My daughter was totally chill/ blur before the tests, maybe she thinks they will be like other school tests (not that she does very well normally haha). But it’s a good experience for her, I told her it is rewarding enough for me to watch her get on with day 2’s tests before she could get over the shock of seeing the first 2 papers.


So proud of our kids’ ability to face challenges right! Tonight I will need to moderate her expectations, tomorrow then remind her of her upcoming SA2 😝

My daughter told me the opposite, she said Math is the hardest and she didn’t finish the paper. I guess we should start letting her down easy cos likely won’t get in already.

Visited Cheryl Lee clinic and was very much unimpressed. Initially also keen because she seems open to Ortho-k and Atropine, while many others seem to do either one or the other. But service was bad and charges are high. I’ll probably go and see Dr Pauline Cheong instead. Had a good recommendation from my friend.

Not an expert but here’s how I taught my 5 year old to read. From the time she was a baby, I read to her whenever I have time. I bought her many picture books and let her choose which ones to read. Amazon was my best friend then.


When I stopped working, we had even more time to read together. When I read to her, I would point out objects that correspond to the words. As she got older, I’d ask her questions. When she was in N2, I started pointing to the words as I read. She didn’t always follow my pointing but I contin anyway. We bought many Lady Bird books that come in stages, with stage 1 being the easiest and stage 4 more advanced, and we did them all in a year. I like that these books have simple questions at the end to test understanding.

My daughter is in K1 now and I think she can read pretty well aloud. I didn’t teach her phonics, didn’t make her memorize sight words, but I’m sure she picked up phonics in school. But I don’t really know how to teach her from here, eg spelling and comprehension, and I’m not sure if she can read to herself silently, so I’m thinking of sending her for enrichment.

In my opinion, the most important step towards teaching reading is to kindle the kid’s interest in reading. Surrounding them with books they like, or attractive children’s books, will create a suitable environment. I stuff books in the cars, in my bags, so when my girls complain that they’re bored, I ask them to choose a book to read. Most of the time they just look at the pictures but that’s perfectly fine with me.

lgerline:

slmkhoo:

[quote=\"sembgal\"]This is the problem when parents are too anxious to teach very young children how to hold a pencil to write. The fine mother skills of the child has to be mastered through regular practice. Suitable age to introduce a child to penmanship or tracing letters should only be done in the year that the child is turning 4.


The only way to overcome this problem is to use a triangular thin pencil or buy those triangular pencil grips.

Even with grips etc, the child may be stubborn and refuse to change. In some cases, the child may have poor fine motor skills and have to use a \"strange\" grip until he is older, and then it is even harder to get them to change. My older daughter is one of these. In the end, I gave up trying to make her change. I look at the bigger picture - she can write legibly (not beautifully), and she can complete her homework and exams, even up to A level arts subjects. In working life, she will be using a computer, so handwriting isn't very important.

In fact, we didn't introduce / teach him how to hold the pencil, the material was there and he just picked up and used. I guess he was also exposed to writing during play school so.. :([/quote]Would you like to try those small rubbery cushions you can attach to the pencils? I bought a packet at Kinokuniya's stationary section for a few dollars. Basically it's a small tubular rubber you put around a pencil to help kids grip better. My 5 year old prefers this to the triangular pencils cos these are soft, colorful and scented.

Thanks cherrygal. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Dear all, one of our choices for primary school is RVPS. Would like to know if the Chinese standard is high? Cos my dd’s Mandarin is not very good, so I’m not sure if the school will be demoralizing for her.


Also, I’ve seen Brownies campfires during the school holidays and it seems like the girls were having lots of fun! But my dd is more interested in music and dance. Any idea if these CCAs in RVPS are available?

Hi all, I’d like to check if anyone has submitted PV form to SCGS and received a reply?

esimly3506:

Anyone knows if we can register with River Valley Primary as PV for child born in 2010? We are living between 1-2km away from the school. There is nothing mentioned on PV in the school website. Tks.

Hi, the registration for PV at RVPS was opened in May for only a week. You might want to call the school to ask. So far I haven't received any reply for my application, probably will know after the dust settles following this year's P1 registration.

Average Joe:

Hi Divamama, you may wish to consider volunteering your time with the school (assuming the PV scheme is not abolished by then) in 2015/16. The school runs its PV scheme quite well, offering decent assignments (not those 1 hr-traffic warden-type) that will give you a good feel of the school activities, teachers and students. The school is also mindful of accepting too many PVs lest any PV end up being disappointed having completed the necessary hours.

Hey thanks! I've applied for PV but have not heard from the school. Fingers crossed.

Also, it looks like RMPS is much more popular this year. I knew it is a popular school but balloting at this phase... :scared: