GET YOUR CHILD READY FOR PRIMARY 1!

Give your child a head start in the academic race with these preparatory courses.

HE NEEDS HELP IN: English Creative English for Kindergarten Two This class by the British Council teaches phonics, sight words, spelling and punctuation rules through songs and storytelling. By the end of the course, K2 pupils will know basic grammar and be able to write simple paragraphs. How long: One year, with two 20-week semesters. The weekly lessons are two hours long. How much: $1,335 per semester. Sign up: Visit www.britishcouncil.org.sg for more information. The course is available at its Marsiling, Tampines and Toa Payoh branches.

Young Writers’ Starter Class
If your child is already a competent reader, he is ready to write. This introductory writing class at Seeds D’Learning House is targeted at six-year-olds who can read well. It teaches creative writing techniques to get kids ready for primary school.
How long: 10 weeks per term, a two-hour session each week.
How much: $380 per term.
Sign up: Call 6247-7271 or go to www.seeds.com.sg.

Phonics Reading and Spelling
It is possible to get a four-year-old to use the dictionary. That is one of the outcomes listed under this flagship programme at Athena Education Services. This patent-pending class claims to teach kids as young as four to read and spell a hundred unfamiliar words.
How long:Three times a week for four months. The two-weekday classes are two hours each and Saturday’s is three hours.
How much:$20 per hour.
Sign up:6348-8156 or check out www.mrssam.com.sg.

HE NEEDS HELP IN: Maths
Concept Math
The experts at Seeds D’Learning House believe it is never too early to start your child on this. It accepts kids as young as four years old. Besides following the latest syllabus by the Ministry of Education, it also teaches Speed Math, which develops the pupil’s speed and accuracy in solving maths problems.
How long: Once or twice a week, depending on the pupil’s needs. Each session is 1½ hours.
How much: $350 for 10 sessions.
Sign up: Go to www.seeds.com.sg or call 6247-7271.

Success with Mighty Maths for Primary 1g
Help your six-year-old build a really strong foundation with this programme by Lorna Whiston Schools. The class revises familiar concepts, before new ones are taught with games, crafts and projects.
How long:Once a week, two hours each time.
How much:$56 per lesson.
Sign up:Call 6253-7688 or visit www.lornawhiston.com.sg.

HE NEEDS HELP IN Chinese
10-function Mandarin Course
This course by Yuquan Language School identifies the 10 aspects of mastering Chinese, which include the basics, such as writing strokes, to the advanced, like poetry. K1 and K2 pupils who complete all 10 topics will gain competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing. For five- to six-year-olds.
How long: A 1½-hour session once a week.
How much: $300 for 12 sessions.
Sign up: Go to www.yuquan.com.sg or call 6846-0600

Primary 1 Chinese Preparatory Class
Even if he doesn’t like Chinese, he may enjoy Berries World of Learning School. Through games, storytelling and cartoons, he’ll master hanyu pinyin, writing strokes, comprehension and sentence construction.
How long:One hour and 45 minutes per lesson, once a week for 48 weeks.
How much:$385.20 for 12 lessons.
Sign up:Visit www.berriesworld.com or call 6338-2555.

Read the April 2011 issue of Young Parents for the Primary 1 Issue, and more education tips.