<![CDATA[Newspaper reading for primary school kids]]>Hi parents


Anyone has any advice on when the is most appropriate time or age to introduce newspaper reading to children and how to go about doing it (such as what type of articles etc)?

TIA.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/6455/newspaper-reading-for-primary-school-kidsRSS for NodeSat, 18 Apr 2026 22:14:54 GMTMon, 02 Nov 2009 06:47:48 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:31:48 GMT]]>Thanks, jetsetter!

It is more for current affairs and also to keep him company during dinner time as he eats alone on weekdays (he eats earlier as the Bro and dad reaches home late and I need to fetch the bro). Used to eat together but growth spurt I guess, he gets hungry earlier these days. Prefer him to listen and eat than him read and eat… Which he tends to do so.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208898https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208898Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:31:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Fri, 07 Feb 2014 10:25:17 GMT]]>

jedamum:
actually newspaper reading aims mainly to (1) up the current affairs knowledge or (2) improve grasp of english?


can anyone recommend a daily radio news slot for both chinese and english radio channel? thanks!
Eng - FM91.3 (hourly)
Chi - FM95.8 (hourly)

SPH radio stations news are not that well-read. sometimes, u can hear pop music DJs fumbling with their Eng or Chi pronunciation.

Also do bear in mind, radio scripts are written in a succinct manner (a lot of truncations), for listeners' consumption, therefore not suitable for those intending to improve their creative writing skills, if u know what i mean.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208542https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208542Fri, 07 Feb 2014 10:25:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Fri, 07 Feb 2014 10:07:31 GMT]]>

jedamum:
actually newspaper reading aims mainly to (1) up the current affairs knowledge or (2) improve grasp of english?


due to time constraints, ds1 no longer reads the newspapers online. his pockets of free time he chose to read fiction books for leisure. for doses of current affairs, i find it useful to watch the news. you get both news updates and also proper pronunciation of words. downside is he has to sit through news that is of little interest to him.and we can't control what kind of news will be on that day (sensational news). and his interests for that day depends on the newscaster! (lol...not so much how they look, but rather their prounciation and voice tone 😓 ).

as for introducing interesting sections of newspapers, ds1 has shown interest in the Money/investment section. i dont think it will help much in improving english, but good to see he finds an interest outside academics.

for ds2, we are now starting him on Little Red Dot. ds1 does not quite like it as he said the news are outdated as he watches news on a regular basis now. but it works well for ds2 now. 🙂

can anyone recommend a daily radio news slot for both chinese and english radio channel? thanks!
I agree! News programmes on the TV are much more interactive than newspapers and as such, are able to hold the short attention spans of children better.. 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208530https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208530Fri, 07 Feb 2014 10:07:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Fri, 07 Feb 2014 10:07:31 GMT]]>

jedamum:
actually newspaper reading aims mainly to (1) up the current affairs knowledge or (2) improve grasp of english?


due to time constraints, ds1 no longer reads the newspapers online. his pockets of free time he chose to read fiction books for leisure. for doses of current affairs, i find it useful to watch the news. you get both news updates and also proper pronunciation of words. downside is he has to sit through news that is of little interest to him.and we can't control what kind of news will be on that day (sensational news). and his interests for that day depends on the newscaster! (lol...not so much how they look, but rather their prounciation and voice tone 😓 ).

as for introducing interesting sections of newspapers, ds1 has shown interest in the Money/investment section. i dont think it will help much in improving english, but good to see he finds an interest outside academics.

for ds2, we are now starting him on Little Red Dot. ds1 does not quite like it as he said the news are outdated as he watches news on a regular basis now. but it works well for ds2 now. 🙂

can anyone recommend a daily radio news slot for both chinese and english radio channel? thanks!
I agree! News programmes on the TV are much more interactive than newspapers and as such, are able to hold the short attention spans of children better.. 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208529https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208529Fri, 07 Feb 2014 10:07:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Fri, 07 Feb 2014 05:27:32 GMT]]>actually newspaper reading aims mainly to (1) up the current affairs knowledge or (2) improve grasp of english?


