Author: milchelc

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Character Development and Academic Success

Aside from physical health, there are two other utmost concerns of parents when it comes to their children.  These are their character development and academic success. We all want our children to grow up as good people who possess qualities like kindness, responsibility, and integrity.  At the same time, we hope for their academic success so they can have a bright future ahead of them. This article will explore how character development and academic success are intertwined, with the former influencing the latter.

To delve into this concept, we will examine three character traits that a child must possess and how they contribute to academic success: self-discipline, resilience, and empathy.

First, self-discipline leads to better time management and study habits. Self-disciplined children are more likely to complete their schoolwork on time and balance their academic responsibilities with other aspects of their lives. Overall, consistent effort driven by self-discipline results in improved academic performance.

kids gorming a line in scholl
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Second, resilience helps students persist through difficulties and setbacks they encounter in their studies. When they receive poor grades or fail an exam, resilient children bounce back instead of giving up. A child with a strong sense of resilience views challenges as opportunities for growth, leading to long-term success.

a typewriter with the word resilience building on it
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Finally, empathy enables students to collaborate effectively with their peers. This ability to work well in groups is a crucial skill in today’s academic environment. For instance, group projects and peer learning benefit greatly when students practice understanding and respect. Over time, strong collaborative skills, developed through empathy, contribute to success not only academically but also in future professional settings.

the word empathy spelled out in scrabble letters
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In conclusion, these are just three examples of how character traits contribute to academic success. Indeed, character development is as important as the grades we see in our children’s report books. Therefore, fostering character development from an early age should be a priority for both parents and educators, as it directly impacts children’s academic success.

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Overcoming Communication Barriers with Your Teen

There are times when a child, especially a teen, stops talking to their parents.  Such withdrawal is concerning and very challenging.  Possible reasons for such behaviour are: the teen is seeking independence; the teen is experiencing emotional changes; the teen is experiencing stress and anxiety and could not express it well; there are conflicts and misunderstandings at home; and the teen may be feeling unsupported or judged and thus shuts other people down. 

When this happens, it is understandable for a parent to be worried.  Still, you have to step back and analyse the situation.  There is no one single solution to this problem, so we’ll talk about a three-pronged approach that could possibly work. 

focused young asian mother working remotely while children playing on sofa
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First, reflect on your communication style.  We always talk about teens needing to have self-awareness, but parents need to have high self-awareness too. Are you harsh and judgmental when you speak to your teen?  Do you focus too much on the negatives and downplay their achievements?  Are you impatient?  There are times when a child’s actions are just their response to their parents’ actions.  Reflect on your communication style and see if you could be part of the problem. 

Next, after reflecting on your communication style, create a safe and open environment for your child.  Ensure that your home is a safe and judgement-free space where your teen will feel comfortable to talk.  Truly allot time listening to your child.  Keep your gadgets away and give your teen your full attention.  Try not to aim so solve the issue immediately.  Sometimes, it may take a while for your child to really open up.  Patience is key. 

curious smart black boy reading fairytale while sister listening
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Finally, if all else fails, it may be time to involve a trusted third party.  It could be your parents or your siblings.  Sometimes, teens may find it easier to open up to someone outside the family.  You can get help from your pastor, a therapist, or a counsellor.  Sometimes, a third party can be like a coach who can see your family issues from a different, unbiased perspective.  They may be able to facilitate you and your child patching up your relationship since they will not be taking anyone’s side. 

Remember, the goal is to reconnect with your teenager and create an environment where they feel safe and valued. While the journey may be challenging, patience, self-reflection, and the willingness to seek external support can make a significant difference. By understanding the underlying reasons for their withdrawal and taking proactive steps, you can rebuild your relationship and foster a more open communication with your teen.

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Strengthening English Foundations Through Parental Support

The importance of a strong command of English in a student’s tool kit cannot be overstated.  This is especially so for foreign students studying in Singapore, like Milchelians.  Many parents want to send their children to study overseas to learn English, but the child will face difficulties if they are unready to live in an English speaking society. 

Whether or not the child is already in Singapore, parents can effectively support their children in building a strong English foundation.  Here are some practical tips that parents can try out. 

