N2 but still can't recognise numbers and letters

[tamarind]

Lili,

My boy also cannot completely recognize all the 26 letters at 3 years 3 months old. Now at 4 years 8 months old, he is reading and spelling very well.
http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-they-are-reading-now.html
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2009/05/spelling.html

He is an average learner who needs many repetitions to learn new things, and his attention span is less than 5 minutes.

Children at this age can learn amazingly fast, if you use effective methods, and learn consistently. I only let him learn phonics and reading for less than 15 minutes a day. Check out my blog about the methods I used.
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-teach-phonics.html

So don't worry ! I think your boy is right on track. He is only 3.5 years old ! All you need is patience, and setup a routine to study consistently everyday.

nonKiasu:

Btw, do we expect spelling in K1? If so, then certainly mine are not there yet. Should I be worry? Maybe not now but half a year before they are in P1? Any advise are welcome.

Personally I think it depends on the ability of the child.

My older girl's premium PCF kindergarten has spelling at K1. My girl has a very strong foundation in phonics, and she is able to spell words by listening to the sounds. So she actually enjoys spelling. She also has tingxie for difficult words at K1. Checkout the words in my blog (scroll to the bottom)
http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2009/01/pcf-kindergarten.html

She has good fine motor skills so writing is no problem for her.

My younger boy is a much slower learner. So I decided to move him to a normal PCF. He is in K1 now, but still does have spelling. I am happy with that. His PCF emphasized on reading books and word recognition, which I think is the correct method of learning English. My boy now also has a strong foundation in phonics, and he is able to spell many words without the need to memorize the spelling. So long as I know that he can spell, it is good enough, don't need for spelling tests in kindergarten.

His fine motor skills is still not very good at this age. I am very relieved that his PCF class does not have tingxie. I actually don't let him practice writing in English or Chinese at home because I don't want to stress him too much. I only make sure that he reads in both English and Chinese everyday. I believe that when he grows older, his fine motor skills will naturally improve. It is quite sad to force a child to write many words a day if he is not ready.

jedamum:

I use Richard Scarry's Best Counting Video Ever.

I have this video too. My kids used to ask for it eveyday, before they have the Leapfrog DVDs. I like it that it teaches counting up to 20. Although the animation is very old fashioned, and some kids may find it very boring, my kids still enjoy watching it very much.

[fxchow]

Hi,


My son also in K1 and he studies in My First Skool at Tmn Jurong since this year. (Former name was NTUC Childcare).

They practise learn through play. My son has no homework and no spelling.

Up to now, he still doesn't know how to read simple story book.
I'm planning to send him to phonic class but he refused and asked me to teach him at home. :?: ha! ha! I don't think I can, so I will persude him again.

[tamarind]

fxchow:

Up to now, he still doesn't know how to read simple story book.

I'm planning to send him to phonic class but he refused and asked me to teach him at home. :?: ha! ha! I don't think I can, so I will persude him again.

Any adult can learn to teach phonics very easily ! Jedamum has listed some good resources above, like the Leapfrog DVDs. Just watching the Leapfrog Letter Factory, Talking Words Factory, Code Word Caper will give you a good understanding of what is phonics.

We cannot depend only on enrichment classes to teach our kids phonics, attending class for one hour a week is not going to be enough. When my older girl attended Montessori phonics, the teacher actually taught parents how to practice phonics with the kids at home. So parents must learn phonics and practice with their kids at home !

[Lili 22]

jedamum, you are right that ds2 is a year end kid, so got excuse for being a slow learner, haha... that's what I told his teachers , however teachers still feel that he should buck up.


tamarind, thanks for sharing as I also have worries about putting him in PCF next year, now think it might be good for him.

[jedamum]

Lili 22:

jedamum, you are right that ds2 is a year end kid, so got excuse for being a slow learner, haha... that's what I told his teachers , however teachers still feel that he should buck up.

My ds2 is also a year end kid, and i am preparing myself for such feedback too, and also given his cannot-sit-still-and-easily-distracted behaviour. It doesn't help that he actually is as big in size as his Jan peers (if not bigger!). No doubt some http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1289&highlight=year+end+kid can do just as well, but i still think sometimes maturity makes a big difference and 10-11mths gap from the peers makes up for the different milestone and developmental progression.

[jedamum]

fxchow:

My son also in K1

Up to now, he still doesn't know how to read simple story book. .

fxchow,
other than tamarind's method, have you also seen http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2963&highlight=year+end+kid?

[fxchow]

Hi jedamum & tamarind,


Thanks for your good suggestion and all the wonderful resources. I will try to look into the link and learn it.

I think I've spent too much time on my P6 & P4 girls and less time on my son. Sometimes, I also feel guilty

Anyway, I will ensure my son to get ready before he enters to P1. :lol:

[kiasu_pig]

jedamum:

kiasu_pig:

i have been hunting high and low for this video \"Richard Scarry's Best Counting Video Ever\" at Popular's in West Mall, CCK & IMM. Does anyone know when can I get one now? Those on Amazon.com at so expensive.

:? :? actually can easily get from any Popular. I used to see it in WM and BPP Popular...maybe a lot of Kiasu parents went to get it after reading about it here? :evil:
Actually you can call up the Popular Book store first to enquire instead of going to the store to check it out - just let them know that you can't find in certain stores and inquire if their store carries them.
You can also try Toys R Us vcd section.
Cheap Cheap.

Finally, while browsing thru' the educational DVDs at my usual hunt at a neighbourhood Video Shop, I found the \"Richard Scarry's VCD\" pathetically dumped with other Barney VCDs in an isolated corner of the shop. Was so excited about it. Real cheap at only $4. I hope my kid would love it.

[buds]

Your kid WILL lurve it, kiasu_pig!

I STILL DO!

We have quite a few of the Richard
Scarry VCD's too! They used to sell
different volumes of RS range at Kiddy
Palace but now no more...

Really worth the buy. I shud've bought
more... OR ALL OF THEM... while they
still had it. Sigh.

I've got one VCD about the mines... a salt mine...
Also on the wettest place on earth ala big splash...
Another good one on ghosts... Our favourite!
And another on how numbers came about.

The VCDs also indirectly incorporates good
values to children which they instill in a totally
non-threatening and non-forceful manner, which
i truly like till today..

Reali clever these people behind Richard Scarry
range... books... VCDs... (etc)

[kiasu_pig]

buds:

Your kid WILL lurve it, kiasu_pig!

I STILL DO!

We have quite a few of the Richard
Scarry VCD's too! They used to sell
different volumes of RS range at Kiddy
Palace but now no more...

Really worth the buy. I shud've bought
more... OR ALL OF THEM... while they
still had it. Sigh.

I've got one VCD about the mines... a salt mine...
Also on the wettest place on earth ala big splash...
Another good one on ghosts... Our favourite!
And another on how numbers came about.

The VCDs also indirectly incorporates good
values to children which they instill in a totally
non-threatening and non-forceful manner, which
i truly like till today..

Reali clever these people behind Richard Scarry
range... books... VCDs... (etc)

Thanks for the assurance. i just wrapped the VCD nicely so that I could give it to my boy who, i anticipated, to excitedly tear off the paper! He should be having his dancing class in school now (3.30pm).

Actually, what i don't get it is, since RS stuffs are so educational (means \"good\"), why should the manufacturer discontinued it? :?