All About Preparing For Primary One

[Ymy]

My DD 's school also has a lot of mini tests, show n tell and bite- size assessment. I do like the test because I will know which topic that my child is weak in . Then, I will work on it. Having said that, it can be quite stressful sometimes when I know that she will be having some mini tests.

[MandyMummy]

phtthp:

that's why at the end of the day it's still advisable to go into an affliated primary school, because at the end of the day, no matter what, got safety net Secondary school to catch them.


then no need to keep driving inside Right lane all the time - keep pressing on oil to acclerate, keep having to catch up. So stressful!

if go to an affliated school - at least can keep to extreme Left lane.

Agreed.

[phtthp]

i heard that girls studying in affliated schools like SCGS, MGS quite relaxed.


how true ?

[MandyMummy]

phtthp:

i heard that girls studying in affliated schools like SCGS, MGS quite relaxed.


how true ?

Not very true lah, although their difference between cut-off for affiliated students and non-affiliated students seems to be larger than that for Catholic High School.

[Champion]

phtthp:

that's why at the end of the day it's still advisable to go into an affliated primary school, because at the end of the day, no matter what, got safety net Secondary school to catch them.


then no need to keep driving inside Right lane all the time - keep pressing on oil to acclerate, keep having to catch up. So stressful!

if go to an affliated school - at least can keep to extreme Left lane.

But how many can \"safely\" get into the affiliated primary school esp via the Phase 2C route? There are not many affiliated primary school and if you are not within that 1km, then chances will be smaller. Look at the following list:-

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/affiliated-schools-listing

[michyms]

mummyoftrio:

Hi hquek,


I took my eyes off my older boy, thought maybe can relax a bit when he was in P1-3, turned out his foundation was so weak now I am paying the price so better to pay the price in P1. I only started him on enrichment classes last year and they also did not work out. Now need to look for new ones. While I was happy thinking that my boy's reading of storybooks was enough, his classmates were all attending lots of outside classes and in the end, he is lagging behind. Not because he is not good in his studies or cannot understand but because the competition has run miles ahead and the std of tests has gone up and his school teachers have not enough time to prepare them for the extremely high stds now.

hi mummyoftrio, I really do agree that the foundation is most important, without which things become \"shaky\" in upper primary levels. But I know that with your help, your ds will be able to catch up soon enough! There is still time. Would you be able to offer any advice on what is the best way to build a strong foundation in the lower primary levels?

[michyms]

phtthp:

that's why at the end of the day it's still advisable to go into an affliated primary school, because at the end of the day, no matter what, got safety net Secondary school to catch them.


then no need to keep driving inside Right lane all the time - keep pressing on oil to acclerate, keep having to catch up. So stressful!

if go to an affliated school - at least can keep to extreme Left lane.

phtthp, I hope you don't mind if I offer a slightly different perspective on affiliated schools for discussion sake I do agree that with an affiliation, there is lesser pressure to produce results to go into a \"good\" secondary school. However, if a kid needed the affiliation to enter the secondary school, she/he will actually be at the bottom compared to all those friends who went in on his own merit. And usually secondary schools will rank students in classes in Sec 1, based on PSLE results. Imagine being in the \"last\" class - think this is really demoralising for them and may affect their confidence level? Just food for thought

[michyms]

phtthp:

that's why at the end of the day it's still advisable to go into an affliated primary school, because at the end of the day, no matter what, got safety net Secondary school to catch them.


then no need to keep driving inside Right lane all the time - keep pressing on oil to acclerate, keep having to catch up. So stressful!

if go to an affliated school - at least can keep to extreme Left lane.

phtthp, I hope you don't mind if I offer a slightly different perspective on affiliated schools for discussion sake I do agree that with an affiliation, there is lesser pressure to produce results to go into a \"good\" secondary school. However, if a kid needed the affiliation to enter the secondary school, she/he will actually be at the bottom compared to all those friends who went in on his own merit. And usually secondary schools will rank students in classes in Sec 1, based on PSLE results. Imagine being in the \"last\" class - think this is really demoralising for them and may affect their confidence level? Just food for thought

[CayennePepper]

Sharing my thoughts. I'm very KS in thought and outlook, but it's not so much about learning-as-much-as-possible-to-beat-the-competition/be-number-one etc. Rather, I aim to always be prepared in knowing what is expected at every step of the way, e.g. what schools expect the kids to know when they enter P1; what standard of writing they should attain by P3 etc etc. But... for me this is, so far, an academic exercise, purely for my own knowledge.


I don't prepare my kids by teaching them the syllabus ahead, because I feel the most important at lower primary level is to learn how to learn. It's probably not the way many parents think, but I feel that facts and knowledge can always be picked up, if they are found lacking. But the 'right' way of learning can't be taught when you're set in your ways later on. For what it's worth, i believe if kids have skills such as the right attitude towards gaining knowledge, being self-motivated etc, they can benefit from them for the rest of their lives when it comes to learning.

So for my older son (P2), I sat back and watched how he managed when he started P1. I wasn't concerned about how well he did on his numerous (there really were many!) tests. If he didn't know how to spell 'giant' in January, it wasn't important to me. Rather, i was curious about his attitude, how he would deal with managing daily homework, revision on his own (my expectation) etc. I think at this stage he could afford to make mistakes and learn from them. I must say it has been a pretty rewarding expeience for me to watch him from afar. By now, he has figured out many things on his own, such as: (1) if he relies solely on his memory about homework to be completed, he is apt to forget some. Must write down! (2) if he just stares at the tingxie list and commits to memory how the characters look like, it doesn't work as well as writing them! (3) if he plays continuously after school and only takes out his homework at 8pm, he will not be able to finish everything in half an hour to get ready for bedtime (i don't allow him to compromise on sleep mah). He has to face the music the next day. (4) if he learns his spelling on Wed afternoon for Thursday, he will not recall these in three months when it's CA time. Short-term learning doesn't work! (5) if he doesn't bother to go through his worksheets etc for revision before tests, he will just make the same mistakes again, much to his consternation...
These are only some examples of 'lessons' he has learnt, and i'm happy that he figured out what to do to improve on e.g. time management etc. I'm also happy that i don't have to nag at him to complete his homework, revise for tests etc. , because he has the initiative to do so himself. DS told me he's motivated to do his best because he enjoys setting his own goals and doing his own planning instead of listening to, errrrr, me!

Anyway, for me it has worked out fairly well focusing on habit 'training' instead of academic preparations for the first year. I suspect we will be spending much more time to cope with school work from next year, so it's helpful to have good habits and a conscientious attitude to start the more demanding years with. And btw my DS did very well academically too, because, really, P1 work is not that difficult lah. :boogie:

So... When you're thinking about preparing your kiddos for P1, don't just focus on academic preparation, think of some ways you can help them to develop a good attitude towards learning, self-discipline etc. P1 is a good time to start!

[Sun_2010]

Ymy:

My DD 's school also has a lot of mini tests, show n tell and bite- size assessment. I do like the test because I will know which topic that my child is weak in . Then, I will work on it. Having said that, it can be quite stressful sometimes when I know that she will be having some mini tests.

DS too has so many minitests , quizes.
And the teacher doesnt inform in advance - and that to me is a blessing.
Only after 2-4 weeks he brings home a stack of sheets for parents signature, i realise they had these tests. :boogie: