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<?xml encoding="UTF-8"><html><body><div id="attachment_122378" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-122378" onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-122378 size-full" src="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4473888.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4473888.jpg 700w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4473888-320x213.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px">Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/girl-playing-tower-game-game-near-mother-with-laptop-4473888/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pexels</a></div>Is your child entering P1 next year? Apart from securing a &lsquo;good&rsquo; school, what else should parents do?
Before you load up on assessment books or look up enrichment schools, think about the life that you want your child to lead. Here are two <a href="https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/my-kids-hardly-went-for-enrichment-classes-and-they-benefitted-from-it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scenarios</a> to consider:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Routine A: A child doesn&rsquo;t have much time for leisure activities. Instead, he has a packed schedule with enrichment classes for chess, drums, soccer, tennis, and swimming. If he falls behind in school, one of his activities will be replaced with tutoring instead.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Routine B: For every hour spent studying, a child gets one hour of free time for play or personal exploration. Bedtime is strictly at 9.30PM, and activities are spread out over the week, so that the child feels rested, and is better equipped to learn and explore interests at their own pace.</li>
</ul>
Which routine is healthier? This is something you can start thinking about now &mdash;&nbsp;having this in mind will help you set the tone and rhythm for your child&rsquo;s next six years in primary school.&nbsp;
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Below, we&rsquo;ll talk about academics, as well as other aspects of school life that you can help your child to prepare for.
<h2>Academic Skills for Primary 1</h2>
If your child has attended kindergarten, they are likely to have picked up these skills:
Literacy Skills
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">For English, to read and write the 26 letters of the alphabet in capital and small letters&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Write one&rsquo;s name in English and the Mother Tongue</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Read and write simple words in English and the Mother Tongue</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Read and construct simple sentences (orally) in English and the Mother Tongue</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Understand simple instructions in English and the Mother Tongue</li>
</ul>
Numeracy Skills
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Count from one to 20</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tell the time</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Know the values of dollar notes and coins</li>
</ul>
But don&rsquo;t worry if your child doesn&rsquo;t have all of these skills, because primary schools have<a href="https://www.moe.gov.sg/primary/curriculum/learning-support" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> learning support</a> programmes to help students catch up.&nbsp;
For English and Maths, weaker students will be identified at P1, through screening tests that will be conducted upon school entry. For Mother Tongue Languages, weaker students will be identified at P2 to join a support programme at P3 and 4. (Note that schools may differ in how they run their support programmes.)&nbsp;
Students who continue to face challenges after intervention may be advised to test for learning difficulties such as dyslexia. According to past estimates, about <a href="http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20080129995.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">12 to 14 percent</a> of P1 children will require additional support.&nbsp;
On the other hand, if your children are fast learners, you may be tempted to help them &lsquo;skip ahead&rsquo; by working on advanced material. However, educators will advise against this, as <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/primary-one-registration-schools-preschool-children-transition-parents-4351656" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overpreparation</a> can <a href="https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/are-you-over-preparing-your-child-for-p1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hinder learning</a>.
First, children may feel exhausted with too many enrichment activities, and second, they may become bored in school as they are already familiar with the material. Worse, they may adopt their own learning shortcuts or decide that teachers are not worth listening to, which will increase their disengagement from school.
There is no need to give a P1 child materials from P2 and beyond &mdash; let the school set the pace. If your child is truly gifted, they can transfer to the <a href="https://www.moe.gov.sg/education-in-sg/our-programmes/gifted-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gifted Education Programme (GEP)</a> after the screening process in P3.
<h2>Life Skills for School Readiness</h2>
Beyond academics, there are certain things that a child will be expected to do in school. These can be considered daily life skills, which include:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Getting dressed (your child can practise putting on the school uniform before school begins)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Putting on shoes and tying shoelaces, if not using shoes with velcro</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Packing a school bag</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Keeping track of one&rsquo;s belongings</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Asking for permission (e.g. to use the bathroom) and asking for help (e.g. alerting the teacher if one feels ill)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Copying or writing a teacher&rsquo;s instructions into the student handbook</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Ordering food, and eating within a specified time</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Handling money and change</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Basic hygiene habits, such as ensuring that a toilet is clean after use, and the washing of one&rsquo;s hands</li>
</ul>
These skills may take some time to develop, so it&rsquo;s best to get an early start!
