Source: THE NEW YORK TIMES
September 22, 2006
In China, Children of the Rich Learn Class, Minus the Struggle
SHANGHAI, Sept. 21 — Every weekday this summer, Rose Lei drove her daughter, Angelina, 5, to a golf complex at the edge of central Shanghai for a two-hour, $200 individual lesson with a teaching pro from Scotland.
But now that the school year has started, little Angelina will have to cut back on the golf, limiting herself to weekend sessions at a local driving range. In addition to her demanding school schedule, she will be attending private classes at FasTracKids, an after-school academy for children as young as 4 that bills itself as a junior M.B.A. program.
Ms. Lei, 35, a former information technology expert and the wife of a prosperous newspaper advertising executive, is part of a new generation of affluent parents here who are planning ways to cement their children’s place in a fast-emerging elite.
A generation ago, when people still dressed in monochromes and acquiring great wealth, never mind flaunting it, was generally illegal, the route to success was to join the right Communist Party youth organization or to attend one of the best universities.
Now the race starts early, with an emphasis not on ideology but on the skills and experiences the children will need in the elite life they are expected to lead. In addition to early golf training, which has become wildly popular, affluent parents are enrolling their children in everything from ballet and private music lessons, to classes in horse riding, ice-skating, skiing and even polo.
The intense interest in lifestyle training speaks not just to parents’ concern for their children’s futures but also to a general sense of social insecurity among China’s newly rich.
“These people are rich economically but lacking in basic manners, and they are not very fond of their own reputation,” said Wang Lianyi, an expert in comparative cultural studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in Beijing. Of the 35 million Chinese who traveled overseas last year, he said, many were shocked to discover that they were often viewed as having bad manners.
To address that, some of the newly affluent, like Ms. Lei, take their young children for extended stays overseas. London and New York are popular choices, because the children can get a head start on speaking Western-accented English.
Others are signing up for finishing schools popping up in China, which promise to train youngsters how to become proper ladies and gentlemen in the highest Western tradition.
The best known of these programs is run by a bluntly spoken Japanese woman, June Yamada, who charges about $900 for a two-week course that includes a brief stay at a five-star hotel here. Teenagers must bathe before dinner, take afternoon tea, wear formal dress and relearn how to walk, how to eat, how to dance and how to engage politely with members of the opposite sex.
“I don’t just teach them what to do and what not to do, I teach the girls how to be women, and the boys how to be men,” said Ms. Yamada, a former fashion writer who wrote a popular book on manners here. “We’re probably the most expensive school in Shanghai, but nobody is complaining and they keep coming back, so we must be doing something right.”
Ms. Yamada said she insisted that a parent attend the classes with any student she accepted, “because if the parent is spitting watermelon seeds or chicken bones right out of their mouth at home, what is the use of all the fine things we are teaching?”
It is hard to say how many Chinese have the money to lavish such attention on their children, but the limited number of surveys that have been done and anecdotal evidence indicate that the number is exploding.
Gao Ruxi of Shanghai Jiao Tong University conducted research in 2003 that showed that 15.4 percent of the city’s 17 million people — about 2.6 million — were rich enough to own a house and a vehicle.
Another report, from a Chinese research group called Horizon, estimated that in 2003 there were 569,000 families or individuals in Shanghai with liquid assets of at least $62,500.
FasTracKids, which started in Shanghai in 2004, has since opened two more outlets here and another in Guangzhou, and it is planning a fifth in Hangzhou.
The private program’s after-school sessions are held in brightly decorated classrooms, where fewer than a dozen children, typically 4 or 5 years old, are taught by as many as three teachers. The program emphasizes scientific learning, problem solving and, most attractively for many parents, assertiveness.
“Parents like myself are worrying about China becoming a steadily more competitive society,” said Zhong Yu, 36, a manufacturing supervisor whose wife is a senior accountant with an international firm and whose 7-year-old son has been enrolled in the junior M.B.A. classes. “Every day we see stories in the newspapers about graduates unable to find good jobs. Education in China is already good in the core subjects, but I want my son to have more creative thinking, because basic knowledge isn’t sufficient anymore.”