due to time constraints, ds1 no longer reads the newspapers online. his pockets of free time he chose to read fiction books for leisure. for doses of current affairs, i find it useful to watch the news. you get both news updates and also proper pronunciation of words. downside is he has to sit through news that is of little interest to him.and we can't control what kind of news will be on that day (sensational news). and his interests for that day depends on the newscaster! (lol...not so much how they look, but rather their prounciation and voice tone 😓 ).

as for introducing interesting sections of newspapers, ds1 has shown interest in the Money/investment section. i dont think it will help much in improving english, but good to see he finds an interest outside academics.

for ds2, we are now starting him on Little Red Dot. ds1 does not quite like it as he said the news are outdated as he watches news on a regular basis now. but it works well for ds2 now. 🙂

can anyone recommend a daily radio news slot for both chinese and english radio channel? thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208309https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208309Fri, 07 Feb 2014 05:27:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Fri, 07 Feb 2014 04:17:53 GMT]]>I appreciate feedback on Current Events too

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208258https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1208258Fri, 07 Feb 2014 04:17:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:45:41 GMT]]>Hi, does anyone subscribe to "Current Events" or "Current Science" (from Weekly Reader)?

I am contemplating getting a magazine for my kids to read about current affairs. (They are reading Young Scientist and find it v interesting) Any recommendations?
Thanks

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/725809https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/725809Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:45:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:04:56 GMT]]>

rocklee:
Hi Buds


May I know what are the children's magazines? My children subscribe to the school chinese magazine \"Hao Peng You\". But I don't find any of the English equivalent.

TIA
There's this English equivalent of Hao Peng You called WhatsUp. My primary school has it. I'm not sure where my primary school got the WhatsUp from. But every edition is of current affairs and many other fun exercises to do.

Generally, WhatsUp is only for P5/P6 students.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/724605https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/724605Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:04:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:50:34 GMT]]>

Strparent:
Chenonceau:


When I told DS' teacher that DS is reading Time magazine regularly, she looked at me blankly and asked \"What is Time magazine?\" You trust the recommendation of teachers who don't know what is Time magazine?

:rotflmao: :slapshead: :rotflmao: :stupid: 😆 :slapshead:

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.....

GWUM.
i would laugh , if it werent so pathetic 🤷

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/724442https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/724442Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:50:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:36:39 GMT]]>Autumnbronz,


It’s nothing great. I stapled a few sheets of art paper together and introduced the letters to him by the day, drawing in. Next round, the phonic sounds. This is when we take out stacks of old newspapers and look through for interesting photos of relevant objects or animals. Later on, we make collage of words from cut out letters from the big headlines. It’s also a chance for him to practice cutting with a pair of scissors.

But seriously, there are some interesting photos now and then. I will cut them out and put them on my fridge for my boys. Right now I have two photos from the papers up - one of a tent suspended at the side of a sheer cliff, and a recent one of foreign works gathering kang kong at the reservoir for their dinner. The first article discusses how technology is changing rock climbing, the second one a slice of socioeconomic reality for the boys, and to remind that the importance of frugality in times of needs.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/724433https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/724433Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:36:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:34:50 GMT]]>Thanks to all!

My son interested in comics section in ST.I haven’t started yet into a habbit.
I gave reader’s digest but he didn’t read.Thats a good idea tutormum,start with Laughter the best medicine.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/724012https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/724012Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:34:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:56:39 GMT]]>

jedamum:
bumping this up for discussion.

appreciate more sharing of how to start kids on newspaper reading. 🙂
my son loves sports so he started reading the sports page and that's the only section he reads for a few months and then slowly he progress to home then prime time news. I realised now it's a habit for him to look through the paper when he comes home from school. So I think, you can start your child with sections that may be of interest to the child, slowly he/she may progress to reading other sections of the newspaper.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723973https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723973Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:56:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:54:52 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:

When I told DS' teacher that DS is reading Time magazine regularly, she looked at me blankly and asked \"What is Time magazine?\" You trust the recommendation of teachers who don't know what is Time magazine?
:rotflmao: :slapshead: :rotflmao: :stupid: 😆 :slapshead:

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.....

