All About Preparing For Primary One

[Mummykiasutan]

IMO... if a kid knows EVERYTHING before he gets into P1 he will loose interest in school bcos he already knows Everything beforehand he sees no point in learning. Then he will start to slop in classes & disturb his other classmates out of bordom bcos he has nothing to do. His mind will \"Float\" elsewhere & causing problems for his further education unless his parents continues to send him to after school tution/courses etc... learning all in Advance. But then what's the point of sending him to a normal school? He could just have a private tutor & learn at his fast speed then take Private PSLE.


:?

[Mummykiasutan]

MUMMYOF3:

janet_lee88:

Oh yes, next Tuesday's 听写 is 上衣， 长裤，纽扣 袖子. Any mummies here encounter such characters for K2 ?

This is what my boy's school 听写 for K2 :动物园，圣淘沙，鱼尾狮，飞禽公园， 国旗，庆祝国庆，我爱新加坡， 八月九日。 They'll have to learn 4 words weekly and i've hard time teaching him. He'll cry everytime when comes to his 听写. I try not to force him but it makes me angry when he starts crying everytime when i gets him to learn his 听写.

But in some sense if they teach tougher words in an earlier stage at K2 the kids can be ready for the even tougher words in P1/P2... whatever.
One school is TaBei. Even at K1 they are already writing stuffs like 我们， 写字， 鼻子 all 2 letter words.
K2 they are staring to write in sentences.

[janet88]

Mummykiasutan,

I am one who does NOT believe in kids knowing work not meant for their level. He/she will be bored listening to the teachers.
The other reason not teaching them ahead is the method used in school, esp Math. Letting the school teacher teach kids, then from their hw, the parent will know the method used and not confuse the child.

Every year after buying the new books, I just wrap them but never start teaching my son…but I will go through them, so that I know what assessment books to buy.

[janet88]

springvinn:

i suppose more importantly, the kid must be mentally prepared of the new environment and longer classroom hours + buying his/ her own meal in school tuckshop + handling pocket money.


The parents must also be physically and mentally supportive during this transition period such as checking his school bag for any homework and school notices and above all his/her emotions

The new environment, teachers, classmates and longer hours will take a while to adapt and adjust. Daughter has been in morning session in kindy all these 3 years and nap is a must. So I guess she will be very tired after recess...hope she doesn't fall asleep. Will let her sleep until 8 or 830am when she starts P1.

[Brenda10]

janet_lee88:

Mummykiasutan,

I am one who does NOT believe in kids knowing work not meant for their level. He/she will be bored listening to the teachers.
The other reason not teaching them ahead is the method used in school, esp Math. Letting the school teacher teach kids, then from their hw, the parent will know the method used and not confuse the child.

Every year after buying the new books, I just wrap them but never start teaching my son...but I will go through them, so that I know what assessment books to buy.

Hi Janet

I agree with you. Who know nowadays most of the kids attending the P1 already know ahead of their level ad end up the teacher will move on the very fast pace and giving them more changeling work. The standard of the test/exam would also be much more changeling compare to many years ago.
Just my 2 cents thought

[janet88]

Hi Brenda,

I don’t know what is the syllabus for P1…but definitely I will not be touching the P1 assessment books which I bought earlier. No logic to teach children ahead…then what is the teacher’s job ?
Ok, exam format is more difficult now than it was many years ago, but things have changed.

I do not check son’s school homework when he is done…this way, the teacher will correct his mistakes. Guess parents have different ways of thinking now.

[mrswongtuition]

janet_lee88:

Hi Brenda,

I don't know what is the syllabus for P1...but definitely I will not be touching the P1 assessment books which I bought earlier. No logic to teach children ahead...then what is the teacher's job ?
Ok, exam format is more difficult now than it was many years ago, but things have changed.

I do not check son's school homework when he is done...this way, the teacher will correct his mistakes. Guess parents have different ways of thinking now.

I encourage parents to check. However, it is to check that it's completed, not check the answers.

[janet88]

mrswongtuition,

I do check that all his homework are completed, but if he does not, then he will get punished by the teachers…at P4, I feel that he should have a sense of responsibility, esp all the homework are written down on the whiteboard for the kids to copy.
I check son’s homework diary everyday after school, take out all his homework and get him to complete them b4 nap time…but if there is too much, then those requiring ‘more thinking’ ones like Math/Compo done after his nap.

[buds]

There is a difference between a child being adequately prepared and being

too advanced from the preparations for primary education. Different sets of
parents will have different perspectives to the range of preparations deemed
necessary for their children.

As for checking children's bags every day, the other way parents can also
encourage independence is by ensuring the children 'declare' all their home
work (if any), school notes/circulars, school diary, etc prior to parents asking
the children for them or parents going straight into checking their bags.

My girls will lay out (put on the table/show us) what's in store for the rest of
their day before i prepare lunch or dinner on the table.. this way after
shower and makan.. they already made mental notes on how they're going
to prioritize their work/activity for the day to maximize their chill out time.
Since they are in different sessions, they do like to set some time for both of
them to catch up with sister-chats... play... read... watch tv... and of course,
fight. :lol:

We are very pleased at how responsible they've both become. :love:

With my #3 coming in a few months, this automatic practice of theirs which has
always been instilled by their school as a good habit is truly helping me manage
my time well these days. I'm thankful for their diligence and blessed that they
are in good hands (teachers/school). Cannot ask for more.. Hence the reason
why i'm hesitant to swap them to a new school near where we'd be staying in
the near future. I don't mind the slight hassle of logistics via public transport
& frankly the girls are more than happy to have us send & receive them from
school everyday..

I'm very happy where they are now.. :love:

[janet88]

Hi buds,

Your girls are so independent, responsible and well-trained…really envy you. At least you are able to focus more on #3 and not having to worry about your older ones. Not only that, your 2 girls will also be able to help look after youngest sibling.

Take care of yourself in the meantime.