<![CDATA[Kids can be 'enriched' at home too]]>This article was first published in The Sunday Times on Jun 8, 2008


Kids can be 'enriched' at home too
I refer to the article, 'Oh boy, no break for tots, too?' (The Sunday Times, June1).

I do not think it is necessary for preschooler Victoria Ong to attend so many enrichment classes.

Her mother said the six-year-old can read secondary school essays and write very well.

My five-year-old daughter attends only one weekly Chinese enrichment class this year. She completed an 11-month weekly phonics course when she was four. Now, she can read English books meant for teenagers, and write sentences.

I taught her at home. I am also teaching my four-year-old son to read. He can now read simple books.

I am a full-time working mother who can spare at most 30 minutes a day to teach my children. Every day, they will read one page from a book. My daughter will write a few words or sentences, and my son will practise writing some letters.

I can understand why parents are so worried about preparing their children for primary school. But I think children still learn best at home.

Even if the parents think kindergarten alone is not enough to prepare their kids, reading, writing and mathematics skills can be taught easily at home.

Like the article said, the most important thing is for the youngsters to spend more time with their parents.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/342/kids-can-be-enriched-at-home-tooRSS for NodeMon, 17 Aug 2026 17:17:43 GMTWed, 11 Jun 2008 08:15:29 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Tue, 10 Nov 2020 04:43:34 GMT]]>I had recently embarked on a small project to ease home-based flashcard learning.


https://rebrand.ly/childrenflashcard

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2002120https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2002120Tue, 10 Nov 2020 04:43:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:10:51 GMT]]>Hi Tamarind,


Thank you for your reply. Now i have a clearer view of whether to send her to a school. 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74932https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74932Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:10:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:43:21 GMT]]>

spring:
Hi all.....


I had read thru tis thread as i am also on e side of enriching kids at home. I am jus like auntumnbronze who first came to this forum looking for a preschool for my gal. I hav read some posts of tamarind n bud also, n u guys had really inspired me to do more for my gal. Currently my dd is 25mths, recently had accompanied her for some enrichment classes like zoophonics n tumble tots, but seriously, i dun really see any beneficial thing for her. I think she learn more when i teach her at home.
E main reason i send her to these classes is to let her mix ard with other kids as shes e only child at hm now.

Tamarind, i rem u mention b4 tat kids below 4 is best to be taught one to one at hm, n i really agree with u after tryin out e enrichment classes. But for ur 1st child, do u send her to sch when she turn 4? Any prob with her to mingle with her classmates when she 1st start sch?

Hi spring,
My girl had no problems with her classmates at 4 years old, though she was quite quiet. By the time she was 5 years old, she has many good friends in class and she becomes very sociable and talkative now. I often stand outside the classroom to observe her and she seems to be always talking and laughing with her friends.

4 years old is definitely not too late to start social interaction with other kids. In fact, I think it is best to start at this age because kids generally speak well at this age and they are able to communicate with each other. I have observed a group of 18 months to 3 years old sitting together in a CC, about 8 of them, and none of them were interacting with each other !

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74537https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74537Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:43:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:31:17 GMT]]>Hi all…


I had read thru tis thread as i am also on e side of enriching kids at home. I am jus like auntumnbronze who first came to this forum looking for a preschool for my gal. I hav read some posts of tamarind n bud also, n u guys had really inspired me to do more for my gal. Currently my dd is 25mths, recently had accompanied her for some enrichment classes like zoophonics n tumble tots, but seriously, i dun really see any beneficial thing for her. I think she learn more when i teach her at home.
E main reason i send her to these classes is to let her mix ard with other kids as shes e only child at hm now.

Tamarind, i rem u mention b4 tat kids below 4 is best to be taught one to one at hm, n i really agree with u after tryin out e enrichment classes. But for ur 1st child, do u send her to sch when she turn 4? Any prob with her to mingle with her classmates when she 1st start sch?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74488https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74488Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:31:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:27:41 GMT]]>I am fully at the side of \"kids can be enriched at home\". Even through watching a movie, a drama, listening to a song, kids can be enriched on the morale, behavious and characters issue of each roles, the meanings and morale of the lyrics.


The most important is keep talking, keep asking and communicate. Knowledge and skills are learned through our daily life events and happenings, not purely from books or classes.

