From the day we are born, we have an incessant desire to understand the world. And, literacy helps to do that. Literacy traditionally stands for reading and writing in a meaningful way. Although these are essential elements, literacy is more than that. Journeys to literacy also include drawing, playing word games, singing, and talking as well. 

These cannot be developed overnight. So, children are encouraged to take part in various learning activities regularly. Talking about animals, birds, and different household items is a great way to improve literacy. Reciting rhymes and mimicking different sounds also help to improve literacy in babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Reading and other book-based activities are also very effective for improving the literacy of the kids. Reading books with kids is another good literacy activity. Always encourage the kid to take the lead. But never push. Involve them in doodles and drawing different shapes

As your kid reaches the school-going age, Involve them in talking. This will develop their communication and understanding. They should take part in singing, drawing, listing many things appropriate to their ages.

This article by Baby Bonus, Singapore reveals insights on literacy activities for children belonging to different age groups. Read more here!

Indoor Physical Activities Are Important for Toddlers

Taking kids out for activities is good but that might not always be possible. In such cases, there is no other alternative than to keep your babies active with indoor games.

Unstructured indoor games are those that the kids play themselves. These gave them freedom of imagination and control. As no fear of failure is involved, the kids feel relaxed. But, these are not directed to any goal, and, for this, structured indoor plays are preferred for ensuring the growth of the toddlers.

Parents can help the toddlers learn to climb over pillows or crawling through hollow objects for improving their motor skills. Playing hide & seek is also a great way to train them to consider various possibilities as they search for you. Also, involve them every day in yoga, stretching, balancing, ball activities, etc for fun engagement and growth as well.

Parents can also take their kids to indoor play areas and theme parks. Going to these places the kids gain new experiences in a safe and weather-proof environment. They also learn to think creatively.

This article by Very Well Family gives vital parental tips on how to keep the kids engaged with indoor activities. Read more here!

You Can Keep Toddlers Busy Using These Methods at Home

Toddlers bubble up with energy and look for continuous stimulation. It is okay when you take them outdoors. But, there are times when you cannot go out for weather or any other reason. Things start getting tricky then.

Maybe you are a tired parent. Naturally, you will not be able to cope up with endless energies of your babies. So, you have to give them something to stay engaged so that you can have some relaxation.

The main purpose of these indoor playing arrangements is to provide your babies something to think and also make things themselves. you can let them wash toy cars with soapy water. Playing with squishy water beads, making a snake with buttons, and painting sidewalks with cornstarch paint also make attractive indoor game options.

You can keep these games ready for them well in advance and use them when needed. These are great to develop unique hand & eye coordination, cognitive, and motor skills. These are great to keep toddlers creatively engaged, in the present situation, when families are under quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic.

This article by Teaching Mama tells how to keep the toddlers busy at home with hands-on activities. Read more here!

Apart from growing really fast, children learn at an extraordinary pace. Researchers have noticed that young children, who were exposed to more than one language, have an easy time understanding and assimilating information. It is natural to wonder where this super information processing power disappears to while we grow older. Why do children learn a new language with relative ease? ” explain that when it comes to learning there is critical period (CP) for acquisition of language. CP is explained as the process of transition when the ability to assimilate a primary language decreases and is replaced by a systemic process of mindful problem-solving capacity to complete a given task.

A second language is therefore distributed across the mind and help is sought from different parts of the brain. To explain in simpler terms, this means to say that while children learn new language as a part of their emotional development, adults rely on previously learnt information to assimilate and process new knowledge. ” However, the mode of adult learning does not limit the ability to pick up a new language like Chinese but given the fundamental difference between a child s organic learning and a high-schooler s systematic knowledge processing, time taken varies greatly. “

Young children are predisposed to be attentive of the language spoken around them. They seek novelty for everything they come across is mostly new. They are passionately curious which is why it is impossible to keep them seated for long periods of time. It is widely accepted that learning and memory is enhanced when the subject is viewed as interesting. Holding a child s attention is far easier than that of a high schooler. A child is fascinated when given a brush and sheet of paper and asked to paint Chinese characters, a high school student, not as much usually. Teaching a complexly beautiful language like Chinese is therefore easier when it is at the level of kindergarten than high school. Learning a new language for a child is easy also because they have lesser complex information to understand. Learning at a young age is predominantly associated words with their meaning.

In high school, learning includes grammar and sentence construction apart from understanding meaning. Such an added weight increases the complexity of learning Chinese. Children, inherently possess low levels of self-awareness. It is natural for them to stand up and start dancing or singing out loud without worrying what others will think of them. Sadly, as we grow older, there are invisible rules of decorum we are expected to maintain. Such a limitation makes us conscious of mistakes and often limits us from trying something new. Children speak without worrying about the number of mistakes they are making or the coherency of the sentence. The situation is not the same for young adults. As and when the child makes mistakes, it is corrected, but since adults shy from speaking, they are not assessed for their skills.

