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.

The elementary years are not as tough as one would imagine, but from a child’s point of view, it can get tricky with the volumes of information thrown at her/him. If you are looking for a holistic kindergarten education for your child, do consider this leading Kindergarten in sg. They have engaging activities to grow your child, and have good facilities to support your child. Do visit their website above.

Here are some of the general courses covered in kindergarten. Smattering of Arts Teaching children how to read, recognize and recall the letters of the alphabet is taught at this time. They also learn how to decipher the differences between the uppercase in words and the lowercase. Picture books and material provided on the screen at the kindergarten in Singapore enables children to learn words and their meanings. Reading out aloud is also encouraged with a more advanced textbook to get them to think and analyze the storyline. Discussions are also encouraged so that kids can make their points of view felt about the story and if required group settings empower them to get competitive.

Math and Science Two of the most crucial subjects that children are faced with – mathematics and science is taught to kids in kindergarten. They learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide. The educator uses props or pictorial content on the screen, to drive the point home. As children learn that there is quite an emphasis on mathematics, teachers encourage them to go deeper and use their analytical skills. At the scientific level, they are taught simple concepts like fauna and flora.

They also distinguish the differences in animal and avian life. Social Skills During the day, while children are at kindergarten they are encouraged to make friends with their classmates. If need be, the teacher may shuffle the class around a bit so that every child gets to meet with the rest of the peers. Shy children may take a while to open up to others, but once the little one makes a friend, s/he will develop her/his social skills. It also empowers children to be able to use their naughtiness and cuteness to their advantage.

Educators, who have been in the ring for a while, will be able to determine the extent of the naughtiness and provide suitable discipline for the naughty child. Having read until this point, we hope that you have realised that kindergarten is not a trivial period for your child, and you should pay utmost attention to the quality of kindergarten you intend to send him/her to.

Check out Chiltern House Review today to find out more about Chiltern House’s activities. Children also learn about the history of their country, geography and a host of other subjects. As they open out their minds to the vastness of information, they digest information and the questions start pouring in, for the teacher to answer! General courses covered in kindergarten are of utmost importance as they enable children to use their God-given gifts to take them to the next level in the education system.

As guardians, we just need the best for our youngsters, so we strive to have the capacity to give them only the very best. The incongruity is, working longer hours implies investing less energy with them, which could prompt parental disregard when you leave your young kid at home without a caretaker. If there was an approach to work AND watch over your kid in the meantime, without making yourself insane, that would be absolutely great. But since its almost next to impossible, childcare’s have come up all over the world to take care of your child while you are away.

Depending on what you can bear, you can get assistants, freelancers or send your youngster to a full fledged childcare centre in Singapore. There are different sorts of childcare choices, however, they all fundamentally mean a similar thing: Someone to tend to and oversee your kid or youngsters, more often than not between the ages of a month and a half to 13 years. As opposed to prevalent thinking, sending your children to a childcare centre in singapore or employing help doesn’t imply that a youngster would be growing up with less love than when he or she is looked after exclusively by their parent(s). On the off chance that anything, it implies more love from various gatherings, and quality care from a youthful age can positively affect their future, for example, getting a head begin on figuring out how to read, write and talk.

Long story short, everything boils down to how you handle your kid’s childcaredo you give your tyke’s overseer a chance to do the majority of your child’s work or you only let them help you? Trick is to be your childs best friend while letting someone help you take care of him/her. How Much Does Childcare in Singapore Cost? Since you know about the choice for childcare, we should take a gander at the expenses. There are 3 sorts of childcare accessible to you in Singapore, which are: Pre-school or Childcare focuses It depends upon whether you select an entire day or half-day childcare program and how small your child is, the normal cost of entire day newborn child childcare is about SGD 1.5k a month. Sitters or Nannies There are independent sitters and caretakers and there are live-in babysitters (normally remote specialists).

Specialists can cost up to SGD 900 a month while live-in caretakers can begin from as low as SGD 1.5k a month. Working at a children friendly office or cooperating space Rates relying upon your working course of actionif your organization is working in an office where brings your own kids is permitted or if there’s a playpen in it, at that point you’re fundamentally paying nothing additional. Else, you may need to pay for the cost of working in a collaborating space. It is very important that you form a friendly bond with your child while you are taking help from an outside source to raise your child.

