rawsalmon\" post_id=\"2042899\" time=\"1634657399\" user_id=\"31470:

Hi all,
Anyone know of any good English tuition centre where RI boys will go to and the centre is good in teaching expo essays? My boy will be in Sec 3 next year. Thanks.

My son and his RI classmates attend this English class together but not sure if you are still looking for one. Do email me if you are interested to find out more at dtjdtj@yahoo.com

ngl2010:

For those going to RI... You don’t need to worry that CCA will clash with 3rd language because the school assigns Tuesday as 3rd language day so there are no CCAs on Tuesdays.

It is compulsory for all RI boys to take Malay as 3rd language right? I thought I vaguely heard this during their open house.. can u confirm? Is It tough? My son is worried about the Malay language hahaha

ngl2010:

For those going to RI... You don’t need to worry that CCA will clash with 3rd language because the school assigns Tuesday as 3rd language day so there are no CCAs on Tuesdays.

It is compulsory for all RI boys to take Malay as 3rd language right? I thought I vaguely heard this during their open house.. can u confirm? Is It tough? My son is worried about the Malay language hahaha

ngl2010:

For those going to RI... You don’t need to worry that CCA will clash with 3rd language because the school assigns Tuesday as 3rd language day so there are no CCAs on Tuesdays.

It is compulsory for all RI boys to take Malay as 3rd language right? I thought I vaguely heard this during their open house.. can u confirm? Is It tough? My son is worried about the Malay language hahaha

ngl2010:

For those going to RI... You don’t need to worry that CCA will clash with 3rd language because the school assigns Tuesday as 3rd language day so there are no CCAs on Tuesdays.

It is compulsory for all RI boys to take Malay as 3rd language right? I thought I vaguely heard this during their open house.. can u confirm? Is It tough? My son is worried about the Malay language hahaha

Blessedwife:

Hi DTJ


I agreed with what you said. During the several gradings which we accompanied our boy. We saw many of the kids not well prepared at all. While doing the grading, some of them totally forgotten the steps but the examiner was too kind to give them 2nd chance. So far, I only witnessed coaching from 2 schools.
One is too commercial and business is very good ! Many parents just simply enjoy watching their little ones playing games ! When I said playing games, the centre actually let then \"play\" for 45 mins and the last 15 mins are left for the real teaching !
Hence, it is not surprisingly that I saw some parents actually confronted the master/teachers why their children cannot perform during gradings. Of course, to me, it is not sufficient to just depend on the teachers to coach in school. We as parents must also took videos of the patterns and practice with them at home.

Another school I encountered is totally different !
No games ! The master/teachers really put in a lot of effort to teach them the patterns and sparrings. I told my boy this is the school that I want for him because he is already a junior black belt. No more playing games and waste his time week after week

I must say the master is very strict but my boy gained a lot under his guidance. He also emphasized to the students to be respectful to the parents and teachers at all times ! :please:

Hi Bleesedwife,
Glad to know there are like-minded parents.
I was initially worried how some parents might misconstrue my post as \"discouraging\". But really, when I see some of those kids at grading (i think you know what I mean) - I kept wondering why were they there? Firstly, wobbly stance, then weak kicks, then their punches became scratch heads' tools (ie punch midway can scratch their heads!) and finally forgetting steps altogether... some even demonstrated wrong steps!!! The examiner looks at 6 kids at 1 time ....so he might have missed the kid who took the wrong turn. To me , it is very \"mass produce\" type. I think 4 kids at 1 go should be the maximum. I hope STF will ACTIVELY ensure there is a minimum standard and that the standard is not compromised. The way I look at it, the standard has somewhat come down a bit. In my previous centre, I know of many kids who passed when they shouldn't.. even the instructor tells them \"you're so lucky to pass\" When I discussed with the instructor, he sighed and told me \"nowadays TKD is classified as a \"Sport\" not a \"martial art\"\" :yikes: Whatever that means. Haha.

I like what I am hearing from you - that the master is strict and instills discipline. Can you let me know where does your son learn TKD (please PM me if you don't feel comfortable disclosing in forum). Please also PM me which is the \"play play\" centre too.. hahaha.

jedamum:

Dtj,

My son is also going for blue in two week's time, started 1.5 years ago with no double promotion though we felt he did fantastic in his latest two colours. To brag (pai say), his moves are more solid than some of the red and red/black seniors. But he wasn't like that previously. He struggled with his initial belt patterns, unable to follow or remember the moves. And lacks concentration and focus. Not only because the group was too big initially, but also because he was 6 plus only at that time. So maturity plays a part, but those starting early, one day when time is right, their moves may mature so long they kept interested in the sport. I noted one of his other peer who used to be messed up in his moves, lately being pretty good too.

