Most parents want their children to have the best exposure to everything in life. After all, we desire the best for them. But there is only that much daylight hours. How can we be effective in what we do?

Before we dive into the actual journey of our child learning Chinese, or even if we are already in the midst of it, we cannot lose sight and forget why we were there in the first place. Perhaps there has never been even a thought of having a reason for starting it. After all, learning Chinese has long been regarded as important by the world. So it just happens to be on the list of many family’s mission.

Having a family vision, therefore, is necessary. Learning Chinese should not be a standalone mission that has no connection with the rest of our value and goal in life. Otherwise, it becomes meaningless and detached, as can be with the acquisition of many academic subjects. We can easily lose sight of our aim. Moreover, the process becomes destination-based rather than process-based. We and our children can easily get burned out and we may never reach our goal, if there was any in the first place.

 

Action:
• Make a chart of goals undertaken and to be taken in your family and the child’s life and the time and effort in each.
• How does Chinese learning stand in priority when placed with other family vision and goals?
• Discuss and re-prioritize with your family members, not just on your own. We need support from them, including the child.

Check out more reflective questions here.