How Parents Can Support Their Children In The Learning Of English

In primary school, your child will be taught how to listen to, speak, read and write English through a variety of activities and lessons. Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading, or STELLAR, is a programme for helping Singapore children improve their language and learning through highly interesting materials and activities. As a parent, you can aid your child’s progress in English by creating a home environment that constantly offers opportunities for learning. Here are some tips on how to create such an environment:

Talk to your child and encourage his/her self-expression. Listen closely to what he/she has to say, respond to questions and ideas, and you will boost your child’s confidence in expressing himself/herself.

Read with your child as often as you can, and encourage his/her questions. You can also lead him/her to think about the story by discussing the plot, characters or themes.

Write with your child, as self-expression can often bloom in this way.

Play games that bring out the beauty and the fun aspects of language. These games may be simple, but they can help your child gain a life-long appreciation of language.

These activities can help prepare your child for Primary 1, and support his/her learning throughout school. Keep these sessions short but regular (as often as you can!), encourage your child’s efforts and do not dwell on mistakes. Whichever activity you choose to engage your child with, have fun with him/her every day!

Tips to support your child’s learning of Mathematics

Did you know? Your presence and involvement in the learning process will both encourage and support your child in his/her learning? Some everyday activities that you and your child can do as a family can prepare and support your child’s learning of lower primary-level Mathematics.

Here are the following tips:

Create a homework routine

Work out a study timetable with your child, and guide him/her to set priorities. Encourage him/her to complete his homework daily – your support and supervision will help your child work towards his/her academic goals.

Focus on effort, not mistakes

As a parent, you can help make learning a truly educational experience, rather than a stressful one. Let your child know that you recognise the effort he/she is putting into the assignments. When it comes to mistakes, you can check if your child knows where and why he/she has gone wrong and help him/her if you can. Your encouragement can also instil in your child the confidence to seek help from his/her teachers.