2014 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[chloecube]

i got a puzzling issue here, not sure if any of the parents encounter the same thing


i’ve bought past year exam papers for DS to try doing at home (without answer sheet attached), he scored pretty well.

but when he does mock test in school or some assessment test in the tuition centre, he scored badly, really bad like 30+/100

i do not understand why, tried sitting him down and ask him, he only kept queit and sobbed (DS is an introvert)
i must make my guesses and list down the possiblilties before asking him.
such as,
-test paper too hard? (which is not quite possible, bcos as i ran through those paper, standard is about the same)
-not enough time
- too anxious till he blank out…
he answer to me was time given is too short.
but i do not think this is the real reason, he was given 1.5hr to do the paper, he can complete the paper at a much faster speed at home.

this happened too many times, for all his subjects…
i am really at my wits end

[janet88]

chloecube:

i do not understand why, tried sitting him down and ask him, he only kept queit and sobbed (DS is an introvert)

i must make my guesses and list down the possiblilties before asking him.
such as,
-test paper too hard? (which is not quite possible, bcos as i ran through those paper, standard is about the same)
-not enough time
- too anxious till he blank out..
he answer to me was time given is too short.
but i do not think this is the real reason, he was given 1.5hr to do the paper, he can complete the paper at a much faster speed at home.

this happened too many times, for all his subjects...
i am really at my wits end

-the stress getting test/exam done in classroom setting.
-test paper standard may be acceptable but child is distracted by others, especially if his classmates ask for paper or finishes before him.
-took too long at certain sections.
-simply blanked out.

[lurline]

ds has this problem too. For my case, it is because ds cannot focus in school, he said he is often distracted by other students or things. He did much better when he is alone in the room or in a small group.

[chloecube]

thks for replying


yes, maybe lack of focus and distraction is the problem
DS is easily distracted, simple things like my dog walk pass him while he is doing hw, he will look around or play with the dog while doing hw..
i can imagine how he will lose focus in a class of 40 pupils

but this is something i cannot do anything about it. had reminded him to focus while doing test and hw, easier said than done

[sharonkhoo]

chloecube:

i got a puzzling issue here, not sure if any of the parents encounter the same thing


i've bought past year exam papers for DS to try doing at home (without answer sheet attached), he scored pretty well.

but when he does mock test in school or some assessment test in the tuition centre, he scored badly, really bad like 30+/100

i do not understand why, tried sitting him down and ask him, he only kept queit and sobbed (DS is an introvert)
i must make my guesses and list down the possiblilties before asking him.
such as,
-test paper too hard? (which is not quite possible, bcos as i ran through those paper, standard is about the same)
-not enough time
- too anxious till he blank out..
he answer to me was time given is too short.
but i do not think this is the real reason, he was given 1.5hr to do the paper, he can complete the paper at a much faster speed at home.

this happened too many times, for all his subjects...
i am really at my wits end

It sounds like he's stressed. It may help to assure him that grades are not the be-all and end-all, and maybe teach him relaxation techniques too.

[SpartanMum]

Hi cholecube, what a frustrating problem.


Might be worthwhile trying again to reach out to him on the reasons behind this difference in marks in school and exploring how you and he can work together to overcome them?

Of course there is a fine balance here and asking him Why? Why? Why? over and over again may actually feel to him like you are stressing him out. But some gentle probing in a non-intrusive way might reveal something.

Sometimes other modalities of communication may help. Although I hate to admit it, I realise that whatsapp has actually helped DS1 and me bond. Even DH admits that it is helping us stay more connected. Sometimes whatsapp with its cute emoticons helps us reach out to our kids in a way that connects better with them. In fact the first thing DS1 does everyday when he reaches home is whatsapp me about his day.

Oh, one more thing, if DS has a discerning teacher, talking to her/him may also help.

All the best cholecube!

[chloecube]

thks for the methods


after hours of studying, i do let DS relax by playing some games on his hp, watch youtube, he likes to listen to songs and also fold origami.
he can fold all kind of origami just by looking at youtube ..
we will also bring him out swimming if the weather permits.
these are the few ways of taking his mind of study for the time being.

spartanmum, i do wat's app DS, but his reply were mostly one answer sentence
he doesnt like to talk much,even towards his own classmates when they have this group chat, he is the one reading and not much reply.

sometimes he doesnt even know when ppl text him

what i do is to tell him how much we love and care for him, (even if his result is not good, we still love him) even when i dun get a response from him ..

[SpartanMum]

Aw Cholecube …Can see you are trying your very best and that’s all us mummies can do!

[janet88]

son is easily distracted. if his classmate drops a pen or raises his hand, he will look around…and then find it hard to focus again.


as it can be stressful and tiring sitting at the table for long periods of time, I encourage him to cover his eyes and stretch his feet and arms.

[chloecube]

everyone say being a mom is not easy but i realised , \"being a mom is easy (anyone can be so long as you are pregnant and given birth), but being a GOOD mom is tough\"


i am not saying i am good, but striving to be one as much as i can, so long as it is within my means, and can help my kids to become a better and happier person, i am willing to give it a shot.

i believe majority of the mummy are like me