fable:

My son is only in P2, so he hasn't got any tuition or academic enrichment classes. I figure my job in these first few years is to instill in him good learning habits and get him to be responsible for his own work. So I only sat with him to do his work a couple of times in Primary One. Now he knows what to do when he gets home from school - have lunch, do homework, pack bag, practice drums & wushu, then play. The faster he does his work, the more time he gets to play and read. I spot check the standard of his homework, and look at returned test papers and homework to see if there's anything I need to work with him on. But by and large I let him sink or swim, e.g. if he needs to bring a book to school the next day but forgets, I don't remind him. At best I'll say \"Have you packed finished packing your bag?\"

smartmummy:

ammonite:

[quote=\"smartmummy\"]But now my main concern is time.If I send him he definitely spend another two or more hrs in the tuition a week.Then need to spend(depends on tuition centre) for doing homework.In this case I would fail to identify his specifc mistakes.Of course he can relax more time and be less stressful...


So far he grasped in school than me explaining.After he grasped its easy for me to give papers and mark.In this case we cannot depend on school,cos they finish the syllabus faster.

I don't understand. You can coach him or you cannot coach him? if you cannot coach him, and he can't get help from school or anyone else, then I guess you have to send him to a tutor. If time is a concern, take away something else. You can also get a tutor to come to your place, and tell the tutor not to give excessive homework, but spend time on concepts.

At P5, I would think the focus is on concepts and techniques, not yet paper drilling which I see as something for time management and mental prep. Paper drilling is not the same as coaching. Should not give papers before the child has mastered materials because it will just cause panic and discouragement. UNLESS you tell the kid clearly beforehand that this is just to find out what he does not know.

Of course, just my personal views. Others may have a different style.

kamom:

ammonite:

Should not give papers before the child has mastered materials because it will just cause panic and discouragement. UNLESS you tell the kid clearly beforehand that this is just to find out what he does not know.


Of course, just my personal views. Others may have a different style.

That's how I help my kids. I will let them do and see how much I need to put in to help them understand. Same as learning their spelling words. I will test them first. If they know 8 words out of 10, just need to revise the 2 words.

Actually, I find some assessment books are very helpful. They don't just provide the answers but also steps to getting the answer.

It was shocking to learn in a recent article that there are more tuition centers than primary schools in SG. Not counting private tutors who run from homes :yikes:

ammonite:

smartmummy:

But now my main concern is time.If I send him he definitely spend another two or more hrs in the tuition a week.Then need to spend(depends on tuition centre) for doing homework.In this case I would fail to identify his specifc mistakes.Of course he can relax more time and be less stressful...


So far he grasped in school than me explaining.After he grasped its easy for me to give papers and mark.In this case we cannot depend on school,cos they finish the syllabus faster.

I don't understand. You can coach him or you cannot coach him? if you cannot coach him, and he can't get help from school or anyone else, then I guess you have to send him to a tutor. If time is a concern, take away something else. You can also get a tutor to come to your place, and tell the tutor not to give excessive homework, but spend time on concepts.

At P5, I would think the focus is on concepts and techniques, not yet paper drilling which I see as something for time management and mental prep. Paper drilling is not the same as coaching. Should not give papers before the child has mastered materials because it will just cause panic and discouragement. UNLESS you tell the kid clearly beforehand that this is just to find out what he does not know.

Of course, just my personal views. Others may have a different style.

ammonite:

Should not give papers before the child has mastered materials because it will just cause panic and discouragement. UNLESS you tell the kid clearly beforehand that this is just to find out what he does not know.


Of course, just my personal views. Others may have a different style.

smartmummy:

But now my main concern is time.If I send him he definitely spend another two or more hrs in the tuition a week.Then need to spend(depends on tuition centre) for doing homework.In this case I would fail to identify his specifc mistakes.Of course he can relax more time and be less stressful...


So far he grasped in school than me explaining.After he grasped its easy for me to give papers and mark.In this case we cannot depend on school,cos they finish the syllabus faster.

kamom:

I don't send my children to tuition


1) My kids and I find means to solve the problems. Internet comes in useful here. I ask people around me for help..incl. those from this forum
2) I refused to have a herd mentality. (No offence)
3) The happiness of my child is more important. My children look forward to going home each day but I do know of kids who dislike going home because that means more work.
4) I want them to remember their childhood as a time where they have fun and not just about studying and getting top grades
5) I want my children to love what they are doing. My sec 1 boy has already decided that he will not go the JC way. He wants to do things that he really love.
6) I want them to see life beyond school and grades. I want their school life to be part of a learning journey.
7) I stressed on giving their best. It is ok if the best does not equate to top grades.

My motto for my kids is to love what they do so that they won't need to work a day in their life.

Many times, as parents, we blamed system and society of robbing us of our kids but in reality, we are also the accomplice. We placed our own fears on our kids. Sometimes, we send them for tuition to put ourselves at ease. We fail to see things from their perspective. I was at a PTC and on the table, these words were carved on it \"Life is tough\". These words coming from kids who have barely seen the real world. It is sad (at least to me).

We are so concerned with our kids getting top grades that we failed to see something much more important - their health. Kids are not having enough sleep, kids are not eating properly and eating well. (Common sight to see them eating their breakfast while walking to school). Feeding kids is not just about filling up their tummies, it is about building up bodies to last a life time. This may flip some of you. Some time back when we were at the zoo, we saw a kid, maybe about 7 or 8 yo - a stroke patient. You know how easy to spot one, the way they walk, the way their hand moves. It is not just the silver tsunami, it will be a lot more if we don't love our kids enough.

When our kids grow up, scholars will be everywhere but true talent will be rare and that's what people will pay for.

One last thing why I don't sent my kids for tuition - why should I make someone a millionaire

Agreed. I do not send my DD to tuition too. Even my DD tells me that her classmates all are having tuition why she doesn't have... haha. I coach her myself and she can have luxuary afternoon nap nearly everyday except for one CCA day. And I explain to her if she has tuition, she'll have no nap time and with lots of homework. She chooses nap time. I can say she is much more healthier than her peers.

Imp75:

And to add, it is rare to find a kid that's real smart, Mine definitely is not, it is just that my expectations are adjusted. Being thru the route, do we really find happiness pursuing the well travelled road despite being financially fulfilling? I know my hubby is not because he is a product of the system so why subject our children to this? Having said this, I still hope that my kids can relatively do well in school so that they find time to do other things and not be bogged down with tons of extra lessons or schoolwork.

Jokingly-mine are all girls lah, just marry well next time and be tai tai haha