I attended every training too. Husband did not as he was from \"non federation\" and if he could have his way, he would have took son out to join his preferred outfit. I also noted that some kids who \"could not\" follow or are not polished in their patterns, are pretty good in sparring. The stamina and agility. While my kid likes to spar, i see him more suited for the pattern route as his shortsightedness is already a major disadvantage. Not to mention, his mum has a weak heart seeing him spar....(those potential good sparring students have very supportive parents.)

Hi Jedamum,
Nice to know your kid is also taking the blue belt test. I think he is Primary 2 this year? Yup some are more suitable for patterns; whilst others are more suitable for sparring. My son enjoys sparring. I say \"enjoys\" because he is not good at it hahaha but he likes it. IMO, he is more suited for pattern. I think a lot depends on character of the child. My child is a non-agressor , shy and very quiet boy so he is not the \"attacker\".

My post above was basically to share with parents new to TKD and hence unsure when they should start their kids. As I am personally trained in TKD (yah although eons ago haha), I do feel \"sad\" when i see some kids struggling with the pattern during grading especially with wobbly stance and kicks. The coach should have prepared them better or advised them to wait for next grading. It is afterall a test... I am seriously hoping there will be a minimum standard in TKD in Singapore :nailbite: I guess it is very different from my time :scratchhead:

erlisa:

I'm looking for an art class for my 9 year old boy. He has attended a sketching class over the June holidays. Would love him to continue at the same place but it's too far in the East. I'm located in Woodlands, and looking for a class within North area.


Looking for sketching class, and progress to different forms of art such as oil panting.

May I know where did your son attend the sketching class in the East? I stay in the East and I'm interested in sending him for sketching class.

Thanks!

I personally took up TKD when i was a primary school kid. I stopped at black-tip. I stopped because at that time there was "some divide" at Singapore Taekwondo Federation and my coach went on to join/form the Singapore Taekwondo Gymnasium. Long story short, not knowing if that was the route I want to take, I quit the sport.


Fast forward many years later, I "officially introduced" this sport to my 7yo son last year and he had "done well" in the sport as in he has no issue with the patterns. He enjoys the sparring sessions. He kicks well although there is certainly room for improvement (but of course since he is only 7yo).

I guess a lot depends on what parents want for their kids. If the intention is to learn TKD and progress through the stages (without much delay) then I would suggest starting at 7yo (if child is fast learner, then ok 6yo also can).

Honestly, I have been to almost EVERY of my son’s practice sessions. Those who start at 4yo and 5yo… they look CUTE at best. At worst?.. I think it is a complete waste of time and money to start too early. Bearing in mind, I am referring to typical kids here. If your child , for some reasons, exhibit some strange inclination to martial arts at 4yo, go ahead and try him/her in TKD or any other "martial arts /sports" . Otherwise, I do not see the point in starting the child before 6yo. Unless the intention is to find "an activity" to "babysit" the child.

I see so many 4-5yo… they look so adorable in their tiny TKD attire but they are clueless when it comes to pattern. Their kicks are wobbly and their punches ahem… I do not fault them. Afterall they are tiny tots… what can we expect from them? They aren’t ready. Period.

In fact , I see some white belts at grading (seriously, some of them are "shake heads" case) . I do not bother finding out if they pass or fail… I only wonder why they were there in the first place.

My rule for my son when I started him was simple : That he must love TKD otherwise bringing him for classes will be such a drag (thankfully my son loves it). Next, he must be able to follow instructions and executes instructions well. He does not have to be very good in it (can’t expect kungfu fighter in a beginner anyway) … but the basic rule of thumb is he must be able to follow instructions and execute it.

So, for parents who are undecided, ask for free trial or paid trial classes … do a few lessons and see for yourself if your child can follow. If can’t, try again 6 months later. I know most CCs allow 2-4 free lessons. In fact, I first tried my son at 6yo… unfortunately, my son is not your usual fast learner type of kid, so he struggled. And i stop after 2 trial lessons. I tried him again at 7yo and yes this time round, it was so much easier for him. It has been exactly 1 year and he is now preparing to take his blue belt grading in 3 weeks’ time. So if everything goes smoothly as planned, he should be getting his Poome Belt (junior black belt) next year… There will be exactly 2 years after he first started (yes he had a double promo somewhere so a little bit fast-tracked) ! I will let him continue until he wants to stop.

I have Bethesda Katong Kindagarten (the kindergarten is along Frankel Avenue) uniform to let go.


Boys / Morning Session (ie Maroon one)

2 sets at $5 per set (ie total $10)
A 3rd set (slightly faded) will be given away free if you purchase the 2 sets. I am not sure of the size as my maid cut out all the tags behind the uniform (she does that for all my boy's tshirts too). I think it is M size if i recall correctly (my boy wore from Nursery all the way to K2).

Not for fussies. Condition is still good. the slightly faded one is not for sale (I meant to give it away to whoever buys the 2 sets)

Kindly email dtjdtj@yahoo.com if interested.