MindChamps Nov 2019 Workshops are Open for Registration

<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/11151726/Children-should-start-learning-languages-at-age-three.html">Studies have shown</a> how a bilingual education benefits a child’s linguistic development. Besides having an advantage in literacy and language development, being proficient in two languages also equips children with skills to help them succeed in school and in life. 
Here are some other skills that a child acquires in addition to the literacy and language development. 
<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-79093" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Chinese-PreSchool-444-of-1116.jpg" alt="" width="691" height="461" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Chinese-PreSchool-444-of-1116.jpg 691w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Chinese-PreSchool-444-of-1116-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px" />
Development of Cognitive Abilities
According to scientists, learning Mandarin makes your child smarter, as this trains their cognitive abilities which are not utilised in the study of other languages.
Development of Motor Skills 
Learning Mandarin helps your child develop their motor skills, learn shapes and letters and the visual identification of graphics, mainly attributed by the complex structure of Chinese characters. The movements required to form Chinese characters are known to help activate neural activities in the working, thinking and spatial memory of the brain. 
To effectively raise a bilingual child, it is important to establish a strong foundation in the language right from their formative years.  
While majority of preschools in Singapore have catered to the needs of parents by designing curricula that focuses on two languages (i.e. English and Chinese), there is a growing demand for Chinese preschools in recent years. 
Between a bilingual preschool and a Chinese preschool, which is a better choice for your child? 
<h4>Bilingual preschools in Singapore</h4>
Most preschool curricula in Singapore are based on a bilingual education system where the predominant language used is English. Typically, there will be an English teacher and a Chinese teacher assigned to each class. While majority of the lessons are conducted in English, there will be dedicated time slots for Chinese lessons at least once a day. 
At some preschools, bilingualism is taken a step further, with certain lessons integrating both English and Chinese – instead of being taught separately. For example, at <a href="https://www.mindchamps.org/preschool/">MindChamps PreSchool</a>, both the English teacher and Chinese teacher for all levels take turns to conduct weekly enrichment programmes such as Gourmet Moments™ in their respective languages. 
<h4><img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-79457" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Chinese-PreSchool-1104-of-1116-1.jpg" alt="" width="691" height="461" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Chinese-PreSchool-1104-of-1116-1.jpg 691w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Chinese-PreSchool-1104-of-1116-1-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px" /></h4>
<h4> 
Chinese preschools in Singapore</h4>
With English overtaking Chinese as the main language spoken at home, many parents are looking for ways to immerse their children in a predominantly Chinese-speaking environment to make up for the lack of exposure at home. 
A great option for parents who are considering Chinese preschools for their children is <a href="https://www.mindchamps.org/chinese-preschool/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MindChamps Chinese PreSchool</a>, which offers the same unique curriculum based on decades of research as the rest of the MindChamps PreSchool centres. The difference lies in the greater emphasis and immersion on Chinese throughout the teaching and learning process.
Apart from their usual English and Chinese lessons, preschoolers from 18 months to 6 years old enjoy greater exposure and immersion into the language by having selected enrichment programmes conducted fully in Chinese – as opposed to English, which is the case at the rest of the MindChamps PreSchool centres. 
This is especially so for the playgroup and nursery 1 classes, so that a strong foundation is established during the early years. From nursery 2 onwards, the use of English increases while still maintaining the teaching and learning of Chinese. This well-balanced environment is designed to prepare children for transition into primary school, where English is used as the main language of instruction.
MindChamps Chinese PreSchool also incorporates the <a href="https://www.mindchamps.org/chinese-preschool/our-curriculum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chinese Culture Appreciation programme</a>, where preschoolers get to learn the rich Chinese culture and history through lessons, as well as arts and cultural appreciation activities such as clay modelling, painting and calligraphy.
“If I send my child to a Chinese preschool, will he or she fall back in English?”
According to the MindChamps Chinese PreSchool team, parents need not worry about this. Although greater emphasis is placed on Chinese for day-to-day learning and communication, there will still be lessons and programmes conducted in English in Chinese preschools. Thus, a child’s command of English will be fine, as he or she will be exposed to both languages. 
Instead, attending a Chinese preschool will bring a world of advantages for children in Singapore. By the time they graduate from Chinese preschool, they would have already established a strong foundation in Chinese which will enable them to catch up with the Chinese curriculum in primary school.
<a href="https://www.mindchamps.org/blog/chinese-preschools-singapore/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out this article</a> for more insights on misconceptions some parents may have towards having their children attend Chinese preschools, with facts and explanation by the experts.
<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-79458" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Chinese-PreSchool-168-of-1116_edit-1.jpg" alt="" width="528" height="393" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Chinese-PreSchool-168-of-1116_edit-1.jpg 528w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Chinese-PreSchool-168-of-1116_edit-1-320x238.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px" />
Here’s what other parents have to say about their children’s experience at MindChamps Chinese PreSchool:
“Thanks to the strong Mandarin immersion environment, Alexander has been sprouting more Mandarin at home and happily sings the songs (English and Mandarin) that were taught in school. He would also ask us to read the weekly Chinese and English books. I think the school is integral in cultivating this love for both languages, something that is important and extremely invaluable in any child’s early learning journey.”
<h6>&#8211; Parents of Alexander Fong (MindChamps Chinese PreSchool @ Tampines Central)</h6>
&nbsp;
Prior to enrolling in MindChamps, I observed Isaac starting to reject Chinese – he was about 2 years old then. When spoken to, he would switch to English or oppose, which was funny but also worrying.
We were concerned initially whether Isaac would feel overwhelmed being thrown into a new environment with a new language.  However, young children adapt quickly and before we knew it, he is acquiring new vocabulary and is responsive when I communicate with him in Mandarin
Since he started attending school at MindChamps Chinese PreSchool @ Thomson, Isaaac knows many words in both Mandarin and English. He can converse with a basic level of understanding and enjoys the songs and stories in both languages.
Kids learn faster than adults and being 50% Chinese, I believe it is essential that Isaac be exposed to the Chinese culture and language early on. This will enable him to tap into the advantages of being capable in the most widely spoken language in the world today. 
<h6>&#8211; Irene Lau, Mother of Isaac Crawshaw (Chinese preschool @ Thomson)</h6>
&nbsp;
Chinese is not our native language. However we believe that we should give our boys the opportunity to learn Chinese, given the high and increasing importance of the language.
Initially we were not sure whether the boys can cope with learning Chinese, given that this would be their fourth language in addition to Malay, German and English. Furthermore we are not able to help out so much or correct any mistakes. But after much thought and consideration, we decided to go ahead and expose our boys to this multi-lingual environment. 
Looking back, we are glad that we made this decision. Having been with the school for almost two years now, we are very pleased that the boys can understand and speak some of the Chinese words and read characters to us. They have also managed to teach us few words. At the same time, we don’t find that the other languages are really being affected.
<h6>&#8211; Nita Nordin, mother of Adam and Ezra</h6>
<h4> 
Enrol now for 2020!</h4>
If you are looking to enrol your children in preschool next year, now is the perfect time to head down to your preferred MindChamps PreSchool and MindChamps Chinese PreSchool centre to find out more and meet the teachers.
<a href="http://join.mindchampspreschool.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here for more details</a> and to <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/answer/79567-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">book an appointment</a>!
&nbsp;