<h2>Transferable Skills for Thriving in School</h2>
If your child is exceptionally shy, be prepared that they may hardly speak up in primary school. These days, teachers are more attuned to the needs of introverts, and they may try to help such students feel more comfortable, such as by pairing them with &lsquo;gentler&rsquo; seatmates.&nbsp;
On your part, once you know which school your child is going to, you can kickstart your networking efforts, and try to arrange playdates for your child to get to know fellow schoolmates before school officially begins. If they should find it difficult to make new friends within the school setting, you should create opportunities for them to build solid friendships outside of school, because learning to connect with others is essential for self-development.
If your child is sociable and comfortable in new situations, you can use frameworks such as <a href="https://www.unicef.org/lac/media/32441/file/The%2012%20Transferable%20Skills.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNICEF&rsquo;s 12 Transferable Skills</a> to identify their areas for growth. For instance, if your child is a natural leader, you can assess if they need to develop more empathy and compassion, or work on their co-operative skills. One way to encourage your child to see things from a different perspective is through volunteer work. Alternatively, you could find ways to socialise widely and build genuine friendships with others from different cultures, or different walks of life.
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When Should Primary 1 Preparations Begin? What Should You Prepare?

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<?xml encoding="UTF-8"><html><body><div id="attachment_93316" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-93316" onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-93316" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/pexels-katerina-holmes-5905707-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707">Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@katerina-holmes?utm_content=attributionCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=pexels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Katerina Holmes</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/ethnic-girl-studying-online-with-laptop-and-writing-notes-5905707/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=pexels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pexels</a></div>Is tuition necessary for Primary 1 students?
The truth is that tuition is never absolutely necessary, but of course different students (or parents) will have different needs and goals, where having extra attention and coaching might be beneficial.
Not surprisingly, tuition is a commonly discussed topic on our KiasuParents forum, and here are what some parents have to say:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;My <a style="color: #808080;" href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2002908#p2002908" target="_blank" rel="noopener">advice</a> to parents of P1s is to focus more on study skills and study habits&hellip; [The early] years are more profitably spent making sure they know how to be responsible for daily homework, keep to a schedule, focus and not be distracted, pack their own bags, remember instructions, etc&hellip; A child struggling with content may need tuition if the parents can&rsquo;t help, but unnecessary tuition can deprive a child of the opportunity to learn independence.&rdquo; &mdash; <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2002908#p2002908" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slmkhoo</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;If kids struggle with P1 work and parents cannot teach, or have no time to teach them, then tuition is necessary to help kids cope&hellip; And if you expect <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2002872#p2002872" target="_blank" rel="noopener">amazing</a> results in P3, and kids are slow learners, then it is also challenging to just do nothing and wait until the P3 exam period to catch up.&rdquo; &mdash; <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2002861#p2002861" target="_blank" rel="noopener">manorway</a> 

</blockquote>
A KSP member also cited several <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2003098#p2003098" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scenarios</a> where parents might prefer to send a child for tuition from Primary 1, such as when both parents are tied up with work, are not proficient in a language, or simply do not want to be bogged down by the details of the school curriculum.
If you&rsquo;re curious about what skills might be prioritised during the primary years, you can take your cue from current education minister Lawrence Wong&rsquo;s announcement about the Ministry of Education&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/moes-four-main-strategies-to-prepare-students-for-post-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strategies</a> for our post-Covid landscape. This includes a greater push to develop learning beyond book smarts.
In fact, Minister Wong&rsquo;s words could provide a valuable perspective for your child&rsquo;s learning:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;The way forward for us is to continue to emphasize our competitive advantage and our human strengths &mdash; the ability to build relationships with one another, to collaborate and work in teams, to be able to think creatively&hellip; to brainstorm and challenge one another and then develop better solutions together.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Without tests and exams to worry about, parents should focus on using the Primary 1 and 2 years to help children adjust to the social aspects of school, and to develop good learning habits. It&rsquo;s also a chance to let your child explore extracurricular interests, and most of all, to enjoy quality time with friends and family.