What I enjoy most nowadays is listen to my dd's happening in school and her encounters with different friend and classmates. Then we would analysise their characters, discuss her ways of handing the problems and handing them. 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74403https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74403Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:27:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:12:40 GMT]]>

autumnbronze:
[quote]I am one of those mummies who cannot teach. I envy and at the same time am humbled by those who are really able to put in that effort and make it work as well. I have tried, but it is just not in me.

Hey Funz,

You may be giving yourself less credit than you deserve. 😄

I'd like to think that most of the time (always is not possible at his age) I am playing the role of a facilitator more than a teacher in his education.

So Funz, for all you know, you may have been doing alot of teaching to your kids, albeit subconciously. 😉[/quote] 😉 I have always said that I am an accidental teacher. I do not set out with a structured programme. Or rather, I tried doing that and failed miserably. hehe. Yes as parents, we are always imparting knowledge to our kids and facilitating their learning all the time. But structured teaching of a concept be it language or maths, that I cannot do.

Like you, I let my kids take the lead. DS is obsessed with natural calamities like earthquakes and volcanoes, etc. So we hunt for materials and information on that topic and talk about it. Now he knows which countries have earthquake and volcanoes, the Ring of Fire. He knows what is a richter scale, and he learned words like dormant, eruption, spewing, etc. Now the topic is leading to Tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons. I am learning along with him.

DD on the other hand is currently very interested in the human body. I thought of bringing her for the bodyworld exhibit but decided not to in the end as I think it will scare her. We went to HPB earlier in the year and the graphic depictions of an amputee and the human size dummy with some of the insides showing gave her nightmares for days. So for now it is books that we turn to. DD is able to read independently so she is the one who will tell me, you know mummy, if we stretch our intestines out it will be xx feet, that will be xx times taller then me. But isn't it amazing that it can fit into my lower abdomen. Or she will tell me, mummy, as you grow, you have lesser and lesser bones in your body. I thought she was referring to bone mass but she was actually referring to actual number of bones, then she went on to elaborate about how the bones fuse together as we grow. So she is teaching me.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74394https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74394Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:12:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:08:24 GMT]]>

Funz:
I am a strong advocator of cultivating a reading habit. Once our kids develop the habit of reading, it can open a whole world of new discoveries for them. Not just vocab and grammer but knowledge. Not to mention we get peace and quiet. hehe.

Me too ! 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74390https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74390Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:08:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:27:59 GMT]]>

tamarind:

If we wait until the child is in P1 and shows that he cannot cope, then it will be too late. We also have to take into consideration the quality of teachers in primary schools. Not all school teachers are good in teaching. I often heard of school teachers telling parents that their kids need tuition !
I did not say to wait till the child is in P1. I think we parents will be able guage how the child is coping even before they start formal schooling. Especially if they have been to preschools. I am not suggesting waiting till P1. I put both my kids in Tien Hsia cos they are weak in Chinese and their exposure is limited. But if they have been able to cope, I would rather spend that amount of money and time on something else.

tamarind:
It is not about putting the child ahead of the syllabus. I have heard of a case where a P1 child had to withdraw from the school and go back to kindergarten because he could not cope.
Yes I have encountered similar cases too. But such cases are usually due to the child having some learning disabilities or non conducive learning home environment. Not because they were not prepared.
tamarind:
I meant it for parents who cannot teach their kids at home, and their kids are attending kindergartens which may not prepare the kids well for P1. Enrichment classes for English and Chinese are necessary for these kids if parents want them to have an easier time in P1.
That is the way I see it too. To me there is nothing non-negotiable where enrichments are concerned. It all depends on whether my kids are able to cope. If they are already coping well in English and Chinese, then why send them for these classes again?
tamarind:
When I teach at home, I actually do not follow the primary school syllabus at all. My kids are not doing any primary school assessment books. Instead, I let them read all the wonderful children's classics, which they enjoy very much, and at the same time, they build up their vocabulary and learn grammar 😉
I totally agree with that. I have seen parents who follow the school syllabus to the point of buying assessments that are a year ahead to teach their kids at home. To me there is a danger in doing that, when it comes time for the school to cover that syllabus, the child will be bored or have a been there done that attitude which will lead to compacency.

