Nanny's first blog from Shanghai

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Hello Everyone from Shanghai

As you know, I have been here now for 4 days and wow what a wealth of experiences I have had already.
I have been into school with Joanna; sat in on her classes and helped some Chinese students in their project to reduce litter in the school. I have sat in on Sophie’s English and Maths lessons; I brought a CD of Times Tables with me and Sophie’s teacher was over the moon with it today. All the children were singing along to their tables and they all gave a clap for Sophie’s Grandmother! Then this afternoon I sat in and chatted to the children in an art lesson where they were making clay objects of their choice. It was amazing to see the range of ability in the same age children. They are of various nationalities, but the majority are Asian , whether it be Chinese, Hong Kong, Korean, Taiwanese. They are mostly speaking English, but still learning grammar, etc. I listened to some of them read this afternoon and they read quite well.

Yesterday I went to school with William. These little ones were 4 and 5 years old - and so cute! When we first arrived they played for a little while and then washed their hands for Snack Time. Their snack was a sort of meringue with chocolate inside and 2 cherry tomatoes! Then they did some counting, etc and after a little while a lady in a white apron, chef’s hat and mask came into the classroom to serve them lunch. (She had also served their snack). Lunch was rice, meatballs, scrambled egg with tomatoes and tofu soup - which William in particular, ate with gusto! After lunch some of the children had a nap but those who didn’t want to (William was one of these) sat quietly and crayoned from their own named boxes. By the way, when they had finished eating, they all cleaned their teeth and washed their hands again. All their little toothbrushes and toothpaste and mugs are lined up beside the wash basins.
I have omitted to say that in William’s class I was asked to talk to the children about England and where I lived at ‘Circle Time’ and then today I was asked to read a story to a class in Joanna’s school and talk about it! It is true to say that I have been made very welcome and treated in school as a bit of a celebrity.

We have eaten at a superb bakery for lunches, at a Japanese restaurant last night, which was delicious, followed by a wander around a fake market across the road. It is amazing! I have ridden in a sort of rickshaw thing with Ian, a lady riding a bicycle pulling a little 2 man seated trailer! It was absolutely hair raising as the traffic is horrendous. Nobody stops for anyone else, they just keep coming and the first one to get ahead goes! Crossing the road really is taking your life in your hands, but again you just keep walking and hopefully they slow down to let you go! No seat belts are worn and no crash helmets either and I saw a mother riding a scooter with a youngster on the back and a 3 yr old sitting in front of her!

Well, I have rambled on rather, but it is great to be here with Joanna, Ian, Sophie and William and quite amazing to hear the children speaking Chinese. Sophie was chatting to the taxi driver this evening when we came home. The complex they live in is very nice, with 2 play areas for the children and with the weather so warm, it is ideal for them. We are going away next week for a few days so I will let you know what we see then. The hotel looks very nice so I hope the weather will stay the same for us.

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Comments

[Julie Bedford]

Fantastic Experience
Well done you!! It's been a bit of year hasn't it? Moved house, travelled all the way to China solo and now becoming a seasoned blogger! Enjoy your time in China, I'm envious and looking forward to catching up with you and Jo in July. Take care. Julie

[Suzanne]

go Nanny!
I'm impressed at all you've done and seen since you arrived! I love your enthusiastic retelling of events. Sounds like a great first week.