Living an expat life is a challenge. You have to make an adjustment to almost every aspect of your life: food, language, culture and tradition, religion and yes — education.
Our Utoy left the Philippines and his regular schooling in Bauan East Central School two months into his Grade 1 class. From there on, we enrolled him into the NEU-HIP homeschooling system. In this system, the learning guides, modules, and examinations were sent to us thru the internet and we, the parents became teachers to Utoy. Academically, this system is good enough for him. He is learning the same lessons expected to be learned by students at the same level in a regular schooling system. He is being taught by most patient, loving, and good-looking teachers. The slight problem though is the aspect of socialization. And so it is where the parent-teachers have to be creative.
It Started with the Christmas Season
As early as the first week of December last year, Miss Marge created a Facebook group for the kids so we can take them around the Pinoy community here and sing Christmas carols. We arranged for a practice season in Arch Jun’s house. We asked Sir Basil, Miss Dhang and some other friends to play the guitar and so all the kids had to do were sing the songs.
We rounded up the expats here in Oman: nurses, teachers, doctors and all. They served us food in almost every house that we went in. We brought them at least a little feel of Christmas. Some of those that we visited were even brought to tears. And who will not get nostalgic if you meet these kids after a day’s work with people who don’t even know Santa Claus?
We wrapped up the Christmas season with a Christmas Party for the kids and from that party, the mothers hatched another plan of having an activity day for the kids.
Just Like in School…
Yesterday is the second session of the kids’ activity day. Miss Marge is the teacher and activity coordinator. She prepares the activities and the lessons.
Their day involves reciting prayers, singing, reading the Gospel together with some writing and role-playing activities. The kids also work on crafts that enhances their creativity.
Utoy is the Winner
Not, that he is the best but in case you don’t know yet — he is an only child, for now 😅. All the others kids have their siblings: Matt and Mariel, Adin and Angel, David, Jacob and Ion. During activity days like these, Utoy gets to play with real kids. Not his imaginary sister or his aging parents or his vintage iPad. By the way, he wants a sister with blue eyes.
Children need to develop people skills and learn how to work in groups. All the academic aspects of every lesson is available in Google as long as there is an Internet connection. But working with friends, assisting someone who needs help or asking for help from someone can only be learned in face to face interactions like these.
We thank God for those people who come with us along our way as we wander this world, and help us in the upbringing of our Utoy. May God bless you more.
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