How would you know if your Primary 1 child requires additional help? Well, if your child is progressing in a typical fashion, you will likely not hear from any teacher until the parent-teacher meeting! So if you do get a call from your child&rsquo;s teacher, there&rsquo;s a good chance that some intervention may be required.
Below are three scenarios where you may wish to consider getting support:
<ol>
<li> Your Child Is Struggling With Reading, Writing, And Simple Math</li>
</ol>
Most preschools teach kids to read and write, so the reality is that many kids do enter Primary 1 being able to read and write independently. Many parents would also agree that getting a child to read early is almost a guarantee of school success.
But not to worry if your child has entered primary school without literacy skills &mdash; all primary schools have a<a href="https://beta.moe.gov.sg/primary/curriculum/learning-support/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Learning Support Programme</a> (LSP) for Primary 1 students who need help with English and Maths. Such students will be identified through a screening test, which is held upon school entry. Thereafter, those who require help will attend sessions in small groups of eight to 10 students, conducted by trained teachers.
Schools may differ in their practices, but LSP sessions will usually take place during curriculum time. Students who continue to face literacy issues after intervention will be screened for dyslexia. 
(Read our story: <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/can-a-child-survive-primary-1-without-knowing-how-to-read/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Can A Child Survive P1 Without Knowing How To Read?</a>)
<ol start="2">
<li> Your Child May Have Learning Issues</li>
</ol>
Sometimes, children with learning challenges do slip through the system&rsquo;s checks, and they may not receive attention until the upper primary years, when their poor grades trigger alarm bells.
For primary schoolers, some tell-tale signs of a learning disability might be:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Difficulties with reading &mdash; remembering sight words, sounding out words, and reading comprehension</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Difficulties with basic spelling and grammar &mdash; for instance, does it take hours to prepare for a spelling test?</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Difficulties with math concepts&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">A lack of organisational skills, such as the ability to pack one&rsquo;s schoolbag for the next day, or being unable to keep track of one&rsquo;s homework</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Not understanding oral instructions&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Difficulties with verbal expression</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Acting out over minor situations</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Being easily distracted, or finding it hard to listen to others</li>
</ul>
(Read our story: <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/could-your-child-have-a-learning-disability-know-the-signs-and-seek-help-early/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Could Your Child Have A Learning Disability? Know The Signs And Seek Help Early</a>)
<ol start="3">
<li> Your Home Does Not Provide Exposure For A Language</li>
</ol>
Even the quickest learners would find it difficult to pick up a language that no one speaks at home, and typically, those who seek tuition in P1 look for second language tutors to fill the gap.
If your child is having basic comprehension issues in class, you will probably hear from the relevant teacher soon enough. Some conscientious teachers will offer remedial sessions even in P1, and they may advise you to help your child pick up the language by reading stories or watching videos together.
For those who&rsquo;ve looked up tips for mastering a second language online, you may have read that a child needs to be exposed to a second/minority language for at least 30% of his or her waking hours, in order for learning to set in. One language teacher and parent estimates that this amounts to about<a href="http://bilingualmonkeys.com/how-many-hours-per-week-is-your-child-exposed-to-the-minority-language/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 20 to 25 hours per week</a>, and he recommends the following activities to make up the time:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Reading aloud</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Doing homework together</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Fun interactions to focus exclusively on the minority language</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Watching TV</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Listening to music</li>
</ul>
Frankly, this is a tall order for many parents, which explains why second language tuition is such a popular option! Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to mastering a language, and getting an early start means you&rsquo;ll have ample time to find the tutor who can best spark your child&rsquo;s interest.
(Read our story: <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/mastering-a-second-language-what-does-research-really-tell-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mastering A Second Language: What Does Research Really Tell Us?</a>)
Hoping to connect with other parents to discuss P1 tuition? Join the conversation <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&amp;t=46906&amp;start=130" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>!
&nbsp;
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Tuition For Primary 1: Too Early Or Good To Start Young?

