Allee

23/05/2023

03/05/2023

[ The Holey Eraser ]

This incident occurred in late 2017, during my final teaching placement in a junior school in Brisbane. I was assigned to a class of 26 little 5-year-olds, in the Prep class as Miss Ashley. Upon noticing two accruing situations, I decided to step in and address them professionally:

1. Some children have developed the habit of using their pencils to dig into their erasers while leaving broken lead in them.

2. A few children were saying hurtful words and calling each other "a meanie".

***

One day, after lunch break, I had a few minutes to spare before the lessons. So, I gathered all the children to sit on the mat in front of the classroom.

I started by reading a book about “kindness”. Then I held an eraser up in the air, and proceeded with a small line of questions.

Me, “I’ve been noticing some children poking their lead pencils into the erasers, and I’m not happy. What happened to the erasers with lead stuck in there? What happened after we pulled the broken lead out of it?"

The children remained silent.

And so I explained, “When the lead remained inside the eraser, someone else who wanted to erase their work would pick up the eraser, rub it on their work and accidentally leave some pencil mark. When someone pulls out the lead, he would also leave a mark, a hole in the eraser - it will be there forever."

I paused for a few seconds and continued, "Just like when we say mean things to our friends and hurt their feelings. They didn't choose to receive them. They might get upset by the sudden attack and do the same to others. We can try fixing it by saying 'sorry', but the scar will be there. And it will stay there forever."

Me, "From now on, I would like to see everyone taking care of our friend’s feelings, and also our school belongings.”

My teaching assistant was listening to the lesson at the side commented that it was a brilliant idea. This particular analogy was inspired by another teacher whom famously used the crumpled paper as an analogy.

***

That afternoon, as I was roaming around the classroom, I could see the evidence of behaviour change. The children would discourage their friends from poking pencil leads into erasers. I hope they will always remember this lesson and prevent themselves from saying hurtful things.

***

The reason why I'm sharing this is to inspire everyone to make use of analogy techniques with young children. They are capable of understanding abstract concepts with concrete examples.

Using analogy appropriately can encourage them to reflect on their actions. This helps to foster empathy and increase desirable behaviour.

- END -

29/04/2023

Have you ever had any interesting encounter with anyone who gave you inspirations?

This incident happened two days ago in Gold Coast.

When I decided to move back to Malaysia from Australia for some time, I had to clear some stocks from my small event hire business. One of them is pink feather lamps. I was annoyed at myself for making the wrong decision buying these lamps, as the colour shade of the feathers was different from what I expected. With this light salmon pink feathers, no one wanted to hire. They only hired the white feather lamps.

Since I am leaving the country, I am happy to clear the stocks at a discounted price.
So I posted an ad titled "AUD 130 Pink feather lamp x 1 - Brand New in BOX" on FB Marketplace.
One Australian lady, M contacted me on FB, I was delighted.

***

M, “Good afternoon, is this available? We are retirees and I'll make you an offer. I'll give you $100 for your lamp, unfortuantely I couldn't save more. If you accept the offer, I'll be happy to buy your lamp.”

Me, “Hi M I can give you $100, however it will be the one that’s opened...it still look like new as I have only used for photoshooting. Is that ok? It's the one in the photo. 😊”

M, “If all the feathers are whole and everything is OK you can please give me your address. Greetings and thank you very much. I have saved the money together and am very much looking forward to the beautiful lamp.”

Me, “Ok I’ll show you photos now, give me one second.”

M, “I’ll look at them when I’m with you. Now I am in the hospital for treatment. I had cancer behind my eye and need to be treated for cataracts.”

***

Immediately, I got really emotional. I would not expect someone with eye cancer wanting to buy a lamp like this, it is not the cheapest lamp out there. I burst into tears. My first thought was, should I just give her the lamp for free? In the end I didn’t because it’s been agreed at a lower price, so I decided to give her an extra light bulb.

***

Moments later, she arrived with her partner, both wearing sunglasses. I could remember vividly, she had the biggest smile on her face.

As they picked up the lamp, M said to me, “Thank you so much. With $100 I get such a beautiful lamp. I’ll take a picture when we have set up the lamp today.”

Me, "I'm excited to see the photos."

***

An hour and a half later, I received messages from M and some photos of the lamp.

M, “Look at how beautiful it looks! I am very happy and once again a big thank you.”

At this point of time I just knew I had to say it, “Wow it looks amazing! ✨ Wish that this lamp will always remind you that there’s hope and you’ll get well soon from your treatment.♥️”

M, “You are a very nice person and I thank you very much and the lamp will always remind me of a very dear woman and put a smile on my face. I had cancer behind my eye and I am grateful to God that I am still alive and I am happy when I can meet such great people like you.”

***

The reason why I’m sharing this is to because through this short encounter with the lady, I have experienced the power and positivity of kind words.
Some words that do not mean much might serve as a hopeful reminder to someone else. A lamp is just a lamp, it can brighten up someone’s day. However when it reminds people of “hope” during the darkest time, it means more than just a lamp.

In this case, expressing genuine gratitude to others can also brighten up someone’s day. As much as I’m giving, I’m also receiving in return, through her gratitude.

- END -