Recommendation of changes to reduce Stress for PSLE

[Chenonceau]

slmkhoo:

linden2000:

Think it's been mentioned before but think publishing the past year PSLE papers will go some way towards reducing stress. Currently the papers are published by topics and apparently not all the questions are in. Hence, it's not really possible to gauge whether the kid is well-prepared for the PSLE based on his/her performance in the school exams, since the standards vary among schools and some schools seem to set very tough papers to 'wake up' their students. If the full paper is published, parents can ascertain what % the really tough questions comprise and whether to 'chase' after those questions by drilling the kids further. For instance, if the % is small, some parents may then make the informed decision not to drill their kids further to be able to get that small proportion of marks. Right now parents usually just hear the PSLE is actually easier than the top school papers but without seeing the actual papers themselves, it's still guesswork and this uncertainty creates stress for both parents and students.

YES!

And if there are parents who want (and kids who enjoy) material that is university level, just leave them to enjoy the learning without testing everyone to those standards in order to ensure that no one (or only a few) can score 100 at the PSLE.

Little Boy went and attended an NUS lecture today on South East Asian studies, just for fun. PSLE does not have to test his enrichment material just to be able to place him on a bell curve right? It doesn't matter whether his learning can be measured or not if he enjoys it.

[janet88]

linden2000:

Think it's been mentioned before but think publishing the past year PSLE papers will go some way towards reducing stress. Currently the papers are published by topics and apparently not all the questions are in. Hence, it's not really possible to gauge whether the kid is well-prepared for the PSLE based on his/her performance in the school exams, since the standards vary among schools and some schools seem to set very tough papers to 'wake up' their students. If the full paper is published, parents can ascertain what % the really tough questions comprise and whether to 'chase' after those questions by drilling the kids further.

If schools make kids buy that PSLE past year booklet as practice, then I definitely agree the complete paper should be printed. No wonder I seem to find something missing. :razz: Blur me.

[Coolkidsrock2]

And schools can replace the textbooks with the PSLE past year exams booklet.

[janet88]

Coolkidsrock2:

And schools can replace the textbooks with the PSLE past year exams booklet.

Not just PSLE past 5 years (2007-2011) papers, but past year exam papers as well :evil: This way, kids have 9 months..sure can finish everything in relaxed manner...instead of cramming kids with paper after paper from Aug.

[safetyfirst]

Laura02:

An excerpt from the Huffington Post. By Sandra DuPont. Effectively parenting teens : leading by example. URL : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sandra-dupont/parenting-teens_b_1959383.html?utm_hp_ref=parents-teens


Here are some thoughts why teens and parents have difficulty navigating the teen years, and suggestions for a more graceful passage:

1. Teens feel conditionally loved: \"I'm OK only if I live up to your expectations.\"
2. Parents don't allow teens to learn from failure, an excellent motivator.
3. Teens don't learn time management skills simply through the creation of \"daily routine\" charts.
4. Parents gift their children too many things and then wonder why teens are not only unappreciative, they also want more.
5. Teens don't learn problem-solving skills when parents lecture them.
6. Parents don't always know how to calmly and simply say, \"I love you, and the answer is no.\"
7. Refrain from thinking that in order to make teens do better, you first have to make them feel worse. Instead, be kind and firm while holding them accountable.
8. Parents too often tell their teen what to do rather than inviting them to brainstorm solutions that that will work for everyone.
9. Parents expect teens to \"remember to do their chores\" as though it were an indicator of responsibility. Yet not all responsible adults were responsible teens.
10. Parents are often more interested in short-term results than long-term results. For example: I'll force you to do your homework now even if it means you will not do your best because you are rebelling.
11. Parents nag, which invites resistance. Instead, allow teens to explore for themselves the relevance of what you want them to do.

During the teen years, it is vital that parents understand their teen's behavior rather than merely react to it. Being a \"drill sergeant\" or a \"helicopter parent\" gives teens the message that you don't trust them to do things on their own and undermines their self-esteem, which prevents them from developing confidence in their own abilities. Successfully navigating this phase of life involves setting boundaries and enforcing consequences without becoming punitive, angry, or judgmental. Respectful parenting means being able to see the frustrations teens encounter when pushing against imposed boundaries as opportunities for them to exercise self-control, self-respect and respect for others.

It has be said that: \"While not all teachers are parents, all parents are teachers.\" Good character traits like empathy and respect are teachable skills that must be learned at home and at school. When we teach children to be good people we help create a world that is safer, kinder and more equitable.