I am a strong advocator of cultivating a reading habit. Once our kids develop the habit of reading, it can open a whole world of new discoveries for them. Not just vocab and grammer but knowledge. Not to mention we get peace and quiet. hehe.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74365https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74365Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:27:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:07:06 GMT]]>[quote]I am one of those mummies who cannot teach. I envy and at the same time am humbled by those who are really able to put in that effort and make it work as well. I have tried, but it is just not in me.[/quote]
Hey Funz,

You may be giving yourself less credit than you deserve. 😄

Just to share this with you - I don't have a structured programme for my son per se. In fact, at six mths when I bought his first flashcards, I realized that I wasn't enjoying teaching him in that manner (perhaps because of my teacher training backgrd, so I pay alot of attention to teaching methods).

So subsequently, his learning environment became structured and unstructured. Its unstructured cuz most of the time I take up his cue. For example, he developed a recent fascination for the rice cooker. It becomes structured when I let him touch the item, show him the plug etc..., try to explain the mechanics behind the workings of the rice cooker. Then, when I was about to cook the rice, I showed him how much rice and water was needed, switched it on and showed him when the steam came out. At the same time, I also took the opportunity to explain the intense heat and the dangers of touching something hot. As reinforcement, I then ask him to identify the parts of the rice cooker. And I want his learning environment to be as natural as possible. At 27 mths, I think he is too young to have a 'classroom' sort of environment.

I also play loads of audio CDs in the car and at home. You will be amazed how young kids can pick up the words. He learnt to sing the ABC song that way as well as picking up sound words(phonics). I sing songs like to the tune of 'Clementine' and make up the lyrics just so he can get the gist of what I am doing. Now, when I sing 'Pussycat, Pussycat where have you been'? My son makes up the answers!!

He is able to count to 20 just by listening to me count the stairs as we go up and down. In fact, he picked up counting in Mandarin from 1 to 10 much much faster than in EL. We teach him colours by showing him the red man and green man (traffic lights) and now he knows that when its green, he can cross the road etc..

When my mom fell down recently while mopping the floor, we had to bring her the hospital and during the whole episode and her admission, my DH was explaining to my son everything that was going on, the fact that Grdma was in pain and could not walk etc... and that he must 'sayang' her and we also explained that it was dangerous to run on wet floors and that one should walk carefully.

I'd like to think that most of the time (always is not possible at his age) I am playing the role of a facilitator more than a teacher in his education.

So Funz, for all you know, you may have been doing alot of teaching to your kids, albeit subconciously. 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74346https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74346Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:07:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:42:00 GMT]]>My 2 cents. Knowing your ABCs at a young age doesn’t guarantee success academically or increasing the kids’ IQ. In fact, it made parents like me panic (once upon a time). It’s actually a good thing as long as you don’t get overly upset when your kid is slow in picking up or showing no interest.


In fact, enrichment doesn’t have to be limited to academic … and don’t frown upon interests that you think will not aid in their academic pursuit.

My DS didn’t read until he was in K2 or P1. Now that I think back, it is a matter of timing. Whatever time he lost in reading during pre-school, he is making it all up now … he is always borrowing books from his school library and never stops reading.

Up till today, my DS still doesn’t know his times table by heart. He is the type who resists rote learning. The only remarkable thing I remember is that from 3 year old onwards, his ability to construct stuff is probably 2 years ahead of peers his age.

Instead of blinding following other parents, I accepted that my DS is not study material and instead help fuel his interest in building by buying lots of complex fixing toys for him and catering to his areas of interest (history/maths). Those toys are expensive. It pays off too. He is now doing extremely well in Maths and Science.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74279https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74279Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:42:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:11:22 GMT]]>Someone (whose family in education) told me before that in elite/popular schools, teachers tend not to teach the basics anymore cos they feel that parents would have already sent their kids for enrichment. It’s more at those neighbourhood schools where kids may not have been exposed to enrichment that teachers will start from the very beginning.


I will not be surprised if this is true and hence agree with Tamarind that our kids should be exposed to as much of the languages as we can during their preschool years. Once in Primary school, it’s P1, P2, P3…the march is relentless.

