Preschool Curriculum

[Han Seo]

Please read my letter to The Straits Times forum, published online today (12 March) regarding my view on the new revised curriculum (No need to worry over 'simple' preschool framework).


http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/no-need-worry-over-simple-pre-school-framework-20130312

[iggy]

A timely reminder indeed. What good is it to accelerate "learning" when the foundation is weak? Like a child who can read text or recite Tang 300 poems without understanding context.

[Karl12]

Quite true. That probably explains why certain kids were top scorer in lower primary but when they reached upper primary, they are no longer top in class.

It’s easy to prepare the children for primary 1/2 from drilling, it’s different when they move up. Agreed that strong foundation is important. My son may lose out in the starting line, that doesn’t mean he will be the last to reach the finishing line.

But having said that, its not easy to refrain when the people around you overteach. Easier to join the crowd and play safe.


I have one question. Say out of a class of 40 kids in primary one, 35 of them know a particular topic well. The other 5 students are relatively weaker. Will the school teacher reinforce that topic for the 5 kids and bored the majority of the children?
Or the teacher will move on to more advance level and give extra tuition to that 5 kids?
Wonder if MOE give any guideline for teacher to follow or the teacher can make her own call to move on?

[phankao]

Han Seo:

Please read my letter to The Straits Times forum, published online today (12 March) regarding my view on the new revised curriculum (No need to worry over 'simple' preschool framework).


http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/no-need-worry-over-simple-pre-school-framework-20130312

And the govt's response is to start having 15 kindergartens. Aargh, so in the future, SG would be filled with MOE kindergartens?

[phankao]

iggy:

A timely reminder indeed. What good is it to accelerate \"learning\" when the foundation is weak? Like a child who can read text or recite Tang 300 poems without understanding context.

Actually I don't see the problem in that. Understanding can come eventually. YMMV.

[phankao]

Sopmama:

Hi Anyone reading newspapers to your 4 years old

No leh. I don't read newspapers to my 4yo. Woah, I should do that, ah?

[phankao]

Han Seo:

Earlier does not mean better.

Why can't the child have understood the fundamentals before advancing? Preschoolers should not be underestimated, I feel?

And from experience, I do know that \"earlier\" means they would have had a deeper understanding and gained more knowledge as a result. This is from my observation of my own 4 kids which comprise of early and late developers.

[Karl12]

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=12103&p=212932&hilit=Seeds#p212932


This seeds learning center is one of those kindergarden that teach pri2/3 work to their K2. My nephew is with the school.
Very advanced boy.

[iggy]

phankao:

Han Seo:

Earlier does not mean better.

Why can't the child have understood the fundamentals before advancing? Preschoolers should not be underestimated, I feel?

And from experience, I do know that \"earlier\" means they would have had a deeper understanding and gained more knowledge as a result. This is from my observation of my own 4 kids which comprise of early and late developers.

I personally struggle with the dilemna. A simple illustration (maybe not the best). My toddler can read \"3 little pigs\" using an abridged text. however she may never ever pick up the original when she is older thinking that she already knew the story and will be bored if i try to revisit it. This can be a missed opportunity to appreciate the original writting, learn more advanced vocab (of corse there are other books) or moral of the story. Earlier is better, not always.

[iggy]

phankao:

Han Seo:

Earlier does not mean better.

Why can't the child have understood the fundamentals before advancing? Preschoolers should not be underestimated, I feel?

And from experience, I do know that \"earlier\" means they would have had a deeper understanding and gained more knowledge as a result. This is from my observation of my own 4 kids which comprise of early and late developers.

I personally struggle with the dilemna. A simple illustration (maybe not the best). My toddler can read \"3 little pigs\" using an abridged text. however she may never ever pick up the original when she is older thinking that she already knew the story and will be bored if i try to revisit it. This can be a missed opportunity to appreciate the original writting, learn more advanced vocab (of corse there are other books) or moral of the story. Earlier is better, not always.