and once, even a journalist, use my words wholesale! So sad, critical thinking is dead in SG. Gotta resort to plagiarism.monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-16153828403190373902013-02-20T18:31:34.610+08:002013-02-20T18:31:34.610+08:00No, I was not flattered. Actually, I was a little ...No, I was not flattered. Actually, I was a little "disgusted"...it was word for word. At least use your own words! <br /><br />MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-66080257926096186602013-02-20T18:27:28.130+08:002013-02-20T18:27:28.130+08:00MD: you should be v flattered then, your words stu...MD: you should be v flattered then, your words stuck :)monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-42536077271559447732013-02-20T18:15:37.538+08:002013-02-20T18:15:37.538+08:00At least I know one of your readers read my letter...At least I know one of your readers read my letters. She commented on one of your posts using my comments! haha..<br /><br /><br />MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-70603219328440446112013-02-20T18:04:51.532+08:002013-02-20T18:04:51.532+08:00lol. I know, right? Disloyal customer here...lol. I know, right? Disloyal customer here...monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-29742670448382593342013-02-20T18:00:10.993+08:002013-02-20T18:00:10.993+08:00Haha...and yet they featured you.
cheers
MDHaha...and yet they featured you.<br /><br /><br />cheers<br />MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-9270349922497026312013-02-20T17:56:33.273+08:002013-02-20T17:56:33.273+08:00MD: oic - too bad I'm not a reader of ST, haha...MD: oic - too bad I'm not a reader of ST, haha!monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-7930646070174130542013-02-20T17:53:39.191+08:002013-02-20T17:53:39.191+08:00Will do. Err...I left "comments" in the...Will do. Err...I left "comments" in the ST Forum. A few letters. And of course, they were all about PSLE and DSA, what else! If you have read them, you would know my identity! Haha...<br /><br />cheers<br />MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-24215693669833101082013-02-20T17:45:19.474+08:002013-02-20T17:45:19.474+08:00MD: Lol, we could have bumped into each other in N...MD: Lol, we could have bumped into each other in NZ without realising it! <br /><br />Hope to see more comments from you in the future - don't be a stranger :)monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-43225669112222023332013-02-20T17:21:17.628+08:002013-02-20T17:21:17.628+08:00Hi Monica
Thanks for the quick response and a det...Hi Monica<br /><br />Thanks for the quick response and a detailed one too! Ok, will monitor and see whether I would need to drop the CC training. <br /><br />Btw, I went to NZ at almost the same time as you too! Practically visiting and eating at the same places. <br /><br />cheers<br />MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-67657478217300472742013-02-20T17:11:22.961+08:002013-02-20T17:11:22.961+08:00MD: Good to hear from you!
The thing about traini...MD: Good to hear from you!<br /><br />The thing about training which I suppose, is true with most other things, is that quality is as important as quantity. In p4 & 5, Andre went for group training at an academy 2x a week, 2hrs each on top of his school training, which was practically non existent, admittedly. However, his skills kinda stagnated right up to the middle/end of p5 when we realised he wasn't getting anywhere and signed him up for one-to-one training (1hr). That's when we saw an improvement. So in p6, we stopped group training altogether and just sent him for one-to-one, 2x a week.<br /><br />The only problem with one-to-one is that you don't get opportunities to spar with others, it's just technique. After his PSLE, we let him play every Saturday with a friend of mine who's a badminton buff and suddenly, Andre's skills surged again.<br /><br />In short, I really can't tell you what's enough - it also depends how far you want him to go. Some of the badminton niche schools train everyday and also depending on the coach, this can be useful or not. <br /><br />Maybe monitor the progress at the CC first (you probably can't escape schl training) and see if it adds real value before you check out other places. Personally, I feel the most important thing at that age is to make sure your kid doesn't lose the love of the sport because of the intensity of training. That happens quite often and is pretty sad.monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-33699799607779066042013-02-20T17:02:08.969+08:002013-02-20T17:02:08.969+08:00Hi Monica
It's me, MD. Just to let you know,...Hi Monica<br /><br />It's me, MD. Just to let you know, I still follow your blog faithfully although I have not left any comments since those DSA days. <br /><br />My youngest loves playing badminton and last September we signed him up for classes at the CC. This year (he's in P3) he signed up Badminton as a CCA and was recently selected to be in the training squad. Of course, he felt very motivated and delighted and vowed to be the best in Singapore. Haha... Question: How often did Andre go for training? My wife feels that he is having too much currently (twice in school and twice at the CC). But I figure that if he doesn't go for the training, he ends up playing in school or at the playground, which is more of the same - spending time. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-52394110125265307892012-02-22T09:46:15.568+08:002012-02-22T09:46:15.568+08:00Cecilia: Thanks for the encouragement!Cecilia: Thanks for the encouragement!monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-68384938700391670182012-02-22T08:35:43.122+08:002012-02-22T08:35:43.122+08:00Hi,
