My Dear K

I had a profound conversation with a dedicated parent this week, one that deeply resonated with me and the very essence of our mission at 5imple Learning. This father approached me with frustration, sharing that his child struggles immensely whenever math questions change slightly. After a long day at work, this devoted dad spends his precious evening hours, typically reserved for unwinding, patiently teaching his son. This child has been with us for five years, one of my longest-standing students and one I've spent substantial time nurturing.

At 5imple, once a child builds a foundational understanding, our core goal shifts toward teaching them the skill of learning itself. Mastering how to learn equips a child with unlimited potential. However, this mastery involves a journey of countless incremental steps, starting with the courage to simply attempt new challenges.

Why do we emphasize attempting new problems? Because when a child tries something new and succeeds—especially with a supportive teacher alongside them—they experience an uplifting surge of dopamine and oxytocin. These positive emotions reinforce the learning experience, creating lasting memories and building confidence. Our worksheets use repetition strategically, allowing students to solidify each newly acquired skill through practice.

Yet, for this particular boy, attempting new challenges has been emotionally overwhelming. Even after four years, he often shuts down completely when faced with a slightly tougher problem, much like a mimosa plant closing tightly at the slightest touch. His typical lesson involves an emotional rollercoaster: crying for half an hour, being angry for the next half hour, and only then realizing he can indeed solve the problem quite easily. All this while his father waits patiently, enduring the humid and uncomfortable environment of the nearby coffee shop, demonstrating unwavering commitment.

After years of this pattern, we've witnessed improvement. The child no longer cries or becomes angry but still freezes when confronted with an unfamiliar challenge. This brings us back to my recent heartfelt conversation with his father.

It's incredibly frustrating for parents when their child seems unwilling to engage or try. It feels like clapping hands, but only one side participates—the parent desperately clapping into the void, waiting for a response. And yet, in our Singaporean context, academic excellence isn't just desirable—it's essential. It's our competitive edge in life.

I shared candidly with the father: imagine where we'd be without the foundation painstakingly built over the years. Imagine if, at age five, this dad hadn’t made the brave leap of trusting 5imple with his child’s foundational learning. Without that early start, catching up now would feel impossible.

Today, we face an inflection point. The advantage we've meticulously crafted is slowly diminishing as the child's hesitation continues while school relentlessly progresses forward. We can guide and support our children, but we cannot force them to embrace learning fully. Nonetheless, we never stop trying. We never give up on family.

This is parenting. This is education. This is life. At 5imple, our promise remains steadfast—we will always be here, gently encouraging, patiently waiting, persistently waving, hopeful that one day our children will confidently clap back, embracing the power of their own potential.