Rachael has started her new "adventure" by going to full day Childcare since 1st July. The initial 3 days were ok until last Monday, she refused to go up to the school bus. She cried and screamed and wanted her "gong gong" to go with her. Without any choice, my dad went to the school with the granddaughter. He called me when they were at the center and said she still refused to go in. I talked to her and found out that she does not want to wash her hair, so I assured her that she does not need to wash her hair there. But still, she kept crying and without further hesitation, the surpervisor - Mrs Khoo "grabbed' her into the center. Mrs Khoo called me later in the morning and updated me that Rachael soon settled down and joined the classes after 10 minutes of crying. She also spent almost an hour to soothe Rachael and tried to find out Why she cried.
Rachael eventually told Mrs Khoo that she does not like the way the "teacher" washes her hair and also does not like the school bus because it is small, noisy and there is a person always wearing black blouse (the school-bus lady helper) whom she does not like. She also said she does not like the Chinese lesson. (It is because she felt left behind, she is not familiar with most of the strokes and writting whereas, other kids already can write well.)
This went on till Wednesday, she refused to take the school bus and go to school. Mrs Khoo advised us that it could be better for us to send Rachael to the center than by the school bus. It could be too much for the little gril to cope - full day in the center, eating all by herself without feeding, taking nap in a totally strange evironment, bathing and putting on clothes by herself...... So, we decided to bring her back every night after dinner at AMK and send her to the center in the morning.
In the night, before sleeping, Rachael will tell me that "The new school is no better for me." But we kept telling her that it is better as she can make new friends, learn more things and learn how to be independent. So, last Thursday I brought her to the center by taxi. As an encouragement, I brought her to Mac for Breakfast (which she likes). We talked and joked and everything went fine till the last mouthful of harshbrown was swallowed. She started to move to my side and whispered that she does not want to go to the school. Tears already welling up in her eyes. Then, she started to create a scene when I forced her out of Mac. She pulled me so hard that I could not even make a step forward. Her crying alerted Mrs Khoo (the center is very near to the Mac) whom came out and helped me to bring Rachael in. But Rachael kept crying and refused to let me go. She kept saying she wanted to talk to me but could not utter a word properly. I decided to let Mrs Khoo to take over and then turned and walked out to the center. I knew the longer I stayed there, the longer she will cry. True enough, her crying stopped after 5 minutes and she joined the assembly and then followed by classes without throwing any tantrum.
Then next day - Friday, Mike and I brought her to the center. This time, she tried her best not to shed a tear. She said "I promised not to cry." We quickly put up our thumbs and said "Good Job!" (Rachael kept saying "Good Job" at home and we learnt that it was Teacher Eunice whom said these words to them when they have done something well. Since she likes to be praised and needs assurance, these 2 words are useful.) She was happy but we could still see tears in her eyes...... Then we left only when she walked to the breakfast area and out of our sight.
Today (13 July), she entered the center with no tears, only smiling face. She did not even hold me back, she turned and waved goodbye to me once she took off her shoes and stepped into the center. I hope she will start to like the center much more and eventually is willing to take the school bus herself.
Good Job Rachael! Mummy knows you can make it!
