Grassroots with passion 11
TGC SUNDAY FATHERHOOD: A LIFELONG LEARNING JOURNEY
BY JOEY KOH, PBM
As a first-time father, I vowed to be the best father to my son Javier when he was born in 2002. That year on 3 August, I was waiting anxiously and patiently for his arrival at the delivery ward of Mount Alvernia Hospital. The excitement and joy I felt then when I finally held him in my arms and kissed him was beyond any words. Since that day, my wife and I realised everything about our lives started to revolve around Javier, wherever we were and whatever we did. We are well on our parenting journey and there is no turning back! Aspiring to be a “perfect” father and as part of my passion for lifelong learning, I enrolled myself for a part-time post-graduate diploma in “Early Childhood Education” with Edith Cowan University. It turned out to be the best decision I made, for parenting is indeed a lifelong process – once a parent always one, regardless the age of your child. At the course, I picked up many tips on parenting and nurturing children from my lecturers and classmates, many of whom are both mothers and childcare professionals with reputable preschool chains such as Julia Gabriel, Eaton House, PAP Community Foundation and NTUC. When Javier entered infanthood, I embarked on another learning journey with him, this time using the expensive but proven method of Glen Doman program of flash cards. I was simply amazed and impressed by the outcome of programs like “How to teach your baby Math using Doman’s Red Dot cards” and “How to teach your baby to read.” To me, the most effective tip was to have Javier sit on my lap just before his bedtime for a story I will read to him every night without fail. That cultivated in him a passion for learning and reading. Till today, Javier will still read before going to bed. Like many boys his age, he is also quite a techie who enjoys electronic games – “Gameboy” in the early days before progressing to PS and then video sports like soccer and boxing, as well as Super Mario, street fighter on the WII machine and Xbox. We also visit the arcades for all- time favourites like Daytona car racing and table soccer. But it's not all geeky stuff for Javier and I. Father and son are as much for the great outdoors. For example, we love to roller blade and cycle at Ang Mo Kio-Bishan Park, catch
“long-kang” fishes at Bishan Park, kick a soccer ball or play badminton, or simply head for the swing and the see- saw at the nearby playground. The swimming pool and the Jacuzzi are also our frequent weekend haunts – Javier loves to pretend to be “Animal Kaiser”, his favourite character in the video game, and then we would wrestle and battle until I am exhausted or defeated, usually. My wish is to venture overseas for more of such father-n- son dates before he prefers to have his own holidays with his friends. "Aspiring to be a 'perfect' father and as part of my passion for lifelong learning, I enrolled myself for a part-time post- graduate diploma in 'Early Childhood Education' …It turned out to be the best decision…for parenting is indeed a lifelong process."
Made with FlippingBook HTML5