The reason I talk about this is because the sooner parents identify their child’s problem, the earlier they can start to change the method of educating their child. This will give the child more confidence as they grow up and enter school.

Last weekend a parent told me his daughter had been tested for colour blindness. She is already 7 years old. That makes me wonder what had the parents been doing for the past 2-3 years? I feel a bit sad for the girl. She does not know how to get help due to her young age. She probably lacks confidence to ask her teacher or friends for help also.

As an art teacher, I do not purposely correct colours used by children between the age of 4-6 unless it is really necessary. The purpose is for them to be able to express themselves. Most children will have no problem using their favourite colours. They are allowed to use their favourite colours as long as they acquire better drawing skills.

However, older children will be taught using the correct colours for natural objects. This girl will always use a lot of light green and light blue. No red, purple or orange most of the time. Yes, I noticed that. Sometimes I had to make her change the colours of flowers to something else. Children do need time to change if they’re accustomed to using their favourite colours.

If I had known her condition earlier, my teaching method will be totally different from the start. She could have been taught to read colours at the age of 5. She would be taught the common colours for things around us. But then again, how can the parents not noticed this earlier? Do they teach or guide the child at all?

Nowadays I noticed many kids are being brought up by maids. Yes, a maid can feed, wash and make sure the child is being taken care of. Can a maid teach or instill proper habit for children? NO.

People in Singapore often talk about how pet dogs are actually the maids’ dogs because the maids are the ones that bring the dogs out on their daily walks, feed and wash the dogs. All the owners do is come home and play with their pets for a while everyday.

Our children will end up like that. This is very sad.

Photo source : Dreamstime

Those who are eligible will go through a year’s full-time course and will be given an allowance during the training period.

Basic criterias are :

1. You have to be a Malaysian citizen.
2. Below 35 years old on 1st June 2009 (born after 1 June 1974).
3. Credit for Bahasa in SPM.

This is indeed a very good opportunity. Think about pension and school holidays.

Some points to note :
1. Teachers don’t get to choose where they will be sent for training.
2. After you’ve graduated, there is no guarantee you will get a position in your home state.
3. You don’t know if you will be given the choice to have a pension scheme or you can only have EPF.

(From my personal experience because I was born into a family of teachers!)

Anyway, this is a career I will consider if I am 25 years old, single and my parents are healthy. I want to get out of the office, so getting into another office is not what I have in mind. I have figured this out after I attended an interview with a private college. For my own happiness, I have to stick to what I want and work on it.

For those who are interested to find out more about this teacher’s training course, click here.