把童年还给孩子 (from Zaobao May 6) - Return childhood to our kids
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My poor DS & DD. Everyone’s poor DS & DD.
Under our current education system, it’s RIP Childhood.
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I always know this but cannot help it, being KS, also do not want to let them lack behind their peers.
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Hope our Education Minister or even Prime Minister reads the article or comes to this forum to read the article.
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sleepy:
Eh, I remember I spent a lot of time studying too when I was a kid le. So I don't think my kids are that deprived or worst off le. In fact, they had it easier than I do. I wish my parents had the resources so that I could learn more things such as swimming, drawing & music when I was a kid. Always tell my kids I would be very happy to trade place with them. They agreed they've an easier life than me, so they aren't complaining :evil:
Maybe some kids would be too happy to trade place with their parents...coz parents are sending them to ballet, dance, swimming, music/piano/violin, acting, singing...or whatever enrichment which they may not enjoy at all....we impose on them coz it was on our childhood wishlist.
Then we complain that our kids do not have enough time.
We had the luxury of time then coz we did not have so many 'distractions'...no enrichment, got TV but hardly any programme, no computer, no electronic games...we used the time to catch up what we didn't manage to understand in class.
Now, coz many kids are assigned a specific time, ie, the 2-hr math tuition to do the catching up...if not successful, that's it!! We panic!!
Maybe not everyone....but certainly many kinda force this constraint unto ourselves. -
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coast:
孩子一出世就开始找幼儿园,接着找浸濡课程准备小学课程,同时找合适的小学,在附近买房子、做义工。
This is highly debatable. We never have to do all those. We didn't bother about getting them into branded or 'elite' schools. My children have never attended any academic enrichment, preparation or brain training classes (except Chinese). No tons of assessment books too.
All in all, I would say my children had a carefree and wonderful childhood during our 3 years in Singapore. Our children's childhood (before primary school) lies in our hands. At least, it is so for me. -
coast:
孩子一出世就开始找幼儿园,接着找浸濡课程准备小学课程,同时找合适的小学,在附近买房子、做义工。
this is not country specific. it is same in china. And also same among chinese community in Australia. Perhaps also same in USA? -
JonC:
U can add our PM as friend in facebook and send the article or link to him...haha..
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Hope our Education Minister or even Prime Minister reads the article or comes to this forum to read the article.
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chamonix:
I think majority of the kids do have plenty of fun time before primary school.Quote:
孩子一出世就开始找幼儿园,接着找浸濡课程准备小学课程,同时找合适的小学,在附近买房子、做义工。
This is highly debatable. We never have to do all those. We didn't bother about getting them into branded or 'elite' schools. My children have never attended any academic enrichment, preparation or brain training classes (except Chinese). No tons of assessment books too.
All in all, I would say my children had a carefree and wonderful childhood during our 3 years in Singapore. Our children's childhood (before primary school) lies in our hands. At least, it is so for me.
The question for the vote is \"Do you think our primary school kids’ childhood are sacrificed in our current education system\".
I agree that parents have a part to play and many are trying their best to provide a childhood to their kids (e.g., they try to make up for it during school holidays, exams over, ...) but with \"compulsory\" supplementary classes (2 to 3 times a week), homework, 4 exams a year (CA1, SA1, CA2, SA2), tuition/ enrichment, ... they spend way too much time on academics and little else. I have heard quite a few parents telling me they will choose CCAs that have little committments (e.g., once a week) because they do not want it to affect their schoolwork.
The Zaobao writer has a P2 kid. \"我的自我价值并非以我的成绩来衡量,所以当女儿去年进小学,我们一家也抱着同样的态度。即使这样,我们有时也感觉好像仓鼠上了跑轮,莫名其妙地跟着跑啊跑,跑啊跑……\"
我女儿一年级时,好多同学已经开始补习,平日功课多,到了周末还得上课,继续提升。我每天看那些和她一起等校车的孩子们,渐渐的,压力在她们身上留下了痕迹,笑容不再天真,眼神不再无忧,好奇心慢慢下降……
His observation is that the stress starts gradually from P1.
I support the move of MOE to remove P1 & P2 exams (though I know there are parents who do not like it). I have seen many P1 kids having lots of fun time too ... but the fun proportion goes down & stress level goes up every year they grow up. For those schools who have removed P1 exams, it's more noticeable in P2.
Here's a view of another forum writer, you can read his entire post here ... http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35402&start=140oxyleo:
My DS is in P2 too. He tops his class in Maths. The first questions that some of his classmates' parents ask me \"Which enrichment/ tuition does he go for Maths?\". When I said no ... they certainly look surprised. Some well-meaning parents even said \"since your DS likes Maths so much, such and such a centre is good ....\".I have a kid in P2, who never had a day of tuition, or academic enrichment, and I am truly beginning to understand why so many others his age were 'enriching' themselves in every possible way since they were 3 or 4.
MOE's predictable stance throughout all this feedback only serves to send more to tuition and enrichment centers, maybe starting now at age 2? And even more parents queuing up for branded schools.
But what surprised me most was just recently, a Maths relief teacher spoke to me:-
Teacher:- \"your DS is very good in Maths\"
I:- \"Oh, thank you, he likes Maths a lot\"
Teacher:- \"does he go for any Maths enrichment?\"
What can I say? -
The write is organising an event...
http://www.facebook.com/events/146908898772928/151409941656157/
If you are interested to share your views, or listen to the views shared there....can consider.