Comparing Pre-school English Reading and Phonics Enrichment

[zephyrfei]

I’m asking myself the same question. There’re just too many choice in the market. Really difficult to choose. I just finished 41 pages of this topic, and by then there was no negative comment about ICL…, till I post just now and saw bad comment. So seems nothing is perfect.


From ICL’s website, the clementi ctr was almost fully booked for some slots, for children born in 2009. This is unbelievably popular.

[MMM]

Ph46to7:

Primary schools:

I also have a newborn boy. Is St Patrick's well rated?

I am close to these schools: Tao Nan, CHIJ, Haig Girls, Tanjong Katong Pri, St Pat's.

What is the word out there?

Criteria: low (low-ish) pressure, less focus on academics only, prefer a well rounded education including music, art, sports.

Hi,

St Pat's do not have primary school. Most of the boys from St Stephen goes there.

[gaagaa]

hope76:

My sis has the same problem with that centre too. She is always busy with work hence don't have much time guiding her child with icreative work. She told me that she was scolded by the teacher and mrs tan so many times. They always tell her that if he can't catch up by when and when, they will have to ask him to leave the program.

I'm just thinking is their program really that gd?

Hi hope76, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one facing this problem. I guess ICL program will be more suitable for SAHM, where they have plenty of time to flash those flashcards to their child 2-3 times a day till they can read the words. For parents who are full time working and think they can \"subcon\" the teaching of phonics to ICL teachers, it won't work. I would say the success of this program is very dependent on the hardwork and committment from the parent. This school system is very unlike the other schools like ICR, LCentral, etc where they at most will just give worksheets to complete or spelling to learn. In ICL, you basically not only have to pay quite a lot of $$$, but also have to put in a lot of time and effort.

So is their program really that gd? Yes and No cos' it all depends on the parent's participation as well. My friend's DD(P1 now) were all along in this program but till now, but her DD still struggles in writing as my friend did not do her \"homework\" at all. So who to blame? Mrs Tan will definitely say it's the parents :x

[gaagaa]

zephyrfei:

I'm thinking of register my child born in 2009 for the ICL program. But it only start from 4 years old. Will it be too late for a child from a non-english spoken family? We never speak English at home. By the time she goes to ICL, she'll be in full-day child care for 1 year, I estimate. Is it necessary to send her to some other program before she start to learn in ICL?


Could anybody give me some advice please? Thanks in advance.

Hi zephyrfei, I don't understand why you want to send your child to a school to prepare her for ICL? Your child may have problem adapting to new school/environment if you change her from one school to another. As I've said earlier, ICL program is very demanding. Reading books every night to your child is a must. Flashing their flashcards 2-3 times per day is a must. Completing the scrapbook homework is another must. If you think you can afford the time and are committed to do all the above, then go ahead. If not, I would suggest you to look for other programs. Yes, too many to choose from. Actually after trying a few, I realised sometimes it's a matter of luck also. If you don't get a good teacher, any \"best\" school is also useless.

Hope this helps.

[gaagaa]

zephyrfei:

I'm asking myself the same question. There're just too many choice in the market. Really difficult to choose. I just finished 41 pages of this topic, and by then there was no negative comment about ICL..., till I post just now and saw bad comment. So seems nothing is perfect.


From ICL's website, the clementi ctr was almost fully booked for some slots, for children born in 2009. This is unbelievably popular.

haha, I went through what you are going through now too! Went through so many pages and no negative comments about ICL... I wonder why there are so little parents from ICL program to contribute in this forum, otherwise, I may have gone to another program.

You may try TAS or Learning Point too... hope this helps

[gaagaa]

jessicawongcs:

zephyrfei:

I'm asking myself the same question. There're just too many choice in the market. Really difficult to choose. I just finished 41 pages of this topic, and by then there was no negative comment about ICL..., till I post just now and saw bad comment. So seems nothing is perfect.


From ICL's website, the clementi ctr was almost fully booked for some slots, for children born in 2009. This is unbelievably popular.

the popularity might be due to the class is small, abt 6-8 students in a class compare to others 10-16 students

Agree with you! Maybe that's their marketing strategy, following Steve Job. Just like iPhone when it first launched, demand much more than supply, lonnnnggggg queue!!!

[mummy_linda]

Hi, one of the parents here had asked me earlier about P1 preparatory classes from my daughter's tutor. I've checked and she does have some classes. You can refer to http://www.littleinkpot.com/primary-1-preparatory-class-new.html


Sorry for taking so long to reply, paiseh!

[happyandhealthy]

hi any mummies sent their kids to Helen O Grady speech and drama ?

I saw Taylors Encore having this program. any feedback ? is it any good ? thanks for any advice.

[mummy so kiasu]

My girl in K2 can read some simple common words after attending 1 year of phonics class at creative parenting. She is still weak in blending the sound and It seems that phonics does not really work for her. Any other recommendation or suggestion?

[mummy so kiasu]

Phonics work for some kids but not all kids. We had sent our son to phonics class for 2 years when he was in K2. But he could only able to read when he goes to P1. I guess his development was slow and he was not ready at that moment. One of my husband’s nephews did not attend phonics class when he was young and he could read newspapers at the age of 6. Currently, he is a GEP student of ACS.