Just want to share feedback regarding the acorn class.


Material was simple, just a few pages of black white printed ws on construction paper

Lots of direct teaching by teacher talking non stop, good if you like very old school, teacher directed learning. Lots of writing, not really very guided so it's good if your child can already write well.

The T accused my child for asking me for help just because she did not believe that he came up with the answer himself as he wasn't able to explain how he got the answer. She didnt believe him even after he clarified that he did it himself, just because as he is not the strongest student. She went on to shame him in class, discredit his honest effort and brushed him aside. When my child explained his answer in a disorganised manner, she just keep repeating \"somebody helped you with this, that's why you can't explain\"

What would a good educator do instead?

They will guide him to organise his thought process and help to build confidence rather than fling accusations at the child.

My child loves all his teachers. However, he came to tell me he hates these lesson and kept asking me to stop the lessons. I feel guilty for putting him through many hours of endless droning that wasted so much of his time. His confidence is also thwarted by the teacher discrediting his honest attempt.

That being said if your child is strong she will treat you differently and the attention will be on you. Otherwise, she will see you child through coloured glasses and doubt his honest efforts.

Do note that the T always insists she is right. When I mention that online and live lessons are different in nature, she insisted that with no distractions they are the same. She said that children shld be able to stay focussed for 1.5hr of non-stop lessons, unless they have some learning disabilities like adhd. Clearly she does not have much knowledge regarding attention span by age.

I'm not sure where she gets her teaching qualifications from so it might be good to check, as she does not seem to understand child psychology and updated pedagogy. I've encountered many teachers before as an educator, and most of them are really nurturing and believes in positive education instead of shaming.

I'm just giving an alternative point of view here, since the fb page only allows glowing reviews. There are some other feedback here that I can resonate with:
https://singaporemotherhood.com/forum/threads/any-mummies-with-kids-taking-thinking-course.219/

staff to child ratio is Terrible

dont think this sch is recommended. went for a visit and it seems too over crowded and teachers looked like they have too many children to handle.

sometimes we hear fierce scoldings when i walk my dog nearby, not sure if it’s normal but i wouldn’t send my child there


went for a visit once and the place was poorly maintained and seema overcrowded

Any reviews for Bethesda Bukit Arang? Heard from p they dont teach phonics…hope to hear from anyone who placed their kids there…thanks!:)

I’ve called to check with Principal and she mentioned they dont teach phonics even in k1 and k2. Is that normal?

Thank you;)