Comparing Pre-school English Reading and Phonics Enrichment

[starlight88]

Dear Mummies and Daddies


I have been searching for a suitable English enrichment class for my 5 year old.

We have gone for an assessment with I CAN READ and were given a choice to join their 1year structured ICR Program. We were told that the first half of the program will cover reading and the second half will cover writing. As our boy can already read, we feel that there is no point spending 6months learning to read again. The school also does not allow a child to join the second half wriitng program without completing the first half.

Any recommendation for programs that will be suitable for preschoolers to learn more about writing skills and grammar?

Pls do share your thoughts. Many thks!

[titank]

jedamum:

titank:

Hi All,


Can anyone explain what is Montessori Phonics?

erm, my reply will be...
Montessori Phonics is Montessori-style's Phonics....Phonics by Montessori method.
Just like Zoophonics has a certain style of teaching phonics, Montessori Phonics has a certain structure too. For the Montessori Phonic materials that i have seen before (ie kaypohing and saw some of the mummies took out and flipped through their kids' phonics file at the waiting area), i think that it is quite structured and rigorous.

Montessori-experts, pls correct me if i am wrong.

I happened to saw some homebased teacher conducting Montessori Phonics, I don't know whether is it a good program to follow. As low where they are charging like $30/hour.

[buds]

Yo titank, you can read up more here, bro..

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5768

Jedamum is right.

In short, Montessori Phonics is a phonics methodology or curriculum
designed by Maria Montessori with the intention to help children of
all backgrounds and personalities/characters to begin learning to
read. Montessori Phonics prides itself in being an interactive
learning style with the aid of a systematic curriculum and full set of
teaching apparatus that encourages children to have a deep sense
of understanding of the concept of learning reading using letter
sounds and letter combinations. The complete programme aims
to embed children with concrete skills and knowledge of reading.

You still shopping around for Phonics classes for your child, titank?

[jedamum]

titank:

I happened to saw some homebased teacher conducting Montessori Phonics, I don't know whether is it a good program to follow. As low where they are charging like $30/hour.

$30/hr is not cheap ah!
the montessori centre that my boy used to attend was charging $120/mth for their weekend phonics class which is 1hr per session.

[buds]

Probably the homebased titank chanced upon

was doing a 1 to 1 based coaching..

[Engtutor]

Hi starlight,


If you went for the assessment at ICR and they recommended that your child enter their reading program, I am sure they thought your child could benefit from it.
Ask them about their PSLP program for kindergarteners who can read and which will introduce them to P1 work. Though please note that this program rarely gets recommended for students who are not in K2 (unless they have completed the ICR reading program).

Alternatively, LCentral has a program for pre-schoolers who can read called PFS (Preparation for School). If, after assessment, the teacher feels the reading is of an adequate standard, they may recommend this program for your child. It caters mostly to K2 children, rarely but possibly K1’s.

[tamarind]

You can try Morris Allen. I heard that they can assess the child and allow the child to join higher levels. You can ask about this.

[phankao]

starlight88:

As our boy can already read, we feel that there is no point spending 6months learning to read again. The school also does not allow a child to join the second half wriitng program without completing the first half.


Any recommendation for programs that will be suitable for preschoolers to learn more about writing skills and grammar?

Pls do share your thoughts. Many thks!

Yea, if your child can already read, why are you sending him to a reading programme? Why not a writing programme per se?

[titank]

buds:

Yo titank, you can read up more here, bro..

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5768

Jedamum is right.

In short, Montessori Phonics is a phonics methodology or curriculum
designed by Maria Montessori with the intention to help children of
all backgrounds and personalities/characters to begin learning to
read. Montessori Phonics prides itself in being an interactive
learning style with the aid of a systematic curriculum and full set of
teaching apparatus that encourages children to have a deep sense
of understanding of the concept of learning reading using letter
sounds and letter combinations. The complete programme aims
to embed children with concrete skills and knowledge of reading.

You still shopping around for Phonics classes for your child, titank?

Hi Buds

This homebased montessori phonics is not 1 to 1.Usually they are in small group where from 3-4. Lcentral told me they house max at 9 I was like :!: , how can the child able to have the attention from the teacher

[buds]

3 to 4 is a comfortable size for a group.


Yes, sadly most centres take in 8 to 9.

I was even forced to take 10 kids at one
time... just cos i was told it seemed like i
could handle it. (a big group)

Oh well... What to do? This is what
happens when one is at the mercy
of one's boss/company.

Most ppl pay that same price for such
big group, so 3 to 4 is still a gd range
if parents prefer a group arrangement.

1 to 1 coaching usually progresses much
faster cos there isn't a need to conform
to any other child's pace. I used to get a
lot for K2's going P1's nearing year end &
it wud get pretty hectic on my schedule.

Parent's should ideally start early and move
progressively instead of cramming everything
during the final months before going to P1, at
least can cover some language skills as well at
that time.

I say if you're comfortable with that teacher who
does the homebase thingy, go for it! Your child
will benefit from more attention from the teacher
due to the low child-teacher ratio and may jolly
well be able to complete the programme much
faster as compared to the more commercial ctrs..

Just my opinion.