Ask the Experts for Parenting Tips
Have questions on nurturing kids? Let our experts help! Your question might just be selected* to be answered and published in our bi-monthly posting! You can read up on answers for other parents' questions! Use the search engine to find your desired area of concern!
PARENT'S ANSWERED QUESTIONS (BY EXPERTS):
Question: What is the ideal age to start preschool?
Celine_87
Question:What is the ideal age to start preschool for my child? Should I wait till he is 3 years old? He is now 10 months old.Answer:It depends. There is no perfect formula to follow. However, there a...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Angela Chng
Head of Professional Practices and Development
NTUC First CampusQuestion: How to choose a good preschool?
Mr Tan
Question:How do I select a good preschool for my child? What should I look out for and are there any tips for choosing the right childcare centre?Answer: The preschool’s philosophy and practice ...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Angela Chng
Head of Professional Practices and Development
NTUC First CampusQuestion: How to identify good communication channels between preschool and parent?
HappyGoLucky
Question: I believe in good parent-preschool relationship so I can know the progress of my child. Are there standard communication methods in place for preschools to connect with parents or what I sho...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Angela Chng
Head of Professional Practices and Development
NTUC First CampusQuestion: Besides attending full day childcare, do I still need to coach her academically at home?
Lily Mum
Question: If my child is already attending full day childcare, do I still need to coach her academically at home? Or should I just focus on playing with her?Answer: What were the best memories from yo...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Angela Chng
Head of Professional Practices and Development
NTUC First CampusQuestion: How to prepare my K2 Child for P1 Math?
Johnson
Start with Counting Money & Identifying Shapes and PatternsHaving strong number sense sets the foundation for developing higher-level mathematical thinking inprimary school. It is therefore crucial fo...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Sue Lynn Lee
Academic Director for Early Years Programme
The Learning LabQuestion: How to prepare my K2 Child for P1 English?
Johnson
Being able to read and write well is part of building a strong foundation in EnglishThroughout preschool, your child will need to build up reading and writing skills (literacy skills) that are pivotal...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Sue Lynn Lee
Academic Director for Early Years Programme
The Learning LabQuestion: Methods to make children interested in Chinese Language
Kai Xin
Question:My child hates the Chinese subject and refuses to speak in Mandarin too. How can I make learning Chinese interesting for him?Answer:Encourage the Use of Chinese, A Love for Reading, Role-Play...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Peggy Gwi
Academic Director
Xin Zhong WenQuestion: Prices are kept low for Partner Operators POP preschools but are their teachers and curriculum good?
Peggy Teo
Question:The school fees for centres that are appointed by ECDA as Partner Operators (POP) are really attractive! Is there any compromise in their teachers and curriculum standards or they are the sam...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Tan Kiah Hui
Director
Carpe Diem @ NordcomQuestion: Will Speech and Drama class helps children to be more extrovert and expressive?
ValerieLow
Question:My daughter is shy and not expressive. Will sending her to speech and drama class helps build her character to be more extrovert and expressive?Answer:Speech and Drama Classes can Help Childr...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Mala Sundram
Head of Department Speech and Drama, Readers and Writers
Julia Gabriel CentreQuestion: What is the difference between Speech and Drama classes and Phonics classes?
Annie90
Question: How is speech and drama classes different from phonics classes? Which is more beneficial for my child?Answer:Children will Benefit from Both Classes Depending on their NeedsPhonics classes a...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Mala Sundram
Head of Department Speech and Drama, Readers and Writers
Julia Gabriel CentreQuestion: What should I look into when choosing Chinese enrichment centre?
Rainielove
Question: There are many Chinese enrichment centres in Singapore. What should I look for when choosing the right centre for my child?Answer:A Relaxed, Fun-filled Environment is KeyPeople are realising...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Huang Ying
Principal of Chengzhu and Mandarin Programmes
Chengzhu Mandarin KindergartenQuestion: Will it be too early to enrol my 1 year old child to enrichment classes?
Marcuss85
Question: Is it too early to enrol my child who is only 1 year old to enrichment classes, especially the English or Mandarin classes? Answer:Children should begin Learning a Second Language As Early ...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Huang Ying
Principal of Chengzhu and Mandarin Programmes
Chengzhu Mandarin KinddergartenQuestion: How to prepare my child for Primary 1?
Tan Kin Swee
Question:How can I prepare my girl who is in K2 now for Primary 1? How much should she know? Is there any guideline for what she must know? Answer:Look Closely at Classroom Skills to Prepare Children ...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Sue Lynn Lee
Academic Director, Early Years and Lower Primary
The Learning LabQuestion: How to determine whether my child requires any enrichment classes and what kind?
Mummy Teo
Question:People around me are all sending their children to enrichment classes. How do I know if my child requires any enrichment classes and what kind of enrichment classes should I send him to?Answe...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Sue Lynn Lee
Academic Director, Early Years and Lower Primary
The Learning LabQuestion: How to help my children who are confused between English Phonics and the HYPY?
Kelly Lee
Question:I realise that my child is being confused with the English phonics taught and the HYPY taught at school. Is there any way to help my child with this problem?Answer:Ensure that Children are Mo...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Sue Lynn Lee
Academic Director, Early Years and Lower Primary
The Learning LabQuestion: What is a suitable age for a child to start knowing about current affair and discussion?
Miss Khoo
Question:Is it too early to start my child with current affair knowledge and discussion? How can I interest him at such a young age of 5 years old?Answer:Never Too Young to Expose Children to What is ...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Sue Lynn Lee
Academic Director, Early Years and Lower Primary
The Learning LabQuestion: What is the optimal teacher-child ratio for a preschool?
LittleKay
Question:I am worried about the teacher-child ratio for my child's preschool. Is there a standard ratio? I prefer the teacher child ratio to be smaller so that more focus can be given to each chil...
Read MoreThe Expert:
MindChamps PreSchool
www.mindchamps.org
Question: Should I enroll my child for enrichment classes in their preschool or send them to enrichment centres?
Mummy Claire
Question:My child's preschool offers enrichment classes during school hours at extra cost. Should I enrol him for such classes or will it be more effective sending him to the enrichment centres fo...
Read MoreThe Expert:
Janice Lim
Deputy Director, Curriculum & Training (Early Childhood)
MindChamps PreschoolNeed more advice on Early Childhood Education or have questions on Primary School Tuitions?
From education related to advice on parenting, our experts are here to help! Just send over your question(s) and if they are selected, we will find suitable industry experts to help answer and publish them. Otherwise, search and read up on questions from other parents and the advice they received!