Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5?

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 12 Mar 2020 05:08:45 GMT

Little Steps — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 05:08:45 GMT

Nope, I have friends that went through ite, poly and uni and graduated with honors! Don’t give up and cultivate the right values in your child.

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Sat, 26 Oct 2019 03:07:18 GMT

Suereena — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 03:07:18 GMT

My child too is in primary 5. He is in the last class. He took foundation math the rest subject is standard. Im so worried for his result he dont do well in his mid year exam

I just want to know if he fail his final exam can he promoted to primary 6 next year.

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Wed, 21 Feb 2018 04:37:10 GMT

Joyfulbliss — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 04:37:10 GMT

I know of a teacher who specialises in helping students doing Foundation Maths (from P5) or struggling very hard with Maths (P4 and below). Her methodology and resources are tailored to help these students understand and apply the concepts more easily. The teacher is also building up resources for this group of students as there is really limited resources in the market for them. Parents who are keen to get help for their kids in this area or wish to contribute and share resources (especially your child's school test/exam papers for Foundation Maths) can PM me or email: nurturingminds01@gmail.com.

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Wed, 01 Jul 2015 05:16:59 GMT

mceducation1 — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 05:16:59 GMT

mahes_gopal:
Hi just wanted to find out what other mums and dads think about this. My son is a very smart boy with above average IQ. BUt due a moderate learning disability and being a hands on learner he cannot cope with the high exam standards. After discussing with his doctor we decided that foundation would be best for him so that he can perform better in the less demanding exams and give him the space to bloom on his own. He is ok with it, but his classmates told him foundation is for failures. He still wants to do foundation as he knows his limitations. If a child goes to foundation or Normal technical or ITE is he a failure. What's your stand? Give us some encouragement. :rahrah:

Hi there,

I was just reading some of the posts on this website. And my heart is saddened to hear of how your son had been labeled as \"failure\" just because he had to take on some foundational modules.

I hope your son has moved on and has done well since...

Here's a amazing, touching and motivational real life of a wonderful friend of mine, Mr Elson Koh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdlZMNXDk50

A man who came from low income family and was once being condemned... his life transformational story from a Primary School Dropout to a Master Degree Holder, a National Achiever Award Recipient and now on route to be Dr Elson Koh in the near future!!

If there is a WILL, there is a WAY!!

I hope my reply to your post is still timely...

All the best to you and your beloved son!

Best regards,
Michelle

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Fri, 03 Apr 2015 10:39:41 GMT

phtthp — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 10:39:41 GMT

Not failure.

Foundation subjects only for Maths, Science
child may be strong in languages

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Fri, 03 Apr 2015 05:39:55 GMT

Autumnleaf — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 05:39:55 GMT

Definitely not! The curriculum here is just very very steep and expectations are too high I feel.

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 02 Apr 2015 06:52:11 GMT

SmuffMummy — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 06:52:11 GMT

I feel every child has their own abilities… dont compare and do what our best as parents to encourage them… this is not the last straw…

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 01:37:08 GMT

Raemuumy — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 01:37:08 GMT

Definitely not.

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:33:48 GMT

panickymum — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:33:48 GMT

Taking Foundation subject definitely not a failure . My dd Sch principal told us that he got pupils took foundation unit are happier and during PSLE , they did well and manage to get into Express stream in secondary school . This is better than stressing him and he does not enjoy study at all .

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:09:14 GMT

Pen88n — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:09:14 GMT

mahes_gopal:
Thanks Thanks Thanks to all the wonderful parents who have responded to my post. I feel much better after all the encouragement. I would to share with you all that my son is very creative and has just won a photography competion. It has booasted his confidence in his ability and aspires to be a Nat Geo photographer in future. Grades are not all that important. I am sure a photographer needs more creativity than sterling grades. Thanks so much all your kind words. :thankyou:

:congrats: It's so great that our kid has a talent, and a strong mind and character to know what he wants to do in life. Much better than other kids who are still \"drifting along\" the journey and not knowing their end goals!