Bilingual preschool vs Chinese preschool: What is the difference?

<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-74992" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Primary-Success-1200x628-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="628" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Primary-Success-1200x628-1.jpg 1200w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Primary-Success-1200x628-1-320x167.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/Primary-Success-1200x628-1-800x419.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
Have you thought about what helps a child to gain success in his primary school years?
Does it have to do with academic smarts or doing tons of drills and exercises?
As one of the top enrichment providers in Singapore, MindChamps has always been passionate about empowering children to learn better.
Through various research from our other programmes such as the Thinking Cap and the MindChamps Academy programme, we have developed a unique <a href="https://www.mindchamps.org/primary-success-lp/?utm_source=ksp&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=primaryreg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Primary Success Programme</a>.
The Primary Success Programme gives children a stronger foundation in their four Primary subjects: English, Chinese, Mathematics and Science through a concept formation approach.   
Concept formation is a teaching approach that helps students build a clear understanding of concepts and ideas through studying a small set of examples of the concept. This approach enables students to recognise patterns, see sequences and make meaningful connections with the learning. As a result, students will have a better grasp of their subjects and be more effective in applying their learning – particularly when it comes to test and exams.
The Primary Success Programme is offered to students from Primary 3 onwards. It is subject specific and complements the MOE curriculum. The Primary 3 level is known to be a crucial year, when Science as a new subject is introduced and when the foundations for the upper primary levels are established.   
What’s unique about the programme?
 #1 The programme is delivered in a 3-MIND environment
The foundation of all MindChamps programmes is the 3 Minds, a practical, developmental model comprising three distinct qualities:
<ol>
<li>The Champion Mind– This celebrates each individual student’s uniqueness and how they overcome adversity to achieve success.</li>
<li>The Learning Mind– This comprises strategies for learning how to learn so as to actively assist any learner to understand, store, recall and synthesise information and concepts.</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>The Creative Mind– This connects multiple perspectives and integrates them to solve problems, generating new, creative ideas.</li>
</ul>
#2 Unique teaching approach
We use fun and engaging activities to capture our students’ interest and stimulate their thinking. Such a teaching approach allows students to engage deeply with the subject matter, and better synthesize and recall the information learnt.   
#3 Taught by certified trainers 
Our trainers are highly experienced; each of them has gone through 50 hours of MindChamps Way Training, which equips them with key teaching strategies such as effective engagement and coaching techniques. They are able to help students accurately identify their learning gaps and fill those gaps through relevant exercises and practice.
#4 Professional curriculum design
The Primary Success Programme is designed by expert curriculum designers who are well versed in the Ministry of Education syllabus, MindChamps’ proprietary Optimal Flow Method and Concept Formation.  
MindChamps’ unique Optimal Flow Method is a revolutionary approach to content mastery. Based on a scientific understanding of how the brain lays down, associates and recalls information, this approach enables any child to better master key elements of the curriculum in a way that eliminates anxiety and fear of examinations.
What to expect in the programme?
Students can expect to be introduced to key concepts in each subject in a fun and stress-free way. The weekly lessons will be reinforced through:
<ul>
<li>Comprehensive notes that clearly explain the topics through concepts</li>
<li>Weekly fun activities to stimulate children in thinking and analysis so to better synthesize knowledge and information</li>
<li>Topics are broken down into concepts through concept formation to broaden and deepen the understanding of subject-specifics</li>
<li>Test/Mock exams, Analysis of Test/Mock exams and Revision for every term</li>
</ul>
By the end of the programme, children will gain in knowledge and confidence in all four subjects. They will also become more adept at applying their knowledge to solve common problems encountered in tests and exams.
If you’re keen to find out more about what the Primary Success Programme can do for your child, <a href="https://www.mindchamps.org/primary-success-lp/?utm_source=ksp&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=primaryreg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">book a consultation</a> with us today!