|
 What
determines a child’s intelligence? That is an equation many educators and
parents are trying to solve. There are experts who say that a child’s intelligence
starts developing in the womb. Then again, there are others who say that intelligence
is a socialisation process.
“It’s a combination of both,” explains Ms Susan Lim Guat
Lin, the principal of Smart Reader Kids® USJ9. Susan affirms that it is important
for children to be exposed to various types of environment at a young age.
The recent search for the Smart Reader® Kid of the Year 2005 yielded astonishing
results. The audience sat mesmerized as each child showed off his/her talent.
What really amazed the parents was how articulate and expressive the children
were.
The Smart Reader® Kid of the Year is an annual affair organized by Smart
Reader® Worldwide to showcase the talents of our very young and budding stars.
In order to get the children to the stage, principals, teachers and parents alike
put in a great deal of effort.
As each round of eliminations came and went, so did happiness and disappointment.
In the final round, fifteen finalists were selected for the competition.
“Many people underestimate what children are capable of. This is most unfortunate
as children have vast potential waiting to be tapped. Sometimes their talents
go to waste because they are not given an opportunity to prove themselves. ,
explains Dr. K.H. Wang, Group Executive Director, Smart Reader® Worldwide
Sdn. Bhd.
“He loves going to school, and we are happy that all his extra energy
and inquisitiveness is put to good use. He has wonderful stories about school
every time he gets home”At Smart Reader Kids®, we try our best to give a child an all rounded
education, explains Susan. Six year old Rohitt Lal from Smart Reader Kids® USJ
9, was crowned Smart Reader® Kid of the Year 2005- our very own Smart Reader® Idol.
Rohitt charmed the crowd and the judges with his story that was entitled “The
Ooky Spooky Thing” The story was about an “ooky spooky” thing
that stole flowers from a flower garden.
“He had made the story up all by himself,” explained Mr. Ramesh
Kumar Lal, Rohitt’s father. Mr. Lal explained that Rohitt has a knack of
creating his own stories.
“We ourselves do not know what to expect. We practice one thing and
he goes up on stage and does something totally different or with additions and
animated movements,” Susan states.
Rohitt was later interviewed and these are some of the responses he gave.
Q : What do you want to be when you grow-up?
A : An archeologist
Q : WHY? (Father’s eyes widen)
A : Because I like dinosaurs and I want to learn more about them.
Q : What are your favorite subjects?
A : I like Science. It is my favourite subject because I get to learn
about animals like mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects.
Q : Do you like going to school?
A : I like going to school because I get to spend time with my teachers.
They help me draw dinosaurs
Q : Besides dinosaurs, what other animals do you like?
A : I like lions; they are kings of the jungle.
Q : How did you feel when you won the title of
Smart Reader® Kid of the
year?
A : I was so happy, so happy,……. I am the champion
Q : What questions did the judges ask you?
A : One of the judges asked me if I help my parents? I answered yes
and they asked me what would happen if I did not help them. I
told them (Judges) that if I did not help them, they (my parents
would be in big trouble!
A : I asked the judges questions as well. I asked them how the thief
was caught? Then I asked them who stole the flowers? And finally I
asked them where the flowers were?
Q : Did the judges get the answers right?
A : No! Only two of them answered correctly and I gave them stars
(He had given the judges paper flowers that he had brought
along with him as props). One of the judges got the answer wrong
so, she did not get any stars!
“Rohit always keeps the teachers on their toes, as he is forever asking
questions. Nothing is simple with Rohitt. The day of the competition we were
all shocked as the story was altered so much and when he questioned the judges,
my heart stopped for a while”, said Susan smilingly.
“He loves going to school, and we are happy that all his extra energy
and inquisitiveness is put to good use. He has wonderful stories about school
every time he gets home”, Mr. Lal explains.
“Life is never boring when Rohitt is around,” explains Susan, “Once
I was taking him home and he was sitting at the back suddenly…..
Rohitt : Teacher Susan, what happens if you get thirsty?
Susan : I have a drink.
Rohitt : What about cars? Do they get thirsty?
Susan : Well yes, they need water too.
Rohitt: What about sofas inside the car, do they get thirsty?
Susan: Rohit what did you do?!!
Rohitt : I spilled orange Juice.
Rohitt ended the interview with a story about a lion and a snake, which incidentally
he created himself.
Parents and their children have wonderful experiences in growing together
with Smart Reader Kids®. For more stories about the fun-filled learning experiences
from our Smart Reader Kids® students and their parents, kindly visit our ‘Happy
Family, Happy Children’ web page at www.smartreader.com.my/happy.
Smart Reader Kids® is a pre-school programme that nurtures children today
to the leaders of tomorrow. For more information, kindly call Smart Line at 03-
2300 2555.
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