hello Han Seo, thanks for your tips & strategies, we sure could all use them!

Hi Jo, I'm not sure what your views on computer usage by the kids are, but a friend recommended this free reading website to me as being helpful. (I did not actually let my DD view it more than once or twice, so she didn't learn to read from it, but it seems an interesting site for kids).


http://www.starfall.com

Hi Jo, I would suggest you speak to your child’s teacher about your concern first of all.


I understand that at SJCK, every child is individually assessed for reading skills by the end of K1 and if the teacher feels a child may not be progressing well enough, a special reading program will be recommended. This was the case with a couple of my friends’ children at SJCK. Such children then have the whole of K2 to work on their reading.

Having said that, I am not sure what "being able to read" at K1 or K2 means, as while some very advanced children may be able to read longish words and sentences by end of K1, but this may not mean that those who can only sound out very simple and short words are in trouble. I didn’t think my DD was able to read by end of term 2 at K2, and asked her teacher about it. The teacher said that while my DD was not one of those advanced ones, she did not think I needed to be overly concerned, as my DD was progressing well enough. I left it at that thereafter and did not send her for any academic enrichment classes. By the beginning of P1, I saw that my DD didn’t have difficulty reading The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl. Not that that’s a difficult book to read, however, I felt assured that her reading was okay, probably on par with other P1s.

So I think some kids "read" a little earlier, some a little later, but a good foundation is important. Regarding the difficulty of the spelling words at SJCK, my feel is that SJCK’s approach is to set a good foundation in phonics rather than load the kids with long spelling words. In some kindies, the kids have to learn pretty long spelling words by K2, and if their phonics is not strong, then the kids will have to learn the spelling by pure memorization. It is possible to do that, however, it is more difficult and less fun than if you had a good foundation in phonics. If the kindie focuses on a good foundation in phonics instead of trying to teach the kids long spelling words when they are in K2, and starts off with short and easy words, it is also better for the kids’ self confidence, which is important to build up at this young age.

But that’s all my view, and the SJCK approach seems to have worked very well for my DD as I found she did well in P1. However, you and your child’s teacher know your child best, so I think it’s best to speak to your child’s teacher and get her view. Hopefully there’s nothing to worry about. Wish you all the best with both your kids’ education!

Is the handbook flimsy because of the spiral spine? Actually I like the spiral spine very much cause it allows the handbook to open fully at any page (easier to read and write on) even though the book is rather thick. Maybe try buying a plastic cover for it? (BTW I think this year's front cover is bright and nice! :celebrate: )


I think it's great Jacsplace's P4's teacher helped with getting the handbooks. It'd be nice if the school would make special allowance for the P4 girls to buy the handbooks say during the first or last 15 mins of school on the first day of school every year. This way, they won't have to join long queues to get the handbook during these early days when the P1s need help the most.

Regarding the handbook being flimsy, I wrapped my DD’s with the usual plastic wrapper last year and it survived very well. So this year, I wrapped it again. It is also possible to buy a ready-made plastic cover from Popular.


I also tied a ribbon (about 30 cm long) to the spine of the handbook so that my DD can use it as a bookmark. This way, she can use the ribbon to get straight to the page for the present week. It minimizes flipping around (and therefore wear and tear) and also allows her to get to the page for the week very quickly.

Hi Jacsplace, why did you sigh? Is it competitive and stressful?

Hi I am considering transferring my N2 and P1 girls from Berries Orchard to Berries Tanglin CC. Does anyone have any feedback on Tanglin CC? How are the teachers? TIA.

In the morning? At the time we send the girls to school the ERP is not on yet. But if you pick them up after school, then yes.


Because ERP rates change from time to time, you can refer to the LTA's website:

http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/on_the_roads/ERP_Rates.html#MainPar_31925

Ha ha shuerei the polka dots & face paint joke is hilarious… thanks for sharing it. And it’s good you have such a sense of humour about this!


You’re welcome and I hope everything works out for your daughter soon.

Have a good holiday ahead!

Hi Shuerei, I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s skin problem. Pending your getting old uniforms for her, have you tried asking the school to excuse her from wearing the uniform to school in view of her medical problem?


I don’t have old uniforms now, but I’ll certainly keep you in mind when it’s time to get new uniforms for my daughter.

I just remembered that Bibi & Baba can custom make the girls’ uniforms too. I wonder whether they can make new uniforms for your daughter using only material that is suitable for her, if necessary. But it’ll probably cost more than the usual ones.

But most of all I hope your daughter grows out of the skin problem very soon.