More often than not, parents tend to look over connecting with their child while being busy with work which causes an adverse affect on the childs upbringing. A parent-child bond cannot be imitated or replaced. Premium childcares come with facilities that are educational for the children. This helps their smooth transitioning to school and makes the kids social before even entering schools. There are many contemporary daycares such as churches, nannies etc who take care of your child while you are away. There are multiple options to consider, when it comes to preschool or .

If you are like most parents in Singapore, you may think that all preschools are the same. But that is not exactly true, as there are different types of preschools in Singapore.

In fact, if you do a little digging, you will learn that there are about 12 types of preschools in Singapore.

Each of them is different and has a unique teaching style and goals. If you want to learn more about the different types of preschool in Singapore, you will benefit from this article.

The following article by Singaporemotherhood discusses briefly on the 12 types of preschools in Singapore.

 12 Types of PreSchools in Singapore: The Ultimate Guide

As parents, we want to give our children nothing but the best. And in Singapore, we’re fortunate enough to be able to provide a world-class education for our kids. Moreover, preschool is the first-ever school experience our children will have, making it all the more important to choose the right one. While the IB curriculum is offered at a secondary and tertiary level in Singapore, it’s not often found in preschools. This curriculum is primarily based on promoting the development of kids’ IQ and EQ skills. Also emphasising a culture of respect among children and teachers. Read more here.

The above article has definitely broadened your perspective and given you a clear picture of what each of the 12 types of preschool in Singapore has to offer. The article has also unveiled the different locations of the preschool discussed in the article in Singapore. Read the next article to learn how to help your kid perform well in preschool.

The following article by Nirmala karuppiah sheds light on some important things parents planning to enroll their kid in a preschool should know.

Want your kids to have a high-quality preschool education? Here’s what it means

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced in Budget 2020 that the Government will be doubling its annual spending on the early childhood sector from the current S$1 billion to S$2 billion within the next few years. The move is part of the Government’s efforts to improve the affordability, accessibility and quality of preschool services. This is indeed good news for parents, many of whom are concerned about whether their children are receiving high quality care and education in the preschools. But what is high quality in the context of a Singapore preschool? Read more here.

You definitely now have a clear picture of a few things you can do to help your child perform well in preschool. The above article clearly explained the role of parents in their kid’s development, especially in their early years. Do you want to know what your kids learn in preschool? If yes, the next article is for you.

The following article by Naeyc sheds light on what kids learn in preschool.

What Do Children Learn in a High-Quality Preschool Program?

Your child continues to develop in many ways—physically, socially, emotionally, in language and literacy, and in thinking (cognitive) skills. Teachers support her in all of these areas. Physical development is the way your child moves her arms and legs (large motor skills) and her fingers and hands (small motor skills). Teachers help children learn these skills by offering different physical activities and equipment. Read more here.

As you likely saw in the above article, the goal of most preschools in Singapore is to help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially, and academically. They also help little kids improve their cognitive skills and language development with the help of technology, creative arts, math, science, play, and so on.  

Final note

Before enrolling your child into a preschool, it is wise that you first learn as much as you can about the various types of preschools that are available in Singapore.

Doing this, will help you determine the right type of preschool for kids.

Bear in mind that private preschools are better than public ones, as they have a broader curriculum and can help kids develop confidence in themselves.

Truth be told, the tuition of many prestigious preschools in Singapore is very high. Because of this, only parents that are rolling in cash can send their kids to these schools.

If you are like most parents in Singapore, you likely may have made a few sacrifices to ensure that you send your child to a great preschool.

Even after enrolling your little one into a preschool, a part of you may wonder if your kid is learning something important or is playing around all day while he is in school. If you are looking for a preschool in Singapore, you can find more information here.

The following article by Krissy discusses what kids learn and do in preschool.

What Do Kids Learn in Preschool? + 24 Activities, Too!

Yes, we’re jumping backward, out of order, in our education series today. We’ve already shared what kids learn in Kindergarten and First Grade, but I was inspired by B-Inspired Mama sponsor Childtime to step back and share about preschool learning, too. Do you have a little one going off to preschool this school year?  Here’s what they might learn while they’re there. Read more here.

