All About Your Child

It was time again for the half-yearly review of my child’s flat foot and pronation. For those who have no idea what am I talking about, may refer to the related posts below:

Remedy for my Child’s Flat Foot and Pronation
and
Remedy for my Child’s Flat Foot and Pronation ~ Part 2

With the new pair of insoles, slightly longer than the first pair, Kitkit’s flat foot, or should I say flat feet are totally rectified!
Whoo-hoo!
*clap clap clap*

Let’s look at the progression……….

September last year:

2nd March 2013:

28th August 2013:

Scan taken on 27th February 2014:

As seen in the last picture above, the CENTER part of Kitkit’s feet were totally lifted OFF the scanning box when he was doing the scan. When you compare the very first photo taken on September last year, whereby almost 95% of his feet were flat on the scanning box, the result is really pleasing as it was right on track!

I am EXTREMELY HAPPY because Kitkit did NOT follow the rule of wearing the insoles for 6 hours EVERY DAY.
He wears it whenever he is in his school shoes or sports shoes.
But there were days, especially during weekends and school holidays, when he wore slippers most of the time, thus his feet were not guided by the insoles during those days.

We were told that if we do not adhere to this rule of wearing the insoles 6 hours daily, the time needed to improve Kitkit’s flat feet and pronation will be prolonged.

18th months to rectify Kitkit’s flat feet (by applying that golden rule) was what we were told during our first visit to the counter. Yet, without following it, Kitkit’s flat feet were still able to be corrected as scheduled! I am SOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!
As his flat feet’s condition improved over the past 1 and a half year, I also noticed that Kitkit does not lose his balance as often as last time, thus reducing the chances of injuries. *Super Grin*

Just in case you are wondering how were Kitkit’s feet being scanned, well, I took a photo.

There is a handle bar infront of him and he is supposed to hold it to help himself to balance, while his knees were bent.
With knees bent and body straight up, the scan will begin.
One foot at a time.
The photo below shows Kitkit’s right foot being scanned.

Now that Kitkit’s flat feet had been corrected, the focus will be shifted towards fixing his pronation.
From the photo taken last month, the INNER PARTS, near the ankle area is still very black/dark.
That is the sign of pronation.

Once again, his insoles were left behind for the staff to do amendments, to target the right area.
Each time, after the cost-free amendments were done, I would ask Kitkit if he feels uncomfortable or differently.
The answer is always “No. Feels the same.”
The changes made to the insoles were so subtle, yet, each review scan proves that something major was done to the feet. AMAZING!
*Thumbs Up*

The staff did prepare us mentally that pronation will take a longer time to rectify compared to flat foot.
*Deep Breath*
Let’s see how it goes from here…..

Remedy for my Child’s Flat Foot and Pronation ~ Part 3

Phone rang at the ‘usual time’, after school….
Kitkit: “Mummy, we are waiting for bus now.”
Me: “Ok.”
Kitkit: “Mummy, you need to buy a new Xbox CD already.”
Me: “Huh? Why?”
Kitkit: “Binbin scored Full Marks for his Maths Test. You promised to buy the Lego Marvel Hero Xbox game if any of us scored Full Marks for our Maths Test.”
Me: “Oh! Good! ok……”

Both Kitkit and Binbin are good in their Maths.
I do NOT need them to be great.
“Good” is enough to make my life alot easier when guiding them through their Maths topics.
I am very contented and blessed.
What kills their marks during Maths Tests or Exams is their CARELESS MISTAKES, which EVERY NORMAL KID would make, every now and then.

Probably because I used to be a Maths tutor, I know that with Kitkit’s and Binbin’s level of understanding of the subject, they are able to get full marks for Maths, IF THEY ARE NOT TOO COMPLACENT!

I give reward for GOOD BEHAVIOUR and GOOD ATTITUDE, because these will be with them for the rest of their lives. These mold their characters and thoughts, so they will grow up to be men with good virtues.

As for studies, I do NOT give reward for good grades, because I had NEVER set expectations for them with regards to their studies, except for Chinese.
I need them to PASS their Chinese Paper, so that the marks will NOT pull down the good grades of other subjects by too much, especially during the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
However, over the years in Primary School, somehow, Kitkit and Binbin realised that having a PASS for their Chinese papers no longer makes them happy. They strive for more, thanks to Peer Pressure.
Their ATTITUDE towards Chinese has improved by the years, which is such a relief! I NO longer need to BEG them to do their Chinese schoolwork.
*phew*

Every now and then, when the boys want something which I am unwilling to buy/pay, because of the cost of it, I would often brush them off by saying, “Get Full Marks for Your Maths Paper and I will get ‘that’ for you.”

At the back of my head, I know they have the capability; but at the same time, I know they lack the humility when they are doing their Maths paper and hence their complacency will cause them to lose marks through careless mistakes made when answering the questions.

Being fully aware of their potential, whenever I give them that challenge, I am already prepared for that the day to come.
I waited for that day to arrive for Kitkit.
He is in Primary 5 now and has yet to claim his prize.
When Kitkit knew that Binbin, in Primary 3, received Full Marks for his Maths Paper, it hurts his ego.
Kitkit: “Mummy, Binbin is good. I have not get Full Marks for my Maths Paper before. Binbin is only Primary 3 and he got his FIRST Full Marks for Maths Test. The closest I got was 98/100. One question wrong. I still remember. It was so close!”
And this was said in a sourish tone….
I think I will be hearing good news from Kitkit soon too, knowing how much he disliked the feeling of ‘losing‘ to his own younger brother.
Well, we shall see…….

Binbin: “When are we going to buy the Lego Marvel game?”
Me: “When we go out for dinner tonight.”
Super Big Grin on his face……….