MOE Kindergarten

[Dino]

floppy:

Dino:

its's listed that the main focus is learning thru play....... too much play sounds worrying.....

“Play is the work of the child.”
~ Maria Montessori

haha nice one!!!!

[coolit]

Dino:

floppy:

[quote=\"Dino\"] its's listed that the main focus is learning thru play....... too much play sounds worrying.....

“Play is the work of the child.”
~ Maria Montessori

haha nice one!!!![/quote]Some parents feel that when they learn through play, they enjoy the learning process but the reality kicks in at K1-2 when they find they are not ready for the academic rigor of our local primary schools. I have no experience with MOE kindergarten but this is what I know about the learn through play method from my friends' and my experience.

[sharonkhoo]

coolit:

Some parents feel that when they learn through play, they enjoy the learning process but the reality kicks in at K1-2 when they find they are not ready for the academic rigor of our local primary schools. I have no experience with MOE kindergarten but this is what I know about the learn through play method from my friends' and my experience.

I guess it really depends on the type of \"play\"? Some play, especially if the toys or setups are well-chosen is very good. Some play, especially when it involves just pushing buttons, is just mindless. I can't speak for any particular kindy now as my kids are well past that age, but my kids played and were read to a lot before P1 (and hardly did any academic work) and haven't suffered for it.

[coolit]

slmkhoo:

coolit:

Some parents feel that when they learn through play, they enjoy the learning process but the reality kicks in at K1-2 when they find they are not ready for the academic rigor of our local primary schools. I have no experience with MOE kindergarten but this is what I know about the learn through play method from my friends' and my experience.

I guess it really depends on the type of \"play\"? Some play, especially if the toys or setups are well-chosen is very good. Some play, especially when it involves just pushing buttons, is just mindless. I can't speak for any particular kindy now as my kids are well past that age, but my kids played and were read to a lot before P1 (and hardly did any academic work) and haven't suffered for it.

I guess it is the reading that helps and prob your kids could learn fast haha..from my own experience, my kids did need some form of enrichment classes at preschool level

[mum05]

In my humble opinion, not a good option.

[lyra]

coolit:

slmkhoo:

[quote=\"coolit\"]Some parents feel that when they learn through play, they enjoy the learning process but the reality kicks in at K1-2 when they find they are not ready for the academic rigor of our local primary schools. I have no experience with MOE kindergarten but this is what I know about the learn through play method from my friends' and my experience.

I guess it really depends on the type of \"play\"? Some play, especially if the toys or setups are well-chosen is very good. Some play, especially when it involves just pushing buttons, is just mindless. I can't speak for any particular kindy now as my kids are well past that age, but my kids played and were read to a lot before P1 (and hardly did any academic work) and haven't suffered for it.

I guess it is the reading that helps and prob your kids could learn fast haha..from my own experience, my kids did need some form of enrichment classes at preschool level :)[/quote]Kindergarten children have so many academic enrichment nowadays. Instead of having Kindergarten syllabus match up to Pri sch syllabus, won't it be good if the Primary sch pace slow down a bit more so that kindergarten students don't have to learn so many things way before they should? I think it's important not to stress the children too much now and kill their interest for learning.

[sharonkhoo]

lyra:

Kindergarten children have so many academic enrichment nowadays. Instead of having Kindergarten syllabus match up to Pri sch syllabus, won't it be good if the Primary sch pace slow down a bit more so that kindergarten students don't have to learn so many things way before they should? I think it's important not to stress the children too much now and kill their interest for learning.

I don't think the P1 syllabus is too over-board, except perhaps in some schools where the majority of students are over-prepared. Part of the problem is parents who think \"adequate preparation\" means having their K2 kids cover the P1 syllabus even before the school year begins.

[zac's mum]

Sorry I know this thread is about kindergarten but I just wanted to post this here to caution newbie parents about the primary school years. My kid just entered P1 this year. And although officially every school is a good school, there is a HUGE disparity among the schools about what they actually require from the kids, academically. Just ask around thru the grapevine…I have been hearing so many stories from friends whose kids went to different schools all across the island.


There are the so-called top schools (academically) which require the kids to sit for screening tests on orientation day, or even within the first week of P1…following which the pupils are classified into different ability levels. One school has been telling parents to ensure their kids score minimum certain marks, or else be prepared to withdraw from the school.

Moral of the story, if your poor child will be going to such schools (eg alumni phase, or bo pian your nearest school under 2C is an academic pressure cooker), be prepared to pull out all the stops for tuition in kindergarten. Squeeze all the academic learning you can jnto the kid so that they have a head start. You have no choice in that sense.

On the other hand, if you DO have a choice in which primary school your child is going to, you can scout around (ask plenty of people!) for a school with a nice relaxed culture, that emphasizes all-rounded education. Please make a smart choice for the well-being of your child. You can opt-out of all the stress. I did. P1 really honeymoon year with very little homework & kid is happily enjoying school & has adequate play time & sleep, without all the tuition & enrichment filling up his days.

[marmalade]

mum05:

In my humble opinion, not a good option.

Why is it not good in your opinion ?

[Yngmng]

My DD2 is in MOE Kindergarten. As she has only attended 1 term, it is premature to comment on her learning. However, I do notice that there is minimum written work. Unlike her previous church nursery which had workbooks, there is none with MOE Kindergarten. There is also no spelling. I am worried if she will be adequately prepared for P1. My sil child who attends pcf shared that pcf also practice learn through play.