Learning through play with minimal academic focus

[ConcernedDaddy]

From letter published on straitstimes forum


http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/proper-childhood-mum-outlines-challenge-20120901

Proper childhood? Mum outlines challenge

I am a mother of three, aged four, six and eight, and a part-time teacher. This is my family's story about letting children play in kindergarten (\"'It's good for young children to play'\"; Monday).

Nicholas my son and eldest child, who is now in Primary 2, enrolled in a popular kindergarten that stressed learning through play, singing and team building, with minimal academic focus.

Apart from swimming lessons, there were no enrichment extras. He was having his childhood, and we were happy.

When he started Primary 1, he was excited and I took leave to volunteer in school. Then came the shock, for him and me.

He failed in English and mathematics consistently. He was not really reading because he wasn't taught to read in pre-school.

Then the calls started coming in from his school teachers, advising me to send Nicholas for enrichment classes and to get him more help. And that was what we did for an entire year, even as I asked myself why schools were not doing what the extra classes and tuition were.

He was tired. So was I. And I vowed that what happened to Nicholas would not happen to Sarah, my second child who begins Primary 1 next year.

She is currently attending two pre-schools; one focuses on play and cultural activities, while the other drills her on the three Rs that Primary 1 demands.

My husband and I believe that children should have their childhood and enjoy school. But I just do not want to be getting phone calls from the primary school teachers about Sarah as I did with Nicholas.

So before parents like me are told to let our children have their childhood, and as much as we believe it is the right thing to do, the primary school system must be changed to help us.

Lisa Latip (Madam)

[SAHM_TAN]

I wonder why knowing how to read, basic numeracy concepts means no childhood.


Why must it be so extreme? Happy childhood means play and min. academic focus, bad childhood means academic focus and min. play.

My childhood was good. I knew how to read and my numbers and I played a lot during my pre-school years. I was in PCF kindy. I’m a mother of 3 now. I’m sure this can be achieved now too. Why parents think now it’s either or?

I don’t think the PM meant for a child to not know how to read before going to P1 wor.

[ConcernedDaddy]

Maybe that’s the reality of life in Singapore. Education is everything here, and our maths science are top in the world. Kids have to be well prepared for primary 1, and there is a significant risk if you are not able to catch up when there are other kids that are more advanced. By that time, it will be seriously too late to regret.


However, for parents who can afford to emigrate to other countries, their kids will not need to be tied to the reality of the education system here.

[Jevons]

I agree with SAHM_TAN that it is not either or. My son was graduated from MindChamps preschool last year. He was very happy and loved going to school. Towards the last 2 years in preschool, my wife and I also worried whether he could cope as we didn’t see him doing any homework. It has been proved now that is over-concern. Not only my son. From what we chatted with other parents from the preschool, all agreed that their kids like going to school and feel learning is fun. He is doing well in P1, at least his teachers do not require him to go extra lessons to catch up with the rest!

[airdancer]

Learning doesn’t mean doing worksheets. Learning through play doesn’t mean just all play. Educational activities can be made fun.