Kid's Story: Sharing the Bone

Summer break already began. We go to the pool every afternoon.  Winston does not sign up for any private skill training classes as most Chinese kids do in the summer, because I think he may not have enough free time to do things.

To make his summer not so boring, I planned some writing and painting hours for him at home. After building his blog in Window Live, his writing improved a lot, but still not good.  I let him practice writing in English and Chinese in turn in his blog. I found some tool books about kid's writing at the on-line bookstore. They are still on the way. Before then, I thought I may give Winston the practice on "Look and Write". 

Wisnton is not good at coloring.  Richy said maybe we should let him attend a painting class.  I am still hesitating.  Do kids have to gain all kinds of skills? Winston has talents and interest in Music but none( or very little) in painting . He draws but does not draw very well. I think, to him, the painting lesson at school is enough for entertaining and training.  I would let him take painting class only when he likes to.  For now, we just "play" writing and paiting at home. Here is his "colorful" dog story. He gave the title "Sharing the Bone" to it. Enjoy~

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Pictures Drawn by: June

Pictures Colored by: Wisnton

Story Written by: Winston

Sharing the Bone

       One day a dog saw a bone. He liked it so he ran to the bone. The bone looked delicious. The dog wanted to eat it so he walked closer and closer. Suddenly a lady dog came by. She looked hungry. Then the dog let her take the bone.

       The dog had nothing to eat and became hungry.  Few days later, the lady dog came back with two bones to share with the dog.

See Parents from Kids

This summer Winston and I signed up for a swimming class. We had one coach teaching us how to swim and last night is the second time of the class. I was not a good exerciser and did not workout much. A one-hour swimming lesson was so much for me expecially when I did not eat before entering the pool. I felt powerless after 45 mins passed, and I forgot how many times I told the coach that I was so worn out.


After we got home, I was helping Winston washing his hair, and

Winston said: Mother, I have something I need to tell you.

I said: OK, What is it?

Winston: You mentioned about being tired two times to the coach tonight.

This reminded me of my improper behavior in front of a kid.

Me：Oh, yeah. I did a bad feedback to the coach, right?

Winston: Yes, that is not right.

Me: Yes, that is a bad attitude for learning things. Thank you for reminding me. I will improve my attitute.

Winston: Do improve it next time. I forgive you this time.


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I used to reminding Winston not to complain during his piano and violin lessons. And we discussed about his attitude after the lessons. And now he is doing the same to me.

I am glad that he also learned to discuss about things after we got home, instead of embarrassing me in front of the coach. What a good learner! And I believe he will pick up swimming skills very soon.


So, we do see parents from their kids. And we parents should always do as we say.

Learn with Kids

Since I became a mom, I started playing and learning with my son, not just about piano and violin, but also about attitudes in life.

Kids' behaviors can be a reflection of adults. The only difference is that kids are cuter. However, if parents spoil the cute innocent faces, the cute faces may turn disgusting when they grow up.

Sunday morning, Winston woke up early and before I could spot him he was already on the couch ready to play Wii. Richy just bought some more new game disk. And whenever there were new games, Winston would soon get addictive to it. It was hard to ask him to control his mind and the time in playing Wii. My experiences told me that sticking to the rules and not yielding to his going-to-cry face work. And it became easier time after time because he seemed to understand what I said although he tried to test my limit to his insistence every time.
So Winston obeyed my words to practice piano and violin instead of playing Wii first in the morning. While practicing violin, I found him rushing and absent-minded and we had to start over the same section again. Then I asked him to take a break for a short talk. He was quiet and listening.
I asked : What were you thinking when you were playing violin?
He said: Wii.
I asked again：What are you thinking now?
He was honest and said: Wii.
So, I asked：If you keep Wii in your mind, do you have space for learning and practicing your violin?
He said: No.
I said: Let's remove Wii from your brain now.
He said: OK.
So, I acted like using my hands to get something out of his brain, and said: Now forget the Wii. You should be able to concentrate now.

He told me: Mom, I got three parts in my brain. Here is for piano, here is for violin, and the back is for Wii. You should remove Wii from the back.

That was cute. I did as he said. And we finished practicing violin perfectly and efficiently. Also, we finished the piano practice very fast. The whole practice together only took less than an hour. For a six-year old kid, I consider that is good enough. And Winston realized being concentrated could make things go smoothly.

At last I told him: You should always do what you ought to do first and do whatever you like later. So, next time what is the order of things to do on Sunday morning?

He said: Breakfast, piano and violin, Wii....

So he ran for Wii. No blame!

Richy came out from the other room and told me: The words you just said are great and should apply to yourself.

I knew he meant that I should always do housework before blogging. And it is very true. When I said it out I was reminding myself at the same time. That is the cruel part about learning with kids.

After violin, piano, and Wii, we went out to kick soccer in the park. As usual, many were flying kites in the park but the wind made it difficult to fly kites this time. Winston and Richy played soccer while I was flying the kite. I could not believe that Winston could kick the ball well. He used to kick to the unwanted direction two weeks ago. He had learned soccer from his classmates. They even "kicked" basketball at school when teachers wanted them to practice throwing balls to the basket.

Kids just learn so fast in skills and attitudes.

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