It may just be my kiasuness, but then, I rather my kids be at a comfortable pace in school and not having to keep scrambling to catch up.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74253https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74253Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:11:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:08:36 GMT]]>

Melchan:
I am so sick of mums who keep comparing to see whose kids can recognise all the alphabets, read words or speak sentences or sing that song... does it all mean anything??? We are the ones creating the black hole and sucking into it ourselves by failing to recognise that education is more than all these indicators. Knowing your ABCs at a young age doesn't guarantee that ur be a smart thinking kid. I think nuturing a kid from young on self confidence to solve their problems can lead to so much more in life.
Yes I have read about mommies who wrote that their kids know all the ABCs at 15 months or younger, etc. I don't feel sick lah. I am honestly happy for them to have such bright kids. It is perfectly fine for these mommies to be proud of their kids' abilities, and to write about it in a forum. I don't think that they mean to be boastful.

My younger boy did not know all his ABCs at 3 years 3 months old 😉 The truth is that he will have to work much harder compared to the very bright kids who can learn effortlessly. Mommy is prepared to support him all the way :love:

autumnbronze:
Then I came across this forum while searching for a preschool, and aft going thru the relevant threads and blogs, like Tamarind's, Buds etc.. I have to say that these postings really gave me a clearer perspective as to what I really want for my son.
I am glad to know that you find my blog useful 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74251https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74251Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:08:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:53:39 GMT]]>

Funz:
tamarind:



I think english and chinese enrichment classes are definitely non-negotiable. Where to find kids who will say that they like to study ?

But anything other than that, I totally respect my kid's choice. Then when he grows up and ask me \"Mommy why you never let me learn piano\", then I can say \"You say you don't want mah !\" Good way to save money too.

For me all enrichments are optional. English and Chinese will be taught in school, unless they are not able to cope then will I send them for additional enrichments for these.

For me enrichments are for letting them experience more or learn things that are not taught in school or to nurture a talent that they may have exhibited, not to put them ahead of the school syllabus.

I am one of those mummies who cannot teach. I envy and at the same time am humbled by those who are really able to put in that effort and make it work as well. I have tried, but it is just not in me.


If we wait until the child is in P1 and shows that he cannot cope, then it will be too late. We also have to take into consideration the quality of teachers in primary schools. Not all school teachers are good in teaching. I often heard of school teachers telling parents that their kids need tuition !

The standards of English and Chinese in P1 are so high nowadays. Kids must start to learn both English and Chinese from 3 years old in order to be able to follow up in P1. It is better to start early, learn consistently for a short period of time every day, compared to cramping all the learning in K2 or P1.

It is not about putting the child ahead of the syllabus. I have heard of a case where a P1 child had to withdraw from the school and go back to kindergarten because he could not cope.

Actually I wrote that statement back in Jun 2008. I also wrote this :
tamarind:
I agree that many parents probably do not know how to teach phonics,etc. So it will be beneficial to send the kids to a phonics enrichment class, or a Chinese enrichment class if the child is not in a chinese speaking environment.
I meant it for parents who cannot teach their kids at home, and their kids are attending kindergartens which may not prepare the kids well for P1. Enrichment classes for English and Chinese are necessary for these kids if parents want them to have an easier time in P1.

In my case, my kids do not attend any English enrichment classes (except my girl who attended 11 months of phonics class and nothing more), because I am able to teach them English at home. However, I do not have enough time to teach them Chinese at home, so I sent them to Berries. Their kindergartens do teach both English and Chinese, but I want them to have a very strong foundation in the languages, so they don't have to struggle when they are in primary school.

When I teach at home, I actually do not follow the primary school syllabus at all. My kids are not doing any primary school assessment books. Instead, I let them read all the wonderful children's classics, which they enjoy very much, and at the same time, they build up their vocabulary and learn grammar 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74245https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/74245Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:53:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:38:01 GMT]]>

tamarind:


I think english and chinese enrichment classes are definitely non-negotiable. Where to find kids who will say that they like to study ?

But anything other than that, I totally respect my kid's choice. Then when he grows up and ask me \"Mommy why you never let me learn piano\", then I can say \"You say you don't want mah !\" Good way to save money too.
For me all enrichments are optional. English and Chinese will be taught in school, unless they are not able to cope then will I send them for additional enrichments for these.

