Parents, not enrichment centres, are key to result

[24hr-mum]

sigh the problem wf my p4 gal is even with sci tuition and extra revn classes, she has dropped to 68 for ca. las yr sa was 76, dropped from 89 in 1st ca (started tuition in p3 term 1). i m wondering is it too much tuition, too much sch wk n stimes tuition work make her no time to self learn? i begin to lose faith in tuition…cos they cant catch her weakness eg carelessness…

[Chenonceau]

24hr-mum:

sigh the problem wf my p4 gal is even with sci tuition and extra revn classes, she has dropped to 68 for ca. las yr sa was 76, dropped from 89 in 1st ca (started tuition in p3 term 1). i m wondering is it too much tuition, too much sch wk n stimes tuition work make her no time to self learn? i begin to lose faith in tuition.....cos they cant catch her weakness eg carelessness...

Your case is similar to beanbear's. Her DS was still failing despite tuition. Like you, feedback from the school was too generic to be helpful. Beanbear went on the approach of quality tuition and then she rolled up her sleeves and
(1) analyzed her child's weaknesses
(2) devised ways to address each in sequence (not all together)
(3) worked with her child personally
(4) ensured that her child mastered the resources given by the tuition centre

Carelessness is a perennial issue. Just keep at it.

Teachers don't always give a detailed strengths and weaknesses profile either. They mark with circles and ticks and underlining. The child is expected to know. You need to generate your own weaknesses profile by looking at the circles and ticks with your child.

[jedamum]

Chenonceau:

Your case is similar to beanbear's. Her DS was still failing despite tuition. Like you, feedback from the school was too generic to be helpful. Beanbear went on the approach of quality tuition and then she rolled up her sleeves and
(1) analyzed her child's weaknesses
(2) devised ways to address each in sequence (not all together)
(3) worked with her child personally
(4) ensured that her child mastered the resources given by the tuition centre

Carelessness is a perennial issue. Just keep at it.

Teachers don't always give a detailed strengths and weaknesses profile either. They mark with circles and ticks and underlining. The child is expected to know. You need to generate your own weaknesses profile by looking at the circles and ticks with your child.

this is especially true for science Section B.
i find that i do a better job at tackling sect B weakness (via analysis and ways to get kid to remember what costs his 1 or half mark per question...i dont even need to have indepth science knowledge..i just need the answer sheet and compare with his answer to sieve out the differences) while science enrichment centre is usually good at filling in the gaps with general/extended knowledge of the science topic with i do not have. so even with enrichment tuition, i still need to sit down and go through his weakness.

[Nebbermind]

jedamum:

this is especially true for science Section B.

i find that i do a better job at tackling sect B weakness (via analysis and ways to get kid to remember what costs his 1 or half mark per question...i dont even need to have indepth science knowledge..i just need the answer sheet and compare with his answer to sieve out the differences) while science enrichment centre is usually good at filling in the gaps with general/extended knowledge of the science topic with i do not have. so even with enrichment tuition, i still need to sit down and go through his weakness.

So u should go to the science enrichment that teaches 'How to tackle exam questions', rather than one that provides more knowledge!!

This was what my boy faced during P6...he has the knowledge/facts....but not the skill to put down the relevant answers!!

P.S. - GREAT! I started the 100th page!

[Chenonceau]

jedamum:

this is especially true for science Section B.

i find that i do a better job at tackling sect B weakness (via analysis and ways to get kid to remember what costs his 1 or half mark per question...i dont even need to have indepth science knowledge..i just need the answer sheet and compare with his answer to sieve out the differences) while science enrichment centre is usually good at filling in the gaps with general/extended knowledge of the science topic with i do not have. so even with enrichment tuition, i still need to sit down and go through his weakness.

Yup... this is my view too. This is the kind of individualized feedback I give my child too. They need it to help them refine their exam answering skills.

The only diff is that in our home, the general/extended knowledge part is filled by written documentation that I have sourced and my son's willingness to search stuff on the internet... and to read widely on Science topics.

Basically, one needs that general/extended knowledge of the science topic somehow - whether via enrichment centres or via independent learning using high quality educational materials. One also needs the one-to-one guidance and help to analyze mistakes (and this one Mommy can do even if Mommy dunno Science).

I help analyze DS'
(1) Chinese gaps (but I can't read Chinese)
(2) Science gaps (but I am lousy at Science)
(3) Math gaps (but I am even worse in Math than Science)

Amy Chua (famous tiger Mother) helped her daughter do so well in piano that Sophia Chua-Rubenfeld performed at the Carnegie Mellon, even though her Mom had never ever received a day of piano class.

Keep your chin up. It's doable if Mommy can spare the time.

[jedamum]

Nebbermind:

jedamum:

this is especially true for science Section B.

i find that i do a better job at tackling sect B weakness (via analysis and ways to get kid to remember what costs his 1 or half mark per question...i dont even need to have indepth science knowledge..i just need the answer sheet and compare with his answer to sieve out the differences) while science enrichment centre is usually good at filling in the gaps with general/extended knowledge of the science topic with i do not have. so even with enrichment tuition, i still need to sit down and go through his weakness.

So u should go to the science enrichment that teaches 'How to tackle exam questions', rather than one that provides more knowledge!!

This was what my boy faced during P6...he has the knowledge/facts....but not the skill to put down the relevant answers!!

P.S. - GREAT! I started the 100th page!

got his type of science enrichment centre meh? pm me ya? lol.
but the way i select enrichment/tuition centre is the same as pri sch leh...distance priority.

[Nebbermind]

jedamum:

got his type of science enrichment centre meh? pm me ya? lol.

but the way i select enrichment/tuition centre is the same as pri sch leh...distance priority.

Not sure but tuition centres should be doing this as preparation for SA....should be teaching the kids how to fish mah...rather than giving them the fish, ya? I also know where to buy fish!!

[JGMum]

1amber:

LOLMum,


Next time you hear those comments just ask them to go KKH and see those mums looking after young sick kids who had to go through brain surgery, heart surgery, all kinds of health problems. There are so many mothers who have be full time care giver to these kids who do not even have a chance to go to school.

I am happy just to see my kid strong and healthy. To be able to kiss her and say \"I love you n watch her sleepy face.\" Good results are ancillary.

There is more to parenting then simply ensuring your kid gets good scores.

Very encouraged by your post. :goodpost:

[janet88]

Science is tricky…teachers will always say ‘key words’ for section B. But does a child understand what is the meaning of key words and when to apply ? It’s not that straightforward. It’s not like a diagram which allows kids to fill in the blanks. Even then, a child may not even fill in correct word.


I had a hard time coaching my son in science back then. Next year, I am going to experience same prob when daughter is in p3. More should be done to revamp and set open-ended questions.

[24hr-mum]

thanks a lot for ur encouragement.

right now her tuition centre teacher seems good but i suspect the prob is either its not exam question focused enuf or that, as i have found out, my gal wasnt listening, as in she heard but she cant grasp that wat was said was an impt thing to note and hence she cant rem. she has quite a number of basic concept mcqs wrong even in tuition wksht.

she prob needs more drilling.

i m not sure to switch centre or not cos the teacher is willg to answer indiv parent queries and gv feedback but if go to big tuition centres, u cant talk directly to the teacher.