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Case study 1: August 2007, Shah Alam, Malaysia
In an environment where
kids are well-known for their hyper-activeness, one will hardly find a quiet
family which consists 2 young boys. This rare finding existed in front of my eyes and to be precise, next table.
A mother who brought her kids to a fast food restaurant. Mother doing her reading while carrying out her duty in feeding the family. Nothing abnormal. They do not quarrel over the free toy that came with the kid's meal. Neither do they talk when their mouth full. They do not throw away greens they do not like from their burger. Nothing normal from what I have seen. What they need to do is to show it to their mum and she'll gladly take it away. One movement and not even a single word and that is it. Concentration is on the book but yet
attention is given. What kind of discipline did they receive that we are allowed to conclude that it is a strict family? Strict as in you are allowed to play in the nearby playground in between meals? And return to the unfinished food? How young are they when they are even able to communicate in understandable sentences? Communicating between family members doesn't show us signs of deaf and dumb. Communicating softly doesn't show us signs of attention seeking. 2 taps on the
fries bag and the object of attention is immediately the fries and the toy is
left playing alone. The element control exists but no force applied. No Operant Conditioning involved. Fear is not injected into the mind of the young ones.
Let's discuss about the mother. Question asked and book closed. Give the answer and book re-opens. Attention is never a step away. Do Not Disturb sign is never around. Carrying out a role of a teacher by answering every questions, a friend for being a company and even a guardian for taking
care of everything left behind while on their little journey to the playland. Everyone enjoys their own time doing their own little business. How does the mother treat her children? A kite? You hold it in your hand letting them enjoy while gain experience on their findings. Or a pet? Feed and shower them and let them take care of themselves. Wrapped book shows extra care and attention is given to protect everything important. It may not teach us how those kids are raised. With the East-Asiatic look on the mother, I personally believe that their culture has taught them well before they emigrate in order not to make shame out of themselves and their country. It may teach us what is important in raising kids.
Personal opinion, I would beg them not to involve themselves too much in this corrupted society and hope they will never know anything about social learning.
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