IS IT COMPULSORY TO ATTEND KINDERGARTENS BEFORE P1 ADMISSION

[schellen]

I think back when we were kids, not attending kindy was still okay since teachers were expecting this and ready to teach us from scratch. Now, this is no longer the case. P1 goes at a very fast pace, even for ordinary neighbourhood schools, so the child will be lost and may even feel demoralised and give up. P1 will start with what they covered in kindy but this "easing in" part will be over very soon, and the "new stuff" will come in.


Also, back then, children played a lot and so social skills would’ve been honed along the way. Nowadays, children play less and with fewer people and/or fewer children so the opportunity to practise and polish such skills is lesser.

[smurf]

No leh…i remember at that time, that little gal was like secluded from us. while we were playing, she was very quiet. but i agreed on the academic part, it wasn’t as stressful as now.

[mummydearest]

yes i think socialisation is an important point that homeschooling may not be adequate in providing unless u have like 12 kids??


my sis in law used to stay in australia and her 3yr old child (only child) was so shy and tempermental when she first come to sg…cos she only hang out with mommy and some friends…

so my sil enrolled her in camps for holidays …she get to meet other kids and play…it’s not the academic camps type just skate camp …and also
now she’s attending daycare and have friends…she speaks more and is more confident…so i believe ur kid must really socialise one…helps in their learning process

[Parent1]

Is it worthwhile to pay for my kids to attend branded kindy, eg modern montessori international?

[schellen]

smurf:

No leh...i remember at that time, that little gal was like secluded from us. while we were playing, she was very quiet. but i agreed on the academic part, it wasn't as stressful as now.

Is it? Maybe she's the introverted kind or she didn't play with many children. Cos I played with a lot of children and everywhere in and around the blocks my aunt and grandma stayed in when I was in preschool.

[smurf]

i dunno, i only know she didn’t attend kindy.

[schellen]

Parent1:

Is it worthwhile to pay for my kids to attend branded kindy, eg modern montessori international?

This will depend on you. If you think it is worthwhile, you will pay. If you think no, then you won't.

My DD attended kindy in 2 different childcare centres. They weren't branded and had no other branches or franchises. I felt that what was more important for her was a caring environment that developed her social and emotional skills among children and teachers. Academics-wise, I can handle but since she is an only child and the only grandchild, opportunities to be with other children when with family are rare or nil.

Of course, this is only my POV so do ask around and read around this forum to find out more. It also helps if you know what you want your child to achieve at the end of kindy and what kind of pri sch you're aiming for. Also factor in your child's abilities and potential.

[Parent1]

schellen:

Parent1:

Is it worthwhile to pay for my kids to attend branded kindy, eg modern montessori international?

This will depend on you. If you think it is worthwhile, you will pay. If you think no, then you won't.

My DD attended kindy in 2 different childcare centres. They weren't branded and had no other branches or franchises. I felt that what was more important for her was a caring environment that developed her social and emotional skills among children and teachers. Academics-wise, I can handle but since she is an only child and the only grandchild, opportunities to be with other children when with family are rare or nil.

Of course, this is only my POV so do ask around and read around this forum to find out more. It also helps if you know what you want your child to achieve at the end of kindy and what kind of pri sch you're aiming for. Also factor in your child's abilities and potential.

Thanks a lot for your advice and sharing your experience.

[buds]

Parent1:

Is it worthwhile to pay for my kids to attend branded kindy, eg modern montessori international?

Just like how schellen said... reali depends on what you want your child to
achieve during her preschool years... there is no doubt that the MMI
syllabus prepares children for primary and its education encompasses
other areas that normal pre-schools may not go deeply into for example,
softskills, geography but you have to zoom in to the individual centre of
choice to observe the centre enviroment, attitudes of the staff and
and to talk to the manager to gauge the kind of rapport she has with
parents. For pre-schools with a big household name, the franchisees
can be quite outta the loop and may manage differently than the main
branches.

You should also look up the history of the methodology which is aplenty
on the web to understand how and what the children will be taught in the
centres. Take up a trial lesson and see for yourself how your child's future
teacher engages the children in her class. If you wish to participate in our
past and recent discussions with regards to Montessori, you may wanna
read up http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=906.

PS : Another thing too... appreciate if you can report your presence at
the Newbies thread http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewforum.php?f=28 We wanna know more about you! Click
\"New Topic\" and post a brief intro of yourself, k.

Looking forward to it, Parent1.

[schellen]

Parent1:

Thanks a lot for your advice and sharing your experience.

You're welcome! ^_^