MOE Kindergarten

[floppy]

Mauvy\" post_id=\"1906642\" time=\"1555394530\" user_id=\"175524:

Hi floppy,

I am glad to know that your girls cope well with Pri Sch after transitioning from MK.

So far, I have come across some verbal feedback on MK, that there's not much writing involved. So, parents have to do their due diligence in coaching their kids themselves. I am just wondering if you send your girls to supplementary classes?

The Phase 2A2 priority is very attractive, but I fear I may be trading the 2 precious years for that priority.

Firstly, it's true. There isn't much writing in MK. However, learning can take many form - taking away the tingxie, spelling and writing component doesn't mean that the kids learnt nothing in MK. Likewise, a lot of writing doesn't mean there's a lot of learning - it's just a lot of repetition and drilling. The only real benefit to a lot of writing is probably strengthening the wrist and improving the pincer grip

For my girls, the only supplementary classes related to academic are Chinese and phonics. Chinese - cos we don't use it often enough and phonics - cos we don't speak ang moh well enough. The supplementary classes that we picked focuses on listening / speaking because I believe in 听说读写 - in that particular sequence.

Listening (input 101) and speaking (output 101) are the first level basic building blocks in learning a language while reading (input 201) and writing (output 201) are the next. If the foundations for Module 101 is weak, Module 201 is never going to be strong (so, I'm quite in sync with MK here ). I didn't pick the most expensive branded enrichment classes either. Except for Chinese (due to limited options), most of the enrichment classes were conducted by the RC / CC :evil:

Lastly, I didn't sign up for MK due to Phase 2A2 priority as I didn't need it. I sign up because I like their approach and is in line with my children learning style. We still keep in contact with a number of my child's former classmates (P2), and so far, most are doing well and none are struggling in their primary school. Her former classmates didn't spend a lot of time / money on supplementary classes either.

[floppy]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1906652\" time=\"1555396421\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1906652 time=1555396421 user_id=53606]
@floppy, I’m curious. Hope u can share a little whether MOE’s “recent” changes (no exams for P1 and P2) are real, on the ground?

Do the primary schools try to conduct pseudo-exams/covert tests for the P2s?

My nephew is P1 Term 2 only, so far no tests apart from the usual spelling & tingxie.

I haven’t heard other kiasuparents complain about any academic stress since the changes. So I’m wondering is it really as good as it seems.[/quote]

It's true.

My kid's school (P2) didn't have any tests / exams this year. The school didn't attempt any pseudo-exams or covert tests other than the usual spelling and tingxie. The closest that my kid came to a 'test' is 口试 and 朗读. While it's not marked, the teacher did provide a feedback on their strengths and weaknesses, as well as areas of improvement (if any). It is more of a warm-up / familiarity practice for the kids.

Let's be honest for a moment. With or without the changes, there will always be academic stress. However, the changes are good because weaker students don't have to feel lousy without being given a proper chance first. Nonetheless, it doesn't mean that weaker students would become smart overnight. I can see that schools (at least my kid's school) continue to identify the weaker students, and spend a lot of time and resources to help them before they have to meet their first real battle in P3.

[zac's mum]

That’s really good to hear. So those tuition teachers/centres who rushed to do their “analysis” immediately after the MOE announcement...giving us horror scenarios of secret surprise tests & exams imposed by the schools...these are simply fear-mongering tactics to get parents to pay for the commercial tuition lessons to administer their prep tests (for non-existent school tests)

[zac's mum]

I like the fact that now the kids get to learn for the sake (and love of) learning. As opposed to the “olden” days of learning for the sake of exams.


And don’t worry so much about the transition to sitting exams at P3. If the school does it right, the teachers will (like I’ve heard my DS tell me) even teach them from the very basics like correct exam etiquette (separate the tables, look at your own paper only, no talking, no peeking, no starting until the teacher says so etc etc etc)

This year they even started training the P3 kids how to shade an Optical Answer Sheet. Prepping for future PSLE format lol.

