Brain Power Enrichment Programs: Parent Interview with Ada Chan

Watch our Parent interview with Ada Chan to hear firsthand what children experience and how they grow at Brain Power Enrichment Programs.

Transcript of the interview

What's unique about the program at Brain Power Enrichment Programs that made you want to enroll your child there?

What's unique about Brain Power is the depth of their comprehensive program. A lot of the instructors are very knowledgeable experts in the field they're working on. Because of that, you can see that they're very passionate in their teaching. They're very caring. They really want their students to strive and do well. So I felt like, if my child succeeds, they feel like they also succeed. I think that's very important. 

What I mean about the comprehensive program is, for example, they cover things thoroughly in terms of using sophisticated word grammar, also writing and reading. My kids are working on different areas at the same time. And because it's a year long program, I feel my children are really growing. They have the time to really consolidate the learning of concepts. That's why I register and enroll my children there

The second thing is, I find that because a lot of the instructors create the program, there's not a lot of turnover of instructors. So I felt like they really know their curriculum and their program. So I find that my children really learn the program well at the same time. It's a benefit of the instructor working at Brain Power for so long. 

And in terms of homework, I expected homework from Brain Power when I enrolled my children. And the homework is just right, so that my kids have a week to actually practice and really work on what they have learned. And then they're going to grow, and take the next class with Brain Power.

Was this your child's first experience with this kind of program?

This is completely different. With Brain Power, I find that my children really look forward to going there every single week. They also love doing their homework. They can independently take out their homework and start working on it.

Sometimes they share what they did with me and sometimes they would, instead of me telling them story time, they would grab whatever story they are reading with Brain Power and they would read it to me. So, I find that, because of that, it’s not just that Brain Power engaged my children, but I indirectly got engaged in their program, because it promotes the conversation that I have with my children. 

What does your child like best or find most exciting about Brain Power?

They did mention something to me about the classroom dynamic. They feel very comfortable sharing their ideas, and the instructors have been really encouraging that they share the ideas and also listen to their peers. They're very happy with that welcoming and inclusive aspect because they also feel like their peers have the same mindset as they do.

So, when they go to the class and they have a discussion going, they’re not just working on how they communicate ideas with others. They feel like they’re a team for the whole year with their peers. They grow together and they also become active listeners because they need to listen to their peers and also understand their perspective and to be respectful of other people's ideas at the same time.

Was there any change or noticeable personal growth you saw in your child after time at the program?

I find that is the love of learning. Both of them love going there and love learning, gaining knowledge from their instructors. Not only that, they’re also more aware, in terms of what's around the world, socially. They become more conscious of what's around them. 

They're definitely more confident in terms of communication. My older one is also in the public speaking class, and he excels so much in the last two months. The way he presents to me and also the feedback I got from his school is just like ‘Wow!’ I didn't know that can change so much.

I think that's very positive in terms of their personal growth. Also, they learn to be more independent because they need to do their homework on their own. They take ownership of their work. And because of that independence they just develop by themselves. That self-discipline is also important.

If you hadn't sent your children to this program, what's the most important personal growth that they would've missed out on?

I think, opportunities, because of Brain Power. They have a monthly newsletter where they promote programs. They have different guest speakers coming into the center. Whether they now do it virtually or in person, they have all these opportunities for their students. The instructor knows the needs of their students and because of that they kind of customize in terms of what's best for their students and create all these additional opportunities for their students to excel. 

It's the opportunity that is really amazing for my children. They get exposure to different things such as, for example, a workshop additional to their class where the student can join at another time and learn. Sometimes they invite Brain Power alumni to do a workshop. It can be so many different ways they work with my children and the students at the same time, in order to make the most out of it. 

How can a parent support their child to get the most out of this camp?

I think the parents need to know their child, first what they need, and also what they're very good at or passionate about. Because Brain Power has a variety of programs and they are all amazing, it's important to communicate with the centers and the instructors in terms of what kind of program or workshop or classes would be good for their child.

I think the communication at Brain Power is exemplary. The reason why I say that is because when my children do their homework and submit it online, the instructors always take time and provide very detailed feedback, so that my children can learn what they can improve on and go from there.

That feedback is so valuable, not only to my children, but also to me as a parent, because I can actually see what they can improve on. Then at home, I can just remind them, “Hey, you might want to do this. Your instructor reminds you of this. You might want to try that.” 

It's communication not just between the students and the instructor, but also with the parents. It's like a community that they're building that promotes the students.

What do your child say about the program, either to you, or that you may have heard them say to friends or others?

What really sticks in my mind is that my older one, says that he is so happy with Brain Power that he wouldn't mind if Brain Power was at regular school. That speaks volume in terms of how much he loves going there! As for my little one, she told me that she enjoys going there because she finds her instructors so caring. There is a bond they built with her instructor that she really looked forward to going to her class every week. When I asked her, “What do you like about going to the classroom?” She said, “I really enjoy collaborating with my peers because I feel like we're working as a team.” So that's what I heard from them.

Ada's final thoughts

I think Brain Power has really improved both of my children's aptitude, both academically and personally. There's a lot of personal growth there. Especially my older one has found a lot of confidence because of attending Brain Power. I feel very lucky to have that opportunity.

I'm very happy that now they have an online class as well as the in-person class, so that a lot of parents who might live far away can also join their program, so their children can also benefit the way that I have.

I heard that they're also opening a new center at the Master Innovation Park in Hamilton. I felt like, “Wow, that's really good that more families and children can benefit from their program!”

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