Hi Shuting28, called the school. The receptionist said that the school does not conduct open house. I asked how do parents learn abt the school's learning environment, programmes, etc. She recommended that we write to the school's generic email ([email protected]), attn to Mdm Hiew to arrange for a visit. Hope this helps!

Hi shuting28, thanks for the weblink - have checked out the school's website.

If I'm not wrong, the website's been changed - the last time I checked, there were no links to results, etc. It is also more comprehensive now.

Hi! Has anyone heard of the music school called Musical Kidz at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre? They seem to be offering a new syllabus from NZ and Australia called ANZCA - is anyone familiar with this new syllabus? Any comments welcome! Thanks in advance.

Hi Jedamum, do be patient... Your boy probably knows the answers to the questions well, so he quickly writes down the answers. He's probably in a different 'mode' doing questions and practising penmanship...


Hi Enmum, Brain-Revolution website looks interesting and credible. Thanks for the recommendations!

Thanks buds for your list of strategies!

ashley:

My child has focusing problems. She can't focus in class and concentrate. Teachers had feedback to me that she is slow in her work as in completion of work in class.


She is in P1. how to rectify and help her?

Hi ashley, I agree with sashimi - it seems like your child has short attention span (because my 5-yr-old son is also like that - got the same feedback from teacher).

Some of the things that I picked up from his occupational therapy sessions:
- Designate a conducive place for doing work
- Keep the working table neat (reduce clutter like unnecessary stationery, books, etc.)
- Before starting work, create a check list of activities that the child is required to do (for a 5yr-old, it's about 5 tasks, amounting to about 20 - 30 mins). Go through the tasks with the child. Once the child completes one item, let him/her check it off.
- My son's OT has this 'mantra' for him - 'keep going, keep going until you finish'. She keeps reminding him and encouraging him to do so.
- When the tasks are completed, reward your child (with a snack, a game, etc.)
- At the beginning, all these are done with one-to-one with a parent. Gradually, when you think that your child is able to focus on a task by him/herself for a while, leave him/her to do it without you. See how long you can 'disappear'. The length should gradually increase with time.

These are some of the things my son's OT taught me to do. Hope that it is helpful for you!

H2O:

YOu may want to check this website:


http://www.ehow.com/how_2079557_increase-childs-attention-span.html

Thanks H20, this website is helpful!

Hi Rio,

Totally agree with buds that your kid is a mathematician in the making! I guess his brain cells are all absorbed in making the number connections...the words will get their turn.

My ds1 was diagnosed with speech delay at 24 months wellness checkup at the polyclinic. He hardly spoke at 2 years old, and hence had a very limited vocabulary. He was referred to KKH's Child Development Centre for speech and language therapy (SLT) by the GP who saw him.

The sessions were helpful, the therapists warm and friendly, though we had to wait about 6 months between referral and the first therapy session. Waiting list at KKH is long as the sessions were heavily subsidised, so the $$ is very very manageable. After about 1.5 years, he was discharged from SLT! Now, he kinda talks non-stop, and is pretty ok in both English and Mandarin.
[quote]Hi jedamum,

Maybe I've been overly pessismistic or super kiasu. I have looked up loads of articles on ADHD and autism. Bec I had suspected ADHD for my 2nd and autism for my 1st. Even had my friend who teaches in pte schools for autism to come look at my DS1's behaviour.[/quote]Hi winth, how old is your ds2? I share your concern as I also read as much as I can on ADHD as I suspect my ds1 could be like that. He has got short attention span (compared to his peers), can't sit still, likes to touch things and is easily distracted. Usually, such behaviour becomes more obvious in a school setting.

Is your ds2 schooling? If so, his teachers are also important people to get feedback from cos they interact with him in a classroom setting.

My ds1 is now undergoing occupational therapy at KKH to help him better focus during class. The sessions were really helpful, and the therapists encourage parents to work with teachers in school.

Hi Rio,

Totally agree with buds that your kid is a mathematician in the making! I guess his brain cells are all absorbed in making the number connections...the words will get their turn.

My ds1 was diagnosed with speech delay at 24 months wellness checkup at the polyclinic. He hardly spoke at 2 years old, and hence had a very limited vocabulary. He was referred to KKH's Child Development Centre for speech and language therapy (SLT) by the GP who saw him.

The sessions were helpful, the therapists warm and friendly, though we had to wait about 6 months between referral and the first therapy session. Waiting list at KKH is long as the sessions were heavily subsidised, so the $$ is very very manageable. After about 1.5 years, he was discharged from SLT! Now, he kinda talks non-stop, and is pretty ok in both English and Mandarin.
[quote]Hi jedamum,

Maybe I've been overly pessismistic or super kiasu. I have looked up loads of articles on ADHD and autism. Bec I had suspected ADHD for my 2nd and autism for my 1st. Even had my friend who teaches in pte schools for autism to come look at my DS1's behaviour.[/quote]Hi winth, how old is your ds2? I share your concern as I also read as much as I can on ADHD as I suspect my ds1 could be like that. He has got short attention span (compared to his peers), can't sit still, likes to touch things and is easily distracted. Usually, such behaviour becomes more obvious in a school setting.

Is your ds2 schooling? If so, his teachers are also important people to get feedback from cos they interact with him in a classroom setting.

My ds1 is now undergoing occupational therapy at KKH to help him better focus during class. The sessions were really helpful, and the therapists encourage parents to work with teachers in school.

hi chilipadi - your gals are so sweet!! :))


hi Addoil - baby has two older bros - 2yr and 5yr.