babythumb\" post_id=\"1929739\" time=\"1566075326\" user_id=\"74595:
Octavia\" post_id=\"1925858\" time=\"1564715347\" user_id=\"161617:[quote=ChiefKiasu post_id=839 time=1204295142 user_id=3]
My kid is in Primary 3 and I'm still learning :).
OK... here's what you need:
1. Mental Preparation
- Your kid needs to learn to listen and record instructions from teachers. Normally, the teacher will get the kid to write down homework or instructions to their parents in a Parents-Teacher booklet which YOU need to check religiously everyday. That is the main way by which you know what is happening in school, besides the occasional handouts. You probably need to get the email addresses of at least the form teacher.
- If your kid goes to school in the morning, it is necessary to condition him/her for at least 3 months before school starts. Sleep no later than 9pm and wake up at 6:30am.
- Train your kid to operate a regular schedule with specific timing. Wake up, brush teeth, eat breakfast, exercise, and then lessons. If your child is already in a PCF or similar kindergarten, you have your job cut up for you. But make sure you follow up on the teachers' comments on homework and stuff.
- Train your kid to be self reliant, confident and independent from a young age. This is the TRUE key to success and it will save you a lot of heart ache and stress later. I'm not just talking about teaching your child to order his/her own food. A child that is self-driven will accomplish much more than one with very high IQ. You should attend parenting courses yourself to learn how to do so. http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/enrichment/mindchamps comes to mind.
2. Academic Preparation
There are only 3 subjects in Primary 1 and 2 - English, Chinese and Maths. While there are variations, in general the following can be expected:
a. English and Chinese
P1 kids are expected to do:
- spelling, ε¬ε and dictation every week (word list of 10 words)
- show and tell every term
- tests involving multiple choice grammar, comprehension, and picture composition
- oral tests involving picture compositions.
To prepare for this, it will be good to encourage kindergarten kids to:
- read voraciously to build up grammer and vocabulary. It is a given these days that kids are EXPECTED to know phonics and all 26 alphabets BEFORE they enter P1.
- attend speech and drama classes to improve confidence and presentation skills
- learn to write simple Chinese characters properly in terms of all the basic strokes η¬η» (heng, shu, etc) and in the proper order. Some teachers are VERY sticky such that even though the character looks correct, if the strokes are wrong, it will still be marked wrong.
- For Chinese, make sure there is a strong foundation of Hanyu Pinyin. I would recommend that you consider sending your child to group-based learning such as the http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/enrichment/hua-language-centre as soon as he/she reach 4 years old - it is VERY difficult otherwise to build an interest in the language unless you constantly use it at home.
b. Mathematics
P1 students are expected to:
- Add/subtract up to 100
- Number bonds
- Times table up to 10 (some 12)
- Abstract modeling to solve problems
- Read analog time (half past, quarter to, etc)
- work with numbers in numeric and alphabet form: eg. 10-8=? or what is the difference between ten and eight?
It is very different from during our times, where all we need to do is to memorize by heart the 12 times table. Kids are required to really UNDERSTAND the logic behind the math.
Take a peek at the P1 assessments when you drop by a Popular bookstore to get a feel for what your child is going to be up against.
To prepare for P1, the main thing to focus on would be to work on the speed of doing the fundamentals of addition and subtraction, and multiplication. Then your child can focus in class on the more complex and abstract logic and modeling processes. I highly recommend Kumon for this job... if you start your child in Kumon by K1, you can be sure that he will well prepared for P1 (and even P2!)
3. Parental Preparation
You must also prepare yourself to support your child! At least one parent has to take time out to guide the child on a daily basis on his schoolwork. It is VERY unlikely the child knows how to manage all the work thrown on him by himself. Nowadays, the schools EXPECT parents to do the job, or at least outsource the job to tutors.
Wish somebody has taught me all this before 
. But hey... at least others can now learn from my pain :).
Oh this is very informative and really appreciate for taking your time to share this valuable tips.
:thankyou:
I suggest not to market this because this is another promotional advertisement.
A child is a child. Forcing the child with additional mathematics, 5000 words essay, newspaper size composition article, biology, chemistry, physics will never gain. Please stop believing nor help spreading all these advertisements lies. We should not corrode our innocent children and society.[/quote]Yeah, i m not super super kiasu parents.
therefore, no TV, no phone, no computer, etc. However, it doesn't mean no 'relaxation'. Some student care will organise activities for the children - games and the occasional movie screening.
some student care doesn't allow nap time, doesn't have the shower facilities, doesn't permit the child what he / she wants / likes to do.