Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary
Enrichment
Hi notabox,
If you can, try to reduce the lessons to what is required...or your son will be overhelmed when he goes to P1. It's really stressful for a young boy to attend so many lessons.
Hubby & I coach son Maths, English and Science. Will be coaching younger one when she goes to P1...but she is attending Eng/Math at RC now.
David,
Congrats on your successful ballot...your younger kids will enjoy the privilege of Phase 1.
If you can, try to reduce the lessons to what is required...or your son will be overhelmed when he goes to P1. It's really stressful for a young boy to attend so many lessons.
Hubby & I coach son Maths, English and Science. Will be coaching younger one when she goes to P1...but she is attending Eng/Math at RC now.
David,
Congrats on your successful ballot...your younger kids will enjoy the privilege of Phase 1.
Re: Congrats
Pls don't be too affected by what other people are doing. What I've learned at KSP is that the best learning is direct from parent to child. I know of quite a few parents whose kids have minimal tuition but are still amongst the top of cohort. Works wonders for the bonding too.david1234 wrote:janet_lee88 wrote:Ds attends the following classes:What enrichment lessons does your son attend? Are those lessons necessary ?
1. English @ Zoophonics
2. Chinese @ Berries
3. Maths @ MPM
4. Piano @ Childcare
5. Abacus @ ? (still searching)
Appreciate your further opinion.
wow, thats a lot of enrichment!!
Can you give me an idea how much these enrichment costs?
so that I need to work harder .. to provide for my 4 kids,
thanks
david
Besides, every kid is different. Some kids may even react unfavourably if overwhelmed by too much enrichment.
Re: Congrats
When my DD was in P1, she attended abacus in one of the morning weekday around 10.30am. She would then have electone and chinese enrichment on Saturday. Sunday is free, as I would like her to have time for playing and bonding with her families.notabox wrote: Ds attends the following classes:
1. English @ Zoophonics
2. Chinese @ Berries
3. Maths @ MPM
4. Piano @ Childcare
5. Abacus @ ? (still searching)
I have the same thoughts...that ds will not have time to go for additional class before/after school. I am ready to discontinue his English enrichment as I believe the school's syllabus will be adequate. The rest I hope to continue for another year or two since I read here that P1&2 in PHPP is pretty "relaxing"? Aim to stop all enrichment except Piano (that is, if ds wants to pursue further) by end of P2 unless ds is doing badly in school.
Appreciate your further opinion.
Normally, for P1, she would try to finish her school homework at night and be free in the morning. My DD woke up real late in the morning, no time for homework. If I can remember, her P1 is quite relaxing. P2 has more homework but still manageable.
Different approach
HI David,
I agree with the others here...don't feel pressured by the enrichment lessons. My son didn't attend any enrichment lessons b4 and after he started P1. His 'enrichment' lessons are at Orchard Rd every Sunday...hahaha. Window shopping and enjoying family bonding.
As for my younger daughter, she is attending P1 preparatory lessons at RC...something affordable and yet good. Reason is she disturbs gor gor while he does his work...so send her to RC for some Eng/Math.
I agree with the others here...don't feel pressured by the enrichment lessons. My son didn't attend any enrichment lessons b4 and after he started P1. His 'enrichment' lessons are at Orchard Rd every Sunday...hahaha. Window shopping and enjoying family bonding.
As for my younger daughter, she is attending P1 preparatory lessons at RC...something affordable and yet good. Reason is she disturbs gor gor while he does his work...so send her to RC for some Eng/Math.
Piano
David, all kids are different. I believe your 4 kids have individual characters too. Since P1 is supposedly more of an adjustment, don't stress your son out. Yours truly is bochap with daughter's K2 听写 toodavid1234 wrote:Thanks for the reassurance.
will see how he copes with PHPP in P1 next year.
he's got a piano lesson once a week.
and he tells me, he doesn't even like it..
what are your experiences with piano learning ?
please share
david1234
Son had swimming lessons last year after the compulsory CCA...then continued for another 6 months with swimming coach. He requested to stop as coach only had time slot at 4pm which is his nap time.
