mylène daily

For the Chinese kids, competition in school is a normal part of life, already from a very early age. Unlike Europe, the school children in China are ranked according to their performance in class. So it is always very transparant who is the best of the class, but also who is the worst. Only the best will be able to acquire a position at one of the countries elite universities. To get an admission to a good university, you need to go to a good high school, to go to a good high school you need to go to a good middle school, to go to a good middle school, you need to go to a good primary school, and even if you want to go to a good primary school, you need to go to a good kindergarten!

What I did not know yet, was that the element of competition is used from an even earlier age. Mylene, just over 2 years old now, won her first prize last week at school. In a drawing competition with the theme "Love your nation, celebrate the National Day" (great theme by the way, for a class of 2 year olds ;-)) Mylene got the 2nd place, for which she was even given an "official" certificate.

I felt it was quite cute on the one hand. On the other hand, though, it gave me a little bit of an uneasy feeling. I don't mind a bit of competition, but I also don't like the idea that focussing on being the best will already start at the age of 2. Let's wait and see what else the school is coming up with....

Mylene is very picky when it comes to toys. Most of the things she has at home, she only touches to throw it out of the toy box in order to get the one thing she does like.
As we were in Shanghai during the past October week, we made it as one of our targets to find some new toys for her as the choice in Fuzhou is rather limited.
So, we visited and browsed through many of the toy sections of the Shanghai department stores. I think we know almost all there is to find in mainland China by now. Sadly though, there isn't that much to choose from for a 2 year old. There is plenty of stuff for babies and for kids of 3 years and above, but for children of Mylene's age, there seems to exist a gap in the variety.

We did have one thing in our mind: a piano. Not a big one, but a small one, I think you have all played on one in your childhood days.
As often when you know exactly what you want, we couldn't find it. The only thing that is sold here now are electronic keyboards. Actually, we found one, but that one wasn't for sale (see picture). So, in the end we decided to buy a simple electronic keyboard until we have found the real thing (suggestions, anyone??).

We knew Mylene would like a piano, as she always wants to play the keyboards in Sam's Club, a supermarket where we often go for our groceries.
Also in Shanghai there were a couple of occasions (see pictures) at which it was difficult to pull Mylene away.

Luckily, Mylene also likes the electronic keyboard we bought for her a lot. I am curious, though, what holds longer, the keyboard itself, or Mylene's interest to play with it.