Children drawing strength from the Lord.
Kiasu Parents- giving the best for their child
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC121006-0000040/Price-does-not-equal-quality-in-childcare
'Price does not equal quality in childcare'
by Ng Jing Yng
Noting how Singaporean parents will "travel long distances" and "sacrifice other life pursuits" for the sake of their children's education and development, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing yesterday warned parents against chasing "perceived quality programmes that are very expensive because of their desire to provide the best".
"If we are not careful, price may inadvertently become a signal for quality. We then have a luxury good problem, where more expensive programmes are perceived to be better," said Mr Chan.
When it comes to childcare, price should not be the indicator of quality, he stressed. Outlining the desired outcomes of Singapore's childcare sector at the annual Child Care Seminar yesterday, Mr Chan said it was important for the sector to have clear quality benchmarks to help parents make informed choices.
The Government would be "most concerned" if the value-add of a programme were commensurate with the price. "We will need to help parents distinguish things that are important and core for a child's development and other things that are good to have," he said.
Mr Chan also sought feedback on establishing a clear understanding of what children need to learn during the childcare years.
"Without a clear understanding of what children need at their age, parents may be anxious to push down to our young children what should actually be learning objectives only in primary schools," he said.
He set out the three foundation pillars: social skills, a keen sense of curiosity and a basic sense of values. Such foundations should be the focus during these years, "rather than to prematurely start one's life race", he said.
And noting that operators play a role in social integration, Mr Chan said: "I hope not to see the majority of our centres catering only to a specific segment of society."
There will be parents who will seek out higher benchmarks beyond the baseline established by the Government, and there will always be a niche demand for such services."But we must satisfy ourselves that there are sufficient mass market options that can meet our desired quality benchmarks and yet remain affordable to the average family," said Mr Chan, who also pledged to "do more to help those with less".
The Singapore Pre-school Accreditation Framework (SPARK) was implemented last year. However, among parents whom TODAY spoke to, few were aware of it or consider it as a main deciding factor when choosing a centre.
Chua Chu Kang GRC Member of Parliament Low Yen Ling felt that brand recognition or price may become "convenient default factors" influencing parents' decisions if there are no quality indicators.
She suggested class-teacher ratio and an operator's focus on a child's holistic development as key indicators for quality benchmarks.
Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong pointed out that any developmental goals should still allow children to learn in different ways.
Parent Joanne Lee, who has two children in childcare, said location and the quality of teachers were her main considerations. With a lack of information at present, she suggested indicators like staff turnover rate be made more easily available.
Cherie Hearts general manager (operators) Edmund Phang agreed on the need for quality benchmarks and suggested language development and child's self-help skills be among the developmental goals. "The challenge is for the Ministry to establish a common set of developmentally appropriate goals that are applicable across the entire sector," he said.
Blame it on meritocracy causing the Kiasu mindset?
Losing out, slow, head start, tough catching up etc
'It's good for young children to play'
http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/national-day-rally-2012/story/its-good-young-children-play-20120827
By Ong Hwee Hwee
Let your children enjoy their childhood. And there's no need to send your pre-schooler for tuition to prepare him for Primary 1.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had this advice for over- zealous parents on Sunday night.
While some parents want their children to get a head start, it is important not to "over-teach" them.
"Pre-school is to teach the kids certain skills which are best learnt at that age - languages, social skills, basic motor skills.
"It's not meant for you to prepare with a P1, P2 textbook and to drill the kid at three or four years old so that by the time he goes to P1, he already knows what the teacher's supposed to teach him."
He said research by child development experts have found that hothousing pre-schoolers may lead to harmful "over-teaching".
"You do harm. You turn the kid off, you make his life miserable," he said.
"Instead of growing up balanced and happy, he grows up narrow and neurotic. No homework is not a bad thing. It's good for young children to play, and to learn through play."
And to parents who send their children to two pre-schools or tuition, he had this to say: Don't.
"I've heard of parents who send their children to two kindergartens. I read of parents who send their kindergarten-age children to tuition," he said. "Please don't do that."
Housewife Pamelia Tng, 31, said she agreed with the Prime Minister, but it's easier said than done.
She sends her three children - aged seven, six and two - for enrichment classes but she "slows down at home".
"You want your kids to enjoy their childhood but you have to make sure they can catch up with their peers. That's always a struggle for parents," she said.
Deuteronomy 6 tells us that we should teach God's Word to our children "when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up." But you cannot instruct your children in things that you don't know. We're living in a time when a great majority of people in the church really don't know God's Word for themselves.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs 22:6)
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
(Deuteronomy 6:7)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 3:14-15)
MOE's Basis for Survival & Success
People are our most precious resource. Every citizen is valuable and has a unique contribution to make. Through education every individual can realise his full potential, use his talents and abilities to benefit his community and nation, and lead a full and satisfying life.
Every child must be encouraged to progress through the education system as far as his ability allows. Advancement must always depend on performance and merit to ensure equal opportunity for all.
Every child should be taught at a pace he can cope with. Each should be stimulated to excel according to his individual aptitudes. The system must be flexible, to cope with pupils who mature mentally, physically, emotionally and socially at different rates.
Every child must learn to take pride in his work, to do his best and excel in whatever he does, and to value and respect honest work.
Education equips us with the skills and knowledge, as well as the right values and attitudes to assure the livelihood of the individual and the country's survival and success. We must learn to be self-reliant, yet able to work closely with others; individually competitive, yet with a strong social conscience. We must be flexible in mind and outlook to adapt constantly to a rapidly changing world. We must have firm moral bearings to give us strength in a world of shifting values.
Pupils must know our common history, our vulnerabilities and constraints. They must develop a sense of shared identity and destiny, the instinct to defend Singapore's national interests, and the resolve and confidence to stand together as one people, to overcome threats and challenges.
Education helps to preserve our cultural roots. Our pupils ought to know their own cultural heritage and mother tongues. At the same time they must learn to understand and respect the different racial, religious, cultural and language backgrounds of their fellow citizens.
Matthew 7:24
The wise builds his house on the rock
Instead of sinking sand;
For when the storm of life descend,
That house will surely stand.
All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.
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