RE: SJCK
bkk, wanted to post this sometime back, but no time to write properly.. actually when i went on my placement at this kindie at Farrer Rd, i heard some comments from 2 kids who attend PM session that they hate going to SJCK n enjoy going to this kindie.. I'm not trying to say anything bad becos i have also heard good things about the school.. but i still think it's the teacher that's important as well as school culture..
To me, the early years are foundation years.. build the roots strong, the tree will be sturdy.. If we start restricting or putting them into structure and focus on academics, we might lose the creativity part in them.. As we know, creativity cannot be taught, but can be nurtured.. by allowing them to have freedom of expression we let them start thinking from a young age..
During the early years, most important for me to build a healthy self esteem, creative thinking, problem solving, enjoy learning.. These will be the important skills to bring them through life..
To me, sometimes we try to hurry our children too much.. want them to walk fast, talk fast, etc.. For example: research shows that children should start writing at the age of 7.. but in SG, most children start writing at 3! All the cc/kindies have writing worksheets.. If they are ready, it's fine.. but if they are not, they shouldn't be forced into it..
In view of this, that's why i like C's school curriculum because they don't have this kind of thing.. Art is an empty piece of paper given to them and not a printed piece of worksheet.. so indirectly i'm saying that i do prefer pat's if compared to SJCK..
As for integrating into P1, i feel it's not too late to start academics in K2. about half a year of getting them used to local curriculum.. international school is a bit too far fetch for me becos of fees.. n i feel that we don't have to go to that extent.. besides some of the schools like ACS n RGS also have similar IB programs..
then again, i will like to stress that as parents what we value and how we will like our children to grow up is crucial in the early years until adolescence..