Comparing Pre-school English Reading and Phonics Enrichment

[buds]

titank:

Yes those homebased phonics throwing me that they are using jolly phonics, fittroy, montessori or thier own reading program. I see until I blur also :!:

Wah, they are knowledgeable! But i dun reckon they do all the techniques
for class lah. You need to choose which programme you prefer i suppose..
I've done Jolly, Letterland & also Montessori myself. But not all at the same
time. :lol: Like that i oso will go blur, not only you.

Different parents have different preferences to the kinda reading programme
they want their child to learn. Some may like slow and steady but must be
very fun... Others may like rigorous and concrete... A different group of them
may prefer hands-on learning instead of worksheet based.. so it really
depends. Like i've said before, every Phonics programme have their own
strengths. A good teacher will deliver a programme well regardless
of the methodology or the technique used. :celebrate:

titank:

By the way what do you think of 1.5 hours with Montessori Maths & Phonics together? It is also homebased too. The teacher said if do 1.5 hours on phonics may get bored.

Outside in centres most will do 1hr and already parents say too short to
learn much. What more if the group is really big! Worse still if the centre
accepts children of all the different age groups! I've seen centres mix
the 2.5yr olds with the 5yr olds and the caregiving is much too tedious
and the distraction not helpful.. Having said that, each centre may have
their own style lah. Guess it may work for them but for me it'd be more
constructive to have similar or closer age range so that all children can
easily progress together moving up the stages/levels of the reading
programme.

1.5 hrs is a good duration for a session... plus you're paying $30. So
more worth it compared to 1 hr. If the teacher is good there is no time
for children to be bored or even to feel bored! So, 1.5 hrs can really do
a lotta stuff! Dun mix 1.5 hrs for both Montessori Phonics & Montessori
Math! Your child will need more time to work with the materials as they
move up the levels. Will be too rushing to go through concepts..

1.5 hrs per subject is ok.

[titank]

Buds,


The teacher told me that 45 minutes Montessori Phonics & 45 minutes Maths. If 1.5 hours totally on Montessori Maths or Phonis alone the child really get bored.

Anyway need to go see the environment first & evaluate again. There is another teacher which using this program http://www.readinga-z.com/ said from USA. Have you heard of this one?

[buds]

titank:

Buds,


The teacher told me that 45 minutes Montessori Phonics & 45 minutes Maths. If 1.5 hours totally on Montessori Maths or Phonis alone the child really get bored.

Titank, i honestly think 45 minutes is not enough to get concepts introduced
to a child, especially in a group. I have had to run 2hr crash course for some
special case students (foreign student(s) following their parent(s) who is(are)
here for work (one example) and the student doesn't have time to get bored.

There's concept introduction, reading practice, written work & i even include
stories, reading activity reinforcement, crafts and sometimes rhymes/songs
where applicable. All this not inclusive of time to brief parents at the end of
the lesson. The student also must be able to work with all the Montessori
materials. As the programme progresses, the words get more challenging.
There will also be more reading and more materials to do. I cannot find it
in me to cram everything in 45 minutes. It is almost like short-changing the
student.

Maths even more detailed! Especially when it comes to place value intro &
going into the operations with the golden beads.. Gosh, i can go on and on
but hey that said, i suppose each individual has their own style. But there's
no \"bore(d)\" in my teaching dictionary. Esp for older students, there is more
that can be delivered... so much more they can learn. We CAN tailor to how
children learn best so that they CAN showcase their individual potential.

Teaching should inspire learning... it is very sad to hear this word - bored.

This is just my point of view lah.. not trying to impose my perspectives unto
others. Perhaps the teacher has made her lesson much more concise or
perhaps utilize less materials? I'm not sure. Can't comment since i dunno
the teacher's teaching style. As long as it shows results?

titank:

Anyway need to go see the environment first & evaluate again.

Good for you.

titank:

There is another teacher which using this program http://www.readinga-z.com/ said from USA. Have you heard of this one?

Yes, i use their reading booklets too.
I use it hand in hand with my Phonics pgrm.
It can work together and complement most
Phonics techniques.