[floppy]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1906689\" time=\"1555407373\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1906689 time=1555407373 user_id=53606]
That’s really good to hear. So those tuition teachers/centres who rushed to do their “analysis” immediately after the MOE announcement...giving us horror scenarios of secret surprise tests & exams imposed by the schools...these are simply fear-mongering tactics to get parents to pay for the commercial tuition lessons to administer their prep tests (for non-existent school tests) [/quote]

Oh, you weren't expecting tuition centres to be telling you \"please don't come\" right? Tuition centres are commercial entities. It helps their business to make parents think that their children are weak and need reinforcement. It makes good business sense.

[Mauvy]

Thanks for the insight, floppy!


I am just very vexed cos DS is happy & doing well in his current childcare, with no supplementary lessons whatsoever. Was only thinking of perhaps sending him for phonics lessons even before MK came to mind.

But being an SG50 baby, I fear he may not be able to get a place in a Pri Sch near us (all have been oversubscribed for past years.. probably also 'cos it's Punggol).

So with the current registration exercise, I am very tempted to apply simply to secure a place in the Pri Sch, not really knowing what to expect. My neighbour withdrew their child mainly 'cos of KCare (bad teacher-student ratio), friends with children in MK only say the kids enjoy playing.. so, not exactly very glowing reviews, until I saw yours.

But every child is different. So I don't wish to have to withdraw him if he doesn't like it there and being unable to go back to his previous school because there's a long waitlist there

It's just kindergarten, but I am driving myself crazy going in circles 😵

[floppy]

Mauvy\" post_id=\"1906711\" time=\"1555414023\" user_id=\"175524:

Thanks for the insight, floppy!

I am just very vexed cos DS is happy & doing well in his current childcare, with no supplementary lessons whatsoever. Was only thinking of perhaps sending him for phonics lessons even before MK came to mind.

But being an SG50 baby, I fear he may not be able to get a place in a Pri Sch near us (all have been oversubscribed for past years.. probably also 'cos it's Punggol).

So with the current registration exercise, I am very tempted to apply simply to secure a place in the Pri Sch, not really knowing what to expect. My neighbour withdrew their child mainly 'cos of KCare (bad teacher-student ratio), friends with children in MK only say the kids enjoy playing.. so, not exactly very glowing reviews, until I saw yours.

But every child is different. So I don't wish to have to withdraw him if he doesn't like it there and being unable to go back to his previous school because there's a long waitlist there

It's just kindergarten, but I am driving myself crazy going in circles 😵

If you live in Punggol, I don't think you should apply MK just for Phase 2A2 priority. If your kid is happy with where he is, stay. I don't think \"all have been oversubscribed\" is a correct description because there are more than enough primary school places to go around! Most of the schools overlap within 1km and you can easily find an alternative that isn't over-subscribed. With Valor and Northshore Primary coming in 2020 as well, you will be spoil for choice.

Next time, if your friends say children in MK are only playing, you can always reply with this quote:

https://i.etsystatic.com/9066000/r/il/17e8e3/1536675236/il_794xN.1536675236_4a3o.jpg\">

I seriously cannot understand people. They are willing to pay a lot of money on \"Montessori education\" but when MOE offers something similar at a fraction of the cost, they will complain that the children are only playing
P/S: KCare is a different story. Depending on the provider, it can range from good to bad.

[Mauvy]

Hi floppy,


As I stay in a more populated area in Punggol, it is true that the Pri Schools near me have been oversubscribed in the past years. Of course, there are "less popular" schools further from us, but that may just be due to them being new, and in parts which are not fully developed.

Thanks for your advice and for helping me put things in perspective.

And yes, the quote that’s so important, yet so easily forgotten sometimes!

[Niqil]

