Children of average ability

[buds]

Heyya shylyn,


Waaah. U reali virgin mummy!
Ok, good to know i've inspired one mummy here!
Happy... happy!

Enrichment Areas
I can teach are :

1. Phonics
2. Mathematics
3. Creative Writing
4. Speech & Drama

Your child 3.5yrs can introduce Phonics if you like.
But while you're home, coach the 26 letter alphabets
till perfect! Wud reali reali boost his writing skills.

By 4yrs to 4.5yrs, good to do Maths.
If younger than that they can't really grasp concepts.
And its reali tough trying to teach like place values
ie. Thousands, Hundred, Tens and Units to that age
range where the mind is still childish / haven't quite
matured.. But still, its not impossible if i have all my
parents co-operate with reinforcements. I usually try
my best to make effort with home activity stuff that
parents can do with their children. My sadness comes
when the folder is returned the following week with
the exact activity package un-opened / un-touched.


Takes 2 to tango..
In this case, takes 2 to math. Heehee..

Parents are usually sceptical of new teachers so i
personally find that if the lessons can be offered
in modular levels, parents have the freedom to
decide whether they wish to continue with me.

Even my parents / teachers workshop, I'll co-ordinate
the areas to cover in modular aspects so that if they
are return participants, i know where to resume the
next workshop from.

Errmm.. btw, which MMI your child enrolled in?

[tamarind]

buds:

Heyya tamarind,


When i mentioned that your boy is sooooo not average...
I meant he is already considered ahead compared to peers
his age. So, you are really not cramping his strengths. You
started him out early to ensure no last minute stress learning.

Yes. Primary 1 all words when you open the textbooks.
Very stress if child cannot read. Learning letters before
phonics helps A LOT. It assists in spelling or writing what
child can read or attempts to read from sounds the child
hears/tries to make out, around him.

For the word exit, the next time you go shopping or even take
the bus, show him the sign. He shud remember the next time
and won't make the same error. He's such a bright boy judging
from your posts on his personality. Boys tend to have shorter
concentration span so your daily 10 min to 15 min is soooooo
precious and an extremely conscientious effort on your part.
Pat yourself on the back for that. Having mummy or daddy
assist in home teaching is one-to-one and is way beneficial
than in groups. Esp for active children..

The letter \"x\" in phonics is pronounced as a very brief /ks/ sound.
And not a slow /k/ and /s/ sound put together.. So each time you
wanna blend sounds with /x/, must stress the briefness of it so child
will not be too confused between the two sounds.

Cheers.
:celebrate:

buds,
I think that you are one of the most understanding person I have met in the forums, and also one of the nicest Thanks for your valuable advise.

[buds]

Geeee, tamarind..

:oops:

That's sweet. ( Gushing )

I'm happy if it was of any help to you at all...
You're most welcome and it is MY PLEASURE.

[shylyn]

buds:

Waaah. U reali virgin mummy!
Ok, good to know i've inspired one mummy here!
Happy... happy!

hi buds
hee..u r cute! I can see that u hv a lot of Passion in improving the lives of many young children.

buds:

Enrichment Areas
I can teach are :

1. Phonics
2. Mathematics
3. Creative Writing
4. Speech & Drama?

hmm..just curious, what are the educational certifications one must take b4 one is qualified to teach in each of this area? I'm actually thinking of taking some 'courses/workshops' to know/learn how to teach my boy..i know this is unnecessary, esp I'm only teaching my boy, but then again, I'm really keen to know more loh..

buds:

Your child 3.5yrs can introduce Phonics if you like.
But while you're home, coach the 26 letter alphabets
till perfect! Wud reali reali boost his writing skills.

By 4yrs to 4.5yrs, good to do Maths.
If younger than that they can't really grasp concepts.
And its reali tough trying to teach like place values
ie. Thousands, Hundred, Tens and Units to that age
range where the mind is still childish / haven't quite
matured.. But still, its not impossible if i have all my
parents co-operate with reinforcements. I usually try
my best to make effort with home activity stuff that
parents can do with their children. My sadness comes
when the folder is returned the following week with
the exact activity package un-opened / un-touched.

How do u suggest teaching e alphabets till they r perfect? My boy knows all his alphabets & phonetic sounds when he was 19mths . .my concern now is to improve his writing only..have been trying to encourage him to write but depending on his mood & whether he wants to cooperate. At least I'm seeing some improvements in him trying to control the pen.

As for Maths, I didn't actually plan on how to teach him..just basically counting whatever we see..hee..u hv given me a gd idea..I can try to teach him the unit placing..hee..honestly, I hv forgotton abt this since so long never touch on 'ones, tens, hundreds etc'

I can understand ur point..tt's why, for whatever homework my boy's teacher gave him, I will try to let him complete it. Hee..though it is not exactly 'pleasing' to adults, at least it is an effort by him. Though most of the time, I hv to try my best to make him do it..heheh

buds:

Errmm.. btw, which MMI your child enrolled in?

He's currently in MMI Jurong West (extn). Hee..u hv any opinions on this centre?

[buds]

Heyya shylyn,


Enrichment areas a few places conduct it.
Enrichment subjects are not recognised
as a relevant subject to teach for pre-school
nor primary i think… But it is somewhat an
asset to the centre you wud be interested in
working for…

Our Straits Times has the few listings.

Letterland does open up parents’ workshops
as well usually mid year and end of the year.

Julia Gabriel offers speech and drama.

MMI on and off offers parents’ workshops of
various kinds.

You gotta shortlist what it is you wanna study.

If just for knowledge sake, mebbe i can set up
one day workshop to cover areas what you wish
to learn with other small group of parents for a
small fee… Only no certification lor.

