Can Enrichment Classes replace Kindergarten?

[buds]

Nope Tam.. my girls also have it in theirs.

They're in neighbourhood schools.

It is still good grasp of number bonds to
quickly be able to understand the concept
of such algebraic styled questions at P1.

[Funz]

tamarind:

sleepy:

[quote=\"tamarind\"]
The very first line used to teach algebra is \"Any letter can be used to represent any number\". Say this to a child. If she understands immediately, then she is ready to learn algebra.

Algebra is introduced since P1, although very very subtlely

orange = 3
apple + orange = 5
apple = ?

Yes I saw these questions in P1 maths assessment books, but I think they are not supposed to be in the P1 syllabus ? Probably some of the tops schools use these questions to filter out the \"cream of the crop\".[/quote]actually these are very common questions these days.

My teachers attended a pre-school math and literacy workshop by MOE earlier this year and these are the kind of activities that they were told to do with the kids.

nothing beyond 20 for K2 and it is all about number concepts. Symbols are used to represent numbers, so if the child has a strong grasp of the concept, whether you replace it with abcs or shapes or fruits, they will be able to do the sum.

[buds]

Love your centre game, insider. :celebrate:


Can book now for my #3 to enrol in your centre anot?

[buds]

Funz:

nothing beyond 20 for K2 and it is all about number concepts. Symbols are used to represent numbers, so if the child has a strong grasp of the concept, whether you replace it with abcs or shapes or fruits, they will be able to do the sum.

I ditto that. :hi5:

[buds]

buds:

Love your centre game, insider. :celebrate:


Can book now for my #3 to enrol in your centre anot?

insider:

buds...you come and teach then your #3 come in FOC? hahaha...

I was actually willing to pay for quality.
But... your suggestion can work oso. :lol:

insider:

[can play with your child (first you do the coding and she does decoding and when she is experienced enough, she can do the coding and you do the decoding. My P1 son loves the game and kind of like an 'expert' in it due to regular exposure).

I will! My DD2 will LOVE it!
Got website with these kinda games anot?

insider:

[PS: my observation is that boys generally are more interested in this type of games than girls maybe due to boys generally enjoy solving 'mystery'...

Mine is tomboy, so qualify in this category oso. :lol:

We're seriously OT. :offtopic:

I :spank: myself, mum05.

Sollie. :salute:

PS : Come to think of it, this is enrichment knowledge.
More ideas for home activities without daily kindy routine.

[tamarind]

buds:

Funz:

nothing beyond 20 for K2 and it is all about number concepts. Symbols are used to represent numbers, so if the child has a strong grasp of the concept, whether you replace it with abcs or shapes or fruits, they will be able to do the sum.

I ditto that. :hi5:

Just to clarify my original point. If parents have kids who enjoy doing this type of questions, do try to teach them more about algebra, or even solving complex equations. These are essential for higher mathematics. There is no point trying to train them to + and - like a calculator, sending them to enrichment classes that teach all sorts of funny methods(not algebra) to solve problems is a waste of time.

If parents don't know how to teach more about algebra, then just let these kids enjoy their childhood.

Also I emphasize that for kids with average ability, who do not how to solve such problems, there is no need for parents to panic. As I wrote earlier, it is OK for average kids to just know how to +, - up to 10 at 5 years old, and +,- up to 20 at 6 years old. They will still do reasonably well for P1. Trying to push kids to do beyond their capability is only going to make them suffer.

[DesertWind]

kylene:

Noticed that the title said \"replace kindergarten\". My son is 2 this year and I was actually thinking of sending him to enrichment classes to replace \"nursery\" for next year.


For me , the problem is that most of the enrichment classes for 3 yrs old are drop off programmes and my son is so clingy I'm not sure he'll adapt. I'll placed him in half day childcare before and he was so unhappy there that I pulled him out. hope I'm not off topic

Hi Kylene,

My son is 3 yo this year and although I would love to send him to enrichment classes like Berries etc. I too don't think he is ready to be \"dropped-off\". If it is only once a week, then he won't adapt so easily so I find that it is better for him to go to an enrichment centre/CCC on daily basis so that there will not be the fear-factor. When he is familiar with his teachers, he can learn better. Hence I have KIVed all enrichments for him this year. When he is 4 next year, then I will sign him up for enrichment (Chinese immersion) from his kindergarten so that we won't have to fetch him to & fro other centres and he won't need to adapt to so many different environments & teachers.

Perhaps your child is still a bit too young not ready to be separated from you yet so you can try later again. But it is inevitable kids will cry for a few days when going new centre. Mine adapted after a few days hence the stress (for me) was thankfully minimal!
:celebrate:

[buds]

tweety17:

buds:

Mum05, from what you have shared here.. i say go for it! All my best to your boy! :celebrate:

As per buds, I would also say go for it!

Tks, tweety17. :hugs:

Mum05, jiayou!

[Wesim]

I was also wondering whether it is really necessary to send my DD for K1 & K2. I have been homeschooling her since she was 2 and she is now doing K1 & K2 assessment books (she is 3 now).


Currently she is attending Berries and Music for Young Children once a week. Will register her at CMA end of this year. Seriously, with all these enrichment classes, i doubt i will send her to pre-school as i do not want her to pick up bad habits/behaviour and viruses.

Talking about social skills, she sure can interact and tend to approach her classmates first. Really not the shy type.

tamarid,
is Morris allen good? She can read (currently at book 6a (ladybird), so i am now trying to find a good centre that can teach her creative writing (composition).

[tweety17]

tamarind:

mum05 and tweety17,

Besides attending enrichment classes, parents should take the time to practice with kids everyday. In fact, Berries has a notice telling parents that they must revise the lessons with the child everyday. So long as parents are able to do this, then attending kindergarten is not necessary.

fully agreed