PCF/PAP Kindergartens

[caterppi79]

HI Wan,


Can share with me which blk is the PCF of Compassvale Lane cos I am staying at compassvale Lane …In a dilenma now as my ger is supposed to start her CC this coming thurs at Compassvale but I am now looking for alternatives…Tks ya…

[Wan]

caterppi79:

HI Wan,


Can share with me which blk is the PCF of Compassvale Lane cos I am staying at compassvale Lane ...In a dilenma now as my ger is supposed to start her CC this coming thurs at Compassvale but I am now looking for alternatives...Tks ya..

blk277, near buangkok mrt

[caterppi79]

Hi Wan,


Tks ya…Mayb I can go check it out…Do they hv pre-nursery there?cos my ger turning 2yrs old this coming may liao…

[Wan]

caterppi79:

Hi Wan,


Tks ya..Mayb I can go check it out..Do they hv pre-nursery there?cos my ger turning 2yrs old this coming may liao..

no, they dun have little steps program at this branch. Nursery is for 3+ to 4yo (born 2007)
U might want to try tots playgroup at RC at the opp blk

[caterppi79]

tots Playgroup? Okie…tks alot for the infor ya =).


So far, hows ur boy doing in PCF?

[Wan]

caterppi79:

tots Playgroup? Okie..tks alot for the infor ya =).


So far, hows ur boy doing in PCF?

he picked up English after 3 mth in pcf last year. He's now at Peter & Jane bk 6 level if u r familiar w the series. I'm quite satisfied w his progress so far but tot he sh brush up Chinese words recognition. I'm also teaching him at home, that's how I bond w him. My girl is starting pcf next year too

[spring]

Hi all,


Recently i am looking for a kindergarten for my dd’s next year nursery, and found out 1 of e pcf kindy using riggs method for english. Have anyone heard of this method? It seems to be a quite established program in tat centre and also well like by ex-students’ parents.

[Han Seo]

Hi Spring,


Riggs is a phonics program. Phonics is also known as decoding. In a nutshell, the method comprises the following:

1. Emphasis on the sounds, and not the names of each letter: all the sounds of each letter is taught. For example, all the four sounds of ‘a’ are taught (rather than only the long vowel ‘a’ and short vowel ‘a’). The letter names are not emphasized for fear of confusing the children with the letter sounds.
2. the correct way to form the letters and hold the pencils (penmanship) and sitting posture as well. The use of a clock face is used to help children remember the strokes of each letter.
3. Children learn spelling by listening to the sound and spelling the words out.
4. It is highly structured; teachers have to follow a strict sequence of teaching.

My personal opinion on the method is that it may take the fun out of learning if lessons are too structured. It would be better if the letter names/sounds/strokes are associated with familiar objects/things (e.g. animals) so children can relate to them better. Moreover, remembering too many phonics rules at preschool age is unnecessary. It may kill the interest in learning.

Whatever phonics programme, remember that reading is a highly complex process and requires many strategies. Phonics is but one of the many strategies. We need to teach our children different strategies. Also, there must be opportunities for children to apply the phonics learnt in daily, real-life context e.g. writing a grocery list or writing a thank-you card to someone. No point learning all the sounds and rules but do not know how to apply! Also, oral language is an important foundation before learning phonics. If the children have a wide vocabulary, only then will the decoding make sense. I have a six-year old child who can ‘read’ very fluently. Once, after reading a sentence, he asked me, "Teacher, what is the meaning of vegetables?" You see, he can decode the word but he has no idea what it means! So, expanding a child’s vocabulary is very important.

You should ask the school the following questions:
1. What other strategies do you teach the children to use, besides phonics?
2. What kind of opportunities do the teachers provide to help children apply the phonics learnt?
3. How do the teachers encourage a love for reading?

Hope this helps.

[spring]

Hi Han Seo,


Thank youi for your reply. U mean this phonics program is teaching letters sound without using any association with things/object, simply by saying \"this letter makes e 'a' sound? If it is, i tink it wld be v boring for my gal. Actually now my dd is currently using letterland phonics n she had learnt all her letters name n their sounds. She learn them thru lots of interesting songs n stories with e letterland characters! But for riggs, i like e part which u mention tat it include e proper formation of letters n e sitting posture. hmmm... so i tink wad u mean is something like its a very serious kind of \"sit down and learn\" phonics program with alot of straightforward phonics rule which kids might nt be able to understand and enjoy, does nt include any interesting activities which help them to learn it better?

[Han Seo]

Hi Spring,


Yes, my personal opinion is that it is highly regimented. Tables and chairs are arranged in rows to face the teacher.

As I've mentioned, you'd need to look into the total literacy programme of the school and not just the phonics programme. The teachers should encourage children to read and write in real life context (and not merely doing worksheets) and instil a love for reading and writing, in addition to direct instruction.

Go to the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) website and look at their position statement on early literacy:

http://www.naeyc.org

or do a google search on the International Reading Association (IRA) and read some of the latest findings on early literacy.