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<?xml encoding="UTF-8"><html><body><div id="attachment_90904" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-90904" onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-90904 size-full" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/pexels-pixabay-261895-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1696" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/pexels-pixabay-261895-scaled.jpg 1358w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/pexels-pixabay-261895-800x530.jpg 800w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/pexels-pixabay-261895-320x212.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/pexels-pixabay-261895-1536x1017.jpg 1536w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/pexels-pixabay-261895-2048x1356.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px">Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/adorable-blur-bookcase-books-261895/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pixabay</a></div>Preparing for Primary 1 is a rite of passage not just for our kids, but for parents too. In fact, it&rsquo;s likely that several months &mdash; or years &mdash; prior to the first day of Primary 1, parents would&rsquo;ve given much thought to the skills necessary for children to thrive in school.
That said, our education system is currently in transition, and that&rsquo;s a good thing. At KSP, we&rsquo;re optimistic about the <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/look-beyond-results-moes-latest-move-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">structural changes</a> that have been implemented (or are in the pipeline) for the local school system, and welcome the shift away from exam-centric learning. It frees parents to look at the bigger picture for their children, and identify skills that are important for leading a fulfilling life.&nbsp;
Still hoping to enrol your child in primary school prep classes? In our view, it&rsquo;s no longer about getting an early exposure to the curriculum, the quality of worksheets, or even having experienced primary school teachers at the helm. Instead, we invite you to turn your attention to building these &ldquo;<a href="https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/organizational-and-employee-development/pages/lifeready-students.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">life-ready</a>&rdquo; skills:
<h4>Reading Skills</h4>
Depending on which primary school your child enters, there may be a significant number of kids in a class who need reading support in Primary 1, or you may find that the entire class is already reading independently on Day 1 and able to work on assignments without guidance.
But no matter what school you pick, all primary schools have a<a href="https://www.todayonline.com/voices/support-programmes-available-small-groups-students-dyslexia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Learning Support Programme</a> (LSP) for Primary 1 students who need help with English and Maths. Weaker students will be identified by the school, usually through a screening test. Thereafter, they will attend LSP sessions in small groups of eight to 10 students.&nbsp;
Schools may differ in their practices, but LSP sessions are usually conducted by trained teachers and will take place during curriculum time. Students who continue to face literacy issues after intervention will be screened for dyslexia. Recent figures are not available, but past estimates have indicated that about<a href="http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20080129995.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> 12 to 14 percent</a> of Primary 1 children require additional support each year.&nbsp;
Should you still wish to &ldquo;prepare&rdquo; your child for school, reading skills would certainly be an advantage, and most preschools will try to get your kids up to speed in reading. However, if you would like to see your child reading independently between the ages of five and seven, or if you intend to homeschool your child during the preschool years with the help of supplementary classes, a good option is a reading class that focuses on <a href="https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/importance-of-reading-success/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">phonics instruction</a>. Why phonics? Well, some research has shown that <a href="https://www.readingrockets.org/article/why-phonological-awareness-important-reading-and-spelling" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">phonemics awareness</a> is better linked to reading success, as compared to the &ldquo;whole language&rdquo; approach of trying to get kids to experience the joy of books and reading. If your child has been struggling to read despite your best efforts at read-alouds, phonics might be your answer.
For more reading insights, refer to our articles on <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/get-a-head-start-on-comprehension-skills-free-resources-for-preschoolers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">comprehension skills</a> and the <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/a-surprising-way-to-prepare-your-preschooler-for-school-read-non-fiction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">advantages of reading non-fiction</a>.
