All About Preschool Enrichment

[gumiho]

I am not looking for tuition teacher.

You mean there are enrichment school that charge hourly ?

titank:

fionong:

Hi,

I am planning to send my 4yo to enrichment classes (eg. I can read, Berries World, Little Neuro Tree....etc.) However their charges are high, we cannot afford to send her to those \"highly recommanded\" school.

May I know are there any enrichment classes out there whereby their charges are economic with lively teaching methods?

Hi Fion Ong,

Perhaps you would like to list how much you are going to pay for an hourly class? E.g you are looking at $15/hr, $20/hour.

[mrswongtuition]

fionong:

Hi All,


I am still looking for enrichment courses in Speech & Drama, Phonics & Reading, Art Class.....etc.

Do you has any recommendation ?

Art class:
Can try Global Arts. Their fees at the Punggol Branch is very reasonable.
Alot of CCs have art classes also. Try checking out the PCFs near your place. Sometimes they have external vendors conducting enrichments in afternoon and they allow outside students to join (but fee is slightly more, usually $10-20 more).

Speech & Drama:
Act 3 has good classes. But it's rather exp on long term basis, so I only sign my boy up for holiday classes.
Another nice place is at Serangoon Gardens (sorry can't rmb the name of the school offhand). I went there for trial with my boy and loved it. Price wise is reasonable too. But their schedule clash with my boy, so cannot send him there Might send him there next year if schedule permits.

Phonics & Reading:
Cheapest is CC. But you need to screen the teacher very carefully, I've seen some very good ones who previously taught at established centres/schools.
Next cheapest I feel is ZooPhonics. My boy went there for 3 months. I won't recommend. I find that it's not worth my money cos whatever they teach is very slow and they spend more time on art & craft than phonics. Plus the teacher couldn't even control the class.
Unless you don't mind that it's more fun & interaction than play.

My boy is now attending another phonics class now and he's able to tell me the story that teacher told him during lesson. This is the type of impact I'm looking for. And their activities are rotated so that there's no time wasted on 'waiting. They get to do colouring/writing and art & craft in the same lesson, with songs & story telling. There's also some physical play at the end of the lesson & sometimes the activities help to train their fine motor skills.

[autumnbronze]

mrswongtuition:

fionong:

Hi All,


I am still looking for enrichment courses in Speech & Drama, Phonics & Reading, Art Class.....etc.

Do you has any recommendation ?

Speech & Drama:
Act 3 has good classes. But it's rather exp on long term basis, so I only sign my boy up for holiday classes.
Another nice place is at Serangoon Gardens (sorry can't rmb the name of the school offhand). I went there for trial with my boy and loved it. Price wise is reasonable too. But their schedule clash with my boy, so cannot send him there Might send him there next year if schedule permits.

rswongtuition,

Are you referring to this centre at Gardens?:

http://www.lovekids.com.sg/lovekids/

They seem good. Not gone for a trial, but had a long chat with the lady running the programme. The schedule is also not suitable.

[Charmaine_chong]

This alphabet website has plenty of ideas/activities to work with your kids.

http://www.alphabetavenue.net/#Alphabet%20Stickers

Printable Alphabet train
http://www.alphabetavenue.net/ABC/Aboard.pdf

[buds]

Great sharing there Charmaine! :celebrate:


And you've done a fabulous job with all the
stuff you've shown here. Very hands on and
very interesting. Very me.. hehee.. i like!

[Charmaine_chong]

Hey Buds,


Thanks.

Just to update some that i personally find it great to share.

Some parents may not necessary have the time to google for it.

Alphabet readers

http://www.progressivephonics.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=28&Itemid=2

[Happybirdks]

For phonics, you may try Jan & Elly. Two branches at serangoon garden and bukit timah. $220 per term.


Alternatively, if you can spare the time, you can teach your kid yourself using one of Ksparents blog. She is Tamarind, and her method is easy and detailed. Check out her blog http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-teach-phonics.html

From her phonics blog, you can be linked to her teaching chinese at home blog. This blog will share with you on the books you can use to teach your kids chinese yourself, as well as interesting storybooks to buy for your kid.

I agree that CCs have the cheapest rates around, and they are not that bad.

Hope the above info will help.

[oneheart]

For phonics which is affordable n good, I recommend \"Read in A week\" PhonicsRead program.


I send my boy there and he has just completed the course and able to read simple books on his own. I find that he has gd basic in phonics and all those blending but of course, needs more practise esp on long, diff words. The teachers are also dedicated...if he is lagging behind for some reason, they'll ask me to bring him 15min earlier to revise with him. Fees is abt $30 per lesson. Can refer to http://www.phonicsread.com/

Yep, I agree there are some gd, affordable courses at the cc. I send my son for art class at the cc too.


If budget is an issue, maybe u want to prioritize which course ur kid needs most and which ones u can diy at home. eg, Phonics which I find is one where u need to have gd foundation and if u dun have time or expertise, can consider sending. But for art, maybe can consider doing it at home with your child during your leisure.

For speech n drama, some preschool will also have such enrichment where the fees can be deducted from baby bonus a/c. u may want to check with your child's pre school.

[tamarind]

Happybirdks,

Glad to know that you find my blog helpful

[megatron]

Hi all, need advice here...

I intend to sign up my k1 son for English enrichment class. But I am at a loss on which one to go for.
My son communicates in English most of the time. He is a rather confident child and is not shy so I am wondering if Speech and Drama class will be good for him. But at the same time, I want him to continue to develop his confidence.
What I am worried about is his ability to read and write English. He is doing fine with his weekly spelling in school. But when it comes to reading, it is really

So I am not sure if I should send him to phonics class, reading class or S&D?
Is there a course which has some components in each of the above?
I was actually rather interested in Julia Gabriel's Edudrama. But I am not sure if it will help my son in his reading skills. Anyone can share their experience in this?
Morris Allen is another school I am looking at. But I was told that there is spelling. I certainly do want additional pressure for him (and me :roll: )

Thanks for any advice!