Create an English-Rich Environment.  Like what we do in Milchel’s English Reading Programme (ERP), we immerse Milchelians in as much English language as possible.  Constant exposure through texts, videos, and music helps students become familiar with the language’s sounds, vocabulary and sentence structure.  Consequently, thus will make learning English more natural and less forced. 

books in shelf inside room
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Encourage Reading.  With as little as 20 minutes a day, students who read gain a competitive advantage over students who do not read at all.  Reading consistently for shorter periods of time (e.g. 20-30 minutes a day) has been found to be better than a once-a-week reading session of 2 hours each.  Space out your child’s reading schedule throughout the week.  It is also very important that you discuss the books with your child.  This practice will help improve their vocabulary and comprehension.  Moreover, this stimulates their imagination and critical thinking.  Remember:  Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to reading. 

parents and their little son reading a book in bed
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Practice Writing.  Encourage your child to write regularly.  Though it’s no longer popular among children and teens nowadays, keeping a journal is a good practice for students who want to improve their command of the English language.  Slowly, they will become comfortable and gain confidence in their daily journal writing.  Later on, this comfort and confidence will translate in writing more complex texts like essays and reports. 

focused students doing homework at home
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It is important to start small when building an environment for your child aimed at building strong English foundation.  “Small and steady, slow and incremental” is the formula you could follow.  It would be unrealistic to expect immense improvement in your child’s English standard in a short amount of time.  Like in any other goals, consistent effort and patience will pay off in helping your child achieve their goals to achieve a good command of the English language. 

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Goals of Parents and Goals of Children – Reconciling the Gap

A common point of contention between parents and children is their differing goals.  A child may have their own goals and dreams for themselves.  Then, a parent may have a completely different dream for their child.  Reconciling this difference is challenging, but possible.  This article explores the distinction between parents’ goals from children’s goals.  We will also talk about how to bridge that gap and foster a supportive environment with regards to the children’s aspirations. 

Parents’ goals for their children are usually shaped by their life experiences and long-term perspective.  They desire financial stability and focus on providing for the family.  On the other hand, children’s goals are influenced by their immediate interests and curiosity.  Many still desire exploration and play without the burden of providing or planning for the future.  This already shows a vast difference in parents’ and children’s perspectives and priorities. 

Parents’ goals for their children are also usually long-term, including career advancement and future family stability.  On the other hand, children may only have short-term goals, such as making friends, pursuing hobbies, or succeeding in school. 

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In terms of achievement and success, parents’ measures are the over-all well-being of the family, career accomplishments, and contributions to the society.  For children, on the other hand, success is defined through academic achievements, mastering new skills, and other personal milestones.

No one goal is completely better than another.  Both parents and children have valid perspectives.  The goal here is to reconcile the differing goals.  Having open communication is a great way to do this.  Both parents and children should feel comfortable discussing their aspirations and concerns.  Both sides must not only express their thoughts freely, but also listen actively and not be defensive.  Whatever the children eventually decide to pursue, the parents must trust in their children’s discernment, knowing that they had done enough to teach and guide their children. 

photo of woman and girl talking while lying on bed
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Reconciling the differing goals of parents and children is essential for creating a harmonious family relationship. By fostering open communication, mutual respect, and understanding, both parties can work together to support each other’s aspirations. Parents should trust in their children’s ability to make informed decisions, while children should appreciate the wisdom and experience their parents offer. In this way, families can bridge the gap and build a supportive environment where everyone’s goals are valued and nurtured.

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The Essential Role of Vacations for Students:  Balancing Relaxation and Productivity

Our children face today’s fast-paced and demanding academic environment.  After each term of arduous work in school, vacations play a role in ensuring their over-all well-being and development.  Vacations are not just breaks from routine, but an opportunity for both rest and productive non-academic activities.  These times are well-deserved by students, so it’s important that they are spent wisely.

So, why are vacations important for students?

First, vacations are a time for physical rest.  As the same time, they are also a time for mental rest and stress relief.  This helps prevent burnout and allows students to recharge.  This recharging and relaxation are crucial for their mental well-being.  We’ll also see that vacation breaks allow students to have a refreshed mind, which may lead to better academic performance when school re-opens. 

Next, vacations are a great time for social and family bonding.  Catching up with friends and family which are done on vacations strengthens their relationships and creates lasting memories. This social support offers them emotional stability. 

woman and three children playing water
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Finally, vacations are a time for students to explore interests outside school.  They may have a day or two of just lounging around and doing nothing, but it’s good if they do something more productive.  This may contribute to personal growth and development. 

So, what productive things can they do during their holidays?  We are not talking about tuition and catching up on readings, but other fun, productive, less stressful activities. 

Vacations are an ideal time for enriching hobbies that students are passionate about.  These may be playing musical instruments, trying baking or cooking, doing digital arts, and other similar activities.  These can be both enjoyable and beneficial for personal development. 

girl in yellow shirt holding brown cake
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Next, participating in community service or volunteer work can be a great way for students to spend their vacation.  This can be a good bonding moment with family members, too, which allows plenty of teaching moments and opportunities to share one’s insights about life. 