Hi Mauvy,


I stay in Punggol too. If your kids are citizens and you are staying within 1km, it is not hard to get into the Pri sch, unless you are aiming for popular sch like Meetoh, Horizon or Punggol green. I might be outdated but that was the case 2yrs ago. Maybe you can check with your kid's current childcare on the programs and approach they will be using for their Kindergarten level? The childcare my gal went used Jolly Phonics books. We know her progress as they have weekly feedbacks (usually not academic feedbacks but just on her eating /social habits lol) and worksheets brought back. So we did not do anything much for her at home except doing some assessments books (apparently she likes to do assessment books!) and reading storybooks. She need not go for extra Phonics and Chinese classes. The only enrolment was for an indoor playground package! Her childcare also had optional Speech & drama and Music classes! They had spelling in Eng and Chinese weekly and so was able to adapt well in Pri sch. I think this setup is good as it is more effective when they learn together with their classmates. Somehow, writing and studying with their friends is more interesting than me asking them to sit down 1-to-1 with me on the dining table with flash cards and books. I prefer to be the one learning-through-play with my kids lol. As working parents, we had already sent them to 10hrs sch everyday and it is good to know they play & learn hard. We prefer to bring them out on weekends, exploring new playgrounds and outdoors. We did not want to enrol our kids in extra tuition classes during pre-sch but sadly, my son had to go as soon as K1. That being said, MK is not to blame for everything. I have to admit that my son is also more difficult to teach. He is not as diligent and more playful, he is not suitable for a too holistic environment lol. It is also not good for our relationship with him if we continue to drill him at home doing writing and pushing him for more tuition classes on weekends. Also, MK has certain % of slots reserved for less privileged family, so I am guessing their curriculum programme is catered for some who did not have the to chance to go nursery. Also, we cannot expect much from a 4hr Kindergarten class. maybe this was what kindergarten was meant to be, compared to childcare centres?
This is just my own honest feedback. There must be some kids who are suitable for MK’s approach, such as floppy’s. 😊
Any other parents worried for their kids who are going to P1 next year? I read some comment saying MK will not be teaching Hanyu pinyin. Is this true? While I prefer kids to recognise the Chinese characters instead of depending on hanyu pinyin, my gal's pri sch does gives tingxie with Chinese characters as well as hanyu pinyin . This year, the P1 & P2 does not have tests, instead, they have assessments in class and the kids are just told not to look at their classmates' answers. They do not have rankings, just grading levels.

[floppy]

Niqil\" post_id=\"1906778\" time=\"1555467178\" user_id=\"176766:

That remains the case today. Punggol Green popularity only increases in the last 2 years. This is partly due to completion of flats over at Matilda and PG is the only primary school in Punggol within 1km (the only school within 1km is Springdale in SK :scared: ). With a couple of new schools coming up, Punggol Green popularity could well decreases. Much like Punggol View (who used to ballot < 1km) when Oasis and Punggol Cove were completed.

The only 2 schools that are always over subscribed are Horizon and MTS, and Horizon will be getting a MK in 2020. That said, I don’t find missing out on Horizon and ending up in Punggol View / Oasis / Waterway would be something that I’ll lose sleep over.

Niqil\" post_id=\"1906778\" time=\"1555467178\" user_id=\"176766:

...
Any other parents worried for their kids who are going to P1 next year? I read some comment saying MK will not be teaching Hanyu pinyin. Is this true? While I prefer kids to recognise the Chinese characters instead of depending on hanyu pinyin, my gal's pri sch does gives tingxie with Chinese characters as well as hanyu pinyin . ...

From https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/moekindergarten/faq.html#programme:
[quote]Are Hanyu Pinyin and spelling taught in the MOE Kindergartens?

The focus of language learning in the pre-school years is on developing the listening and speaking skills of children, which will lay the foundation for language learning and literacy in later years. Hanyu Pinyin is not taught in MOE Kindergartens as it is part of the Primary 1 curriculum and children will be taught that when they start formal schooling.

As word recognition should be taught in context, children will not be given word or spelling lists to memorise. Instead, children will learn words in context so that they understand the meaning of the words and are able to use the words in speech and in writing.

My girl is doing HCL since P1. Hasn’t been disadvantaged by not learning hanyu pinyin in MK. Her only exposure to hanyu pinyin is the ~1.5hrs Chinese enrichment class she used to attend. Same goes for my no. 2 in MK currently - only MK and 1 Chinese enrichment class. I actually find that more than adequate for P1 / P2 HCL

That said, there are many learning styles and pedagogy. What works for one may not work for another. Parents would have to adjust and adapt their children’s learning plan accordingly. Quality > quantity. As my eldest is a visual learner and my second is a kinesthetic learner, MK pedagogy works well for me.