A child’s mind is like a sponge: it imbibes information, greedily. But, for a young adult, information must be learnt through conscious effort through construction of mind maps. There are higher chances of information getting misplaced when attempted consciously. To understand the concept of unconscious learning better, think of the times when you hear jingles on the radio or TV. When a same jingle is heard over and over again, you start to sing along. Although, educationalists are trying to device methods for unconscious learning in adults, teaching them young is effective in the interim. Kindergarteners who were exposed to immersion classes of Mandarin Chinese showed exceptional results in reading and writing when they reached 5th grade as compared to students who were exposed to the language at a later time.

If you do not want your child to miss out on learning Chinese at a young age, you can consider sending them to Chengzhu’s Chinese Kindergarten, more information can be found on their website.

The internet is loaded with tons of information. While some of them are helpful, others are misleading and false. Sadly, many of this false and unreliable information are being showcased on social media and on popular forums.

This has made a lot of parents in Singapore look at Chinese preschools in a bad light. Many of these parents now feel that their child will fall behind in English if they enrol their child into a Chinese kindergarten. Others are blind to the advantages of sending their children into a Chinese preschool in Singapore.

 Truth be told, most of the information on Chinese preschool in Singapore is false, unreliable and misleading. To navigate through the maze of false information and misconception, you are surely going to need some help.

The following article by Mindchamps debunks some 8 misconceptions about Chinese preschools in Singapore.

8 MISCONCEPTIONS OF CHINESE PRESCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE DEBUNKED

These are just some of the questions and concerns that many parents have when it comes to the benefits of enrolling their children in a Chinese preschool. Read more here.

 You like now know some eight misconceptions about Chinese Kindergartens in Singapore. It is funny to learn that most of the things people are saying about Chinese preschools are not just true. That said, one challenge you are likely going to face if you really want to enrol your child into a Chinese kindergarten is find a good kindergarten.

The following article by Mindchamps is basically a blueprint to the anatomy of the best Chinese kindergarten in Singapore.

 THE ANATOMY OF THE BEST CHINESE KINDERGARTEN IN SINGAPORE FOR YOUR CHILD

Learning the Chinese language from young will open up more opportunities for your child in the future. Not only is it increasingly used as a language for business expansion, trade, travel, and cultural understanding, it is also one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.  Read more here.

You likely now know what makes a Chinese kindergarten great and some things to consider when choosing a Chinese kindergarten. Do you know that there are some amazing activities that make your child more receptive to learning Chinese during his years in Kindergarten? This is only going to happen if you enrol your child in a Chinese Kindergarten.

10 Amazing Activities That Nurture a Love of Learning Chinese during the Kindergarten Years

As most kindergarten children tend to communicate with their parents at home in English, their exposure to Mandarin often takes place during Chinese lessons in kindergarten and Chinese enrichment classes during weekends. Read more here.

You surely now know some amazing activities that will motivate your child to learn Chinese during his kindergarten years. Keep in mind that your child is only going to be exposed to these activities if you enrol him in a Chinese kindergarten.  Always remember that the benefit of enrolling your child into a Chinese preschool outweighs any risk and challenges that he may encounter.

Final note

 Since there are lots of false information on the internet and misconceptions about Chinese kindergarten in Singapore, it is important that you verify every information you read or share.

Let’s face it, finding a good kindergarten in Singapore is somewhat difficult. And this is because there are so many of them. To silence the noise and choose a good one, you have to know what makes a Chinese kindergarten good.

Another thing you must look at before choosing a Chinese kindergarten is their curriculum and activities. Doing this, will help you determine if a Chinese kindergarten will be good for your little one or not.

Learning is fun, but other children don’t see and feel it because some schools and some teachers don’t make it fun. Children have a short span of attention that is why teachers and schools have to adjust to that. If a class only does pure lectures and discussion, then the child would probably feel bored and start to make noise instead. They also wouldn’t be able to enjoy staying in school if that is the case. There are a lot of things that teachers could do in order to keep children entertained.

At Chengzhu Chinese kindergarten, children will learn Mandarin in an immersive environment that includes music, storytelling, art & craft and develop the confidence to use Mandarin in their daily lives. If you are keen for your child to master Mandarin you should visit their page.

If you hear the words ‘Chinese lesson’, what usually comes to mind is mere discussion and lectures. However, Hester will share to us a guide to Chinese classes, playgroups, and schools in Singapore.

The Sassy Mama Guide to Chinese Classes, Playgroups and Schools in Singapore

One of the most useful gifts you can give a child is the ability to speak more than one language, and here in Singapore it’s so easy to expose your little linguist to 2, 3 or even more foreign languages! With heaps of fun ways for kids to learn Chinese, we’ve rounded up the best in Mandarin classes, playgroups and even a childcare centre or two, to help your little ones on their way to fluency.

Enrichment Classes

 The bee’s knees of Mandarin enrichment centres, Berries World of Learning is one of the most popular language schools in Singapore! With a fun-filled multi-sensory approach to teaching Chinese, littlies from 3 years old age learn through hands-on, creative projects and plenty of social interaction. Just be warned mama… the wait list is looooooooooong! Read more here.