As you likely saw in the above article, kids don’t play all day in preschool; instead, they learn about counting, numbers, basic shapes, colors, and the alphabet. If you enroll your kid in a great preschool, they will help him develop his gross motor skill, fine motor skills, and social skill. Read the next article carefully if you are looking for a good preschool for your little one.

The following article by Kidmatters sheds light on 5 things parents should consider when choosing a preschool for their kid.

5 Things to Look For When Selecting A Preschool For Your Little One!

Where did all that time go? Suddenly, you were holding your little one in your arms. Now, he’s ready to walk, talk and LEARN! A quality early childhood education programme is important because it gives children a good head start to their primary school education. First-time parents might be overwrought about sending your beloved to only the best school ever! Thanks to recent announcements during the National Day Rally 2019, you’re now spoilt for choice and better options regardless of your background in view of enhancements and increased subsidies.  Read more here.

If you read the above article carefully, you likely came across factors like teachers to students ratio, curriculum, food, and safety that parents should pay attention to when choosing a preschool for their kid. If you want your child to get the best care and attention, you should consider sending him to a private school.

The following article by world-schools unveils some of the best private schools in Singapore.

 The Best Private Schools in Singapore

Parents generally choose private schools because they offer a strong academic program, create the perfect studying environment with smaller classes, outstanding campuses and offer a wide choice of extracurricular activities such as sports and arts. Private schools also put more emphasis on specialties like art, music and athletics and many focus on integrating important 21st century skills in their programs. Read more here.

As you probably saw in the above article, private schools are somewhat better than public schools, as they pay close attention to the need of each student and put more emphasis on specialties like athletics, art, and music that can stir up the creativity in kids and ultimately help them reach their full potential.

Final note

Enrolling your child in a preschool is one of the best ways to give him a head start in life.

Most preschools in Singapore can help kids improve their fine and gross motor skills and teach them how to identify shapes, color, numbers, and many more.

Of course, you have the freedom to enroll your kid either into a public preschool or a private one. But if you want him to develop faster, you should consider sending him to a private preschool.  

Do you know that the preschool you enroll your kid in his early years can affect his academic performance later on?

Enrolling your child into a prestigious preschool with high teaching standards and qualified teachers will not only help your child develop quicker but will also help him do better than his peers academically in later years.

As you likely know, Singapore is home to a lot of preschools, but not all of them can give your kid a bright future.

If you are looking for a preschool that can give your child a head start in life and ultimately help him reach his full potential, this article is for you.

 The following article by Michaela koh shed light on some 25 preschools that can give children a brighter future.

 THE 26 BEST PRESCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE FOR THE CHILDREN’S BRIGHTER FUTURE

Once the school season starts, parents will certainly be in search of excellent preschools where their children can learn and explore different lessons that will surely be applicable in the future. They also want to ensure that a creative and supportive environment will be provided. If you have recently moved into the country or just starting the life of parenthood, this list of best preschools in Singapore might help you give the brilliant education that your children deserve. Read more here.

You surely now know some 26 top-notch preschools in Singapore like Brighton Montessori, Blue House International, MindChamps, Early years Montessori, and many more. These schools are highly rated because they are dedicated to excellence, have hard-working staff, and comfortable learning environment.

The following article by loanstreet unveils some of the best private preschool in Singapore.

List of Top Private Preschools in Singapore

At AIS, they have the vision to be known internationally as an institution, which represents educational excellence in all aspects of our operation. Their philosophy commits them fully to the notion of holistic, rounded education, which cherishes the arts and sports as well as other academics essential to each student’s education. Read more here.

The above article is a must-read for parents looking for good private preschools for their kids. The article explicitly discussed everything from the mission to the curriculum and the goals of some of the best private preschools in Singapore. If for some reason, you are having a hard time choosing among them, you are going to benefit from the next article.

The following article by Team Mom loves Best is a how-to guide to choosing a preschool in Singapore.

 How to Choose the Best Preschool for Your Kids

Should you enroll your child in preschool? This is a question many parents feel the pressure to respond to and act on as their kids get older. The choice to put kids in preschool or forego the whole thing is one that elicits heated debates. Each option has its merits and whichever one you choose, we know you have your child’s interests at heart. Picking a preschool isn’t easy. As parents, we have to give our choice careful consideration so we teach our children to love — not despise — school. Read more here.

