Comments on: A Tale of Two Kindergartens http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/ Shorel, Sandra, Schäfer, Sianna and Selah living life in China Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:45:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brigitte http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2290 Brigitte Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:34:45 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2290 Thanks for posting the schedule...it's interesting to read. I'm a little anxious about starting the kindergarten process but seeing your school's schedule makes me feel better. Keep us updated! Thanks for posting the schedule…it’s interesting to read. I’m a little anxious about starting the kindergarten process but seeing your school’s schedule makes me feel better. Keep us updated!

]]> By: shorel & sandra http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2289 shorel & sandra Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:06:30 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2289 Why yes, we went to the playground today! They have an art class on Saturday mornings for students who choose to pay for this elective. The gate is open, but the playgrounds are empty! Schäfer and his buddies ran around non-stop. Why yes, we went to the playground today! They have an art class on Saturday mornings for students who choose to pay for this elective. The gate is open, but the playgrounds are empty! Schäfer and his buddies ran around non-stop.

]]> By: shorel & sandra http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2285 shorel & sandra Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:53:00 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2285 That's kind of what we're thinking too. That’s kind of what we’re thinking too.

]]> By: Rachel http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2284 Rachel Sat, 14 Mar 2009 07:22:14 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2284 Sandra, I also think those schools look amazing! But I think your decision to have Ayi play with Schafer is a much better one. Also, Schafer has a lot of Chinese friends so his language is going to be great, I'm sure of it. One thing we have found, since we're sending Clara Anne to you'eryuan, is that her school is VERY traditional. It is right within our xiaoqu, so extremely convenient, and we have made friends there and like it, for the most part, but it is Li hai!!! They do a LOT of sitting, listening, studying, with a huge emphasis on language. The teacher gave me a summary of what they are studying in March . . . about 25 chengyus, as many pairs of opposites of adjectives I had never heard, and then a few stories and one song. I think it is still the right choice for us, but she is only there for a few hours, several days a week (3 to 4, depending on the week). But oh my! It can be a lot of pressure for a three year old! So, it's all about your educational goals, I guess, and what seems like the best choice for your family. We are always praying and seeking about this and ready to change if we sense something else would be better. Clara Anne is making progress in speaking and reading, too. The playgrounds there look nicer than anything I've seen anywhere in our city. Hope you get a chance to enjoy them! (One way or another!). Blessings, Rachel Sandra,
I also think those schools look amazing! But I think your decision to have Ayi play with Schafer is a much better one. Also, Schafer has a lot of Chinese friends so his language is going to be great, I’m sure of it.

One thing we have found, since we’re sending Clara Anne to you’eryuan, is that her school is VERY traditional. It is right within our xiaoqu, so extremely convenient, and we have made friends there and like it, for the most part, but it is Li hai!!! They do a LOT of sitting, listening, studying, with a huge emphasis on language. The teacher gave me a summary of what they are studying in March . . . about 25 chengyus, as many pairs of opposites of adjectives I had never heard, and then a few stories and one song. I think it is still the right choice for us, but she is only there for a few hours, several days a week (3 to 4, depending on the week). But oh my! It can be a lot of pressure for a three year old! So, it’s all about your educational goals, I guess, and what seems like the best choice for your family. We are always praying and seeking about this and ready to change if we sense something else would be better. Clara Anne is making progress in speaking and reading, too.

The playgrounds there look nicer than anything I’ve seen anywhere in our city. Hope you get a chance to enjoy them! (One way or another!).

Blessings,
Rachel

]]> By: nanamaw http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2278 nanamaw Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:17:13 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2278 three days a week, 3 hours, Chinese school...after he's three!!...my 2 cents worth...The Nanamaw three days a week, 3 hours, Chinese school…after he’s three!!…my 2 cents worth…The Nanamaw

]]> By: Felicity http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2276 Felicity Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:22:37 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2276 I think it is exciting for him... it is like he is heading off on his own - well, at least for a little while... I am sure you will make the right decision... I want to nap in one of those beds. I think it is exciting for him… it is like he is heading off on his own – well, at least for a little while… I am sure you will make the right decision… I want to nap in one of those beds.

]]> By: Andrea Shef http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2275 Andrea Shef Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:38:00 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2275 Whoa! Those schools look so cool!!! I wish we had schools like that here! How fun!! Those playgrounds are amazing!!! Whoa! Those schools look so cool!!! I wish we had schools like that here! How fun!! Those playgrounds are amazing!!!

]]> By: shorel & sandra http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2274 shorel & sandra Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:08:52 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2274 If he does start in the fall with his friends, he's definitely not going to school all day. We're thinking 8:30 - 11am. And we're not even sure if he should go everyday. If he does start in the fall with his friends, he’s definitely not going to school all day. We’re thinking 8:30 – 11am. And we’re not even sure if he should go everyday.

]]> By: shorel & sandra http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2273 shorel & sandra Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:07:18 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2273 I also thought there was a lot of sitting (and a lot of expectations that the child would sit still!) There were no toys in either of the schools we visited. My favorite thing when I was in pres-school and kindergarten was art (I have vivid memories of painting) and playing dress up with other kids. We are leaning towards letting Schäfer attend some schooling next fall because all his friends will start and the neighborhood will be empty. But, we're thinking maybe 8:30am - 11am. Then, he'll come home and read and play. We're not even sure if he'll go everyday. As The Wee School Guru, any advice you can share would be most welcome! Thank you for confirming that we made a good decision. It really does mean a lot. I also thought there was a lot of sitting (and a lot of expectations that the child would sit still!) There were no toys in either of the schools we visited. My favorite thing when I was in pres-school and kindergarten was art (I have vivid memories of painting) and playing dress up with other kids. We are leaning towards letting Schäfer attend some schooling next fall because all his friends will start and the neighborhood will be empty. But, we’re thinking maybe 8:30am – 11am. Then, he’ll come home and read and play. We’re not even sure if he’ll go everyday. As The Wee School Guru, any advice you can share would be most welcome! Thank you for confirming that we made a good decision. It really does mean a lot.

]]> By: jdavis2 http://easternjourney.com/2009/03/a-tale-of-two-kindergartens/comment-page-1/#comment-2272 jdavis2 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:34:27 +0000 http://www.easternjourney.com/?p=2560#comment-2272 nice playgrounds. you certainly have us beat in the outdoor entertainment department! who knew having kids would require such hard decisions such as: is a 3 year old supposed to go to school all day? nice playgrounds. you certainly have us beat in the outdoor entertainment department! who knew having kids would require such hard decisions such as: is a 3 year old supposed to go to school all day?

]]>