COVID-19 has changed lives; the pandemic has directly affected our education systems worldwide. Online lessons and studying-from-home have not only become the norm for learning, but will also become the next trend in education. Online learning demands high level of independence and self-determination. When parents try to accompany their children to cope with the new learning mode that is online, there will certainly be pressure and challenges along the way. For this reason, Kuen Cheng High School held a Talk from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 with a special topic on Learning and Progressing amid COVID-19 Pandemic. And, it was specially prepared for the parents of Junior Middle Two students. Speaker of the day is our beloved Ms Tee Wan Chin, the Assistant from our School Counseling Department. Ms Tee graduated from National Hsinchu University of Education, Taiwan. She is not only a popular guest speaker of our local radio station – two of Love FM’s favorite programmes: “Not Difficult” and “A Story of Heaven”, she has also been giving counseling lectures to independent Chinese secondary schools, primary schools and community societies that open invitations for workshops to the general public.
First of all, Ms Tee started with an activity for the parents. She taught them how to make origami. After hearing that, many parents were caught off guard by the upcoming challenge. But, as soon as they followed the lively video guide and the explanations well-prepared by Ms Tee, many parents gradually accepted and felt much comfortable to the art of making origami.
Up next, Ms Tee shared with the audience different styles of learning of different students. Some students learn from the visual schools, some from the auditory ones, and even some from the tactile schools. She also shared that during online learning, parents must remember this “three fights and one let go – in Chinese 三打一放”. Firstly, build a good relationship; secondly, create a right environment, and thirdly, take good care of life. In order to have a good relationship, parents must initiate a conversation and chat with their children. Parents must try to be creative to come up with interesting question or topic to talk to their children every day. This may not only be able to help to enhance the understanding of their children, but also promote a close relationship.
Parents must coordinate and understand the limit of using 3C devices, namely the computer, consumer electronics, and communication products of their children. Not only that, parents can learn to guide their children in creating a learning environment that is good for concentration. In terms of taking good care of life, parents can discuss with their children an appropriate daily life schedule. This part requires the children and parents to spend time making necessary adjustments. Do not neglect the children’s needs other than schooling. Parents must understand their children’s performance. Do review the progress and offer encouragement to their children from time to time. Lastly, Ms Tee shared that every stage of growing up is a stage for parents to relearn as well. When a child is learning to grow independently, parents should also be learning and willing to let go. Parents must be very clear that letting go does not mean indulging. Parents should also learn to guide their children, teach them how to communicate well, cultivate trust, and no matter what, parents will be supportive and be there for them always.
Towards the end, Ms Tee said that she was very touched by the good participation and the active response from all parents. Many parents gave thumbs-up, and some of them had even rated the Talk 100%, a total positive evaluation and warm support to Ms Tee Wan Chin as well as to Kuen Cheng High School!
