Comments on: What is the Entry Age for Kindy http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/ My very own mini, personalised, parenting resource. A cyber filing cabinet of parenting articles and links. I love sharing my children's favourite sites, online games, crafts and exchanging childcare stories and parenting issues faced with other parents. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:55:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: dolphine http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-272948 dolphine Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:15:49 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-272948 Nat is turning 3 next year, I'm still wondering if I should send her to preschool. As I don't want her to be caught up with homeworks and exams at such an early age. I prefer learning through playing and having fun. The only reason I'm thinking of sending her to preschool is because I want her to be able to mix around other kids and learn to share things with other kids. I'm looking for preschool that doesn't require 5 days week, preferably 2 or 3 times a week and emphasize on learning through playing and fun. No exam or homework. Meanwhile I notice Nat loves to dance alot, so instead of sending her to preschool next year, I may just send her to those once or twice a week, one two hours dancing classes, to let her have fun there and learn something she likes. I'm slowly checking around for other options. <strong>Short classes on something she likes sounds like a good idea. </strong> Nat is turning 3 next year, I’m still wondering if I should send her to preschool.

As I don’t want her to be caught up with homeworks and exams at such an early age. I prefer learning through playing and having fun.

The only reason I’m thinking of sending her to preschool is because I want her to be able to mix around other kids and learn to share things with other kids.

I’m looking for preschool that doesn’t require 5 days week, preferably 2 or 3 times a week and emphasize on learning through playing and fun. No exam or homework.

Meanwhile I notice Nat loves to dance alot, so instead of sending her to preschool next year, I may just send her to those once or twice a week, one two hours dancing classes, to let her have fun there and learn something she likes.

I’m slowly checking around for other options.

Short classes on something she likes sounds like a good idea.

]]> By: Irene http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-264377 Irene Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:32:57 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-264377 my dotter is going to be 16 months soon, i don't think i have to worry about kindy yet rite? sigh, but ppl have been telling me, wen im preggers with no 2 then i have to send dotter to kindy liao, sure bbsitter behtahan jaga-ing both. adoi sakit kepala. <strong>Alamak. Sakit kepalanya. Haha. But perhaps there may be some truth in that. If you want to know how difficult it would be to jaga two then hop over to my Parenting blog and read my latest post <a href="http://mumsgather.blogspot.com/2008/06/when-you-have-two-kids.html" rel="nofollow">"When you have two kids"</a>. Hehe. ;) my dotter is going to be 16 months soon, i don’t think i have to worry about kindy yet rite? sigh, but ppl have been telling me, wen im preggers with no 2 then i have to send dotter to kindy liao, sure bbsitter behtahan jaga-ing both. adoi sakit kepala.

Alamak. Sakit kepalanya. Haha. But perhaps there may be some truth in that. If you want to know how difficult it would be to jaga two then hop over to my Parenting blog and read my latest post “When you have two kids”. Hehe. ;)

]]> By: sting http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-262757 sting Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:50:26 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-262757 if possible, I too don't wanna send my kid to kindy so early.. he's got so many years ahead of him so a few more years at home won't turn him into a "social pariah".. unless he wants to go to kindy early.. you know, he might get bored looking at his mummy all the time! hahaha! <strong>Kids will never get bored at just looking at mummy all the time. ;)</strong> if possible, I too don’t wanna send my kid to kindy so early.. he’s got so many years ahead of him so a few more years at home won’t turn him into a “social pariah”.. unless he wants to go to kindy early.. you know, he might get bored looking at his mummy all the time! hahaha!

Kids will never get bored at just looking at mummy all the time. ;)

]]> By: Angeline http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-262754 Angeline Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:44:34 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-262754 I know how you feel! Well not so much on the schooling side but on the matters that strangers just like to stick their nose into my parenting style. every parent is different, just like every kid is different. what you do to your kid is your own business, and it doesn't give you the right to tell me how I should treat my kid! Won't they just shut up! usually, I would just turn over and say, "thank you for your concern." and walked away. 'cos if I were to stay longer, I guess, my fiery eyes will be flying darts over at them. Back to the schooling thing, so long as you are confident of your kids learning ability, then go ahead and do what you do....usually the kindy is to prepare the kids a feel of what its like to be in school before the eventually step into the 'big' school... <strong>Well, usually, I just listen, smile and the words go in one ear and out the other and sometimes, just sometimes, I rant on my blog afterwards. Hahaha.</strong> I know how you feel! Well not so much on the schooling side but on the matters that strangers just like to stick their nose into my parenting style.

every parent is different, just like every kid is different. what you do to your kid is your own business, and it doesn’t give you the right to tell me how I should treat my kid! Won’t they just shut up!

usually, I would just turn over and say, “thank you for your concern.” and walked away. ‘cos if I were to stay longer, I guess, my fiery eyes will be flying darts over at them.

