All About Preparing For Primary One

[Champion]

Kissgurami:

Was surfing around on understanding if I am well prepared on behalf of my DD1 for Primary 1


Chanced upon a few websites, thought to share though it could have been mentioned before

Tips For Parents
◦Work on independent reading skills.
◦Set up a study area and regular study times that are not interrupted.
◦Learn to follow a routine with a lot of sleep and early mornings.
◦Practice organisation and planning by packing a daily bag with essentials for the day.
◦Talk about social skills and communication skills.
◦Talk about how much fun school will be. If they are prepared, they will enjoy the wonderful process of learning and discover the fun of school.
◦Keep it fun and happy.

Reading
Mrs. Sam from Athena Educational Services says the most important skill is being able to read independently prior to entering Primary 1.

The lack of reading ability will affect all subjects. From following directions to doing word problems, reading is indispensable. 4 years old is a very comfortable age to begin reading and 7 is really waiting too long to get them into the joys of the written word.

Adjusting To A New Routine
Also very important is the adjustment of the routine to accommodate the school hours. It is too hard for a child to manage school at 7am if he is not made to sleep at a regular time.

Doctors recommend that children sleep from 8 to 10 hours a night. A routine takes time to develop, so don’t wait until December 28th to try to get it started. Start at least a month or two before.

Regular Study Time
There is also the routine of regular study time. The actual work is not as significant as the consistency. The child needs to learn to sit and study when it is time. This will help with concentration in the classroom as well as with homework.

Social Skills
“Good social skills are essential in school and to make the transition from kindergarten to primary a smooth one, your child should be prepared for the school atmosphere before hand” says Mrs. Khoo, Principal of Far Eastern Kindergarten and mother of 2 Primary school students.

“Kindergarten is much more relaxed with fewer children per class compared to many primary 1 classes. Those P’s and Q’s are so very important once they start their primary school.”

“Kindergarten does help,” Mrs. Khoo continues “but really parents need to take the time to make sure their children know their social graces before going to primary school. Children must be able to take turns, wait for others, share and be polite. Some children find the structure of school difficult

Good Read On Understanding the Transition and what we can do to help as Parents: -> http://www.schoolbag.sg/archives/2010/01/getting_ready_for_pri_1_-_a_co.php

:thankyou: :thankyou: Kiss! :goodpost:

[Brenda10]

phtthp:

a) for language(s):-


phonics and 汉语拼音 are fundamental.
plus accompanied by lots of reading storybooks.

Speech & drama (optional) - but useful in helping child in P1 'Show and Tell' overcome shyness, display confidence during expression of his thoughts and articulate audibly with the right pitch tone voice, in front of fellow Teacher and classmates.

b) for Maths:-

i) Montessori Maths helps a child set foundation right from the start in understanding key basic, fundamental Maths concepts. To me, this is crucial.

ii) abacus (optional), MPM (optional).


c) for Science -

exploratory fun experiments help a child set foundation in understanding key Science basic principles and concepts. Kids learn more via the fun way, not via boring worksheets style.

Fastrackids Science exploratory 2 year programme (K1, K2) is good:-
http://www.fastrackids.com/fastrackids


http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=869

Hi phtthp,

:salute: to your recommendation.

If time really can turn back, think I would send dd for Speed & Drama class in addtion to HYPY and phonics.

[CayennePepper]

phtthp:

which Secondary school(s) can use piano or violin as DSA ?

Last year my kids' piano teacher had a few students who sucessfully applied to RGS and SOTA. But it is not easy to DSA through piano, because schools don't normally need many pianists mah. Also, it seems that many kids these days reach grade 8 or even diploma level by P6, so the competition is pretty fierce.

[JGMum]

CayennePepper:

phtthp:

which Secondary school(s) can use piano or violin as DSA ?

Last year my kids' piano teacher had a few students who sucessfully applied to RGS and SOTA. But it is not easy to DSA through piano, because schools don't normally need many pianists mah. Also, it seems that many kids these days reach grade 8 or even diploma level by P6, so the competition is pretty fierce.

Hi CayennePepper, would you be willing to share the contact of your child's piano teacher? She must be quite a good teacher if her students can DSA successfully using piano. Can you kindly pm me please, if you don't mind? Does she travel to her students' home, or are her students required to go to her place or studio?
I am looking for a good piano teacher for my K2 boy. The last one didn't work out.