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723968https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723968Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:54:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:54:25 GMT]]>Im not making fun of the teacher…im just so amused at the way Chenonceau has put it across…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723966https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723966Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:54:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:52:47 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:
I have never understood DS' English teacher's obsession with newspaper reading. Incidentally, this is the same teacher who makes spelling mistakes that even my DS does not make. Here are my reasons AGAINST newspaper reading...


(1) Newspaper style writing is a pared down and simple style. The words used are intentionally simple and the sentence construction equally so. This is not the place to pick up interesting vocabulary.

(2) Ideally, newspaper style writing is factual. Good newspaper reports strive to be impartial and to withhold opinion. Present the facts and let others who read, decide. Even if many reports fall short of the ideal, newspaper reports in general TRY to just give the facts... and present the opinions of those interviewed. This therefore, is not the place to imbibe the best of argumentative/persuasive writing.

(3) DS' English teacher says he should read the reports about petty crimes so that he will be able to write realistic storylines in his PSLE compo. Frankly, how many petty crime reports can you read before you begin to discern a predictable pattern? Also, all the reports about prostitutes etc... I don't find very good for character building.

A good grounding for PSLE compo from P1 to P4 should be built with fiction. Why? Because PSLE compo values the evocativeness of the language found mostly in fiction. Not just simple kids' fiction... but fiction that is a few grade levels above the official age reading level. In P4, I was giving Little Boy Eoin Colfer and David Eddings. In P5 ... PG Wodehouse. In P6, Sherlock Holmes unabridged... In P6, I started DS on newspapers, but we didn't just read newspaper reports. We read Insight and other opinion pieces which modeled good expository and argumentative writing. He also started reading Newsweek and Time regularly.

When I told DS' teacher that DS is reading Time magazine regularly, she looked at me blankly and asked \"What is Time magazine?\" You trust the recommendation of teachers who don't know what is Time magazine?


That just cracked me up!!! 😆

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723965https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723965Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:52:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:22:36 GMT]]>

autumnbronze:
concern2:

I often use old newspapers as placemat. I know, it isn't hygienic, but it is convenient and I am putting it into good use - especially when I realized DS would start reading the articles off them. 😂


Oh wow!!!

Another great idea!!! Thanks for sharing concern2 :hugs:

😄 AB, you have PM.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723918https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723918Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:22:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:09:35 GMT]]>

concern2:
I often use old newspapers as placemat. I know, it isn't hygienic, but it is convenient and I am putting it into good use - especially when I realized DS would start reading the articles off them. 😂

Oh wow!!!

Another great idea!!! Thanks for sharing concern2 :hugs:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723721https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723721Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:09:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:02:54 GMT]]>I often use old newspapers as placemat. I know, it isn't hygienic, but it is convenient and I am putting it into good use - especially when I realized DS would start reading the articles off them. 😂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723671https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723671Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:02:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:50:07 GMT]]>

deminc:
We also use newspaper photos to make his little alphabet scrapbooks.


I love to go through the crime and accident articles with them, not for essay writing, but to inform them of the legal punishments for crimes and promote greater awareness of safety issues. Must keep them alive, and on the straight and narrow path.
Great ideas deminc :celebrate:

Can you please share how do you make alphabet scrapbooks using the photos?? I would like to try this activity out for my younger one.

MTIA 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723615https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723615Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:50:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:16:50 GMT]]>

deminc:
jedamum,

I show my kids interesting photos from the newspapers and ds2 is collecting comic strips from Life section. We also use newspaper photos to make his little alphabet scrapbooks. I tend to shy away from TNP for them since it's of a more scandalous nature.

