The wise words of a Child

A Year 1 student (5 years old). The definition of Success ‘You want to do something, you try it and you get it’.

Year 1 (when asked who you enjoy getting along with?) – ‘I get along with everybody and I specially get along with myself’.

From a teenager whose Mum is a reforming Teller. Mr. Clinch, My Mum is different already!! It is great.

A Parents Story

This letter is to say that things have improved considerably for N in school, in respect of the two boys who were bothering her. Thank you so much for your concern – things are also better at home now she’s happier at school. Please pass my thanks to …., I think I can at least let him know his methods are working. Thank you again.

Dear Mr Clinch

I am a Teacher's Aide Special at a public primary school in NSW.  I am very interested in your work.  In this year's kindergarten we have a student who has outstanding behavioural problems, which are disruptive to the whole class.  I gather your ideas are also effective with 6 year olds.  Are you able to elaborate on your techniques so that we can set the ball rolling to improve this lads life?  Perusal of your website has given me your background information but I need more understanding of how to implement your techniques.  Hoping you can help.  Thank you. Teacher NSW.

 Dear Teacher in NSW

Thank you for contacting us.  I would love to contribute if I can.

 In more recent times I have been working in pre classes in Qld where the kids are between 4 and 5 years.  I have seen some very brave teachers get some great results by using some different approaches. 

 What we have found is that it doesn't matter what age the kids are they all turn up with their own concepts of what school, learning, teachers and future is about.  Which sometimes mean that if you have 20 kids in the class you could have twenty different concepts to work with.  The connector for these concepts is the language we use, mainly our words and the way that we share them.

 My understandings are:

 1.  There will be common words that you use every day.  I suggest that each day you take one of these words write it on the board and ask the kids as a group this question 'What does this word mean for you?'  The 'for you' is the most important part of the question.  This will build a common understanding for the base language in your room. 

 2.  The special young boy who has prompted you to write will more than likely respond far better to being Asked rather than Told.  This is because the process of Telling can be the stimulus for the habitual behaviour that I think you are talking about. 

 3.  For many young people they often turn up in the classroom with frustration as their dominate emotion, which will lead to behaviour that will express anger.  To change this we need to wean them to another emotion.  I use enjoy.  When you see the young many doing something he likes to do (playing) ask him the question 'What did you enjoy about playing this morning?'

'What do you enjoy most about teaching?'.  Sometimes the ones who challenge us the most have the most to share with us.

My wish for you is that you experience the satisfaction of learning what this young man has to share with you.

Regards Randall

No. 2

 Dear Randall

I knew your name and your Web site when I take the EWTR course in Monash University.

It seems that there are some similar factors from my situation and yours.

The unqualified  matter is a restriction to my approaching to education and learning.

I have worked for several years on a project trying to find a new solution to our fading Vietnamese abroad.

Many Vietnamese students feel bored after a several years learning their mother tongue

I have tried to bring music into classrooms for relaxation. My efforts was seen only as a form of entertainment. I prepared my materials to include singing and activities into the learning. My new method was tested last year in numerous VN schools for short sessions showed attractive result, but I did not get a chance to exploit the whole set.

A new centre was established this year to serve as my laboratory. The improvement from my practice now has come to a good conclusion. It is can help preschool students ( of 3 year old )  to master the alphabet in an interesting way, not forced..

The prospect of my work is very bright, and it can bring a good  effect  to our nation wide education system. It will go beyond the boundary of any language.

The matter I want to express here relates to my time I have spend deeply into this project.

I myself was a POW for 18 years. Forgetting about the past as I want to live the rest of my life for next generation. From 1998, I gave up my job to start my work. I spend my time - day and night - and my Unemployed Allowance for the expenditure of my research. ( privately, my work  do not get funding  or nor community contribution )

I now can show public the achievement of my tireless efforts, but the communication between me and my children, especially my older son, was broken down.

My second son ( 15 year old )  is now showing his indignation to every member of our family, showing aggressive to wards his little brother  and sisters.

His behavior worsen as day went by. Leaving home when ever he likes.

He was selfish from birth ( wanted every for himself first ), and was once be trouble with police at the age of twelve ( following a friend climbing into a school ). I myself had some time treated him with rod.

I would like you to help my boy.

Thankfully Yours.