For perfecting the alphabets, no other choice…
Practise makes perfect. Fun alphabet activities
then followed by written work wud entic more
written activity rather than just do the seat-work
alone.

Be good if your child can write all the letters
perfect too. Will help with practising the
spelling even from phonetic words.

Tho’ reading early seems to be a favourite
pursuit of many parents, even if a child can
read but cannot write it won’t be balanced.
Young children can start writing legibly by 4yrs
to 4.5yrs. By 5yrs, writing should be neat and
nicely spaced (one-finger spacing). By four
years can do words and short 3 or 4 word-
phrases and by five years shud write simple
sentences (guided). If the milestones are
developed age-appropriately, child can already
do 10 sentences dictation and spelling a breeze.


My kiddies can read okay at 4 years and i have
introduced and ask them to start doing daily journals
at K2 level. Second half of K2, they done Creative
Writing which helps a lot with the Primary 1 work.

[buds]

Heyya shylyn,


This centre is within the swimming pool compounds
right? Never been there before, tho’ we swim there
once in a while.

MMI has standard curriculum for its branches and
franchises. But up to the creativity and passion of
individual centres and their teaching team to ensure
the activities are carried out in fun ways.

I do find that parents who manage to stick to one
centre thoughout with MMI, their children are more
than ready for P1. Except that, MMI centres are so
known for crappy teachers. Thats a sad disadvantage.
Well, thats a people problem and not the centre
per se.

All women in one big room… Everyday?
Bound to have bitching.

Unless if everyone’s a mature adult and
are just there to work and also teach
for the sake of the children… with passion
to sincerely teach.

Since your child is there, you can ask if the
teacher wud mind teaching you how to reinforce
their lessons at home with your child. That one,
FREE.

[kaitlynangelica]

tamarind:

I planned to send him to West Grove, a neighbourhood school within 1 km from my place. They require students to write english compositions in P1. I know a boy who could not follow up at P1 in West Grove. He was asked to go back to kindergarten. He and his mommy were traumatized. It is difficult not to be stressed

Tamarind,

YOu sure the boy got sent back to p1? How could that be? I am ssure that the MOE won't allow that. Besides, I have friends who also had kids that couldn't read when they entered p1 but they caught up by middle of the year.

Didn't the mother do anything to prepare the child for p1? I find it hard to believe that he couldn't do anything at all. Even if a little bit, I am sure they can catch up right?

[buds]

Heyya shylyn,


Just a thought…

As for teaching your child at home, try to reinforce
what is done in your child’s childcare. Especially for
the decimal system - thousand, hundreds, tens and
units. The centre wud have a proper introduction in
place for that topic and may confuse child a bit when
he does it in the centre. Plus MMI centres are equipped
with all the teaching materials to carry out their lessons
whether its hands-on or written activity.

Lessons we teach should preferably be age appropriate.

[shylyn]

buds:

MMI on and off offers parents' workshops of
various kinds.

You gotta shortlist what it is you wanna study.

Hi Buds
Thks for your detailed explaination..I also put my two hands up to agree w Taramind tt u r indeed a very very nice mummy..who really takes the time & effort to reply & write in detail!
Problem w me is that i dunno what i want to study..basically, i'm always surfing the web or borrowing books to find out more ways to nurture my boy. For e MMI workshops, so far..I hv come across one but the timing clash w my boy's enrichment class..so bobian, unable to attend.

buds:

If just for knowledge sake, mebbe i can set up
one day workshop to cover areas what you wish
to learn with other small group of parents for a
small fee.. Only no certification lor.

Really??? Do let me know if u really intend to set up a workshop..i'll definitely attend..hee..must learn from the higher master.. :lol:

buds:

Tho' reading early seems to be a favourite
pursuit of many parents, even if a child can
read but cannot write it won't be balanced.

Yep..tt's why I'm also emphasizing writing skills. Trying to encourage my boy to do more colouring, cutting etc..but he don't hv e interest & patience to colour e pictures nicely. Not too sure whether it is becos of his age (33 mths) or he is not interested in art & craft area.

[shylyn]

buds:

This centre is within the swimming pool compounds
right? Never been there before, tho' we swim there
once in a while..

Hi Buds
Continue w my post as yest was busy
Yep..the centre is within the Sports Complex but the swimming pool is not part of the centre..initially, I tot they will be given swimming lessons for free :oops:

buds:

MMI has standard curriculum for its branches and
franchises. But up to the creativity and passion of
individual centres and their teaching team to ensure
the activities are carried out in fun ways..

Yep! I'm impressed with the curriculum but always wonder whether the center ensure that the teachers teach what they r supposed to. I mean..when u r shorthanded & having to look after so many kids, its diff to ensure the std are met. Anyway..just curious, how do the center supervisor/teachers plan/determine the activities to meet the curriculum? Where do they get their ideas from?

buds:

I do find that parents who manage to stick to one
centre thoughout with MMI, their children are more
than ready for P1. Except that, MMI centres are so
known for crappy teachers. Thats a sad disadvantage.
Well, thats a people problem and not the centre
per se..

Care to share why is this so? As in the children whose parents stick to one centre r better prepared for P1? I guess the people prob exists everywhere..be it in a child care setting or in a typical office setting. Actually, just curious..with MMI establishment, they can afford to get better teachers ..at least people with passion for young children..sad to say, I don't find many passionate teachers in my boy's cc.

buds:

Since your child is there, you can ask if the
teacher wud mind teaching you how to reinforce
their lessons at home with your child. That one,
FREE.

The teacher previously ic of my boy's class took e effort to reply to my concerns, which i hv written down in his com book but not this current one. She writes briefly which i understand that it is diff to write in detail as she needs to look after the kids..& she is not as detailed and pro active. On a few occasions, my boys' items were not returned back ..wonder how my boy is being taken care of during the class. sighh..