Mr. Zhong said that for all of their high salaries, he and his wife had very demanding jobs with little leisure time, and the bottom line for them was “wanting our son to have a better life than we have had.”
To some extent, the trend is driven by a collision of rising affluence and China’s one-child policy, which forces parents to focus all their energy and resources on a single child. But experts say there is more at work, that it reflects fear of a new kind of rat race, in which the entire society is hustling for advancement.
“At the top of the pyramid will be exceptionally strong graduates from top American or European universities who become a sort of ‘international freemen,’ ” said Qiu Huadong, an author and editor who has written about the new elite. “They work several years in China, and then they go abroad for a while, shifting locations every few years. At the bottom of the pyramid will be those who didn’t get such an outstanding education, and they’ll be sweating and bleeding for China and globalization.”
Other experts say that for many others, the grooming schools, study abroad and lessons in elite sports like golf and polo are as much about a gnawing sense of social insecurity as they are about getting ahead.
“Americans respect people who came from nothing and made something of themselves, and they also respect rich people,” Mr. Wang added. “In China, people generally don’t respect rich people, because there is a strong feeling that they are lacking in ethics. These new rich not only want money, they want people to respect them in the future.”
Indeed, some of the newly well-to-do have broadened their quest for respectability, enlisting their children in charity activities at the same time as they push them into classes aimed at getting them ahead.
Shan Lei, 31, a homemaker and former investment specialist whose husband is a shipping executive, said the family had invested $100,000 in a golf-club membership and had introduced her daughter to the sport, along with piano and skating lessons. They also manage to squeeze in charity work with AIDS orphans.
“Golf is played by the upper classes, but I want her to recognize there is social diversity,” said Ms. Lei, who is not related to Rose Lei. “I want her to care for others in the society.”
But there is little question that the driving force for most parents is the challenge of succeeding in an increasingly competitive society.
“My childhood was completely different from my daughter’s,” Rose Lei said. “We didn’t have things like FasTracKids or golfing, and that is why we want her to have those opportunities.” Asked if she had other motives, like ensuring that her daughter joins the ranks of China’s affluent class, she did not miss a beat. “Yes, this is very important,” she said.
SOURCE: QUEENS PARENT
FASTRACKIDS OFFERS PRESCHOOL ALTERNATIVE IN REGO PARK |
FasTracKids in Rego Park now offers a preschool alternative. The preschool teaches students how to use technology and public speaking skills in academics. Students will also use multi-sensory skills to learn math, sciences, and public speaking. The preschool also offers daily cooking and reading activities, as well as hands-on and interactive projects and experiments. FasTracKids also offers a Gifted & Talented prep course.
FasTracKids, an international program available in more than 50 countries worldwide that enhances a child’s learning experience, will open a preschool alternative in Rego Park this September. The program combines enrichment learning, critical thinking, and state-of-the-art technology to engage students. FasTracKids’ preschool alternative program prepares young children for early-childhood education, while teaching them how to use technology and public speaking skills in their academics. “Wesley College held an independent study on the benefits of FastTracKids,” says president Dave Nager. “They found that kids enrolled in our program for 6 months learned 150-200 times faster than kids that were not.” The preschool alternative program is offered Tuesday-Friday 10am-12:30pm. Children will use multi-sensory skills to learn many subjects, including math, earth science, astronomy, chemistry, and public speaking. “Cooking Together” and “Reading Together” are among some of the daily activities. All of the projects and experiments are hands-on and interactive, and children use Smart Boards in the classroom. FasTracKids also offers a Gifted & Talented prep course for students ages 4-5. The prep course is offered once a week for 14-week sessions. |
NOVEMBER 2013
Prepare your child for the Gifted and Talented Test – What a Parent Needs to Know and How Fastrackids® can help:
As a parent in New York, you are well aware of the disparity and lack of quality education in schools. The number of first-rate schools seems to dwindle each year and being zoned for an underachieving school is a distressing and frustrating dilemma for parents. Here is where the NYC Gifted and Talented Test comes in. The test allows a child with a high score to be placed in an advanced class in your zoned school or even a better school outside your zone, where your child can find the proper academic environment for learning. Clearly, the competition is intense for the limited number of seats for the Gifted and Talented Program. As such, the best strategy is to ensure that your child is well prepared for the Gifted and Talented Test.
