Hi guys
Close to 11pm, here in England, as I write this. I have a dilemma re DS1; am I spending too much time on assessment books at the expense of his reading. He will be 7 next month, but today as most days I have got him to do copious grammar and vocab exercises (using EPH books). We have not read today.
My question, how do fellow forum members balance reading books and assessment books at home with DC? Should I concentrate on reading more? We pick up kids from after-school late and get home for 6pm; they go to bed at about 8pm having eaten, watched TV and done school and my work. I therefore have to decide what DS1 will cocentrate on.
DS1 is also following UK National Curriculum at school, and Singapore P1 syllabus at home and seems to enjoy this more,
Balance between reading and assessment books
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- BrownBelt
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Mon Dec 22,
- Total Likes:7
Hi
From my own experience of being a mum who has two teenagers, I would encourage you to expose your child to the beautiful world of reading and books.
Especially at your child's age, expose him to various genres of books, read to him and you'll be amazed how his vocabulary and even grammar will improve over the years.
Assessment books may have its place in drilling some grammar rules but at such a young age, it's good to expose him to good writing and language.
I always believe that language is 'caught', not taught.
From my own experience of being a mum who has two teenagers, I would encourage you to expose your child to the beautiful world of reading and books.
Especially at your child's age, expose him to various genres of books, read to him and you'll be amazed how his vocabulary and even grammar will improve over the years.
Assessment books may have its place in drilling some grammar rules but at such a young age, it's good to expose him to good writing and language.
I always believe that language is 'caught', not taught.
Just to share, my 2 sis are avid readers since young but not me. Results: They did well in English but not me (B grade standard). My essay writing skills were weak. Doing many assessment books won't help in this aspect. So i think there's no need for you to buy so many S'pore published assessment books for your boy.
- mathsparks
- KiasuGrandMaster
- Posts: 2825
- Joined: Fri Mar 13,
- Total Likes:1
Though quite a few parents hv replied, I wld also like to share that, please let him read - as much as time permits; cut down all the assessment books.
Be careful of burnout; his journey has barely begun and you may just end up deflating his learning spirit at such a young age.
Though we're ks parents, we aren't so ks to the extent that we deny our kids their childhood.
Be careful of burnout; his journey has barely begun and you may just end up deflating his learning spirit at such a young age.
Though we're ks parents, we aren't so ks to the extent that we deny our kids their childhood.
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- BrownBelt
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Mon Dec 22,
- Total Likes:7
Hi everyone
Thanks for your responses. I agree with you all and will devote more time to reading. Mea Culpa! Mea Culpa!
In my defence DS1 does not like reading; he can decode words but reads either too slowly, or too quickly, and so forgets what he has just read. Therefore he does not understand what he has just read. That being said, he acquits himself very well with vocab exercises, grammar, comprehension and cloze; I have had to use this as a fall-back to get him to learn new words. He often gets 95%+ with EPH 4-in 1 Challenging English tests - we do only spend 25 mins a night on this.
Oh well!! We will persevere with "Danny, Champion of the World"
Thanks for your responses. I agree with you all and will devote more time to reading. Mea Culpa! Mea Culpa!
In my defence DS1 does not like reading; he can decode words but reads either too slowly, or too quickly, and so forgets what he has just read. Therefore he does not understand what he has just read. That being said, he acquits himself very well with vocab exercises, grammar, comprehension and cloze; I have had to use this as a fall-back to get him to learn new words. He often gets 95%+ with EPH 4-in 1 Challenging English tests - we do only spend 25 mins a night on this.
Oh well!! We will persevere with "Danny, Champion of the World"