Congratulations, parents! You’ve survived the school year and it’s time to unwind and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. Rightfully so, for you and your child have journeyed through another school year and there’s much to celebrate. While you’re enjoying the holidays, do remember that the new year marks your child’s transition to the next level, and with that comes new challenges. We got experts from The Learning Lab, Hong Jiayi, Academic Director at TLL for JEM and Choa Chu Kang and Sue Lynn Lee, TLL’s Academic Director for the Early Years and Lower Primary programmes, to weigh in on how you can get started on your child’s preparation for the next level.
Challenges of Transitioning from One Level to Another
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The whole idea of a child’s educational journey from preschool to university is that of spiral progression. With each year that passes, they learn new skills, concepts and attitudes that build on what they already know. Each year brings its own set of challenges and along with it, the satisfaction of overcoming them. Here’s a guide on some of the key challenges when your child transitions from one level to another, as well as tips from experts at The Learning Lab (TLL) on how to overcome these challenges.
1. Challenges of Transitioning from Preschool to Primary School
Preschool curriculum is wide and varied and thus every child’s journey from preschool to primary school is different. Some preschools may be more aligned with the local primary school syllabus and thus better able to cushion the impact of the transition. Thankfully, with the newly introduced Joy of Learning approach by the Ministry of Education, the focus of the first two years of primary school has shifted away from homework and assessment. Instead, schools take a more holistic approach to learning and development. The key challenges of transitioning from preschool to primary school include the earlier and longer school hours, independence in doing things such as being responsible for their own belongings and handling money in the school canteen, finding their way around school on their own as well as being seated for longer durations and adhering to school rules.
When moving on from Primary 1 to 2, the academic demands increase slightly and children will be expected to pay attention for longer periods of time, take notes in their school diary with less guidance and ask for help without hesitation.
While the focus of the first two years of primary school may be on cultivating the joy of learning, children are still expected to build a strong academic foundation in these crucial years. Sue Lynn emphasises, “It is important to ensure that your child has a strong foundation in key learning skills in literacy and numeracy. Some of these skills include being able to read and understand simple text, knowing how to count real objects as well as match, sort, compare and order items. Sue Lynn adds, “Despite the absence of assessments at this stage, it is still necessary to enable your child to grow into an equipped learner.”
2. Challenges of Transitioning from Lower to Middle Primary (Primary 3 and 4)
The transition from lower to middle primary is a lot more significant for two big reasons – taking on Science, an additional subject, as well as taking examinations for the first time. Some schools also start offering Higher Mother Tongue (HMT) at this stage. In addition, students start having more Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) commitments. As such, children may start to feel the pressure of managing their time, juggling multiple responsibilities as well as the stress of increased academic demands. The idea of sitting for an examination can also be a source of anxiety for some children so as parents, we need to manage their stress levels and prepare them for what’s to come.
Jiayi shares two simple yet effective tips to help your child breeze through these challenges.
Tip 1:
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“Take full advantage of your child’s excitement and curiosity about a new subject and help them to cultivate a deep love of learning,” Jiayi shares.
She explains that children are often excited and curious about taking on Science. Every child associates Science with white coats, labs and mixing potions – aka the mad scientist! Even before they go on to Primary 3, you can pique their interest in Science by introducing them to scientific concepts and taking them on visits to the Science Centre to experience the wonders of Science. It can even be a great way to bond by trying out some Science experiments at home. . Not sure where to start? You can download TLL’s quick-and-easy Science experiments to try at home. Don’t worry, you will find most of what you need for these experiments right at home.
“Engaging your child in meaningful and hands-on activities shifts your child’s perspective and puts a more positive spin on the addition of a new subject to their workload. Fuel your child’s curiosity! Instead of looking at it as more work or something to dread, taking such steps will help him or her to be intrinsically motivated to love and do well in the subject,” Jiayi advises.
Tip 2:
“Correct your child’s misconceptions that examinations are high-stakes tests that require memorising and rote learning,” Jiayi continues.
When it comes to examination preparation, it’s good to inculcate good habits in Primary 3 then continue to build on them as your child progresses to Primary 4. Focus on cultivating strong study habits, sticking to regular revision schedules, and creating a conducive learning environment for your child to study in. The examination is just another checkpoint in his or her learning journey. This will help him or her to deal with the increased academic load with structure and confidence.
- Challenges of Transitioning from Middle to Upper Primary (Primary 5 and 6)
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The difficulty level and academic demands of higher order thinking skills and subject mastery jump significantly from Primary 4 to 5. Oftentimes, students find their grades dipping in Primary 5 and this can lead to them losing motivation or feeling extremely anxious. Parents are often baffled as this can even happen to students who were comfortably scoring in the 90s range. But here’s the thing – this drop is normal and expected. You just need to help your child get through it to get better.
“It is crucial for you to cheer your child on during this period, instead of putting him or her down. Your words can leave a lasting impact on your child’s morale so choose wisely. Likewise, it’s important for you to manage your own emotions as your child will be quick to pick up your panic and anxiety. Always remember to look at the bigger picture – your child’s love for learning and progression,” Jiayi urges.
Jiayi advises, “Often, your child will feel that he or she has done his or her best. He or she might even feel as though he or she has disappointed you. Do not leave it as that.” Do these instead:
- Acknowledge his or her past efforts – “I saw how you tried your best and studied before your exam.”
- Focus on the learning – “It’s okay to make mistakes. Let’s focus on learning from them. It’s all about growing!”
- Figure out how to move on together – “Let’s see what we can do to take the next step.”
Most importantly, have faith in your child and help your child believe that they can grow. It may be tough, but with diligence and perseverance, your child will get there. It’s also essential for you as parents to manage your expectations and set realistic targets with your child.
When your child moves on to Primary 6, it’s truly the last lap. It’s all about completing the syllabus, and then revising for the big examination. The Primary 6 year is a monumental milestone in your child’s learning journey and your child will need all the support he or she can get.
“Remember that your child is preparing for the most major examination of his or her life thus far. It is daunting, stressful yet exciting all at once. It is important for you to keep a close watch on your child’s mental health during this trying period. The best way to ensure that your child is in a good state as they approach this exam is to ensure constant and consistent revision that begins way ahead of time. Also, never underestimate the importance of giving your child sufficient breaks from revision,” Jiayi advises
Your child will need to be familiar with examination skills, particular question types, answering techniques and have ample practice, among other things. With the right guidance, resources, and an approach towards studying that is engaging, your child will be empowered to excel in 2023.
Give your child that head start by enrolling with The Learning Lab today. The Learning Lab’s curriculum is regularly refreshed by its team of specialists to reflect changing MOE trends and includes a host of hands-on activities to help students to cultivate a deep love for learning. Class sizes are capped at 12 to ensure that your child gets an optimal learning environment replete with opportunities to seek clarification and get individual attention from their teacher without missing out on the opportunity to learn alongside their peers.
Mums and Dads, remember that your child’s educational journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Take it one step at a time to avoid burnout and engage experts early to give your child sustained support throughout this journey.
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