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:41:02 GMT

Mychildren — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:41:02 GMT

mahes_gopal:
Hi just wanted to find out what other mums and dads think about this. My son is a very smart boy with above average IQ. BUt due a moderate learning disability and being a hands on learner he cannot cope with the high exam standards. After discussing with his doctor we decided that foundation would be best for him so that he can perform better in the less demanding exams and give him the space to bloom on his own. He is ok with it, but his classmates told him foundation is for failures. He still wants to do foundation as he knows his limitations. If a child goes to foundation or Normal technical or ITE is he a failure. What's your stand? Give us some encouragement. :rahrah:

I don't think he is a failure. There is still a long way to go in life.As long as we already did our best and we already tried. Nothing is consider a failure unless we think so ourselves. Life is with lots of ups and downs. Today, you are first doesn't mean you'll be the same tomorrow. Likewise, if you are last now doesn't mean you won't be the top in future. So be positive in life, there are many doors to success. Just know that there are many paths to happiness if you try to look for it. :boogie:

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:42:50 GMT

mrswongtuition — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:42:50 GMT

mahes_gopal:
Thanks Thanks Thanks to all the wonderful parents who have responded to my post. I feel much better after all the encouragement. I would to share with you all that my son is very creative and has just won a photography competion. It has booasted his confidence in his ability and aspires to be a Nat Geo photographer in future. Grades are not all that important. I am sure a photographer needs more creativity than sterling grades. Thanks so much all your kind words. :thankyou:

I feel your joy. Discovering a child's inner talent is a very joyful moment. And you must be super proud of your boy right now!

I've worked with many photographers and all of them are earning a good keep, able to provide for a happy family. My regular photographer is a father of four! So don't worry too much, let your son explore his talents.

I would encourage you to join this photography forum called 'ClubSnap'. Many photographers gather there. Keep a lookout during the school holidays, some might look for photography assistants (help them to carry equipment, etc). You might want to let your boy tag along (if the photographers don't mind) to take a look at how photographers work. And it might inspire him further!

Also good to be systematic and help him keep a 'portfolio'. It can be a blog or simply do it in an album on Facebook. Get him to start a simple 'log' on what are the inspirations of his style, what does he see in his photo, etc. Maybe from there he might develop a love for writing too!

I really feel very excited about your son loving photography! Expensive to invest in camera, but always remember: It's not the tools, but the person behind the tools.

And remind yourself and your family: No one is a failure if he/she has tried his/her best. If your boy has tried his best in his studies and have to do foundation subjects, it's alright!

I wish your son all the best in his studies and his new-found love!

Regards,
Mrs Wong
Tuition classes: http://www.mwtuition.blogspot.com
My personal blog: http://www.thelittleonesinmylife.blogspot.com

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:53:08 GMT

heim — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:53:08 GMT

my sentiment exactly. i don’t understand why some peoples are so biased of NT or foundation students. They are just bunch of kids who lack of guidance. What they need is lots of encouragement and love esp from parents. Don’t lose heart and always encourage him

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:03:21 GMT

Strawberry5 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:03:21 GMT

Hi, I’m looking around for tutors who are willing to teach P5 foundation English and Maths. Anyone has good teachers to recommend? Worried for her as next year is PSLE. Any advise, you could pm me. Thanks!

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:21:37 GMT

SAHM_TAN — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:21:37 GMT

Niedino:
SAHM_TAN:
I read that if take foundation science, the subject will not be tested in PSLE. So does that mean the child cannot take up science in Sec school? TIA

Hi SAHM Tan,

There are 2 kinds of Foundation Science, one with paper and one w/o paper. The one with paper is recommended for most foundation students. If a child takes the one without paper, they will still do Science at the NT level.

Hope it helps!

Niedino

Thank you for infor

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:35:57 GMT

sssdarlings — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:35:57 GMT

While the scholarship and other success stories are inspiring, lets be realistic about the numbers who succeed at such level- foundation or not.

If there is some limitation on the child’s part- cognitively or just timing, I rather the child is in a class where concepts are easily understood and work can be completed successfully.

P5 is a very challenging year, no matter the child’s ability. HA students are known to flounder in CA1. Have known number of parents who opt for EM2 (whats the new term now) for the sake of saving face.

Its really sad for children cos most of the time, they are lost, not able to cope with pace and workload. End of P5, they are likely to be channelled to P6 EM3, where parents have no say in the streaming cos results dictate that child cannot be promoted to P6 EM2. A year in a child’s life has just been wasted, filled with uncalled-for failure and misery.

Its not easy to remove stigma even though foundation stream can do a world of good for a child’s learning progress. As parents, its not easy to be cheerleading as I just learnt that even parents are not immune to peer pressure.

