We told the kids to just have fun answering the questions, and they did.


And it’s OK to not finish all the questions.

Cheers.

I did the same the year before my first born started P1, it was a wonderful experience for the family. We're not too fussy with accommodation, so motels are the easiest for us, comes with laundromat, so I do the washing on the road as well.


In general, my experience is that driving in the US is the primary transport. Driving in the big cities like NY, SF can be v tough, but outside of these should be straightforward. I use a GPS nowadays, Garmin Nuvi's are good enough for me, and can be bought cheaper in the US, even through Amazon, comes with free lifetime US maps, and you can use it in SG as well.

I did my trip at the West Coast & focus on Nat'l Parks and did most of the travel by car, so can't comment much about the places you mentioned. Domestic flights can be booked online, so no worries there.

Most motels we stay have free wifi, so change of plans while on the road is possible, do check before you go there, so you know when during your trip you may be 'disconnected'. We were even booking rooms and flights while on the road, so it was quite a challenge, but fun.

Have a great trip

Cheers.

Reading to them is v important, but we also make it a point to speak in proper sentences and (try to ) avoid 'baby talk'.


To tell if the child is picking things up, it's not about the vocabulary, but how they eventually pick the right words to use in each situation. The vocab should follow naturally, even if they may be a bit 'behind' at first.

BTW, we didn't send the kids to enrichment centres at that age.

Cheers,
PTLee

With kids, I'd suggest National Parks.


Yellowstone is one excellent place to consider, wildlife and things to see are aplenty for kids. Spend a good number of days there, it's huge. I've been to a few Nat'l parks there, and Yellowstone was one of the best with the kids (then 6 & 4).

Taking a cab would be v. expensive there as someone mentioned, see if someone and drive you around, or plan with some local tours.

Booking domestic flights should be straight forward there as well, bring a laptop to anticipate changes with accommodation, online flight checkins etc. Most motels I stayed there have free wifi, don't depend on the national parks (or even the accommodations there) to have internet or even mobile connectivity though, you're suppose to be 'disconnected' there :).

Cheers.

TheAnswer:

simple2005:

[quote=\"cherrygal\"]

I don't think we should send for hothousing prep classes that cost thousands $$ but it would be good if we can expose the kid to GEP-style questions. Why can't the MOE put up some examples on their website? Not even talking about sample test papers, but just some examples only. That can help a lot already instead of going in blur like sotong.

DS had no prep at all but his classmate had loads of GEP test papers to do... wonder where his dad got the papers from. That was the same dad who threatened the son \"no toys\" if he failed. So let's see if he gets in... :skeptical:

The idea is really to go in with an open mind, and really, the GEP test is one that a child can go in and express themselves openly. One of the key attributes really is for a child not to treat it like a test, and enjoy whatever is new, even a never seen before question style. Perhaps, this may even be a GEP criteria :evil: To see how they react when required to adapt and learn/accept something new on the spot!

Where did that father get the test papers from? There are no 'failures' in the test. I pity the poor child, he may develop a resentment to education eventually, whether he gets in or not.

Cheers.

Failure is part and parcel of life.. The only difference is whether it comes earlier or later.. The impact is probably worse if it comes later..[/quote]Perhaps you misunderstood.

True about learning early to cope with failure.

However in the context of the GEP selection test, it should NOT be considered a failure if one does not get get in.

Not because there's only so few who gets selected, but because it is meant to identify out those who learn in a different manner. there's no pass or fail grade.

Cheers.

cherrygal:

I don't think we should send for hothousing prep classes that cost thousands $$ but it would be good if we can expose the kid to GEP-style questions. Why can't the MOE put up some examples on their website? Not even talking about sample test papers, but just some examples only. That can help a lot already instead of going in blur like sotong.

DS had no prep at all but his classmate had loads of GEP test papers to do... wonder where his dad got the papers from. That was the same dad who threatened the son \"no toys\" if he failed. So let's see if he gets in... :skeptical:

The idea is really to go in with an open mind, and really, the GEP test is one that a child can go in and express themselves openly. One of the key attributes really is for a child not to treat it like a test, and enjoy whatever is new, even a never seen before question style. Perhaps, this may even be a GEP criteria :evil: To see how they react when required to adapt and learn/accept something new on the spot!

Where did that father get the test papers from? There are no 'failures' in the test. I pity the poor child, he may develop a resentment to education eventually, whether he gets in or not.

Cheers.

shaz:

Have a friend who gave her dc daily tuition from P1-P3. Spent thousands on some GEP training course. her dc did not get pass round 1 although she would always be in top 3 position in class then. Now at P5, her dc barely passed her SA1 Maths. Some things cannot be forced

It is quite sad to hear about this, perhaps a blessing though that the child did not make it, or he/she could end up suffering even more.

Parent have to realise that GEP is NOT to sieve out the best in results, but those who learn differently, are intellectually mature.

And parents should also have some idea of their child's ability to learn on their own. But learning on their own, it does not mean picking up their text books to study either, but those who are able to derive new ideas/concepts through their readings, and through subjects taught in schools.

One way is to observe how a child is able to learn new topics only through just one sitting in the class (no prior exposure), if they can finish their work in class. So it is much easier to see the child's strength's (and weakness) if one does not send the child for tuition or enrichment in earlier part of their primary school days.

Cheers.

Could be first child in P6 now… a stressful year for both child and parents.

drickymummy:

simple2005:

IMHO, Road trips and National Parks is one of the best ways to experience USA. I did it with my then 4 & 6 year-old. Took them out from pre-school for a trip in September.


Cheers.

We did visit and stayed over at Yosemite ....beautiful!

Lovely

Nebbermind:

simple2005:

[quote=\"Nebbermind\"]Looks like they just pull the plug on this in the usa. We are starting to see the scary part of this innovation.

Where did you read about this?

I believe only the firearms design was pulled off the web (but not before it was downloaded over 100,000 times). 3D printing should be here to stay.

My bad. Is it only the firearms design?
Nonetheless, it's scary how one can abuse it.[/quote]That's what I understand.

3D printing is here to stay, been available commercially for a few years now, and getting cheaper too. Not possible to 'pull the plug' on this one.

Cheers.