Comparing Pre-school English Reading and Phonics Enrichment

[wuff]

Hi


My daughter is 4 this year. I’m torn between signing her up for the I can read program and the ICL program. Any feedback about either program? Thanx!

[mummy of 2]

vlim:

mummy of 2:

[quote=\"vlim\"]When my dd was in end of k1, i decided that i had to do something to improve her phonics before she go p1. So at beginning of k2, I went to kinokuniya to look out for phonics teaching set to coach my dd peronnally. And it worked! After about half a year of training, my dd are pretty good at it and can enjoy reading story books by herself and if someone would to ask her where she got to learn her phonics she would say,\" my mummy taught me\" and that makes me very proud of myself for putting an effort to coach her personnally

I wish I could do that too. May i know what are the materials you bought from KinoKuniya. TIA

I could not remember the exact name of the phonics learning set. it was placed somewhere near the info counter at the children section. It comes with 3 sets starting for kindergarden,grade 1 and 2 if i did not remember wrongly. Each set cost about $100+. the set include learning cards, books, vcd and it is produced in usa if I did not remember wrongly. I found it very useful however u have to follow to the instructions of how to carry out the phonics learning. I very kiasu bought 3 sets in a go but i stop the coaching after set 2 as I found my girl already pretty good at it... You can check with the information counter at the children department if you are keen.[/quote]Thanks for the info. The materials are so expensive. Must think carefully before I buy. Anyone knows where to get it cheaper locally?

[titank]

May I know how good is icreative learner? Hear that the program have to start at age 4?




TIA[/quote]

Try i-creativelearner. Very good for my child. But has a long waiting list. You can check out more for this website.

http://www.icreativelearner.com.sg/[/quote]

[Charmaine_chong]

Hi Titank,


Does I Creative Learner required children to bring back any reading books or homework to do?

Is this phonics base program?

How long can you see the result as in reading simple books by himself?

Thank you

[titank]

Hi Charmaine_chong,


I'm not very sure about the program (ICL) but from what I had spoken with the staff, she told me by age 5 should be able to read. My DS did not attend the ICL & now letting my DD to try.

Awating for the oridentation to have a better knowledge on the program.

Charmaine_chong:

Hi Titank,

Does I Creative Learner required children to bring back any reading books or homework to do?

Is this phonics base program?

How long can you see the result as in reading simple books by himself?

Thank you

[Charmaine_chong]

Hi Titank,


Okie.

Appreciate a lot if you can continue to post us your child’s progress after attending ICL.

Thanks

[MMM]

buds:

MMM:

My nursery goes for phonics lesson at Jan & Elly. Personally think it's solid phonic teaching where they start at nursery and complete by K2 (advance stage).

Jan and Elly has been around for awhile and has been
proven to be rather effective especially if a child starts
from the basic class or have been through their daily
playgroup lessons which do incorporate some intro on
phonetic sounds.

However, on the downside some of the parents who hv
been with J&E finds it takes to long to master the entire
Phonics syllabus. But that's why it is concrete i suppose.

Hi Buds,

I agree with this observation that J&E phonics teaching is very solid but on the other hand slow.

Personally, I feel that phonics is important but phonics alone is insufficient.

I wanted to expose my 2010 K1 going girl to more aspect of english. So that by the time she reaches K2, she is already expose to creative writing, reading, compre, etc.... I saw the materials in literacy circle (can't remember their new name) and this is what they will accomplish for kids who joined early.

Frankly, I am in a dilemma. I want my girl to have a solid phonics background. On the other hand, I am trying to find a program that exposes her to other aspect that is lacking.

I looked at BC, literacy circle, LW and MA. Bearing in mind that I still want my girl to continue in J&E for that solid background, I felt that if I send her to BC and LC, it will be duplicate of what she already knows. Which is like a waste of $ and time. I also contemplated if I should wait another 6 months or 1 yr before I reconsider sending her to an extra english program.

I saw LW materials for K1 and spoke to one of the teachers as I voiced my concern on the phonics repetition. I like what I saw (eg. phonics is around 20%, they also do writing and will progress to forming of sentences around term 3-4 (taking into consideration grammar, tenses) but only that the timing wasn't good. They only have a weekday class which is like 2.30 - 4.30 (kid's nap time). The rest of the classes are on weekends. I would prefer a weekday class so that my mum can help to bring her and rates are cheaper too.

[buds]

That's why in my lessons, i incorporate reading and writing

simultaneously... especially for classes with older children,
as they can manage written activities. That's when children
can manage small and simple written tasks/ assignments &
can gradually move along in tandem with the phonics
combinations taught.

The Phonics classes then follow up with Reading, Grammar
& Comprehension.

You have the right thinking MMM. It's good to start Phonics
lessons early so by K2 they can move up to writing pgrms.
This should be the right track to ensure your child is ready
for P1 reading and writing. I do quite like LW. Though if ur
child isn't used to it, the Australian accent can be quite
tough to follow at first but definitely over time be able to
adapt to it. Mebbe even adapt the slang, who knows..

Hope it works out for you.
I personally prefer weekday lessons too.

[hquek]

Charmaine_chong:

Hi Titank,


Okie.

Appreciate a lot if you can continue to post us your child's progress after attending ICL.

Thanks

Hi Charmaine_chong, my DS1 is with ICL since last year (he's in K1). each week, he'll bring home a book to read - for this year, he may bring back 2 (one for mass reading in class, the other is the regular one). There's regular homework but we generally are able to complete this in half an hour (depending on how long DS1 drags it). And yes, he's now 5 and a half, and able to read independently - with the caveat that he only reads simple stories/non-fiction books, chapter books he'll still want me to read to him.

[adafew]

There are often two side of the coins on which is better. I have friends who attended ICR and said it works for their child and that their kids are able read independently. There is another group that said not much improvement. My son did not go for ICR or ICL until very recently into MA for short course to prepare for P1 next year. He attended at CC phonics class in K1 as kindergarten teacher said to ‘boost’ his confidence in reading. He is also able read independently and are able to blend words, not all correct but at least he tries.


So it really depends on the chemistry between the kids and the teacher I think that matters.