I love to go through the crime and accident articles with them, not for essay writing, but to inform them of the legal punishments for crimes and promote greater awareness of safety issues. Must keep them alive, and on the straight and narrow path.
deminc,
ds1 used to read online news..and he tends to be attracted towards local small news like road accidents, orchard flooding, dbs scams etc. i used to screen the news before selecting/bookmark for him to read, but it is too tedious and he prefers to select his own news to read. since exams draw near and he has been receiving his Little Red Dot, he reads them over lunch to save time. he reads mostly for general knowledge rather than english content/vocab learning.
ds2 will pick up ds1's little red dot. not sure if he reads as he only flips through them.
am thinking of getting outdated copies (1week late) of Today from Inlaws (as we don't subscribe to newspapers) and let ds1 read it as it is easier to browse hardcopies than softcopies.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723518https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723518Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:16:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:45:55 GMT]]>jedamum,

I show my kids interesting photos from the newspapers and ds2 is collecting comic strips from Life section. We also use newspaper photos to make his little alphabet scrapbooks. I tend to shy away from TNP for them since it’s of a more scandalous nature.

I love to go through the crime and accident articles with them, not for essay writing, but to inform them of the legal punishments for crimes and promote greater awareness of safety issues. Must keep them alive, and on the straight and narrow path.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723265https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723265Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:45:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:33:42 GMT]]>I have never understood DS’ English teacher’s obsession with newspaper reading. Incidentally, this is the same teacher who makes spelling mistakes that even my DS does not make. Here are my reasons AGAINST newspaper reading…


(1) Newspaper style writing is a pared down and simple style. The words used are intentionally simple and the sentence construction equally so. This is not the place to pick up interesting vocabulary.

(2) Ideally, newspaper style writing is factual. Good newspaper reports strive to be impartial and to withhold opinion. Present the facts and let others who read, decide. Even if many reports fall short of the ideal, newspaper reports in general TRY to just give the facts… and present the opinions of those interviewed. This therefore, is not the place to imbibe the best of argumentative/persuasive writing.

(3) DS’ English teacher says he should read the reports about petty crimes so that he will be able to write realistic storylines in his PSLE compo. Frankly, how many petty crime reports can you read before you begin to discern a predictable pattern? Also, all the reports about prostitutes etc… I don’t find very good for character building.

A good grounding for PSLE compo from P1 to P4 should be built with fiction. Why? Because PSLE compo values the evocativeness of the language found mostly in fiction. Not just simple kids’ fiction… but fiction that is a few grade levels above the official age reading level. In P4, I was giving Little Boy Eoin Colfer and David Eddings. In P5 … PG Wodehouse. In P6, Sherlock Holmes unabridged… In P6, I started DS on newspapers, but we didn’t just read newspaper reports. We read Insight and other opinion pieces which modeled good expository and argumentative writing. He also started reading Newsweek and Time regularly.

When I told DS’ teacher that DS is reading Time magazine regularly, she looked at me blankly and asked "What is Time magazine?" You trust the recommendation of teachers who don’t know what is Time magazine?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723256https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723256Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:33:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:29:05 GMT]]>bumping this up for discussion.

appreciate more sharing of how to start kids on newspaper reading. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723209https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/723209Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:29:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newspaper reading for primary school kids on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:05:25 GMT]]>

tutormum:
Actually, children can start reading Reader's Digest and Straits Times at bits size.

Agree with tutormum on the above. 😉

Forgot to input that in my last post. Cheh.. 😛 I too, started out with the
comics strips in ST... followed by Life then sports and Home and so on...
by example from my daddie. :love:

Start capturing children's interest early, provide bite sized portions
beginning with what may be of interest to them first and follow up
slowly to the heavy-duty ones later on when you find the child has
picked up the interest with other varying content...after which
reading the paper will come naturally (like eating and drinking) 😄
and gradually..... (progression in reading dosage) 8)..... in future
being something they cannot do without daily... (like taking a crap). :lol:

I know a handful of people who can't crap successfully without
reading something..... anything..... at the same time. 😉
Now... :idea: Somebody should come up with a product for
the sanitization of reading material; like an antiseptic-misty-
spray or something.. :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/73035https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/73035Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:05:25 GMT