So, what does the Gifted and Talented Test cover?
The current test consists of two combined parts: the NNAT2 and the OLSAT. To get a passing score, your child must do well on both tests to enable admission into either a District Program or a City Wide Gifted school. Admission does not depend on your child’s ability to memorizing and relaying material, instead, the test is interested in assessing whether your child has learned to critically think and analyze problems. Essentially, the test requires your child to master 5 of the 6 learning objectives classified by Bloom’s Taxonomy (fig. 1) and demonstrate their applications.
According to Bloom’s Taxonomy, memorization is the most basic starting objective. It challenges students to practice higher modes of thinking such as comprehension (understanding), application (using knowledge in new situations), analysis (critical thinking) and evaluation (judgment). The Gifted Schools and Programs are keen to recruit students who are at the “creating” stage, which represents a higher level of potential.
Now you may be wondering: How does a parent prepare their child to think in complex and abstract ways? The key is to focus on teaching outcomes verses memorization. There are indeed a select number of question-types (sequencing, patterns etc.) offered on this test, but if your child’s exam preparation is solely geared towards learning how to solve these particular types of questions –your child will be at a great disadvantage. During the test-although the question-types will be the same- the questions themselves obviously will not and when the scenario changes your child will struggle to apply the solution, because they will not recognize that the problems are fundamentally the same.
Fastrackids® is an amazing resource for developing your child’s Gifted and Talented abilities. The best strategy is to start early- think beyond test prep and aim to develop your child’s innate learning abilities. FasTracKids offers the “best rated” programs that serve as precursors to our G&T prep course: A) Fastrackids® Explorers/Discovers Advanced Pre-K Program (ages 2.5 to 5) and B) Fastrackids® Core Program (ages 3 to 7). Both of these programs have been independently researched by Wellesley College’s National Institute on Out-of-School Time and has shown to promote knowledge enrichment, application of knowledge, leadership/personality development, creative development and speaking skills. Your child will develop a solid foundation supplemented by our 14-week Gifted and Talented (G&T) Program designed to expose your child to the test material as well as ways of thinking and analyzing. We teach our students metacognitive strategies that help them look past the surface of a problem and identify its inner organization, thereby getting them to figuring out a solution from a place of understanding. And like all of our other Fastrackids® program, our G&T Program employs a Montessori approach to teaching that is devoted to instilling a drive to explore learning. In our G&T classes, we employ multisensory based learning. A typical 1.5 hour class is divided between solving workbook problems, smart board activities, logic games and engagement through relaying real-life examples. Choosing to involve Fastrackids® in your child’s G&T preparation process is to your advantage. We cannot stress enough the importance of engaging your child to think dynamically and critically. At the end of the day, your active interest in your child’s early education is the biggest factor in providing a meaningful and successful academic career. We encourage parents to investigate the long term benefits of holistic early-learning that diverges from short-term memorization. Think of the Gifted and Talented Program as not only a means to better school prospects, but also as an opportunity to teach your child invaluable learning skills. Most importantly, call us for a free trail class and see for yourself. Fastrackids® makes learning fun and accessible. Your child will love the learning experience that Fastrackids® provides!
All the Best
Bloom’s Taxonomy (fig. 1)
Recourses:
Gifted & Talented Admissions Wedsite:
http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/GiftedandTalented/default.htm
Fastrackids Research Study:
http://www.fastrackids.com/researchstudies
Bloom’s Taxanomy:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/faculty_staff/faculty/center-for-faculty-development/Documents/Tutorials/Assessment/module2/index.htm
Brain-Based Research
Source: FasTracKids.com
How Brain-Based Education is used in the FasTracKids Programs
The uniqueness of children’s minds creates a special challenge for FasTracKids instructors. Brain changes are still noticeable 48 hours after stimulation to the brain occurs. Many of these changes are significant to and predictive of the child’s future learning. In studying the brain, we have learned that the areas developed depend on the type of stimulation received.