The booklets are very good & systematic.
For parents who want a preview of their
booklets, they offer free booklets. I think
about 30 of them... and if you want the
complete set, you gotta subscribe.

I like how their booklets progress. :love:
From simple to difficult. Nice illustrations.
Choice of coloured print-outs and even
black and white ala workbooks/worksheets.
For parents or teachers who aren't very
proficient, you can also download their
lesson plans.

[titank]

Hi Buds,


Had drop you a PM & we shall discuss from there.Generally these homebased they told me max 3 in a group.

[buds]

There are many home based teachers. They generally take in lesser

students for group sessions as compared to commercial centres out
there in the market. Home based teachers also tend to be more
flexible about make-up lesssons whether it is due to a child being ill
or the family going for short family trips, especially if the child is doin'
1-to-1. If make-up sessions are allowed for group sessions, it may be
according to the teacher's time of convenience. Most home based
teachers do not take deposit. The thing that varies the teachers is
mainly the technique + programme structure. Other than that wud
be the duration. Cost will vary according 2 the teacher's experience
and definitely expertise; plus whether or not the programme utilizes
concrete learning materials within the varying session durations.

Most parents are also concerned about the fun factor. Most prefer
lessons to be fun yet rigorous enough & inspires children to read.

1hr per week is the norm be it in ctrs or home based. 1.5hr is a
better time frame in my opinion especially if a teacher is handling
group sessions. More than 5 or 6 is considered a big group already
for a 1.5hr session. Also need to ask if the teachers include reading
books / reading programme in the Phonics sessions to complete the
reading experience. After all, children learn Phonics to learn how to
read... not just to learn sounds... not just to merely learn words...
The aim is to provide children the skills for reading and inspire the
reading journey.

Just my sharings.

I've read and replied to your PM, titank.

[HappyAvon]

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.

Hi Engtutor, I had sent my K1 DD to Lcentral for assessment and she is recommended to start PFS (Preparation for School)..This is the same SUCCESS programme right? I understand the SUCCESS programme is ongoing and follows the MOE curriculum...Will the programme being too exam focused be suitable for K1 child? Will she be able to handle and enjoy the lesson? Maybe u can advise further? Thanks!

[Engtutor]

HappyAvon:

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.

Hi Engtutor, I had sent my K1 DD to Lcentral for assessment and she is recommended to start PFS (Preparation for School)..This is the same SUCCESS programme right? I understand the SUCCESS programme is ongoing and follows the MOE curriculum...Will the programme being too exam focused be suitable for K1 child? Will she be able to handle and enjoy the lesson? Maybe u can advise further? Thanks!

Hi HappyAvon,

I have sent you a PM.
Christina

[titank]

Hi Buds,


Finally discover 1 Homebased where offering 30 min Montessori Phonics & 30 minutes Maths. Charging an aveage of $40/hour & the best part there is deposit & registration fee. I guess this maybe in the future they would form their own centre.

[starlight88]

Thks Engtutor

I’ll be calling ICR and L Central to find out more. Do you know which of the L Central branch is good? Since they are all far for me, I don’t mind traveling a bit.

I am also keen to find out if the programme is overly exam focused and thus not suitable for K1 child? My boy is the active type.

Hi Tamarind
Thks for your recommendation. Will check it out. Besides, I have been following your blog. Thks for sharing all the wonderful ideas on learning phonics and Chinese.

I am also considering Kumon English since they allow the child to progress based on his own ability. However, Kumon English does not follow MOE syllabus. I wonder if it would be useful/practical from P1 point of view. How about Morris Allen? Do you know whether they follows the P1 syllabus?

Happy Avon
Do share with us more on the Lcentral PFS program should you decide to sign your K1 kid for it.

[buzzmario]

my girl is attending Perlinminary level at i can read at white sand. was told last sat she can go to the next level . but the new timing is at 4 pm instead of 12 noon. i thinking of getting her to shift to sengkang rivervale mall i can read. anyone 's kids there? care to share your finding there?


thanks