The above article has certainly given you a clear picture of some things you should do and some factors you should consider before choosing a preschool for your little one in Singapore. The article also unveils everything from the tuition of most preschools in Singapore to the common types of preschools in Singapore.

Final note

Presently, there are scores of preschools scattered around Singapore.

While some of them are great and have high teaching standards, others don’t have what it takes to bring the best out of every kid.

Since all of them aren’t great, you must do some research before picking one for your kid. You can easily sieve out the best preschools in Singapore by taking a close look at their curriculum, the qualification of their teachers, and their online reviews.

The concept of a normal classroom is to engage students in a variety of topics which benefit them in knowledge acquisition. Enrichment classes do not use traditional education techniques which are used in almost all schools in Singapore. They practice an interactive learning methodology to help children become experts in other subjects like arts, sports, music, drama, speech and foreign languages.

Education system in Singapore:

The education system of Singapore is considered to be one of the best in the world, still schools are believed to be providing the most basic academic knowledge to the children. It can therefore, be said that enrichment courses are designed to cover loopholes in the Singapore education system and at the same time, prepare students to meet international educational standards. These are some of the reasons why the concept of enrichment classes are so popular in Singapore.

Enrichment classes are beneficial for small Children:

It can be safely said that enrichment classes are more beneficial for children than older students. Normally children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years are the greater beneficiaries of these enrichment programs in Singapore. During this prime age, kids learn to interact and play with other children, get over stranger anxiety, develop affinity towards outside world, learn to stay away from home environment and siblings and able to make new friends. Furthermore, young kids start to use both their cognitive abilities, hands, eyes and mind together, aiding in the development of physical, motor and analytical skills. These skills also help them towards dressing, eating and studying as well. The environment at enrichment classes is encouraging and supporting, where they don’t feel pushed or compelled to attend classes.

Enrichment classes in Singapore; A Challenge:

Sometimes, enrichment classes may not meet the expectations of parents and children. In order to deliver results, enrichment schools may feel pressurized to overload students with too much knowledge. Hence, encouraging children to take more additional programmes. Your kid may start to feel overloaded with this intense pressure, which may be doing more harm than good to their future. Knowledge overload can lead to mind blockage and development of stress and anxiety which could stunt your child’s natural growth. The role of enrichment centres and teachers in Singapore become even essential because they need to create balance between knowledge and development of children.

The role of parents is also essential as far as enrolling their children in enrichment programs is concerned. Parents may just enrol their children in these centres and take some slack off parenting responsibilities. However, parents need to create a balance between sending their children to school and giving them adequate time at home as well. You need to take your kids to different places and introduce them to the outside world as well.

Kids observe, communicate and make comparison. They learn what they see. The role of both parents and teachers is very important as far as learning of children is concerned. Both tend to give what is needed and expected of children at this tender age and emphasize should be making them good human being. Learn more about enrichment classes in Singapore at Wonder Years Parenting Community.

It is always beneficial to enroll young kids into different interactive enrichment activities. These days learning is not just about reading, writing; it is amalgamation of music, role plays, movement, art programs and athletic programs. The Idea is to develop cognitive, physical and emotional well-being of a child, helping him become a well-rounded individual. It is, thus essential to have different enrichment courses in preschool for children. Some benefits of enrichment classes are mentioned below:

Children learn through new Experience:

When kids are enrolled in pre-schools which offer enrichment courses, it helps in your child’s early development because they get a chance to experience a new environment. At this very young and tender age, a child’s brain is still in a growing age and development is at its peak. The concept of learning music at this age is very beneficial because it leads to development of brain activities at very start of their preschool learning. Similarly, when kids get a chance to engage in different sports activities, they learn concepts like communicating with others, working together, building confidence, decision making, patience thus their personal growth is enhanced. It also prepares them for kindergarten where interaction with other children is enforced.

Development of Social Skills:

When children as young as 8 months are enrolled into an enrichment centre, they start to acquire a sense of independence. They observe their teachers, fellow students, communicate with others and go beyond their comfort zones and boundaries. All these little interactions add on to their experience and thus help in their learning. Furthermore, when your child plays with other children, they socialize, imitate, repeat and thus become socially independent. When they interact with other children through play, your child will acquire skills like problem solving, team work, negotiation and patience which helps them in their future studies and work. When children are taught by different teachers and instructors, their fear and separation anxiety is gone and thus they feel comfortable when enrolled into a pre-school.

