I find today’s children are much smarter and more exposed to the society & mass media. I’d attribute this partly to the early education insisted by the “kiasu” parents today. Whether good or not, it depends…..

For myself, I only started attending formal school (Primary 1) at the tender age of 7 after spending 1 year in kindergarden @ 6 yrs old.

Contrary to today, adolescent as young as 1.5 yrs old (depending on the kid’s readiness) can be enrolled in early childcare centers. Registration for primary school is open for children as early as when they reach 1-2 years old. What a big difference,though I tend to agree this is a good change simply the children can start learning in advanced by 5 years compared to my time.

Following are some encounters with the children I came across myself or via friends.

1. A conversation between my two nieces (Jacqueline & Kaylee) currently living in California’s Chino Hills and Daniel ( a 8 year old from the neighborhood) last week.

1st conversation:

Daniel :  Kaylee, which boy do you like in your class?

Jacqueline : i think it is Justin.

Kaylee :  No!  It is Krishna.

Daniel :  Does he like you?

Kaylee :  Of course he does (in a very confident way).

2nd conversation:

Jacqueline was whispering to Kaylee over dinner. Her mother was curious & wanted to know what they were whispering abt.
Jacqueline then told her mom following:

Jacqueline : Daniel likes to come to our house.

Mommy : Why?  Anyway, he can’t come everyday.

Jacqueline :  Mommy,  I thinks he likes me.

Mommy :  Oh my goodness.

Jacqueline :  I’m not going to tell anyone.

Jacqueline is only 6 years old while Kaylee is 4,yet both of them already started to indulge in LOVE topics,though the self assuming types,thinking the boys like them for sure.

This is a photo of these 2 little gals back in summer 2007 when they spent 3 months in Malaysia with us:

2. Another incident from my friend’s son:

One day, the son saw a photo of his grandfather hung on the wall in his uncle house. As this was the first time he saw that photo, looking puzzled,he asked his dad who was that in the picture.

Dad: It’s your grandfather,son.

Son: Where is him now?

Dad wasn’t sure that his son will understand “passed away” in Mandarin thus he answered in the following:

Dad: Grandpa is dead already

Looking shocked after hearing the answer, he asked his dad:

Son: Who killed Grandpa? Why?

Dad was speechless for the very moment.

3rd conversation between a father and son too:

One day, the father noticed his 5 year old son’s shirt was not buttoned nicely, he asked his son:

Dad: Son, why can’t you button your shirt correctly?

Son: Daddy, I used my hands to button up my shirt,and unfortunately my hands don’t have eyes on it thus how can i see my shirt if buttoned correctly or not?

The father was stunned by his little son’s reply.

Here are the few examples from the children of today.