Hi Daviddavid1234 wrote:Thanks for the reassurance.
will see how he copes with PHPP in P1 next year.
he's got a piano lesson once a week.
and he tells me, he doesn't even like it..
what are your experiences with piano learning ?
please share
david1234
My DD likes to play the piano, started at the age of 4, after seeing her cousins attending at Yamaha. so finished her grade 8.As for my DS, started him JMC but after 2 yrs, i asked him whether to continue learning piano just like his sis, 1 to 1 at home. He replied " I dont like at all" so i stopped him knowing no point to "push" him. In the end, he is into arts. My younger DS did not even start him on music, from young, his butt cant seem to touch the chair.
Do observe your DS for a while. If he practises his pieces without having you to nag at him, then it should be no problem. Have a cousin that has to use cane on her DS & DD, in the end both stopped at G3 and Grade 5 respectively. Music is for enjoyment and appreciation, should not be stressful for the kiddy and parents!!!
Regards
Interest
Hi Tweet,
My son is one person who cannot sit still at all...his backside seems to have pins.
David,
Where piano/ballet or any other interests are concerned, it's the kids who must show interest...we cannot force them to like drawing or playing the piano. If your son doesn't like the piano, then let him drop it if he's really not keen. You get to save $$$ too...hehehe.
My son is one person who cannot sit still at all...his backside seems to have pins.
David,
Where piano/ballet or any other interests are concerned, it's the kids who must show interest...we cannot force them to like drawing or playing the piano. If your son doesn't like the piano, then let him drop it if he's really not keen. You get to save $$$ too...hehehe.
Re: Interest
I agree with Janet, David. My eldest 8-year-old dd learnt the piano since 5. She'll be taking her grade 5 theory and practical next March. So far, her interest is sustained. She treats playing her favourite songs as a respite for her. We supported her in every way we can. During "lull" period, I'll get the teacher to spur her a little. She usually just need a little assurance or motivation. She had just had a concert last Sat where she played "Fur Elise" in full. She was pretty composed but what's more important is she's enjoying the whole process of learning the piano.janet_lee88 wrote:
David,
Where piano/ballet or any other interests are concerned, it's the kids who must show interest...we cannot force them to like drawing or playing the piano. If your son doesn't like the piano, then let him drop it if he's really not keen. You get to save $$$ too...hehehe.
My number 2 four-year-old dd likes to dance so she is attending ballet now. So far, she loves it. She's also looking forward to her class's dance item for her kindy concert. She practises it at home everyday.
My number 3 dd is barely two so uhmm....not sure what's she's really good at but she is very LOUD so may end up being the Parade Commander (if SAF accepts girls by then) haha....
Seriously, though it's good to pick up an aesthetic, but still, if the child is feeling stressful and having time-constraints, then it's better to let it go. I have to plan her time-table to fit PH's workload too. A happy child learns the best. Then again, when we grow old, maybe my three girls can entertain me by one playing the piano, one dancing and one singing. That will be bliss for me (my little selfish ambition).
Choices
It's really not easy if a PH child has too many enrichment classes. Recently, my dd was selected for the Competitive Rhythmic Gymnastics. She attended the trial and loved it. I checked with the teacher-in-charge, and found out that it's a CCA that the school invested a lot in. Next year, there will be 3 days per week of practices, and will further increase to 5 days in the upper primary. I was put on a spot in deciding. On one hand, she has piano as aesthetic, but piano can also be learnt or continued when she's older. RG could only be learnt best when young. For a while, I thought, maybe we should just put piano on hold, and go for the RG. I was so worried that I will make the wrong decision. In the end, my dd and I talked it out. She chose piano. In this way, I guess she takes ownership of her choices and learns to stay committed.