Let’s face the outside world with peace:

For young children, the outside world is a brand-new experience. It is indeed challenging for kids to meet and interact people who are neither their parents nor siblings. The responsibility lies on the teachers to strengthen the emotional wellbeing of these children. Although the environment of enrichment classes are new to your child, teachers and caregivers tend to make it warm and supportive. The effective use of encouraging languages and supportive jargon, like “it’s OK, try again, take your time” help children adopt to their new environment better.

Enrichment classes leads to overall development:

Many people don’t understand the true essence of enrichment courses, thus in Singapore many enrichment courses believe in interactive activities which aids in the development of cognitive, physical, emotional well-being of children belonging to all ages. As young as 8 months onwards, when children are very small and trying to get hold of their outside environment, enrichment classes make them socially strong, get control of language skills, motor skills and creativity.

Researchers are of the view that children who attend enrichment classes in pre-school are better equipped towards attending Kindergarten and their adaptability is many folds better. Thus, if you are living in Singapore, then look for preschools which are offering enrichment courses and make a better choice for your child. Learn more about the benefits of enrichment classes at Wonder Years Parenting.

For kids between the age of 6 months and 6 years, there are some enrichment classes offered in Singapore. Some are focused towards language learning while others offer various extracurricular activities such as drama, music, ballet or sports. This article will share some classes which are designed to offer enrichment courses for children. They are:

• Time to learn Chinese: If your child is not fond of learning Mandarin, then you have reached the right spot. Mandarin enrichment centres help children develop skill sets for learning Mandarin. This includes creative writing, different cultural programs and language assignments. To help kids fall in love with Mandarin, the program engages students and children through various activities. In addition, some enrichment centres conduct an Annual Cultural night to foster familiarity with Chinese heritage and mandarin language.
• Thinking skills enrichment: Some parents are too concerned with regards to the learning capabilities of their children. There are certain centres in Singapore designed to stimulate a higher level of learning for children. These centres adopt a student-centric approach which puts emphasis on maximum interaction and creative problem-solving techniques. Kids also get a chance to exercise their thinking patterns, evaluate and analyse situations rather just listening to teachers. Curriculum include using pictures, role plays, music and some tools of social media for learning purpose, which kids enjoy and love to learn with.
• Learning English centres: Some enrichment schools in Singapore specialise in helping children learn the English language. Through these enrichment classes, children can improve and develop an interest in the English language. From vocabulary to phonics and creative writing, your child will learn to understand and appreciate the beauty of literature from a young age. For younger children, learning the English language can be difficult. However, these centres make language learning easy and fun as well.
• Conceptual learning: Some enrichment programs focus on practical learning. If parents want their children to learn based on key concepts and central ideas rather than traditional focused learning, then these centres are will help you achieve your conceptual learning goals. Furthermore, these centres also engage in reading and writing activities and sessions, which helps your kids gain confident and enhance cognitive capabilities in them.
• Art learning centres: Some enrichment schools provide art, drama and speech lessons to children. Kids enhance their skills for English language, participate in drama and different role play activities where their spoken and language skills are enhanced.
• Reading and writing learning centres: For younger children, between the ages of 8 months to 6 years, reading and writing enrichment schools can help improve their speech, writing and reading skills. Under the supervision of subject specialist teachers, children participate in different activities which are creative and meaningful. Thus preparing them for future school requirements. Apart from this, children also participate in different singing, movement, reading and role playing activities.
• Learn French language: If you want, your child to become multilingual and learn different languages, then some enrichment classes offer such courses as well. French classes are one such example, in which kids as small as 1 year of age get the chance to dance, sing songs, share stories and engage in different role play, mainly in French.

It is pertinent to mention that lot of enrichment centres in Singapore are offering different courses, sessions and interactive classes for children for all age groups. Some foster language skills in kids, while others are focused on building confidence in children. Based upon the capabilities and learning skills of children, they should be enrolled in a particular enrichment centre to benefit most from them. If you wish to learn more about enrichment classes, do visit Wonder Years Singapore for more information.