I Can Read - Discussion

[deardear07]

DC Mummy:

chen tai:

[quote=\"alivio\"]Hi,


Anyone can kindly provide feedback on the Little Learners Programme at ICR? Particularly the branch at Rivervale Mall? My DD just turned 3 last month but she can't read yet. I am wondering if it would be beneficial to send her now or wait till later when she is more 'mature' and more ready to learn. Any advice?

Thanks for sharing!

my DD joined little learners programme when she turns 3 too, at harboufront centre branch. Initially i dont find the programme helpful as she's only doing some colouring & story telling in her class. but after a year now she made tremendous improvements. she can read some simple words on her own. no regrets la think the little learners programme is to prepare them for the next level.

Personally, I feel that sending a child to little learners may not be necessary…

To share my own encounter, when my DS reached 3 yo (born in Jan’07), he wasn’t able to recognized all 26 alphabet letters at all. So, I bought wooden letters jigsaw puzzle (forming an elephant shape) to play with him, took approx. 15 mins each day. Two months later, he was able to identifying each alphabet letter. So, I brought him to ICR for assessment and he had read out all single letters but wasn't able to make any vowel sound. He was then assigned to TCS program (one level after little learners), just to learn the first letter sound. At the same time, I played Leap Frog Letterfactory DVD and accessed to starfall website and preschooler phonics series (bought from popular) at home. Revised single letter vowel with him almost daily, he picked up the first sound and moved from TCS to PRP in less than 2 months.

DS is now 4 yo 3 months, already in PRP for almost a year. He is able to read P&J book 9 a/b (started with book 3a/b last Sep’10) At the same time, he is able to decode first, middle and last sound as well as blend words in other story books (example Mr Men series, Thomas & friends, USborne books & other preschooler books). Teacher in-charge informed that she will be testing him and he should be ready to move to ICR very soon but he need to practice in writing. Hope all will turn out well.

By giving DS a good interactive phonics enrichment along with home exposure, result is desirable. If we solely depend on a program alone (conduct only once weekly), result could be at slower pace. Just my humble view.[/quote]Hmm...my ds was able to say all 26letters n all puzzles.can manage some sounds and assessor said she was v impressed as he could sit thru quietly n interact with her like an older child.

E only reason im sending him to ICR was to reiterate his sounds since he knew some sounds already.

After all she said,she still recommended little learners whereas other branches said he could proceed to tcs. In e end,i gave up letting him go at this period. My girl didn't attend ICR but she could read quite well by end k1.i see no point in rushing kids...coz any normal child can pick up reading as they reach their milestones.

[DC Mummy]

My child is also in ICR (SK branch). He was assessed by an Indian teacher at that time and assigned to TCS (thinking and creative skills).


I always thought that little learners program is more inclined towards in developing speaking language through various activities. A child has to able to speak, interact and express themselves in an articulate manner before introducing them phonics. When I read about the activities of little learners in ICR brochure, I wasn’t keen to find out more and perceived it as a replicate program to what he was learning in his full day playgroup.

I think parents are same, including myself, we all love to hear positive feedback about child’s progress, advancement and competency. When a child has been assigned to a level below our expectation, we started to question the benefits of the program. If assessment result is not satisfactory or fall below expectation, we can raise our concern to find out more, the purpose and the intention of the assessor. What makes him / her feel that the child in not ready in a greater level when we think otherwise. In addition to this, there is always assessing variance conducted by different assessor, not only in ICR but in any other enrichment centers as well. Afterall, humans are born with different benchmark.

It is true that many kids will pick up reading eventually when they reach K1/K2, some kids without exposure to proper solid Phonics program are simply reading by sight words. When given a new word, they can’t decode and pronounce it accurately. In my own view, it is good to engage a child in reading early with understanding, so that he can progress further in other area (eg grammar, vocabulary) to strengthen his language. I find that phonics program, not just help in spelling learning in a breeze but also to enhance my DS word pronunciation. I prefer to start a child earlier, in a gradual and progressive manner rather than waiting till a year before P1 with intense drilling for preparation.

[deardear07]

DC Mummy:

I always thought that little learners program is more inclined towards in developing speaking language through various activities. A child has to able to speak, interact and express themselves in an articulate manner before introducing them phonics. When I read about the activities of little learners in ICR brochure, I wasn’t keen to find out more and perceived it as a replicate program to what he was learning in his full day playgroup.

I decided nt to let him continue after they showed me his work n curriculum for little learners.wanted him to learn more of phonics since his childcare already started.

The only reason for ds nt bring able to promote was his age.hez just 33mths,nt even 3 yet...

[deardear07]

He learns fast n i want him to proceed n nt b stifield from learning more.


We already do reinforcement with him at hm.

[wcc]

Does anyone has any comments on the "comprehension and creative writing" class at ICR? DD had completed their ICR level already, so wondering if should continue with ICR or change to other centres…any advise?

[KAN]

wcc:

Does anyone has any comments on the \"comprehension and creative writing\" class at ICR? DD had completed their ICR level already, so wondering if should continue with ICR or change to other centres...any advise?

I would also like to know too... dd will also be completing her icr soon.
Is the comprehension & creative writing course good? Do they have alot of homework and how much is it?

[wcc]

KAN:

wcc:

Does anyone has any comments on the \"comprehension and creative writing\" class at ICR? DD had completed their ICR level already, so wondering if should continue with ICR or change to other centres...any advise?

I would also like to know too... dd will also be completing her icr soon.
Is the comprehension & creative writing course good? Do they have alot of homework and how much is it?

DD just started her first lesson there...homework is to write a short composition with 5 words for spelling. Wondering if this is too much for her age?

[KAN]

wcc:

KAN:

[quote=\"wcc\"]Does anyone has any comments on the \"comprehension and creative writing\" class at ICR? DD had completed their ICR level already, so wondering if should continue with ICR or change to other centres...any advise?

I would also like to know too... dd will also be completing her icr soon.
Is the comprehension & creative writing course good? Do they have alot of homework and how much is it?

DD just started her first lesson there...homework is to write a short composition with 5 words for spelling. Wondering if this is too much for her age?[/quote]
My dd is p1, so for her, i think its ok. how long is the course and what is the cost per term?

[junemum72]

Any comments at ICR Katong??

[junemum72]

I have a fren whose kid is also at ICR and she told me she is particularly not happy with the fact that the class always start 5mins later and ends at least 10 mins earlier. She has since withdrawn her son from the centre.


Anyone has the same issue at other centres?