We have some bad experience with the Clementi Branch before we pulled out. Besides, having not very qualified teachers who constantly marked the papers wrongly, we also find the franchisee of the Clementi Branch to be too commercially minded. Would advise everyone to avoid this branch and go to other branches.

Thanks Love Cloud, slmkhoo and ammonite.


Yes, we suspect he has some form of ADHD. Upon his kindergarten’s teacher recommendations, we have sent him to KK for evaluation. At that time, they said he was too young to be confirmed. Also, as he knows that he has to behave well during these sessions, they think he is unlikely a ADHD, as ADHD cannot control themselves. The question is then, why he cannot controlled in classrooms when I am not around. Beside, I being not around, the school hours are too long for him to be in his self-controlled state. He simply need to burst out.

Actually, it is a struggle for him to do his tests which are 45 mins to 1 hour. I am trying to train him to do mock tests at home for 45 mins and I can see how difficult it is for him to stay focus.

PS> Love Cloud - last weekend, I tried to introduce some "play" elements while he was doing his grammar assessment questions. I do get some positive results. There was less tension and he does his work a little bit faster. Will keep on experimenting. Generally, I am a rather serious person, but will try to loosen up. Thanks

Hi Slmkhoo


I wish I could follow what you have advised. Whenever I cut down his play time for not focusing during work time, he would cry and refuse to work. He can be very stubborn at time, and does not mind sacrificing his play time.

However, I want to be fair to him, and that why I asked how much hours per day for enrichment school/homework is considered reasonable.

He just told me the other day that he wishes he was like a robot and is able to work as fast/efficient as I wanted him to be. He said he cannot help getting distracted. On one hand, I can see he is trying hard to please me. On the other hand, he simply cannot do it and not motivated enough to work harder. He does care much about the quality of his work in school nor the test results. However, in a recent test, he went home crying after he think he had missed out answering three questions. While, we are sad that he did not do well for the test, we were happy that he is at least "conscious" about his grades. He told us he has tried his best but there was not enough time. Since he tried his best, we did not scold him or anything. We always told him that we just need him to try his best and do a "check".

Welcome any suggestions on getting him to be efficient.

Hi


I try to answer some of your queries.

He is attending the popular enrichment schools. However, as I worked till late at night, I do not have time to teach him except weekends, which then become quite stressful for both of us as I tried to cover as much as possible. Hence, at weekends, he will study/homework 3 to 4 hours. He is not "efficient" as he is easily distracted.

He come back home around 2pm if there is no enrichment school. If there is, then it can be in late afternoon. He sleeps at 9pm / 9.30pm.

I cherish my childhood - catching spiders, catching fishes in the canals, marbles, lying down and doing nothing, etc. I would like him to go thru some of these. However, does it means that I ignore the grades and let him have more playtime ? By giving more playtime, will he be more focus in school and his grade will catch up?

If his grades are stable, I will be most pleased to give him more playtime.

Got mixed advices from my friends - some say tighten and some say let go. : (

Hi Slmkoo


My son is academically weak, so should I increase or reduce his homework/tuition time.

He has tuitions on alternate weekdays, then swimming and martial art on Saturday.
When he has tuitions, it will be about one hour homework. If he has no tuition, then it will be about two hours homework with one hour break in between.
The rest of the days are spent on travelling and eating his lunch and dinner (which may be one hour each).
Is this reasonable ?

Would like to ask experienced parents how much time is deemed reasonable for an eight years old to spend on homework, assessment book, tuition, etc , each day (after his normal school hours) ?


Some parents told me that I am not letting my child have enough time to play and explore. As such, he is unable to think on his own and this is shown up on his inability to write composition, etc.

Another group of parents said that since he is weak, he needs to spend more time on tuition to build his foundation, etc. Otherwise, he cannot catch up with the rest of the class and will fall back further.

I know there is no clear cut answer that fits all. However, there must be some range where everyone agree is reasonable. Or alternatively, what is a clear sign that enough is enough ?

Would really like to hear from all the experienced parents.
Thanks ahead.

Hi



Thanks for the recommendation. However, my son have a problem focusingin a classroo environment. That is whyi am looking for private tutor. Thanks

Dear Parents


Can someone advise which year in Primary School are the children allow to use these electronic dictionary ?
Also, if they have these electronic dictionary, do they still need to learn how to use the paper dictionary in the old traditional manner.
My kid is currently in lower primary and I am wondering whether to get him to use the paper dictionary or the electronic one.

Your kind advise , please.

Dear Fellow Parents


I am in desperate need of a good English tutor for my P2 boy. He needs a lot of help with his Grammar. We are living in Clementi area. Does anyone have someone good to recommend ?

Thanks ahead.

Mpm is good for preschooler as it gets them to be interested in maths. But do avoid the one is Clementi. The problem is that they are all franchise and some are not so professiionally run. The teachers marked incorrectly quite often.