Provided above are some of the best language schools and enrichment classes in Singapore. The schools’ approach to learning are loved by the students because they give a different touch to it. In an article by Mind Champs, we are going to read about a Chinese kindergarten which offers outdoor classroom to pre-schoolers

Chinese Kindergarten Offers Outdoor Classroom to Preschoolers

Learning Chinese does more than boosting one’s literacy skills – it also enables us to explore the origins of one of the most ancient cultures of the world.

Studies have shown that bilingualism helps children gain better long-term cognitive outcomes. Not only will they be more creative and flexible, their memory, attention span and language skills will improve as well.

If you are looking to provide and build a strong foundation in the Chinese language for your children, attending a Chinese kindergarten such as MindChamps Chinese PreSchool might be a great choice to help you work towards this goal. Read on to know more about the MindChamps Chinese PreSchool curriculum and how lessons are conducted with an interesting twist at MindChamps Chinese PreSchool @ Thomson. Read more here.

That was fun! Imagine your children sitting inside the classroom all day while lessons are going on versus your children having lessons outside the classroom. Students would enjoy nature walks and other outdoor activities.  In addition to a fun learning, The Asian Parent will share to us a review about Chinese Kindergarten, one of the schools in Singapore which has a different approach to learning.

Chinese Kindergarten – Review

Ricky Wadi, like any other four-year-old, loves running around. However the mere mention of school and Ricky stands still, breathing heavily. Asking him the reason for the sudden stillness and he replies “I can’t run and climb at school. I’m always in the classroom,” he mumbles with a downcast look.

Like Ricky, many children are stuck in a rigid system of learning daily, with minimal activity being displayed. As parents place higher expectations for their children to grow academically, the importance of play, and even exercise are lost.

However, not convinced that gyms and space to run around freely are facing a shortage in Singapore, TheAsianParent dug and unearthed one centre that has just about the most eye-catching gym equipment on the island! Read more here.

Chinese Kindergarten provided us with a different approach to learning. They believe that the importance of play and exercise should also be introduced in school that is why they have gym classes for physical development. It is true that academic success would be useless if you are physically unhealthy. We should always understand that a child is curious about the world that is why we should not limit them from the traditional lectures, instead we should indulge them in exploring the world.

Do you know that the school you enroll your child can affect his academic, physical and mental performance? So, if you want your child to develop faster and reach his potential, then you have to enroll him in a good school.

Presently, there are a lot of schools in Singapore, enrolling your child into anyone without doing your research is certainly not a good idea. And this is because some of the schools in Singapore may not be able to handle the unique needs of your child.

Before enrolling your child into a Chinese kindergarten school or a regular school in Singapore there are some important things you first need to consider.

The following article by Jackie shed lights on some important things you need to know before putting your child in a Chinese Kindergarten.

PUTTING YOUR KID IN A CHINESE KINDERGARTEN? READ THIS FIRST

I’ve always been curious about what it’s like to be in a local Chinese kindergarten. I’ve heard stories, and it’s now been somewhat confirmed by Josh’s story! Of course, his story is based in Xinjiang; Read more here.

You are likely now abreast with some important things you need to know before enrolling your child to a Chinese kindergarten. Children education is a tricky subject; nobody knows it all. Whether you are a new parent or you have many kids, you have to be cautious when enrolling your child into a Chinese kindergarten. You can learn more about this here https://www.chengzhu.edu.sg/kindergarten/  

The following article by Vanessa Jencks unveils some 7 reasons why you need to be cautious when enrolling your child into a Chinese Kindergarten.

THINKING OF A PRIVATE CHINESE KINDERGARTEN?

Education for children is a tricky topic for expats who are non-teachers. The price of international education is incredibly expensive, under normal circumstances, and it’s hard to find high-quality schools on a budget. Read more here.

You probably now know some 7 challenges your child is going to face when you enroll him in a Chinese kindergarten. But you don’t have to be worried because, with a little help, you will be able to overcome each of these challenges. If you really want your child to learn Chinese, make friends and reach his potential, you have to enroll him into a top-notch kindergarten. But how can you tell if a kindergarten is world class?

The following article by Theasianparent is basically a review of some of the best Chinese kindergartens in Singapore.

CHINESE KINDERGARTEN – REVIEW

 TheAsianParent dug and unearthed one centre that has just about the most eye-catching gym equipment in the island! Chinese Kindergarten, run by Mrs. Wong, is located at 256 Outram Road. Read more here.

You surely now know some of the best Chinese kindergartens in Singapore. Before choosing among them, it is important that you take a close look at their curriculum. You can go the extra mile by visiting the kindergarten to take a tour around the school premises. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or air out your concerns.

FINAL NOTE

Before you enroll your child into any Chinese kindergarten in Singapore, there are a handful of things you first need to know. Keep in mind that your child’s transition in a Chinese kindergarten is not going to be all sunshine and rainbows; he is likely going to find it difficult to adjust and make friends. But, with a little help, he will scale through these challenges.

Of course, all the kindergarten in Singapore will not be able to care for the needs of your child. To find a good one that your child will settle into easily, you will have to do some research.

Also, you have to check the online review of any kindergarten before enrolling your child into it. Doing this will prevent you from enrolling your child into the wrong school.