<a href="http://www.mycsingapore.com.sg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-90083" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/MYC-Makes-Learning-Fun-for-Me-In-Banner-Article-500-x-500-pix.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="399" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/MYC-Makes-Learning-Fun-for-Me-In-Banner-Article-500-x-500-pix.jpg 500w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/MYC-Makes-Learning-Fun-for-Me-In-Banner-Article-500-x-500-pix-320x320.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px"></a>
<h4>Executive Function Skills</h4>
Just like adults, children need to be able to plan, focus their attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks in order to succeed in school. These are known collectively as <a href="https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/executive-function/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">executive function skills</a>, and they have gained credence in our local education circles in recent years.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Want to know if the enrichment class you&rsquo;re considering promotes executive functioning? Here&rsquo;s what you should see:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">A set-up where a teacher is <a href="https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/the-executive-function-skills-every-kid-needs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">not</a> an authority figure telling kids what to do, but rather, a facilitator who supports kids in problem solving. Enrichment schools that subscribe to the Montessori or Reggio-Emilia approaches are thought to be good places to pick up executive function skills.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><a href="https://theeducationhub.org.nz/executive-function-in-primary-school/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Activities</a> that help children to develop their executive function skills, such as music and movement games for younger children, where they have to freeze when the music stops (impulse control).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">A focus on mindfulness techniques, such as breathing exercises, to help children deal with negative emotions. There should also be a safe space for children to calm down after a stressful event.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Clear expectations for children&rsquo;s behaviour, e.g. children know the consequences of inappropriate behaviour, and are aware of what they can do instead.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Routines are clearly communicated to children; for instance, a lesson schedule provides a breakdown of activities.</li>
</ul>
Alternatively, you can consider enrolling your child in a physical activity that promotes character development or mindfulness, such as martial arts or yoga. Such activities <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4200392/">may also</a> contribute to boosting a child&rsquo;s executive function skills.
<h4>Critical Thinking Skills</h4>
What counts as &ldquo;critical thinking?&rdquo; It&rsquo;s the ability to absorb and process new information, by breaking down an idea into parts to be analysed &mdash; this includes skills such as sorting and classifying, or being able to compare similarities and differences and make connections between ideas.
Classrooms that prioritise critical thinking are focused on generating questions, not answers. Facilitators in such classrooms ask probing questions, such as &ldquo;How do you know this?&rdquo; or &ldquo;Why do you think this is so?&rdquo; In fact, if you encounter an enrichment class where a child is tasked to come up with questions as homework, you should definitely consider signing up!
In such classes, there will also be an emphasis on listening to different perspectives, and trying to understand where others are coming from, which is another <a href="https://ideas.ted.com/critical-thinking-is-a-21st-century-essential-heres-how-to-help-kids-learn-it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">key component</a> of critical thinking.
What you won&rsquo;t find in such classes &mdash; model answers or drilling exercises. These activities <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/preschoolers-can-learn-to-think-critically-find-out-how/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hinder</a> the critical thinking process and create a reliance on &ldquo;perfect&rdquo; answers, which doesn&rsquo;t prepare kids to face new challenges or solve unfamiliar problems.
<h4>Social Skills</h4>
Did you know that children with strong social skills in kindergarten are<a href="https://www.rwjf.org/content/rwjf/en/library/research/2015/07/how-children-s-social-competence-impacts-their-well-being-in-adu.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> more likely</a> to attain higher education and thrive as adults? Or that employers are increasingly favouring workers who have <a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/10/social-skills-increasingly-valuable-to-employers-harvard-economist-finds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">both </a>social and technical skills?
Clearly, social skills are an asset, and one might assume that everyone has the natural ability to relate to others, given ample exposure. Sadly, this may not always be the case, says Michelle Garcia Winner, who has developed a social skills curriculum known as &ldquo;<a href="https://www.socialthinking.com/Articles?name=Introduction%20to%20Social%20Thinking" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Social Thinking</a>.&rdquo;
&ldquo;How we think about people affects how we behave, which in turn affects how others respond to us, which in turn affects our internal and external emotional responses,&rdquo; says Winner. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an incredibly complex process that most of us take for granted.&rdquo;
For some, yes indeed, this process can be intuitive. But for others, it is learned behaviour. What&rsquo;s more, many who score high on standardised intelligence tests can lack basic understanding about social communication and interaction. You can <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/for-preschoolers-social-smarts-are-as-important-as-brain-smarts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">read our article</a> to find out how to build social skills at home, or look for an enrichment class that focuses specifically on peer interactions and how they can be improved &mdash; such classes are offered locally, and you can search for them using keywords such as &ldquo;teamwork skills enrichment kids singapore.&rdquo;
Need more Primary 1 advice? We&rsquo;ve got <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/25-links-to-help-your-child-prepare-for-primary-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">25 must-read links</a> to help your child gear up for school!
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