All About Preparing For Primary One

[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.

[janet88]

Hi Mummies of P1 children,

May I know if your kids are supposed to know the time-table at P1 pls ?
My gal attends lessons at RC (P1 preparatory lessons) and for Maths, she is tested weekly for 2x, 3x & 4x time-table and she got a phobia suddenly and refused to attend this morning.
Slept close to midnight bcos of this phobia…I assured her that if she makes a mistake, it’s perfectly fine.

[tankee]

Multiplication is taught in term 3/4 of Pri 1

[janet88]

tankee:

Multiplication is taught in term 3/4 of Pri 1

Thanks for your reply Tankee.
She was not tested for multiplication table at her kindy and the teacher at RC gave her weekly test since last mth...suddenly she seemed to freak out and I had to assure her that it's perfectly ok if she got them wrong. Is PAP kindergarten like this ?

[buds]

janet_lee88:

Hi buds,

Heyya janet_lee88.

janet_lee88:

Your girls are so independent, responsible and well-trained...really envy you.

They need reminders sometimes but less recently. :love:

It is easier to instill when children are young so as they grow older
it will come almost natural to them just like any other routine like
hitting the showers after one wakes up, or washing up their own
dishes after eating.

Parents can definitely assist in guiding children towards independence
by being consistent. Cannot one day shower right away and the next
day can eat breakfast and watch tv first... that kinda thing.

No need to envy, you can still work it with your children. :hugs: Mine
is still work in progress... there are other things to guide them with
as they go along growing up so quickly.

janet_lee88:

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.

Yup, they're pretty psyched up! Already delegating who shall do what with
the baby when it's out. :lol: Funny thing though neither one offered to do
the diaper change. :laugh:

janet_lee88:

Take care of yourself in the meantime.

Thanks sweetie. You take care too ya. :snuggles:

[buds]

janet_lee88:

Hi Mummies of P1 children,

May I know if your kids are supposed to know the time-table at P1 pls?

They aren't 'supposed to know' per se however some parents do train
their children earlier via recitation. My girls were taught the logic to it
first (ie. addition / grouping method) followed by recitation using fun
songs and games. If you're keen to find out more, you may check
out some of my sharings here in this thread.
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4120&highlight=teach++multiplication

janet_lee88:

My gal attends lessons at RC (P1 preparatory lessons) and for Maths, she is tested weekly for 2x, 3x & 4x time-table and she got a phobia suddenly and refused to attend this morning.
Slept close to midnight bcos of this phobia...I assured her that if she makes a mistake, it's perfectly fine.

You are right to assure her.. If she already has the jitters, i do
suggest you try times tables songs to make it seem less stressful.
Not all parents like to go with songs but it's worth a shot so that
she does not find learning the tables a chore & dislikes it.

Btw, the RC preparatory is quite ONz, janet_lee88.
Sure keeps parents on their toes.