I have been reading your blog on and off and ...Hi,<br /><br />I have been reading your blog on and off and this post truly touched me alot! I can feel a mother's love and helplessness when everything is against our kid just trying their very best. <br /><br />But yes agreed that competitive sports can mould our children's character with proper guidance. God will bless us! :)<br /><br />CeciliaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-24144461527906692202012-02-08T12:40:02.700+08:002012-02-08T12:40:02.700+08:00SL: you've said it. I'm sometimes so sick ...SL: you've said it. I'm sometimes so sick of it all - the KPIs, the medals, the winning, nothing in school is just about developing the child any more.<br /><br />I guess it's up to us parents to ensure our kids have a wholesome childhood and not come out of it bitter, kiasu and narrow-minded, like so many adults I see in SG today. And our leaders wonder why Singaporeans are not more gracious!<br /><br />Chris: Thanks for the encouragement!monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-66068394418477931202012-02-08T10:12:55.376+08:002012-02-08T10:12:55.376+08:00I just love reading your post! How I wish I can wr...I just love reading your post! How I wish I can write so beautifully... Ok, dreaming aside... Andre, WELL DONE!! You have made your parents proud!!<br /><br />ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-10423288656810009932012-02-08T00:17:36.650+08:002012-02-08T00:17:36.650+08:00Another great piece of writing, Monica. I was appa...Another great piece of writing, Monica. I was appalled when the P replied when I asked why the school does not have a particular sports CCA (which has a low cost barrier) that the school's resources are focused on its few other particular CCAs - which incidentally always almost win the highest awards. From what I gather, it has something to do with MOE funding when they win those awards. Our education system does not allow our primary school kids to take or explore varieties of CCAs just for fun, pure fun. It's always about winning for the CCAs and whether you are good enough for school team, national competitions. Trials, tests are being conducted at primary school level to screen interested candidates for CCAs. Bring back the joy of joining whatever CCA we are keen in. Even in secondary school.<br /><br />I think Andre has matured and is more seasoned in competitions. Badminton is indeed very competitive. But most importantly is that he enjoys the games. Winning is good but not important unless you aim for sports school or DSA via sports. Balancing studies with sports he enjoys is a blessing of its own - to many, it's only studies and studies. Andre has a fulfilling childhood. <br /><br />SLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-86723446837956998542012-02-06T10:56:45.266+08:002012-02-06T10:56:45.266+08:00Audrey: Most schools nowadays zoom in only on the ...Audrey: Most schools nowadays zoom in only on the winning sports, which I think is sad too. If Andre's school doesn't show any results in badminton, the sport might be cut next year. I think it's a shame, considering there are interested kids but the schools don't want to invest funds in a sport that doesn't deliver medals. <br /><br />Ironically, if you don't invest funds and time, how to show results? The kids who do well in the sport are the ones who have external training, meaning the investment is from the parents. All we can do is support them. If you feel strongly enough about netball for your dd's school, I suggest you write to the school, better if you get the support of other parents. Maybe that will gain some traction. Good luck!monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-46567887791682458872012-02-05T23:24:06.704+08:002012-02-05T23:24:06.704+08:00Hi Monica,
My daughter's school VP only expec...Hi Monica,<br /><br />My daughter's school VP only expect to see achievements from the netball team. She was a little sad at his remarks as her team has not won any competitions yet. This is why I feel schools (not all) only stress on winning. They expect the child to put in so much time into training and at the same time do very well for their studies but get little or no support at all from teachers.<br /><br />Like Andre, she is slowly gaining confidence during competitions. We told her to enjoy the game and if she wins, good for the team. If not, then try harder next time. That's all we as parents can do, isn't it? <br /><br />AudreyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-26101601819004954822012-02-04T09:47:13.487+08:002012-02-04T09:47:13.487+08:00Thanks, QX!Thanks, QX!monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-5495359240592354222012-02-04T00:44:59.603+08:002012-02-04T00:44:59.603+08:00Well done Andre! You are enlightened and with wis...Well done Andre! You are enlightened and with wise parents behind you, you are in good hands.<br /><br />qxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-22930533512164977572012-02-03T15:50:14.285+08:002012-02-03T15:50:14.285+08:00Jo: I think you and your hubby have the right spir...Jo: I think you and your hubby have the right spirit and because of this, your girls will probably enjoy swimming for life. Maybe you'll even inspire other parents at the pool!monlimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397210688200284987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109681525590028536.post-87975521819939961412012-02-03T15:19:22.521+08:002012-02-03T15:19:22.521+08:00It's v important that the child enjoys the spo...It's v important that the child enjoys the sport if they want to do it long term. I have heard of so many top swimmers who burn out by sec sch. I have seen pushy parents at the pool scolding their kids. There are kids that train as early as K1 ! When my dd started at P2 she was considered "late" already...<br /><br />To my husband & I, the true value in sports are the health benefits, discipline & sportsmanship & what my husband calls the "fighting spirit". In the 2 years we have gone through good & not-so-good swims by our daughters & we learn to rejoice in the performance bests and learn from mistakes made.<br /><br />To parents who ask us, for how long will your daughters train? We say, as long as they are happy doing so.Jonoreply@blogger.com