Finally, and probably a favourite of many, travelling to new places can be done during vacations.  Travelling can be an educational experience which exposes students to different cultures.  By travelling, they can both have fun and engage their minds. 

We hope Milchelians are having a fun and productive mid-year break so that they all come back refreshed to start another term! 

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Harnessing the Internet: How Our Children Can Use the Internet Productively

In our previous post, we talked about some of the dangers that our children face online. Now, let’s talk about some of the productive ways our children can use the internet. With our guidance, they can maximize the power of the internet and use it to their advantage in our highly digitally interconnected world.

First of all, the internet is a great educational resource. Our children can access online courses on sites like Khan Academy and Coursera. They can also use educational games and apps to enhance their learning. Online resources can help them improve their math skills or learn a new language. Websites like Google Scholar, National Geographic Kids, and Britannica Kids are excellent options to explore.

mother helping her daughter with homework
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Secondly, the internet is a place where children can enhance their creativity and self-expression. Canva for Education and Wattpad are great sites for creative activities. They can create and share their digital art, writings, and multimedia projects. Starting a blog or YouTube channel can also be a fun way to express themselves. However, adult guidance is still needed for this endeavour.

Thirdly, the internet has made social connections faster and easier. Our children can stay in touch with family and friends. It’s important that they are supervised while using social media and messaging platforms. From Google Hangouts to Zoom, Facebook to Instagram, there are still dangers, so parental supervision is necessary.

photo of child smiling while using tablet computer
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Finally, children can use the internet for career exploration. They can research various career paths and understand the skills required for different jobs. A simple Google search can direct them to numerous helpful sites that provide valuable information about their future careers.

With the right guidance, our children can use the internet safely and productively, turning it into a powerful tool for learning, creativity, connection, and career exploration.

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Responsible Digital Citizenship in Children 

Nowadays, internet is a ubiquitous tool in our lives.  It is widely used in areas like communication and social networking.  It is also used in education, e-commerce and shopping, entertainment, and work and productivity, to name a few.  For both us, adults, and our kids, the internet is a useful tool. 

As such, the world of the internet is also an area where kids need guidance as they use and explore.  The term “responsible digital citizenship” is now being commonly used.  It refers to responsible and ethical online behaviour that we all must practice.  Doing this helps us to have a healthy and safe experience in the digital world. 

There are many reasons why we parents should teach our children responsible digital citizenship.  In this article, we will talk about the most cause of concern for growing kids. 

First, addiction to gadgets and the internet is a major concern of many parents.  Excessive screen time affects children’s sleep, academics, and over-all habits, so this is a foremost concern that parents must address.  If left unchecked, this could lead to addiction that is much difficult to correct.

person with smartphone standing in projection of zeros and ones
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Second is the spread of misinformation.  Without our guidance, children can access volumes of information online that may be untrue or just plain harmful.  It is our responsibility as adults to block suspicious sites and sources of information.  We must also teach our kids to be discerning in what they see online.  Keep an open communication so your child knows to ask you for things that they find out online.

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Finally, children must know that their actions online leave permanent digital footprint.  Educate them about the consequences of their online actions that may harm themselves or others.  A seemingly harmless post today may have consequences in the future.  Because of this, we must always remind our children to “think before you click”.

These are just some of the dangers awaiting our children online.  These are also why we should take a proactive role in educating our kids about responsible digital citizenship.  Sometimes, we parents become too relaxed in our children’s access to the internet.  This is a very serious matter that demands our watchful guidance.  Take no chances and make sure that you educate your child on how to become responsible digital citizens.   

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Why Is Self-Awareness Important?

The idea of self-awareness has been gaining popularity recently, appearing in many articles, videos, and social media content. This interest is well-justified, as self-awareness is crucial across all stages of life. It plays a significant role in adults’ work, family life, social interactions, and personal growth. Similarly, self-awareness is essential for teens as they mature and build their identity, as well as for school-age children who are learning values and habits that will shape their lives.

To begin with, why is self-awareness important? Imagine a baby crying, and you don’t know how to soothe them. You can’t calm the baby because you lack awareness of what they need—are they hungry or in pain? This scenario illustrates how awareness is vital for addressing a situation effectively. Similarly, if you don’t know which of your behaviours need improvement (having awareness), how can you improve?

Let’s apply this to students. If a teen is unaware that their poor eating habits are causing physical issues, how can they improve? How will they be motivated to change if they don’t recognize the problem? The same applies to students who are unaware of their unhealthy attachment to gadgets leading to poor school performance. Without awareness of the issue, they won’t take steps to address it.

