By Clara Chow

TODAY is Teachers' Day, and it got me thinking about all the latest teaching methods for kids.

If you don't know by now, flash cards are all the rage among babies.

They look at them while eating their meals or before they go to bed. The idea is that babies' sponge-like minds will absorb the words and pictures printed on these flash cards, putting them on a subconscious fast-track to learning.

Mothers will shell out $600 or more for sets of these cards, and then conscientiously use them to educate their pre-schooler.

When the topic came up at a recent lunch, I found, to my surprise, that I was probably the only Mum who hasn't got these professional teaching aids.

Instead, I have some cards - salvaged from the cardboard packaging material of my husband's new shirts - tacked on my walls on which I've scrawled a few simple English and Chinese words for my two-year-old son Julian to look at.

I am aware that the opportunities and tools available to stimulate kids' brains have grown and evolved tremendously since the days when I was a student.

In school, I was mercilessly drilled in spelling and mathematics, and sat through mind-numbing lessons from droning teachers.

These days, the emphasis is on learning through fun and memorable experiences.

Kindergarten pupils get to do group projects, go on frequent field trips, and understand concepts through hands-on activities.

Even cartoons have evolved.

Older cartoons featured warring cats and mice, super-human heroes and out-of-this-world technology - many of which sent out less-than-desirable messages about violence, discrimination and recklessness.

Channels now harness well-loved characters like Mickey Mouse and Noddy to teach children good values, how to solve problems in the real world, or speak good English.

Disney Playhouse's programming, for instance, reflects a world of racial diversity with characters like Handy Manny (a Hispanic handyman who serves his Spanish-speaking community), and the Cheetah Girls (whose new movie features a pan-Asian and African cast).

It's all rather exciting and encouraging if you're a parent.

I am now extremely aware that my methods of teaching sorely need to be updated. Two Saturdays ago, I ran a column-writing workshop for some teenaged students for the first time. It was a nerve-wracking experience, looking at 30 young, bright faces and trying not to bore them to bits. In the end, out of touch with niftier educational methods, I ended up talking too much.

Many of the workshop participants said in feedback forms that they would have liked more interactive activities. It struck me that teaching is a real challenge.

And for all the theories a parent might know when it comes to home-schooling his or her own child, the stakes and stress become different when dealing with other people's progeny.

I can't say I'm bitten by the teaching bug yet. But I've got new respect for teaching professionals.

So, all you learning pioneers out there - both teachers and students - have a great day ahead.

Hey, I'll even put it on a flash card: "Happy Teachers' Day!"

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