Tara's 2nd Day @ School

I thought with the crying episode on Day 1, Tara will go into a major meltdown in the morning when I got her ready for school. To my surprise, she didn't kick up a fuss and even said school in a happy tone. Oh great, I thought, at least she didn't resist the idea of school.

While I was parking at the school carpark, Tara said "Mummy... 吃饭... 娃娃 (that what she calls herself these days).. 哭..". I was taken aback for a while, she actually remembered she cried when I went for my lunch the day before. I assured her I will be there with her the whole day, that school is nothing to be afraid of, there are so many things to play with, so many new friends, nice teachers and aunties.

Tara walked into the classroom without any resistance and was pretty excited to start the class. She refused to eat the breakfast of oats cooked with milk cos it's too bland for her liking. She happily joined the class for songs and dance but she kept her eye on me the whole time. I cannot go out of sight for even a minute and I can't even leave her side for long. Tara will be happily dancing and singing for one minute, and pulling me out of the chair to join her the next. I can't even go to the toilet.

Communication booklet. We will write any messages we have for the teachers, and vice versa, in this booklet.

There was a music and movement class today. Mats were placed on the floor. The teacher played the piano, called out a student's name and he/she have to take their place on the mats. I enjoyed the class tremendously but I can't say the same for Tara, she preferred running around the big room and I had to chase after her every now and then. Before the class ended, Teacher Red (Her chinese surname is Hong) wanted the kids to lie still on the mat and she will give stickers to those well behaved ones. Tara was still on a high and running around, but when she saw the other kids get their stickers, she quickly lie down on the mat and pretend to sleep. The little girl was so happy to get a sticker and was pasting it everywhere, until it could no longer stick.

Music & Movement class


Tara lying on the mat and waiting for her sticker.

The difficult part came when it was time to shower. Tara got scared and insist that I shower her. I stood at the side, watch her bawl her lungs out and resist from snatching the shower head from Teacher Yiang and showering her myself. It was hard. But I had to stop babying Tara, so I stood and watch and reassure her at the same time. It was only when I towel dry her that she finally stopped crying. I brought her back to the class where Teacher Cai was blow drying the kids' hair, two by two. Tara's hair didn't need any drying actually cos it's so little and so short. It took a mere 10 seconds to dry her hair.

Water play in the toilet. She loves it!

A video of Tara playing with water. She's the one in blue.




Teacher Cai drying Tara's hair.


Snack time! Her favourite fruit, papaya. She had 3 servings!


Lunch was spaghetti and she finished 2 bowls! Great appetite.

She kept asking me to take pictures of her while she was eating and purposely made funny faces when chewing the food. I took a video instead.



I spoke to Teacher Ming Chue about Tara. I told her Tara wasn't like that at home and she wasn't that attached to me. Tara was a pretty independent kid and was able to do quite a bit of things herself. Teacher Ming Chue said she could see traces of that (Tara being independent), commented Tara wasn't feeling secure in a new environment and need more time to get used to it. I said I don't intend to accompany her on Day 3 but the teacher wanted me to give Tara the full 3 days, of me accompanying her, that is. She told me to bring anything that Tara likes to school, for e.g. a toy, a bear etc. The only thing she loves most was holding her hanky and sucking her thumb, I told her. The teacher observed that I’m always trying to slowly distance myself from Tara and she said it’s a good method.


Her favourite place, the dress up corner.

After a story, the little ones queue to go into the Dory room for their afternoon nap. I had to go in with Tara. And during the half hour I "human sarong-ed" Tara to sleep, I was so impressed that the little ones were able to fall asleep without much fuss. I left for my late lunch after Tara fell asleep.

The Dory room. The kids packing up their sleep gear after the nap.

When I came back, Tara was awake and crying for me, again. It took me quite a while to calm her down.


Colouring an apple.

Her favourite time of the day was playing with dough. I made a little pig for her and I got her to make one herself. I pinched and rolled out little bits of dough and tell her to put fix it up herself. She was really cute, she actually picked up the pig body and stuck all 4 feet right underneath the butt area, instead of following the way I place the legs.

This was made by me.


This was made by Tara.

Classes ended at 5pm but I thought I will let Tara play for a while in the indoor playground. After 20 mins, while she was having fun with the kiddy rides and slides, I told her we are going home and she lightly pushed me, and said "No! Mummy 去吃饭! Bye Bye!". She wanted me to leave her!

Tara having fun at the indoor playground.

Oh well, kids.