In simple terms, self-awareness is the starting point for any positive behaviour change. This is why AWARENESS is the first of Milchel’s 5 Key Traits (Awareness, Discipline, Responsibility, Perseverance, Confidence).

Children and teens may not always have high self-awareness, so adults should step in and guide them when their lack of awareness affects them. By nurturing self-awareness in the younger generations, we pave the way for them to develop healthier habits and a better understanding of themselves and their surroundings. In turn, this creates a more mindful and compassionate society for all. As adults, maintaining high self-awareness not only helps us lead by example, but it also allows us to navigate our own lives with greater clarity and purpose.

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The Importance of Tradition for International Students

In MILCHEL, we believe in the importance of maintaining traditions, especially for our diverse community of international students. We celebrate festive occasions like Christmas and Chinese New Year.  We also celebrate cultural activities like Songkran for our Thai residents.  But why is this so important, and what are the benefits of these traditions beyond mere celebration?

Participating in these traditions plays a role in relieving homesickness among international students. Being far away from home can evoke feelings of longing, especially during cultural holidays and events. By recreating familiar customs and celebrations in the hostel, Milchelians find comfort in the company of their peers. These traditions provide a sense of connection to their home cultures.  It eases the pangs of homesickness and fosters a sense of belonging in their new environment.

Moreover, maintaining traditions fosters a sense of community among our Milchelians. Regardless of nationality or background, coming together to celebrate shared customs creates bonds. These shared experiences promote understanding and mutual respect among Milchelians of different nationalities.

Furthermore, embracing traditions is an opportunity to appreciate diversity. As Milchelians learn about and engage with the customs and traditions of their peers, they develop a deeper appreciation of cultures that make up our home community. For one, this celebration of diversity promotes tolerance and acceptance.  Also, it cultivates a spirit of inclusivity and unity among Milchelians.

The importance of maintaining traditions for international students cannot be overstated. Beyond the joy of celebration, these traditions helps to ease students’ homesickness.  They help develop a sense of community among Milchelians despite their different cultures.  Finally, it makes them learn tolerance and inclusivity that contributes to a harmonious living environment in the hostel.  As we continue to maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all Milchelians, we celebrate the richness of diversity and the beauty of culture and tradition.

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Benefits of MILCHEL English Reading Program

Fondly referred to by Milchelians as ERP, the English Reading Program is an integral  part of our Academic Services here at MILCHEL.   Over the years, ERP has evolved but our core objective remains the same:  increase Milchelians’ exposure to English-language texts. 

At the heart of ERP lies an approach that goes beyond conventional methods of language instruction. Through carefully curated group sessions, we strive to improve English proficiency.  Moreover, we strive to foster a deep appreciation for the written word among Milchelians.

Every Monday through Thursday, Milchelians gather virtually on Zoom.  They form groups based on their English-speaking standards. Guided by a dedicated facilitator-teacher, each session unfolds with a sense of anticipation of the texts for the day.

The format that ERP takes on is simple yet effective.  Students take turns reading passages from selected texts, while the facilitator provides real-time feedback and guidance. Pronunciation errors are corrected, complex passages are simplified for comprehension, and unfamiliar vocabulary is explained.  This way, we ensure that every participant gains a thorough understanding of the material.

Furthermore, ERP is more than just a reading program.  It hopes that through engaging discussions and interactive activities, Milchelians not only enhance their language skills but also develop critical thinking abilities and confidence in expressing themselves in English.

One of the most remarkable outcomes of ERP is the newfound confidence that Milchelians develop. As they conquer linguistic challenges and navigate complex texts, they discover a sense of self-assurance that transcends language barriers.

Moreover, ERP serves as a gateway to a lifelong love of reading. In a world where digital distractions abound, instilling a passion for literature is more important than ever. By immersing students in a wide array of English-language texts, ERP ignites in Milchelians a curiosity for learning. 

Finally, perhaps the greatest testament to ERP’s impact lies in the transformation it brings about in Milchelians.  We take so much delight when Milchelians, after a holiday break, asks us excitedly, “When will ERP start?” From hesitant readers to avid learners, participants emerge from the program with a newfound appreciation for the power of language and the joy of discovering new worlds through words.

In closing, as we continue to uphold our commitment to excellence in Milchelians’ academics, ERP stands as an example of dedication. By providing a nurturing environment where Milchelians can make mistakes and learn, we allow them to thrive and develop a healthy interaction with the English language.  Such will help them reach their full potential in this vast society where the ability to communicate is one’s greatest asset.