For me enrichments are for letting them experience more or learn things that are not taught in school or to nurture a talent that they may have exhibited, not to put them ahead of the school syllabus.

I am one of those mummies who cannot teach. I envy and at the same time am humbled by those who are really able to put in that effort and make it work as well. I have tried, but it is just not in me.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/73915https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/73915Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:38:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:14:32 GMT]]>The wonderful thing abt this forum is that because of the 'sharing sessions', parents are then able to make sound judgements about issues they need answers to.


As a mother of a 27 mth old, I too was interested in some of the enrichment courses like Shichida etc... Because he is my only child, I really wanted to have the best of evrything and not deprive him of anything if its gging to benefit him. Then I came across this forum while searching for a preschool, and aft going thru the relevant threads and blogs, like Tamarind's, Buds etc.. I have to say that these postings really gave me a clearer perspective as to what I really want for my son.

At the end of the day, I did not sign him up for any enrichment classes but rather am teaching him at home. And I emphasize alot on character education, the instilling of values like saying please, thank you, asking for permission together with the imparting of academic knowledge. He only attends Mandarin playgrp 2x a week because we do not come from a mandarin speaking backgrd and I want him to start early and he goes for gym once a week.

Later on as he grows older, like Rachelmum, I will send him for lessons on how to play a musical instrument. I have even scrapped the idea of sending him for art lessons for the time being. Instead, I bought an easel and let him draw and paint and if I believe he has the potential to be really good in art, then I will encourage him further by enrolling him for a suitable art class. As for the enrichment courses like Shichida, personally, I feel that my child's way of thinking and absorbing information shd be developed naturally. Again, if I think he is having problems with that, then I will consider putting him in these classes, but only if whatever methods I have tried with him have failed.

At the moment, he is doing really fine at home. I do, however, make it a point to enrol him for short holidays courses like the ones conducted by zoophonics so that he gets to mingle abit with other kids when his playgrp stops for the holidays.

To end off, I'd really like to say a big :thankyou: to the 'regulars' in this forum and to the many others who have willingly taken the time to share their inputs.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/73621https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/73621Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:14:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:38:56 GMT]]>Hi Rachelmum,

thanks for sharing your experience. It is very inspirational to reach about successful home education. NOwadays, many mothers depend too much on outside enrichment classes thinking that it will give the child an edge on the academic ladder. Sometimes, we bring them to enrichment classes as an excuse not to teach them ourselves. Or we do not try hard enough to spend some time dedicated to teaching our child. I think many mums buy into all these marketing gimmicks of how some centres promise to turn your child around etc etc. After reading your posting, i am determined not to sign up for all these expenisve enrichment classes for time being and put more effort into home educating. I have seen some really intelligent angmo kids around 2 to 3 yrs of age and they are all self taught by their moms. And i have seen kids who go to shichida, GUG etc.. and they dun seem very brilliant to me. I think it all depends on the parents utimately to nuture your children. Spending money is never a guarantee of success. It makes the parents feel like they are doing something for the child but there is no guuarantee that spending all those money to get them ready for P1 will mean anything. Moreover, now many schools have scrapped exams for P1. I think giving them a positive learning experience and giving a good foundation early in life on approach to things is every important to cultivate them and prepare them for the future. It is the character that builds the person and drives his future success. Not so much who knows ABCs at an earlier age. I am so sick of mums who keep comparing to see whose kids can recognise all the alphabets, read words or speak sentences or sing that song... does it all mean anything??? We are the ones creating the black hole and sucking into it ourselves by failing to recognise that education is more than all these indicators. Knowing your ABCs at a young age doesn't guarantee that ur be a smart thinking kid. I think nuturing a kid from young on self confidence to solve their problems can lead to so much more in life.

Anyway, just my two cents worth. :celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/73062https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/73062Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:38:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:31:28 GMT]]>rachelmum,

Thanks for sharing 😄

I also believe that kids learn best at home, when given one to one attention.

Kids who are sent to enrichment classes before the age of 4 generally do not learn as much as kids who are taught by their mommies at home. It is really a big waste of money but many parents do not understand that.

I used to send my boy to Zoophonics enrichment class. After 5 months, he learned nothing. I withdrew him from the class. Each month cost me $100. I wasted not only the money spent, but also the time bringing him there and waiting for him.

