Hong Wen

[SAHM_TAN]

hquek:

SAHM_TAN:

Hi,


Here's my take about schools. There are advantages about going to good/branded schools. The exposure and challenges to the students will definitely be different. However, parents who have kids in those schools usually send them to tuition/enrichment. As in anything the more you practice, the better you understand and you will do better. The teacher will find that the class is quick to understand and the teacher will move on faster and teach more things to engage the class. But such schools does not guarantee all will obtain excellent results or passes in all subjects. There are still top classes vs average classes in such schools. There are only a handful of such schools, does that mean the rest of the school going population are doomed to do badly or be greatly disadvantaged? I think not. I know that no matter which school I managed to get my kids into, I will have to support them to ensure that they \"succeed\". If u have the time, try reading Outliners by Malcolm Galdwell, The author present interesting findings about why people succeed. It is an easy read and very engaging. I have also struggled initially between a branded school and HW. In the end, for my own reasons, I went with HW. I have no control that my kids will meet passionate teachers but I have full control in trying to ensure that they have passion for learning. Sorry for such a long post

:goodpost: Good points SAHM_Tan. A friend whose sister is a teacher once told me that it's better to go neighbourhood schools becos they focus on teaching the kids. According to her, some branded schools take it as a given that the kids would have enrichment classes already and thus do not work on building the child's foundation - pity the poor kid who didn't get to attend such classes (though I would think they are in the minority now).

Thanks for sharing!

:thankyou:

[SAHM_TAN]

hquek:

simsl_sg:

in today's pv, i met a senior chinese teacher, been with HW for 40yrs, he is 70 yrs old. He was sharing with me that how chinese school focus more on respect for parents, filial piety, close relations with siblings. Not saying that english school or other neighbourhood schools don't teach such things but 'chinese thinking' way focus more, as seen in books, painting, poem, etc.

One of the reasons why I shortlisted HW is that it has a long tradition - not like my pri school that folded into nothingness. I came from an all girls' sec school and do love the feeling of being part of history in its unfolding.

I'm probably crazy but I do like to know the cons of a school so that I don't get unduly shocked. A bit sorrt sorrt tei I think.

No lah it's normal. It's always good to get as full a picture as possible so that we can prepare our kids and ourselves.

[SAHM_TAN]

simsl_sg:

hquek:

One of the reasons why I shortlisted HW is that it has a long tradition - not like my pri school that folded into nothingness. I came from an all girls' sec school and do love the feeling of being part of history in its unfolding.

I'm probably crazy but I do like to know the cons of a school so that I don't get unduly shocked. A bit sorrt sorrt tei I think.

the senior chinese teacher said that he just had a gathering with his first batch of students from the alumini and they still kept in touch after all these years. That's really tradition. Well, i don't keep in touch with my school teachers and how many parents here still do?

That's very heartwarming

[nissin]

hi mummies here,

is ur child attending abacus? is it necessary?

[SAHM_TAN]

nissin:

hi mummies here,

is ur child attending abacus? is it necessary?

Hi,

Hope this article from the site helps, there are comments from other parents as well.

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/abacus-mental-arithmetic-good

My kids do not go for abacus or other classes because they have 4 hrs of kiddy class per day. I don't want to load them too much now. Plus with the new baby it's hard to get around and I'm adjusting to the new routine of a 3kids household. So for the next 6 months I put things on hold so as not to stress ourselves too much and in the end the kids will not learn anything.

[hquek]

hi nissin,


In the past, I always wondered if I should put my kids in abacus/mental arithmetic. But this kept getting shelved in view of positive and negative comments. So finally I didn’t do it. Depends on your priority and what you view important.

FYI: DS1 is going for music, swimming, tennis in addition to some other classes - I think that’s a lot so held back on abacus.

[simsl_sg]

Any parents going for the P6 Little india trip in october?

[nissin]

hquek:

hi nissin,


In the past, I always wondered if I should put my kids in abacus/mental arithmetic. But this kept getting shelved in view of positive and negative comments. So finally I didn't do it. Depends on your priority and what you view important.

FYI: DS1 is going for music, swimming, tennis in addition to some other classes - I think that's a lot so held back on abacus.

same here, DS1 is also attending quite a no. of classes now dats y the abacus was put on hold for a yr plus. Wonder is it really beneficial and necessary..maybe I will juz teach him myself-not abacus of cos,basic maths.

[nissin]

SAHM_TAN:

nissin:

hi mummies here,

is ur child attending abacus? is it necessary?

Hi,

Hope this article from the site helps, there are comments from other parents as well.

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/abacus-mental-arithmetic-good

My kids do not go for abacus or other classes because they have 4 hrs of kiddy class per day. I don't want to load them too much now. Plus with the new baby it's hard to get around and I'm adjusting to the new routine of a 3kids household. So for the next 6 months I put things on hold so as not to stress ourselves too much and in the end the kids will not learn anything.

Tks. Had read the thread thus confused. Some said gd some dont. C how it goes when he goes K2. Though personally I think its not necessary

[simsl_sg]

nissin:

SAHM_TAN:

[quote=\"nissin\"]hi mummies here,

is ur child attending abacus? is it necessary?

Hi,

Hope this article from the site helps, there are comments from other parents as well.

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/abacus-mental-arithmetic-good

My kids do not go for abacus or other classes because they have 4 hrs of kiddy class per day. I don't want to load them too much now. Plus with the new baby it's hard to get around and I'm adjusting to the new routine of a 3kids household. So for the next 6 months I put things on hold so as not to stress ourselves too much and in the end the kids will not learn anything.

Tks. Had read the thread thus confused. Some said gd some dont. C how it goes when he goes K2. Though personally I think its not necessary[/quote]I only know of CMA and classes at community centre for abacus. Any other schools doing this?