Preparing for DSA
February marks the start of many exciting activities, especially for DSA. In the weeks or months ahead we will have the NSGs and academic olympians, and all the internal and external events for their respective talent areas. Not forgetting all the school weighted assessments that will also be used for the DSA consideration. As much as possible, I believe everyone with a vested interest wish to get a confirmed offer or at least a waitlist. But before u sink deeper into the “task” or end goal, just want to remind all parents to enjoy this journey with your child because when the focus is on the process and not the end result of a CO/WL, the final end result is confirmed to be a strengthened parent-child relationship. Now that the COVID restrictions are lifted, be there as much as you can for all their important milestones. Cheer, scream, celebrate and rejoice with them as they go through their final year in primary school, or cry, hug and console them as and when they need it. You will be surprised by what you will experience and learn out there as a parent, in person with them on this journey.
Having gone through this more than once, I always look back with gratitude on how the journey has shaped my children, and how the DSA process has brought us closer. We were there as supporters whenever we can, because we learnt from other parents with older kids, to enjoy this last bit of the primary school journey (because when they become teenagers, they most likely won’t like their parents to be around anymore). Then we became “participants” by mingling with other parents and relevant personnel in their talent areas’ social circle, learning and gathering feedback about the future schools’ strengths and weaknesses, hoping to figure out which school will be a good fit. And as we take part in the process with our children, we understand a little more about them, we see some things in them that we don’t normally see at home, what matters to them and how they react when faced with challenges, and how they manage stress. With this new found understanding, we were more receptive to our children’s views and better understand their strengths and weaknesses when it was time to put in their application. (And trust me – your child’s chances of success will be better if you look for the best fit instead of the “best school”). The children are also more receptive to the parents’ views, because they knew we were part of their journey. This helped build the foundation for our parent-child relationship as they progress to secondary school and enter their teenage years. For better or worst, these P6s will grow up to be different from that young sweet child of ours, with a mind of their own so u would want to win them over to your side for as long as possible. 
I always say – DSA for the right reasons, not just for that golden ticket to a certain school. The selection process is meant to sieve out the suitable candidates with real interest and talent, with the most popular schools having the biggest pool of candidates. Allow your child to find their talent, and see them blossom on this journey. Good luck to all!
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