I decided to teach my kids at home. I myself is a full time working mommy, and I can only afford to spend 15 - 20 minutes a day teaching my kids. Both my kids are able to read very well before the age of 5. And it is not just simple picture books, but books with more than 200 hundred words a page :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2009/09/books-they-love.html

No other enrichment classes in Singapore, no matter how expensive, can claim to be able to do that.

My younger boy is of average learning ability, with an attention span of less than 5 mins. He learns well only when given one to one attention.

The only enrichment class my kids go to is Berries chinese class which I think is worth the money because the teachers do give each child one to one attention for at least a short period of time during every lesson.

You also brought up a very important point of spending quality time learning together. Many mommies think that teaching kids at home means hard work. However, I enjoy every minute when I listen to my kids read out loud to me everyday. We have so much fun acting out the story and there are often lots of laughter when the kids are learning. It is so much better than watching TV or playing computer games.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/69743https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/69743Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:31:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:42:29 GMT]]>I am teaching my 18 mth old at the comfort at home

as we are based in a foreign country at the moment since she turns one
where English is not widely spoken, not even to think of getting English or Chinese resources,
her learning path is not deterred.

I am glad & no regrets that i had given up my corporate high heels for
the precious time spent with her.

At 9mths, she spoke her 1st words.

At 14 mths, she had learnt & well versed in phonetic alphabets with
some help from edu DVD & through our play time.

She also learnt to read some basic 200++ English & Chinese words on
flash cards (which i bought from SG but i don flash, let her admire the
pictures) & my hand-written cards with words on 1 side & cut-out pictures
on the other, from mag/ brochures/ product catalogues.

At 18 mths, she can recite the 26 alphabets,
-count to 12 (read numerals to 20),
-tell the characteristics of animals (eg, lion has mane/ bear has paws/ zebra has strips),
-reading 3-letter word phonic cards (home-made),
-indicates when she need to go to the toilet (esp, poop),
-take instructions to keep her toys/ books,
-ask for \"help\" or \"please\" if she is requesting for something
-read simple sentences (esp large fonts)
-recognise the basic 11 colours
-recognise the basic shapes
-hold a paint brush/ crayon properly by herself & doodle
-play a normal playground slide by herself etc.

Early education/ literary is important as the child is able to express
herself better hence less tantrum.
She will still have moments of mischief, after all she is still a toddler.

Had never forced her into anything that she is not willing to take on.
Stop when she indicates if enough.

Had never spent a single cent on academic enrichment class so far & had improvised many learning resources.
Now even the local baby gym is free in the shopping mall, what i can ask for!

The best thing i had spent as a parent is TIME!

I dont think my child is exceptionally brilliant but we simply enjoy the time playing & learning together. :love:

Some day I will send her to enrichment classes like music/ learning an
instrument which is way beyond my capability.

I hope she can interact with her peers well despite she had learnt many things ahead.

By giving her a sound foundation, i hope she will work herself up the level
where she is comfortable. She is the one who is responsible for her future, not me!

I came from some branded sec school/ Uni myself with my own effort
with no enhancement of enrichment courses/ tuition classes.
Not born with a silver spoon, of course.

Likewise, my children had to work hard for what they would like to achieve.
If eveyone is No. 1, then who will be no. 2? just my 2 cts worth.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/69718https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/69718Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:42:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:58:44 GMT]]>Haha, that is the 'job' of the media 🙂


But our job as parents, is to do the best we can for our kids within reasonable limits. I think we can always bring our children to lots of classes, but ultimately, I think our children's health (physical and mental) is most important. I am sure we have met a lot of people who have sick children, and I always try to tell myself how lucky I am to have healthy children. We sometimes forget the most basic things, in pursuit of the 'lofty good-to-haves'.

Ultimately we are all parents, so we can understand the concerns behind each parent's post. We tell ourselves not to be kiasu, but when we hear of other parents sending their kids to very good schools, we are afraid that because of our own 'judgement', we deny our own children. Hence sometimes we are in a dilemma, and as parents we are not perfect too. With my first child I am a little more 'kiasu' haha, but with the second one, I'm more 'relaxed' and more sure of what I want.

