Andrew Er is not for everyone. My P2 daughter was on the wait list for a long long time and finally got her into balmoral, weekend class. But her results plummeted soon after a term and we faced the difficult decision to pull her out despite veiled warnings from the staff that once we pull out we won’t even dream if being on the wait list again.


Turns out that my girl met a few friends from her school and they ended up chatting than doing work, I wonder why the teacher was not more proactive to engage them. I’m intending to check out OnSponge but I’ve since hired a 1-1 tutor.

This is obviously distressing. Clearly the child does not know how to manage her emotions and expressing them in maladaptive ways. First, speak to the child to find out the problems, usually the initial few probs may be superficial ones, probe further and you might find underlying causes. Life skills must be taught explicitly, these youngsters don’t have the experience to cope with the obstacles in their lives and hence they need us.


Before sending them off to the counsellor, get the child to consent to it first and explain to her why she needs to seek professional help but always be there for her and keep guiding & teaching those life skills. I often use Chicken Soup/Readers Digest articles about youths/children facing seemingly insurmontable situations to challenge my children to think of what they would do in similar scenarios. Exposing children to a variety of such situations can help them process and reflect about their own strengths and coping skills.

What I do with my son is that I started communicating with him much earlier, when he was in P4, basic birds & bees stuff. My wife & I took him to the bookstores to choose some books for his general reading abt growing up and puberty. We did address the topic on masturbating and it was very awkward and nerve wrecking for both adults-my wife got ‘stage fright’ halfway through our talk with him-but we educated him that it’s a natural process of growing up and learning to accept the changes our bodies go through. That said, there’s lots of good literature in Kinokuniya for both parents and kids on sex ed.


Hope this helps!

E100:

Hi Joe, it's great! Are u remaining MIA? Appreciate your Effort of describing that capable tutor of yours but u don seems to share w all the eager parents.

Hi, so sorry for not replying earlier. Been a while since I last came here Her number is 94767770, nice lady to talk to. You can call her to find out more.

My colleague recommend me to send my P2 girl and P5 boy for English classes in Holland Village. Classes are run by a former teacher at her home in small groups of 6. She also teaches Creative writing. My son’s English grade improved greatly and most of all he actually enjoys writing! I was put on the waiting list for 2 months before my daughter can join her classes. The teacher used to teach in a top primary school and she’s friendly, professional and good with kids. I can pass you her contact if you like.


Joe

I live in Pasir Ris but for the past year, I send my boy (in P5 now) for Creative Writing class in Holland Village. Private classes are run by a former teacher at her home in small groups of 6 max. My son’s English grade improved greatly and most of all he actually enjoys writing! The once weekly travelling was worth it & will continue until he finishes his PSLE. If u are interested I can PM u the details.