I’m not talking about homework, which, by the way Ajab has to do during this week-long holiday period. Some handwriting assignment which we haven’t started on yet. And then there’s the picture exchange communication system thingy which we’re supposed to read up on.
As Mo-Beng would say “Wah piang!! Can die, man!!”, because the instructions require you to have a PhD in English or something (will blog about it in the next post). It is that complicated. Oh, the poor aunties who aren’t fluent in English.
OK, back to the matter at hand. As you might know, Ajab’s routine in class is pretty much governed by what’s known as the ‘waiting area’. Before each activity starts and when one ends, the kids will be made to wait at the waiting area. The teacher then hands each kid a picture that says “check schedule” and the kid will then put the picture in the box on the board (each kid has his own colour; Ajab’s is blue), look at the schedule board, take the picture of the next activity (work with teacher, for example), then find the correct area in the classroom where that activity will be conducted, place the picture in the box at that area and then start the activity.
Sounds complicated?
Not really. And it really helps the kids understand what’s going on and what the teacher wants them to do and where to go. That’s why we’re implementing it at home, where we’ve set aside an area next to the shoe cabinet as Ajab’s waiting area. Being highly-trained and well-drilled in the art of following these kinds of instructions, the waiting area is a great tool for us to use when we want him to get ready to go out. All we need to do is tell him “Ajab, waiting area!” and he’ll run to the waiting area, sit on the stool and wait for us to put his shoes on for him.
Unless, of course, his favourite programme is on TV. Then we’d have to call him a few times before he’d budge from the sofa, walk backwards towards the waiting area, while keeping his eyes firmly glued to the TV. Most of the time he’ll go to the waiting area immediately, though.
We might do a schedule board for him at home, but I’m just wondering what sort of activities we’d like him to do, given our own busy schedules with housework and having to juggle the other two kids. Ayeed will be taught this picture association method as soon as he’s old enough to follow instructions. These days, the moment I set him down on the floor outside our door to get my keys from my bag, he’d run off to the stairs because he’s seen Ajab climb the stairs and he wants to copy his brother. I wish I had eyes at the back of my head to look out for him, because no amount of calling his name would make him come to me. Me going to Ayeed to try and grab him would result in his quick feet scurrying around me, trying to avoid being caught.
I wish I had a few more arms and legs too.
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