What can I say.. it's a learning process 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2255https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2255Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:58:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:04:18 GMT]]>I think the "issue" is whether it is right for us parents say that certain types of enrichment courses are "non-negotiable". Is it good for us to arbitrarily decide on behalf of our children what is good for them? Would that constitute a violation of our children’s rights? Conversely, is it right for us to only let them do the things they like, even though we know there are skills that they need badly which they don’t like acquiring?


The problem with the media is that they tend to sensationalize things. "XYZ are sending their children to expensive pre-schools that they can barely afford". "ABC are making their toddlers attend enrichment courses 6 days a week". And these reports portray such parents as kiasu, brand-conscious, and basically… brainless parents who unnecessarily stress their children. From this thread alone, it is clear that we parents may be kiasu (because the system made us), but we are definitely not stupid. We do generally know the importance of a balanced life for our children.

I suspect the reporters of such articles are probably non-parents. As I have always said… only parents will understand the stress of nurturing children through the complex stratas of our Singapore education system.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2202https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2202Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:04:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:19:43 GMT]]>Oh, and for the record, I also believe that character building begins at home 🙂


No school, no matter how branded, can ensure this. I think this is something that parents MUST take ownership on.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2201https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2201Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:19:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:16:46 GMT]]>You are right that most of the enrichment classes are very ‘fun’. The intent (I hope) is to make learning ‘fun’, and whilst it is still ‘fun’, to expose the children and let them absorb as much as possible.


I start by asking my child first if this is what he wants. I try to tell him that once you start a class, you will have to stick to it, especially when it’s something that he asks for. I hope he understands what I’m saying, because he seemed to agree with me!

In future, I will probably just ask him to choose one thing to learn first, for instance, musical instrument or taekwando (just an example). I will try to tell him that once you decide on it, try to stick to it. Of course, if I find that it is disrupting his school-life / overall well-being, then I will probably have to make the move to pull him out after he has tried hard enough.

You know as parents, we are always in a dilemma. Do you enrol your child in something that he/she is good at and loves (for instance, music), or something which you know he/she is less developed in?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2200https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2200Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:16:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:07:09 GMT]]>

kaitlynangelica:
Hee hee...........my gal also said her phonics not fund and will give all kinds of excuses not to go. But that is also non-negotiable cos she k1 liao and still cannot read. After the phonics class ( about 2 months ) can now read 2 and 3-letter words.

I think english and chinese enrichment classes are definitely non-negotiable. Where to find kids who will say that they like to study ?

But anything other than that, I totally respect my kid's choice. Then when he grows up and ask me \"Mommy why you never let me learn piano\", then I can say \"You say you don't want mah !\" Good way to save money too.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2176https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2176Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:07:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kids can be 'enriched' at home too on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:03:59 GMT]]>

ChiefKiasu:
While it is good and nice to get a child to buy into doing an enrichment course, the question is how does the child know what his preferences are to make his decision when he has never experienced it himself? All children love to have fun. The way enrichment classes work is to try to inject fun and excitement into the activities so as to keep the kids interested while teaching concepts. How do children learn to do more serious things if everything must be fun before they do it?


And what if the child says NO only midway through the course? Do you stop the course immediately? Would that not signal to the child that it is ok to give up when things get tough?

These are the questions that keep me awake at night 🙂
Your questions in bold, my answers, \"Exactly!\"

Some kids (and even adults) are afraid to venture into unknown grounds, and will strongly resent going for extra classes when you brought up the issue to them. The fact is that they do not know what is in store for them, so they prefer to shut them out and remain status quo.
My boy resent going for his swimming lessons when I first enrolled him. Through many reassurance and some lessons later, he started to enjoy them. But as the students need to change instructors as they progress through different stages of learning, the first day of his third term, he cried and asked me to withdraw him immediately. Did I give in to his request? No...as I know very well his reason of wanting to withdraw even before he told me. Now, a month into the 3rd term and he is thanking me that I did not withdraw him as he enjoys swimming class very much.

As to 'will i stop the course halfway if the going gets tough', the answer is that i will only stop if the teacher/environment/curriculum is unsuitable for my boy. As I enrolled my boy in mostly basic and necessary enrichment (eg academic and life-saving skills ie swimming) - at the moment, I believe that these are essential courses that he needs to go through whether he likes it or not.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2158https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2158Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:03:59 GMT