On 21 August 2025, I attended a gathering to celebrate a homeschooler’s induction into the Singapore Book of Records. Homeschool Singapore had featured Theodore Asher Kwan in the Homeschool Times, our inaugural newsletter, and was pleased to be part of the joyous celebration.
It was a get-together among family and friends. Some arrived early for a swim and dinner. Jonnansical Boo, who founded X.plorers.Life, delighted the children with a selection of do-it-yourself, handmade crafts. Allan Ong, from the World Sport Stacking Association, coached interested participants in the art of sport stacking, another of Theodore’s favourite pastimes. Homeschool father, Tony Ong, gathered the audience, channeling the celebratory energy into words of affirmation for Theodore and his family. Henry Ong, the Founder and President of Singapore International Mastery Contest Centre (SIMCC), also addressed the audience, offering his congratulations. Before culminating with the presentation of certificates by Ong Eng Huat from the Singapore Book of Records, Dawn Fung of Little U, in her short speech, did not forget to address the parents and children in attendance. In a clear and crisp voice, she reminded us of our natural dispositions and called us to pursue them authentically, even if they lead to unconventional paths.
“Curiosity starts with questioning our known reality of known things…
Dawn Fung
children are professors of curiosity.
Unconventional paths scare us because we are frightened nobody will recognise them… (But) all expressions of personal growth are desirable and worthy of celebration. Maybe not by the Singapore Book of Records, but surely in your own family, around a good meal.”
Reflections
At the event, we recognised a young boy whose achievements are, without question, extraordinary — from perfect scores in science and mathematics competitions to completing an IGCSE Chemistry paper at just six years old. But beyond the numbers and records, what we’re celebrating is something far deeper: a child who has found joy in learning, and a family who has nurtured that joy with love, patience, and balance.
As a community, and as a nation, we often look at milestones as markers of success. But every child — whether they are solving puzzles, making music, or simply learning to be a kind friend — walks their own path, in their own time.
This record is special not because it tells us to run faster, but because it reminds us that when homes and communities create space for curiosity and exploration, children can surprise us in the most beautiful ways.
As we celebrate and marvel in Theodore’s achievements, I wish to send the following messages to parents and children everywhere.
To parents: Every child has their rhythm and gifts. The truest celebration of this moment is in seeing how curiosity, when supported at home, blossoms naturally. Focusing less on acceleration and more on connection — shared reading, play, and deep conversations light the same spark in every child. May this moment be a gentle reminder that the most important tool for success that we can give our children is not pressure, but presence — to learn with them, to listen to them, and to celebrate their small, everyday discoveries.
To all children who share with Theodore in the belief that learning is like exploring: Hear this: everyone gets to find their adventure. Know that your worth is never measured by medals or certificates. The greatest thing you can be is yourself — curious, kind, and ready to explore the world around you.
Appreciation also goes out to the Singapore Book of Records for finding Theodore’s achievements worth documenting. Records like this matter, not for keeping scores and fuelling the pressure for academic success, but for recognising and honouring a child’s love for learning, supported by a close-knit family and community.
Stories like this affirm that when homes, communities, and systems align, children flourish in ways that surprise even us.
May we continue to tell stories that inspire, without comparison, and that remind us of the many ways that childhood brilliance can unfold.