Saturday, February 19, 2011

Culture is a part of who you are.

If there is one thing I've learnt about in coming to Australia, it is about my values and about who I am.

Coming to Australia has helped me be aware of how culture has made me think the way I do, and do the things we do.

There are two aspects that affect the way an individual goes about doing things.

First, its the culture. The second is the four main kinds of personality groups which is Choleric, sanguine, melancholic and phlegmatic.

For the purpose of this entry, I will write about culture.

I was watching this Four Little Princess vcd yesterday night, and it occurred to me that even as young as preschool age, children sit at desks and learn to read.

I do not want to discredit the other educationists, as I feel that it is important for a person in education to learn and be aware of theories in education.

However, what one must remember is that what is viewed as 'learning' and 'going to school' is different from culture to culture.

I was pondering on the view why most chinese view a student sitting down and knowing their letters, able to do math, and quoting philosophy is considered as learning.

Then I realised that this has always been the way it has for centuries, and it is deep rooted in our psyche to think that way. It is not easy for people to change their mindset overnight.

When I first started learning about alternative types of education, I always wondered about the chinese way of learning, which is mostly book learning, and how unhealthy it could be.

The chinese way, or at least the one that I am exposed to, could be called the 'Oriental' way, as I have realised that the japanese and koreans seem to subscribe to the same way of thinking.

There are many more other things I observed myself doing, even in a foreign land, and I realised it as a result of the values and practices I have been brought up with.

The more I go through life, I begin to learn and appreciate my own culture, and discern that which is important to pass down through my generations.

And that, really, is one of the important things we can leave for our children. An understanding of who we are, and pride of who we are and is, and will be.

Sent from my Nokia phone

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

First day back to work after CNY

So it's my first day back to work after three weeks of Chinese New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur.

The first day back in Sydney was a bit disorientating. Its been three days since I came back, and by the third day, my mind has calmed down by much.

For so many years of my life, Chinese New Year celebrations has always been part of my life and I have ever only been away only once during the celebrations. Its probably harder on my current housemate, who has celebrated almost every CNY away from the family.

I greeted some of the chinese parents 'gong hei fatt choy'. Some of the staff asked if I had lost weight, and they noticed I had curls in my hair.

I gave out the souvenirs, and most of the staff were pleased with theirs as it suited their personality.

When asked, the children thought I went to the jungle ... Hahaha.

I would really love to stay longer to work, however I'm now faced with a choice as I'm not getting any younger, and my parents aren't either.

Probably this is what is called the heart of a child, and love for the family that ties the family together.

Sent from my Nokia phone

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A childcare centre is a business after all.

Here is something my mom brought to my attention when I was back in KL.

Not all teachers are meant to be leaders. She had some teachers whom she had appointed to be the Head Teacher in a number of her schools.

However, these individuals did not seem to possess the personality to be able to lead a group of staff, and the junior teachers/assistants.

They were better at 'teaching' a group of children, but not in delegating duties, and ensuring the school operates smoothly. Hence,

In australia, I have noticed that a lot of the 'teachers' can be very particular about following the curricular.

However, one must remember that in the end, whether it is a childcare centre, or kindergarten, it is still a business establishment. A business establishment has to break even and make profit to survive at the end of the day.

Hence the administrator, and manager of the centre has to learn to look past the 'curricular' to ensure that the financial aspect is being looked after.

Else, at the end of the day, they'd be out of business, and teachers insisting on strictly following 'curricular' will end up penniless, being out of a job. Nobody wins that way.

Sent from my Nokia phone.

Amazon Recommends...

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails