B is for BITES

Upon entering the PG2 class (it's a holding area for kids after class) last Tuesday, Ms. Phebe called out to me saying:

"Hi Mrs Foo, I am so sorry to inform you that Beatrice was bitten today by her classmate P.

P started hugging Beatrice very tightly and when she planted a kiss on her cheek, the kid actually bitten her. When we noticed P was biting Beatrice, we quickly pulled them apart. I have cleaned the wound and had asked Beatrice how come she did not push P away, but she just continued saying P has bitten me. We have told P's parent about what she did in school, but her parents mentioned that P does that back home all the time to her younger sibling. I will be monitoring her and we will time her out if she does it again. I am so sorry."

I took a quick examination of Beatrice's cheek and found that the "wound" was not that serious. It was more like a bruise, maybe because the teachers were quick to react. Anyway, we have been constantly telling Beatrice not to fight back in the event when her friends hit her. But rather, she should quickly move away and call out for help loudly to her teachers. Hence, that explained why Beatrice did not push her friend away.

Well as a matter of fact, I have mentally prepared myself for such incidences which do happen in schools, and among younger children. There are many of such attacks I have read in magazines and books, whereby kids would display such biting behaviour when they are in the process of developing their emotion. However, it is the parents comment which I could not accept, when they shared with the teacher that the child "does that back home all the time!" I don't think this statement is very responsible. I feel that kids are fantastic learners, and with proper coaching, they will understand what is right and wrong. I am not saying that my girl is well taught, but rather, she has been reminded almost everyday about the dos and don'ts. Reminders and role plays will definitely help the kid to understanding better.

I have received a commented from Ms. Phebe that very day too about my daughter. She has been hugging and kissing little Isabelle so much, and so hard that little Isabelle fell. In view of the recent increase in HMFD again, the teachers has caution me about hygiene. I told her that I will talk to Beatrice when we are home. And for the case of little Isabelle, we will have to teach Beatrice how to share her love for little kids in a more appropriate manner. For our little girl has grown much more muscle mass now that she attend gym everyday.

Back home, when we have settled down after dinner, I showed Beatrice how to blow little kisses to all her friends and get them to catch the kisses. As for the hugs she loves to give to Isabelle, I have asked Beatrice to give little pat on Isabelle's shoulder, like the sayang sayang stroke. Beatrice loves Isabelle a lot! And her teachers also know about this. Beatrice will come back home and while sharing with us her daily activities, she will always say, "Isabelle is a good girl!" Hmm ... I think she has turned her attention to Isabelle, ever since her friend, whom she got along so very well initially, decided to be back in school only next year.

The teachers feedback for the week on Beatrice:
Beatrice has done a good job, and she has been blowing kisses to her friends!

Good Job Done, Beatrice!

A photo to share of the bruise on Beatrice's cheek