Thanks for sharing

[fanbing]

safetyfirst:

Laura02:

An excerpt from the Huffington Post. By Sandra DuPont. Effectively parenting teens : leading by example. URL : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sandra-dupont/parenting-teens_b_1959383.html?utm_hp_ref=parents-teens


Here are some thoughts why teens and parents have difficulty navigating the teen years, and suggestions for a more graceful passage:

1. Teens feel conditionally loved: \"I'm OK only if I live up to your expectations.\"
2. Parents don't allow teens to learn from failure, an excellent motivator.
3. Teens don't learn time management skills simply through the creation of \"daily routine\" charts.
4. Parents gift their children too many things and then wonder why teens are not only unappreciative, they also want more.
5. Teens don't learn problem-solving skills when parents lecture them.
6. Parents don't always know how to calmly and simply say, \"I love you, and the answer is no.\"
7. Refrain from thinking that in order to make teens do better, you first have to make them feel worse. Instead, be kind and firm while holding them accountable.
8. Parents too often tell their teen what to do rather than inviting them to brainstorm solutions that that will work for everyone.
9. Parents expect teens to \"remember to do their chores\" as though it were an indicator of responsibility. Yet not all responsible adults were responsible teens.
10. Parents are often more interested in short-term results than long-term results. For example: I'll force you to do your homework now even if it means you will not do your best because you are rebelling.
11. Parents nag, which invites resistance. Instead, allow teens to explore for themselves the relevance of what you want them to do.

During the teen years, it is vital that parents understand their teen's behavior rather than merely react to it. Being a \"drill sergeant\" or a \"helicopter parent\" gives teens the message that you don't trust them to do things on their own and undermines their self-esteem, which prevents them from developing confidence in their own abilities. Successfully navigating this phase of life involves setting boundaries and enforcing consequences without becoming punitive, angry, or judgmental. Respectful parenting means being able to see the frustrations teens encounter when pushing against imposed boundaries as opportunities for them to exercise self-control, self-respect and respect for others.

It has be said that: \"While not all teachers are parents, all parents are teachers.\" Good character traits like empathy and respect are teachable skills that must be learned at home and at school. When we teach children to be good people we help create a world that is safer, kinder and more equitable.

Thanks for sharing

These days kids are so hard to manage. Even at the age of 12, some are already having teenage symptoms. How much to give and how much to pull back is a science.

[janet88]

Failure may be a motivator…hubby flunk Math, then he ‘woke up’ and strived hard and got an A. But which parent now can sit back and see their child fail? I can’t. It’s not bcos of loss of face, but time doesn’t allow that.


Every stage of the child’s life requires different set of handling. Finding that balance of not too pushy and yet not relaxed is tough.
Kids today have matured earlier…managing them has become a heavy responsibility.

[janet88]

If PSLE stress is to be reduced, i suggest to set separate papers for Gifted stream. Since GEP has own stream, mainstream students cannot possibly match up to them.


I only realized GEP and mainstream students sit for same PSLE :oops:
If there are separate questions, then setters can set challenging ones for GEP and mainstream kids do not have to face such intense stress.

[wonderm]

janet_lee88:

If PSLE stress is to be reduced, i suggest to set separate papers for Gifted stream. Since GEP has own stream, mainstream students cannot possibly match up to them.


I only realized GEP and mainstream students sit for same PSLE :oops:
If there are separate questions, then setters can set challenging ones for GEP and mainstream kids do not have to face such intense stress.

More challenging paper does not necessarily mean higher stress if we understand and explain to our children what matters is that they try their best and let the T-score takes care of the ranking. Let me explain.

If different students (GEP vs mainstream) sit for different papers, then when they apply for Sec schools, how do the schools view the same grades from different papers? Say if I am from mainstream and did very well (A* or whatever is the highest grade), yet my dream school still thinks I am of a lower standard. How would I feel? Then should I be given a choice to take the harder (GEP stream) paper? Who is there to say I can't do equally well?

Another scenario, everyone sits the same paper but MOE sets a much easier paper or remove the ranking and allow more students to achieve the highest possible grades. Then many students will get the same results. How should the Sec schools choose students in this case? They will probably go by other talents and achievements and interviews. So parents will have to worry about these additional talents and achievements since young. Is that any less stressful?

The better way to make it less stressful for both parents and children is to have the right perspective and mindset. In my view, there are many good schools out there, it is more important that our children attend one which is the most suitable to them. At such young age, it is more important that my children enjoy learning and have good learning attitude. As long as they have tried their best, the final result is not really that important. We often say academic result is not everything. As long as we truely believe in it, our children will understand it too, and we will all be less stressed.

[janet88]

wonderm:

janet_lee88:

I only realized GEP and mainstream students sit for same PSLE :oops:

If there are separate questions, then setters can set challenging ones for GEP and mainstream kids do not have to face such intense stress.

More challenging paper does not necessarily mean higher stress if we understand and explain to our children what matters is that they try their best and let the T-score takes care of the ranking. Let me explain.

If different students (GEP vs mainstream) sit for different papers, then when they apply for Sec schools, how do the schools view the same grades from different papers? Say if I am from mainstream and did very well (A* or whatever is the highest grade), yet my dream school still thinks I am of a lower standard. How would I feel? Then should I be given a choice to take the harder (GEP stream) paper? Who is there to say I can't do equally well?

When gifted kids & mainstream go to sec school, there is no more gifted stream in secondary schools, then what's the point of having GEP? I understand your explanation. No offence.
Ultimately, what is more important is our kids have done their best.