[phtthp]

hi CayennePepper,


i just pm you.

[CayennePepper]

phtthp:

hi CayennePepper,


i just pm you.

You've got mail...

[CayennePepper]

JGMum, pm’ed you already.

[1amber]

ChiefKiasu:

jedamum:

:shock:

Wow! Thanks!
I nearly fainted.... :?

Yeah... I used to think P1 is nothing and that all those parents trying to prepare their kids early for Primary school are just kiasu and want to make their children top the class - until I realize the school itself expects the children to be already steeped in such a culture! So by the time parents come to this realization, they panic and try to start the processes of external enrichment courses, and that gives the children a LOT more stress since they also have to cope with the work in P1.

IMO, parents who prepare their children early are really helping to give their children less stress by the time they go to school. The danger that kids will be bored in class is nothing compared to the self-confidence and self-esteem that the children gets when they have already been exposed to what the teachers are teaching.

I know I am digging up old posts. I can't help but echo this: I nearly fainted...

[1amber]

Kissgurami:

Was surfing around on understanding if I am well prepared on behalf of my DD1 for Primary 1


Chanced upon a few websites, thought to share though it could have been mentioned before

Tips For Parents
◦Work on independent reading skills.
◦Set up a study area and regular study times that are not interrupted.
◦Learn to follow a routine with a lot of sleep and early mornings.
◦Practice organisation and planning by packing a daily bag with essentials for the day.
◦Talk about social skills and communication skills.
◦Talk about how much fun school will be. If they are prepared, they will enjoy the wonderful process of learning and discover the fun of school.
◦Keep it fun and happy.

Reading
Mrs. Sam from Athena Educational Services says the most important skill is being able to read independently prior to entering Primary 1.

The lack of reading ability will affect all subjects. From following directions to doing word problems, reading is indispensable. 4 years old is a very comfortable age to begin reading and 7 is really waiting too long to get them into the joys of the written word.

Adjusting To A New Routine
Also very important is the adjustment of the routine to accommodate the school hours. It is too hard for a child to manage school at 7am if he is not made to sleep at a regular time.

Doctors recommend that children sleep from 8 to 10 hours a night. A routine takes time to develop, so don’t wait until December 28th to try to get it started. Start at least a month or two before.

Regular Study Time
There is also the routine of regular study time. The actual work is not as significant as the consistency. The child needs to learn to sit and study when it is time. This will help with concentration in the classroom as well as with homework.

Social Skills
“Good social skills are essential in school and to make the transition from kindergarten to primary a smooth one, your child should be prepared for the school atmosphere before hand” says Mrs. Khoo, Principal of Far Eastern Kindergarten and mother of 2 Primary school students.

“Kindergarten is much more relaxed with fewer children per class compared to many primary 1 classes. Those P’s and Q’s are so very important once they start their primary school.”

“Kindergarten does help,” Mrs. Khoo continues “but really parents need to take the time to make sure their children know their social graces before going to primary school. Children must be able to take turns, wait for others, share and be polite. Some children find the structure of school difficult

Good Read On Understanding the Transition and what we can do to help as Parents: -> http://www.schoolbag.sg/archives/2010/01/getting_ready_for_pri_1_-_a_co.php

:goodpost: :thankyou:

[jedamum]

1amber:

ChiefKiasu:

[quote=\"jedamum\"]:shock:

Wow! Thanks!
I nearly fainted.... :?

Yeah... I used to think P1 is nothing and that all those parents trying to prepare their kids early for Primary school are just kiasu and want to make their children top the class - until I realize the school itself expects the children to be already steeped in such a culture! So by the time parents come to this realization, they panic and try to start the processes of external enrichment courses, and that gives the children a LOT more stress since they also have to cope with the work in P1.

IMO, parents who prepare their children early are really helping to give their children less stress by the time they go to school. The danger that kids will be bored in class is nothing compared to the self-confidence and self-esteem that the children gets when they have already been exposed to what the teachers are teaching.

I know I am digging up old posts. I can't help but echo this: I nearly fainted... [/quote]1amber,
don't fret. i survived, so shall you.