FasTracKids students are exposed to complex activities to exercise and form brain connections. These activities must be presented in a fun, challenging way to insure that the children are engaged. They are further enhanced when they are accompanied by continuous feedback from instructors and peers.
FasTracKids utilizes Educational Zigzagging methods that promote repetition without repeating the same piece of information in the same way. The content of the FasTracKids program is combined with the unique delivery of the lesson to form the key ingredients for growing young minds. The subject matter is continually reinforced through new activities using different modalities throughout the lesson to strengthen the children’s neural connections, without the typical loss of interest.
Educational Zigzagging refers to the learning of a concept by reinforcement of the subject matter through the use of many different exposures and applications. In a FasTracKids lesson, the concept to be learned is the center focus and is presented on the FasTrack Learning Station®. After each exposure to the concepts, activities are planned to strengthen the learning of the concepts. This includes learning through hand-on projects, experiments, role-plays and videotaping. The return after each activity to concepts presented by the lesson results in a zigzagging effect.
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FasTracKids: The Best Learning Program for Success in School and Life
By Ruchi Nagar, Educational Curriculum Expert Rego Park
FasTracKids Developing Gifted & Talented Capabilities of Children
Parents are always looking for the best available learning programs for their children. There is little doubt that children are naturally born with unique creative abilities that must be fully reinforced and developed at an early age to insure success in the future. It’s never too early to start the learning process when it comes to young children. Of course, starting as early as 2 ½ or 3-years old is the best age for children to begin the process of classroom learning and reinforcing the natural curiosity that they all tend to have. FasTracKids’ independently researched program provides exactly the vital developmental skills necessary for children to be successful in school and life – communications and public speaking, critical thinking, problem solving, social interaction along with best learning environment for a science-based curriculum. Once parents recognize and take advantage of early developmental learning opportunity of the FasTrackids program, sky is the limit as to how far children can go academically and in life. Children have the natural ability to learn and develop their own gifted and talented capabilities. FasTracKids is widely recognized throughout the world for providing the best program for young children to develop their gifted and talented capabilities.
Independent Research FasTracKids Program
Wellesley College, Massachusetts, performed independent research involving children from all over the world with respect to the benefits of the FasTracKids program. The results of the research are absolutely nothing short of amazing. Children participating in the FasTracKids program for only 6 months increased their learning abilities anywhere from 150% to 200% faster than students who did not participate in the FasTracKids program.
Children are born unique, creative and capable. Their developmental growth is fueled when they are motivated to take a step-by-step approach to move ahead by engaging in different activities, all of which help in supporting learning capabilities of students throughout their life. The FasTracKids is a proven and tested program backed by independent research that has been helping young children for the past 17-years to achieve success at an early age with lasting lifetime benefits in nearly 50 countries around the world.
FASTRACKIDS PROVIDES THE BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN 2 1/2 TO 6 YEARS OLD
FASTRACKIDS CENTERS are dedicated to providing a safe, secure environment full of hands on learning for each individual child. It is an educational center that thrives on building and enhancing improving children’s self-esteem, creativity and interest toward gaining knowledge along with intelligence development.
FasTracKids: The Best Learning Program for Success in School and Life
By Ruchi Nagar, Educational Director, Rego Park
FasTracKids Developing Gifted & Talented Capabilities of Children
Parents are always looking for the best available learning programs for their children. There is little doubt that children are naturally born with unique creative abilities that must be fully reinforced and developed at an early age to insure success in the future. It’s never too early to start the learning process when it comes to young children. Of course, starting as early as 2 ½ or 3-years old is the best age for children to begin the process of classroom learning and reinforcing the natural curiosity that they all tend to have. FasTracKids’ independently researched program provides exactly the vital developmental skills necessary for children to be successful in school and life – communications and public speaking, critical thinking, problem solving, social interaction along with best learning environment for a science-based curriculum. Once parents recognize and take advantage of early developmental learning opportunity of the FasTrackids program, sky is the limit as to how far children can go academically and in life. Children have the natural ability to learn and develop their own gifted and talented capabilities. FasTracKids is widely recognized throughout the world for providing the best program for young children to develop their gifted and talented capabilities.
