<![CDATA[P1 Preparatory Program]]>The 'need' to prepare for P1 worrying


http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/lette ... 1-worrying


While I agree that children attending preparatory classes for Primary 1 would largely benefit from them (\"Helping kids make leap from pre-school to primary school\"; Monday), I find it somewhat worrying that such classes are needed in the first place.

It is up to parents to decide whether to send their children to such classes.

But the very fact that they even feel the need to do so - when Primary 1 is supposed to be a relatively relaxed educational stage - demands further attention as to whether more time should be given to facilitate the transition between pre-school and Primary 1, particularly in the areas which such preparatory classes aim to address.

This issue cannot be attributed to the \"kiasu\" (fear of losing out) nature of most Singaporeans alone, since every \"kiasu\" decision stems from some legitimate concern or problem.

Some difficult questions need to be asked. Is there too much content in the Primary 1 curriculum such that too little time is spent on each topic?

Why would misconceptions arise so easily and why might they be insufficiently addressed by some teachers? Is there too little time given for pupils to adjust?

Furthermore, despite the availability of remedial programmes in primary school, why might parents rather have their child attend private preparatory courses even before knowing whether they would face difficulties in school?

Preparatory lessons can be a quick fix to the problems implied in the above questions, but they can never be the long-term solution (unless, of course, they are made compulsory for all).

Such lessons were never meant to be part of the formal education system, yet, I suspect that some parents have come to see them as being so for their children.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/79191/p1-preparatory-programRSS for NodeWed, 13 May 2026 00:59:15 GMTWed, 30 Dec 2015 00:21:45 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Sun, 10 May 2015 17:18:36 GMT]]>https://www.facebook.com/betterdifferen ... 48/?type=1


Thought that this might be useful for parents looking for homework helpers for their little ones! 🙂

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To find out your eligibility or to indicate your interest for this programme, simply PM us on Facebook. Alternatively, you may email us at maddiesmaddies@live.com

(In your PM/email, please do indicate your child's education level)

https://www.facebook.com/betterdifferen ... 48/?type=1

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1503532https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1503532Sun, 10 May 2015 17:18:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Wed, 07 Jan 2015 01:44:08 GMT]]>

Quin:
Hi Lisa,


What's beestar and how's the pricing like?
Hi there~ Beestar is an online learning website for kids, offering weekly worksheets of many subjects. It costs $20-$40 per semester, depending on the programs you choose. Plus, you can check more details on the website:)
Lisa

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1444407https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1444407Wed, 07 Jan 2015 01:44:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:53:03 GMT]]>

Imami:
Han Seo:

(snip)

* able to make friends easily
(snip)

Hi Han Seo, how do you define \"able to make friends easily\"? And what would you suggest we can do to help the child improve his/her social skills?

While my son interacts fine with other kids, I don't think he \"knows how to make friend\". How should I put it? :scratchhead:

Say in a room where there are many kids. He would keep to himself, sit quietly alone. However, after a while, you would see kids surrounding him, talking to him. Like he is passive, it's the other party who reaches out to him. You get my point?

Imami
Tofu boy not the shy type of boy, right? I think he should be able to make lots of new friends in pri sch after some time. Not to worry.

My kids are the truly shy ones. They manage to make some friends but just within the same group of the same class. Their form teacher in their pri sch told me that it is very hard to get my daughter to talk. :sad:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1431982https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1431982Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:53:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:34:52 GMT]]>

Han Seo:
(snip)

* able to make friends easily
(snip)
Hi Han Seo, how do you define \"able to make friends easily\"? And what would you suggest we can do to help the child improve his/her social skills?

While my son interacts fine with other kids, I don't think he \"knows how to make friend\". How should I put it? :scratchhead:

Say in a room where there are many kids. He would keep to himself, sit quietly alone. However, after a while, you would see kids surrounding him, talking to him. Like he is passive, it's the other party who reaches out to him. You get my point?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1431939https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1431939Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:34:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:56:28 GMT]]>

pirate:
Must also teach how to use toilet paper. :imconstipated: This one very important.

And also when and how to ask 'cher for permission to go to the toilet...or it can be very disastrous!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1431924https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1431924Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:56:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:44:56 GMT]]>Hi Lisa,


What’s beestar and how’s the pricing like?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1431920https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1431920Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:44:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Thu, 27 Nov 2014 07:50:03 GMT]]>You can have a try with beestar. There are programs preparing for new semesters, including math, ELA, science worksheets. It’s my daughter’s favourite:)

Lisa

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1423695https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1423695Thu, 27 Nov 2014 07:50:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Tue, 28 Oct 2014 05:17:18 GMT]]>Those P1 preparation classes held by tuition centres simply dump more worksheets on your child. Can’t you do that at home yourself?


A child who is socially and emotionally well adjusted is more ready to learn. Don’t underestimate the social emotional aspects; if the brain does not feel secure, it will go into the ‘flight or fight’ mode and will do everything to preserve itself, everything except learn.

So, maybe you can check if your child is:

* generally happy and loves to go to school
* able to make friends easily
* able to ask for help and to offer help when required (a child who does not understand what the teacher is saying and is not afraid to ask the teacher for clarification will fare better; likewise, if he is helpful, he is likely to make more friends and this will have a positive impact on his learning)
* assertive (you don’t want him to be a doormat, right?)
* confident of himself (can participate in conversations actively)

Academic wise, he should be fine if he can:
* read and write some simple sentences
* follow instructions
* do simple addition and subtraction

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1406174https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1406174Tue, 28 Oct 2014 05:17:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:12:22 GMT]]>Must also teach how to use toilet paper. :imconstipated: This one very important.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1398099https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1398099Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:12:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 13 Oct 2014 08:38:13 GMT]]>I think the most you need to do is to let your child learn how to buy food on his/her own. The school will have buddies to assist initially but depend on luck, DS2 buddy disappeared one day and he went with a group of other stranded kids to the canteen to get his food.


Academic wise, P1 is similar to kindy. Only exception to me is hanyupinyin (assume is Chinese MT) is heavily used. A HYPY course may be helpful. Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan organises 12 sessions around Sept each year. There are other choices of course.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1398084https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1398084Mon, 13 Oct 2014 08:38:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 13 Oct 2014 08:12:04 GMT]]>Does the child already go to kindergarten? Most kindergartens should already adequately prepare a child for P1.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1398070https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1398070Mon, 13 Oct 2014 08:12:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:55:50 GMT]]>Any recommendation for such workshops, classes or tutor? If tutor, we would prefer someone who is really patient, experienced and have a way with young children. Thank you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1398061https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1398061Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:55:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 22 Sep 2014 03:46:07 GMT]]>You can also get him a tutor to prepare your child

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386295https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386295Mon, 22 Sep 2014 03:46:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P1 Preparatory Program on Mon, 22 Sep 2014 03:08:11 GMT]]>There are many great free resources online that will help you prepare your child. The biggest thing to prepare a child is exposure to books. Being read to and having the opportunity to discuss books helps enormously.


Going beyond this, basic letter work also gives a child a great leg-up. Again, such worksheets are freely available online. Hope this helps 🙂

Scott

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386263https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1386263Mon, 22 Sep 2014 03:08:11 GMT