Home-Based Learning didn’t get off to the best start for Sec 2 student Raoul, as a mix-up of timetables led to him missing some classes.
However his dad, Mr Junior Rahim is most proud of what happened next. Raoul took ownership of his routine from that point on, double-checking his timetable for the day and setting alarms 10 minutes prior to the next lesson to ensure he was there punctually. Raoul would even tidy his room before class so that everything was neat and proper before “welcoming” his form teacher on video chat.
Mother Ruhaidah Binte Ramli says the parents would generally try not to intrude on Raoul’s lessons, but at times he could get so focused on completing his assignments that he would stay working in his room, not even stopping for meals. That’s when Mr Junior would come in to enforce breaks like taking short walks together to buy food, or having a chat on what his assignment was about.
The family bond while keeping fit.
The family also started going for frequent runs together. Father and son would usually go running once a week on Sundays, but after a month of Home-Based Learning Mr Junior increased this to four weekly runs to keep up his son’s fitness level. They got mum to join in, too.
Mdm Ruhaidah would struggle to keep up, but Raoul would also encourage her on.
“That’s when I realised Raoul likes to help people who are weaker than him,” said Mr Junior.
While cooling down after the run, the family would chat. The conversation generally revolved around Raoul’s life in school and his friends.
Card games like Exploding Kittens are also a big hit with the family. Mr Junior quips: “My son tries to team up with his mother, but they can never defeat me!
“Normally it’s how his friends do mischievous stuff like bananas at each other, and sometimes he’ll tell us about talking to girls, asking why they are so strange,” laughs Mr Junior.
Mr Junior’s advice is “Just concentrate on your studies”. If that doesn’t satisfy, he refers Raoul straight to his mother!