Independent Research FasTracKids Program
Wellesley College, Massachusetts, performed independent research involving children from all over the world with respect to the benefits of the FasTracKids program. The results of the research are absolutely nothing short of amazing. Children participating in the FasTracKids program for only 6 months increased their learning abilities anywhere from 150% to 200% faster than students who did not participate in the FasTracKids program.
Children are born unique, creative and capable. Their developmental growth is fueled when they are motivated to take a step-by-step approach to move ahead by engaging in different activities, all of which help in supporting learning capabilities of students throughout their life. The FasTracKids is a proven and tested program backed by independent research that has been helping young children for the past 17-years to achieve success at an early age with lasting lifetime benefits in nearly 50 countries around the world.
FASTRACKIDS PROVIDES THE BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN 2 1/2 TO 6 YEARS OLD
FASTRACKIDS CENTERS are dedicated to providing a safe, secure environment full of hands on learning for each individual child. It is an educational center that thrives on building and enhancing improving children’s self-esteem, creativity and interest toward gaining knowledge along with intelligence development.
The Best Methodology for Mastering Math, Reading, & Writing Gaps for Students K through 9th Grade
Want your child to be a high performing student in school? The best way to excel academically is to ensure that the students develop a sound foundation from the very start. The longer parents wait to deal with a stressful struggling student, the more difficult the process gets to help achieve success. The goal should be to identify each student’s gaps and weaknesses as early as possible and take remedial proactive approach to enable the student to master the lacking skill level.
Step 1 – Start with a Comprehensive Diagnostic Test
Clearly, no two students are the same. It’s impossible to know what students know and need help with. As such, a comprehensive diagnostic test is vital to assess each student’s areas of strengths, but more importantly, the areas where the student has gaps or weaknesses.
Step 2 – Develop a Systematic Curriculum to Master Skills
The key goal is to identify areas of weakness and make sure that those lacking skills are perfectly mastered. Any areas of remaining, if not mastered fully, will result in future problems. Learning is foundational where everything builds upon a lasting structural knowledge. A focused approach can go a long way in helping students not only to catch-up but accelerate several grade levels above. Being ahead is clearly more desirable since the self-esteem and confidence resulting from it makes for highly motivated students.
Step 3 – Practice! Practice! Practice!
Nothing is simpler to say but hard to do for students: Practice! There is no doubt about it. You get what you put in. With all the things that are available to distract students - computers, video games, mobile phones, etc. - there seems to be less time available for students to study and practice their skill levels. The key goal is to set-up regular time in a student friendly environment where learning can be done without external distractions.
With a high student teacher ratio in overcrowded schools, students can hardly be faulted. Learning requires patience, perseverance, and above all practice for students to master their skill levels so that they can excel academically not only in school but in life.
Avoid the “Summer Slide” by Enrolling in a Learning Program!
Time off from school shouldn’t be time off from learning! Summer is the best time to advance and improve students’ learning skills when they have lots of free time on hand. Don’t let your child experience the “summer slide” this year. It is widely documented that without structured learning, students are likely to lose 1 to 3 months of reading and math skill …..this is commonly referred to as the “summer slide”.
Enroll your child in the FasTracKids summer fun learning program. Each day, students have two-hours of learning (1 hour Math and 1 hour English) to master their skills along with an hour of recreational swimming. The Rego Park location is conveniently located and provides Olympic size swimming pool located on the premises. Each student works in a small group with a teacher in a comfortable environment and everyone has an easy access to the swimming pool at the in-house facility. Call now to enroll your child at the FasTracKids in Rego Park 718-441-3762.
About the author
Ruchi Nagar is the educational director who has taught at FasTracKids Rego Park for over 14-years. Ms. Ruchi holds multiple advance degrees in Education, Psychology and English Literature. She is a widely published author in the areas of early childhood development and education of students from over 60 countries.