Dalat International School News - Penang, Malaysia
3 February, 2017 - The Power of Boredom


Over the four-day weekend, did any of your kids tell you they were bored? Possibly not as there are a number of activities surrounding Chinese New Year that keep us busy. However, during the longer breaks from school most parents struggle with the fact that their children become bored.
 
Interestingly enough, the World Economic Forum is saying that if you want to be a good parent let your children be bored? What? That does not seem to make a lot of sense. So many of us parents are involved in filling up our children’s time from sun up to sun down with various activities. The activities themselves are not the problem, and many if not most are positive in different ways.
 
The problem is if we never let children be bored we are taking away the opportunity for some very important life skills to develop when children face boredom. Researchers and child psychologists are now saying that boredom provides and even forces an inner quiet that helps younger children with self-awareness. Figuring out what to do when they are bored develops creativity, resourcefulness, and perseverance (as long as mom and dad handle it well).
 
So what do you do as a parent if your child is bored? 
  • First and foremost, do not rush in with solutions. Let them try to solve the issue of boredom themselves. Make it their responsibility to solve the problem not you.
  • Do not provide them with more screen time or easy entertainment. TV, DVD’s, video games, the internet all solve the boredom problem but do not push them to be imaginative and actually diminish their ability to be creative. They may have solved the problem of boredom, and your problem of hearing them whine about it, but do not let them solve it with a screen.
  • Give them space. Allow them to try and solve it on their own by not being involved in the process. Having stuff around that can help them fill their time can help (Legos, board games, etc.) but do not be the one looking for and finding the stuff to solve the problem. If they ask for help (building a fort, fixing their bike, baking, etc.), feel free to be a part of helping but not in coming up with the solution to the boredom.
  • If they really cannot solve it on their own, you can prompt them with a challenge of some sort (“Hey, can you build me a spaceship out of that box?”) that can help them get going, but then get out of their way and let them figure out how to accomplish it.
So the next time your child (even your teenager) whines to you about being bored, do not take it as a cue to solve it, don’t let them be a screen junkie, get out of their way, and smile because you are actually being a good parent when you do all of this :-)

Have a great weekend,

Karl Steinkamp
Head of School


Valentine Singing Telegrams for Sale
Mathletics Week
Withdrawal Notification Reminder
Senior Scribble
Sports Update
Seaside Café - Lunch Menu
The Last Laugh

 


 
Valentine Singing Telegrams for Sale
노래로 전하는 발렌타인 메시지를 주문하세요
Want to let someone special know that you love them in a very unique way? The Junior Class is selling Singing Telegrams for Valentine’s Day starting Monday, 6 February, after school at the Junior Class Store.
 
For RM2 a group of juniors will visit that special someone on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, 14 February, and sing them a LOVE song to make them feel all warm inside.
 
Mathletics Week
매쓸레틱스 주간
Mathletics week is coming to the elementary school on 6–10 February. All students from K–4 will be encouraged to use Mathletics as much as possible during the week both at home and in school. Students will be given additional time during technology class to earn extra Mathletics points and sharpen their math skills.
 
Throughout this week, students will work towards earning medals and getting their class into the Mathletics hall of fame. Classes that get into the Hall of Fame will earn a pizza party.  The week will end with a live Mathletics competition where students will compete against their respective teachers.
 
Withdrawal Notification Reminder
전학 고지 관련 안내
退学通知提醒

This is a reminder to all families who are intending to leave Dalat International School at the end of our second semester, June 2017 (note: for seniors, this does not apply). The deadline for notifying the school is in March; however, as spaces in some of our classes is limited, if you already know you are leaving, we would appreciate an earlier notice when possible. Withdrawal plans can be kept confidential (administration only) upon request until the deadline. To submit your withdrawal notice, fill out the online exit survey at: https://dalatinternationalschool.wufoo.com/forms/m1k7ij2w0jeyol3/.

To make certain you receive a refund of your Holding Deposit, the Admissions Coordinator must be informed via the online Exit Survey no later than: 15 March.

Senior Scribble
12학년 블로그 "시니어 스크리블"
学长语录
Each week, seniors write journalistic articles about current events or individuals within the Dalat community. These articles are published on the blog, The Senior Scribble. If you would like to read their fantastic coverage, click on the following link: http://seniorscribble.blogspot.my/ 
 
This week’s articles are from Khai Yi Khor and Darian Yeap (CNY Break).
 
Sports Update
체육 활동 새 소식
体育消息更新
ACSC Boys Basketball at Dalat

Get ready for thrilling basketball! The atmosphere will be electric, the crowd fired up. Dalat is hosting ACSC boys basketball on 15–18 February. It will be some of the best basketball of the year. Be sure to come cheer on our Dalat boys as they pursue the ACSC title. Be here, be loud!
 
Wednesday, 15 Feb
1:30pm Dalat vs Grace (Thailand)
6pm Dalat vs YISS (Korea)
 
Thursday, 16 Feb
9:30am Dalat vs Morrison (Taiwan)
 
Friday, 17 Feb
Playoffs (check Dalat Facebook page for updates)
 
Saturday, 18 Feb
Playoffs
4:15pm Finals
 
Seaside Cafe - Lunch Menu
해변 카페- 점심 메뉴
午餐菜单
6–10 February

MONDAY
BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
Fried Yellow Noodle
Sandwich Bar – Peanut Butter & Jelly
Salad Bar 
Juice & Water, Ice Cream 

TUESDAY
ELEM – Bite-size Mild Pork
Pineapple Pork, White Rice, Mixed Veggies 
Nasi Kandar Set
Sandwich Bar – Peanut Butter & Jelly
Salad Bar w/ Dressing 
Juice & Water, Fruit

WEDNESDAY
Stir-Fried Hoisin Chicken, White Rice, 
Vegetables
Mamak Mee
Sandwich Bar – Peanut Butter & Jelly
Salad Bar w/ Dressing
Juice & Water, Cookies

THURSDAY
Chicken Vegetable Stew, Rolls
Beef Rendang Set
Sandwich Bar – Peanut Butter & Jelly
Salad Bar w/ Dressing
Juice & Water, Cakes

FRIDAY
Spaghetti w/ Garlic Bread, Mixed Veggies
Bee Hoon Soup
Sandwich Bar – Peanut Butter & Jelly
Salad Bar w/ Dressing
Juice & Water, Popsicles

 
The Last Laugh


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