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:10:02 GMT

smartmummy — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:10:02 GMT

mahes_gopal:
Thanks Thanks Thanks to all the wonderful parents who have responded to my post. I feel much better after all the encouragement. I would to share with you all that my son is very creative and has just won a photography competion. It has booasted his confidence in his ability and aspires to be a Nat Geo photographer in future. Grades are not all that important. I am sure a photographer needs more creativity than sterling grades. Thanks so much all your kind words. :thankyou:

:congrats: He is lucky as he got u as mother.

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:41:52 GMT

Flowermonaster — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:41:52 GMT

mahes_gopal:
Thanks Thanks Thanks to all the wonderful parents who have responded to my post. I feel much better after all the encouragement. I would to share with you all that my son is very creative and has just won a photography competion. It has booasted his confidence in his ability and aspires to be a Nat Geo photographer in future. Grades are not all that important. I am sure a photographer needs more creativity than sterling grades. Thanks so much all your kind words. :thankyou:

Congratulation to you & your son! :congrats:

I do think having a goal and knowing what you want in life & moving towards it is more important than academic excellent. Really envy you as my DS does not know what is his dream or goal in life! Sigh.....

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:21:24 GMT

mahes_gopal — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:21:24 GMT

Thanks Thanks Thanks to all the wonderful parents who have responded to my post. I feel much better after all the encouragement. I would to share with you all that my son is very creative and has just won a photography competion. It has booasted his confidence in his ability and aspires to be a Nat Geo photographer in future. Grades are not all that important. I am sure a photographer needs more creativity than sterling grades. Thanks so much all your kind words. :thankyou:

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:21:14 GMT

mahes_gopal — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:21:14 GMT

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:30:19 GMT

SHMILYLOVE — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:30:19 GMT

Hi mahes_gopal,

Just want to add that good grades is not a guarantee to a bright future. Your child is definitely NOT a failure. Grades are not the most important thing on earth. And having good grades will not bring in all the wealth in the world. And what's more, wealth is not the most important in life too!

Place your child at a level and at a standard where he is happy but yet, faces some form of challenges to strive is good.

Your child will definitely be doing great in life if he's brought up in the right way! Academic achievements are a bonus to one's life.

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:24:41 GMT

LOLMum — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:24:41 GMT

mahes_gopal:
Hi just wanted to find out what other mums and dads think about this. My son is a very smart boy with above average IQ. BUt due a moderate learning disability and being a hands on learner he cannot cope with the high exam standards. After discussing with his doctor we decided that foundation would be best for him so that he can perform better in the less demanding exams and give him the space to bloom on his own. He is ok with it, but his classmates told him foundation is for failures. He still wants to do foundation as he knows his limitations. If a child goes to foundation or Normal technical or ITE is he a failure. What's your stand? Give us some encouragement. :rahrah:

hi mahes_gopal,

like many parents on this forum, i do agree that your son is definitely not a failure. like you said, he is indeed a smart boy cos' he knows his own weakness and strength and is able to adapt to changes in circumstances - he is a survivor and fighter. :rahrah: :rahrah:

he is still young and has plenty of time to catch up. what is important now is to focus on his learning and mindset.

however, there are others who would still consider those doing foundation/normal technical or ite as failure. so must constantly tell your son that he is not. it is maybe good to cut out those news articles about school dropout or normal / ite students who made good as form of encouragement to him.

:rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:27:11 GMT

Niedino — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:27:11 GMT

phtthp:
hi Niedino,

i understand you're a Senior Science subject teacher, an expertise in teaching Science for many years. In the course of teaching, i believe you'd helped many weak students.

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=11066&start=210

thus, is it possible for you to kindly give some valuable, precious advice to mahes_gopal, so as to help & encourage her son improve his Science ? Thank you very much, for your grateful help.

Hi phtthp,

I'm overrated. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, foundation essentially means building up the foundation skills in the topic. Some children need more time to learn. Don't worry mahes_gopal. The most important tip is to practice the basic concepts with your child. If your child is able to do well in the basic items in the exams, he will be streamed into Standard. All the best!

Niedino

Reply to Is your child a failure if he has to do foundation in P5? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:34:40 GMT

phtthp — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:34:40 GMT

hi Niedino,

i understand you're a Senior Science subject teacher, an expertise in teaching Science for many years. In the course of teaching, i believe you'd helped many weak students.

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=11066&start=210

thus, is it possible for you to kindly give some valuable, precious advice to mahes_gopal, so as to help & encourage her son improve his Science ? Thank you very much, for your grateful help.