Cyrus Says
April 3rd, 2011 | 
Author: 
Cyrus* is 5 years old. He is a cute boy with a ready smile. Mommy enrolled him in our center to prepare for the Entrance Exam for Preschool in one of the most prestigious institutions here in the Philippines, the UPIS (University of the Philippines Integrated School). The exam is on Monday, April 4.
I know that mommy believes his son is smart enough to pass the exam. The problem is.. Simon has a very limited English vocabulary. At 5, he doesn’t know the English words for lobo (baloon), ibon (bird) mesa (table), tasa (cup) and other very common items found inside the house. What more, Cyrus doesn’t want to write. Mommy said he only works when he wants to. In fact, he normally comes to the center with undone homework and mommy will simply say ‘he doesn’t want to do it.’
I know all parents want the best for their children. There’s also nothing wrong with trying. I just want to point out that if any parent has the intentions of enrolling his child to a very good school, then, he might as well start teaching him early. Two English words a day wouldn’t be that difficult. There is also no need to work the child hard. A simple.. ‘ito ay fork, ito ay chair, ito ay box’ (this is fork, this is chair, this is box) will do. There’s no need to buy expensive books, anything that we see around can be a medium of teaching, ‘ang tawag dun cat, ang tawag sa anak ng cat ay kitten‘ (that is a cat, the baby cat is called kitten) ‘ang tawag dito hat, ito naman ay cap‘ (this is a hat, this one is a cap).
It’s an accepted fact that not all parents are patient enough, especially when it comes to teaching a child to write. An old notebook and a pencil will do, let the child draw circles and lines and other senseless shapes they could make, this is to develop POWER GRIP in preparation for writing..
If we want the best for our children, let’s begin at home. It doesn’t need to be expensive, no need for Disney Princess coloring books, twistable crayons or glossy-colored books. All it takes is quality time and a burning love that knows no bounds… Parents are the best teachers, don’t settle for anything less…
*not real name
Posted in teacher's journal
How surprising that is! I thought most Filipino parents teach their kids lots of English words. I remember arguing with my classmate in prep about English grammar already, when I was five (over a “You (is/are)” quiz item in our workbook). Yung ibang parents nga, English lahat ang ginagamit sa sentences nila in talking to their kids, to train their kids (kahit pinoy na pinoy ang accent… pero at least, todo hataw sa vocabulary, di ba?
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If we want the best for our children, let’s begin at home. You got that right! Sadly, so many parents today want others to take over the job of parenting while they go out to work and play.
I agree with what you wrote 100%. Education begins at home at the hands of the mother (or father, if the mother is unavailable). That a child, about to enroll at a very prestigious school for pre school and who must pass its entrance exam, still does not know simple words in English is a testament to the inability and neglect of the mother to teach her child the rudimentary basics in comprehension. I hope you can remedy the child’s lack of preparation so that he will be able to pass the entrance exam. Thanks for the post. God bless you all always.
agree with you kim! these simple english eords should start from home. we even teaching these words to a 2 years old toddler.
Totally agree with u Kim. Parents should become best teachers for their children…
Totally agree; parents should be the best teachers for their children…
first school is at home. first teacher is our parents
it should be like that. 
I like what you said here, Mommy: “All it takes is quality time and a burning love that knows no bounds.” If we love our kids well enough, then we’ll find time to teach them, no matter how busy or impatient we are.
Great post and you’re so right! Sometimes it’s tedious but parents have to be patient. I’m happy to say my 2 year 3 month old daughter can say balloon, bird and Table, although table comes out bayble. I worry about her getting into a really good school which is why I’m really making the effort the teach her.