Back to the schooling thing, so long as you are confident of your kids learning ability, then go ahead and do what you do….usually the kindy is to prepare the kids a feel of what its like to be in school before the eventually step into the ‘big’ school…

Well, usually, I just listen, smile and the words go in one ear and out the other and sometimes, just sometimes, I rant on my blog afterwards. Hahaha.

]]> By: cookie http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-261712 cookie Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:18:19 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-261712 I sent my son to kindy this year at 4yrs old. I chose this kindy because of its relax environment compared to other kindies that I have surveyed. So far, my son has yet to bring home any homework to do or had any exams (his school does not practice exams even for 6yrs old). Compared to his cousin who is attending another kindy, he is considered very lousy as he does not know how to write 1-10 yet and never learned how to write A-Z! His cousin has already learn 1-50 and A-Z and lots more as she has plenty of homeworks everyday. Sometimes I am questioning myself if I have enrolled him in the right kindy as I can see other kids are doing so well and far better than my son. Now I start to wonder if it is true that kids would not be able to cope in Primary 1 if they are not exposed to such extreme homework and couching in kindy. I am worried for my son as he is not that good in his studies. <strong>Cookie, sometimes when I am worried, I browse around the bookshop at the Standard 1 primary books to see the level. Haha. Your son is only 4. He has 2 more years before entering primary school. I don't think you have to worry. If you are maybe you can coach him at home in a fun way. My 4 year old can write from A-Z and count probably up to 20 and do some simple math addition and subtration up to 10. I am teaching him to read now. He is not attending any kindy. I just follow his cue. If he shows interest in something, I teach him. I don't spend that much time teaching him. If you're a working mum, you can even teach him at bedtime. Sometimes we read Science book as a bedtime story but they love it. They love looking at the pictures and discussing them. I just think that at this age, learning should be focussed on fun. Now that my 6 year old is attending kindy, I have to shout at her everyday to finish her homework. It has certainly taken the fun out of learning!</strong> I sent my son to kindy this year at 4yrs old. I chose this kindy because of its relax environment compared to other kindies that I have surveyed. So far, my son has yet to bring home any homework to do or had any exams (his school does not practice exams even for 6yrs old). Compared to his cousin who is attending another kindy, he is considered very lousy as he does not know how to write 1-10 yet and never learned how to write A-Z! His cousin has already learn 1-50 and A-Z and lots more as she has plenty of homeworks everyday.
Sometimes I am questioning myself if I have enrolled him in the right kindy as I can see other kids are doing so well and far better than my son. Now I start to wonder if it is true that kids would not be able to cope in Primary 1 if they are not exposed to such extreme homework and couching in kindy. I am worried for my son as he is not that good in his studies.

Cookie, sometimes when I am worried, I browse around the bookshop at the Standard 1 primary books to see the level. Haha. Your son is only 4. He has 2 more years before entering primary school. I don’t think you have to worry. If you are maybe you can coach him at home in a fun way. My 4 year old can write from A-Z and count probably up to 20 and do some simple math addition and subtration up to 10. I am teaching him to read now. He is not attending any kindy. I just follow his cue. If he shows interest in something, I teach him. I don’t spend that much time teaching him. If you’re a working mum, you can even teach him at bedtime. Sometimes we read Science book as a bedtime story but they love it. They love looking at the pictures and discussing them. I just think that at this age, learning should be focussed on fun. Now that my 6 year old is attending kindy, I have to shout at her everyday to finish her homework. It has certainly taken the fun out of learning!

]]> By: sasha http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-261413 sasha Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:26:48 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-261413 It's okay to send them to go for playgroup and all But seriously exams are too much for the kids in kindy. So, since most of the sch are practising it, then we just gotto tell our kids to have fun and do their best. Don't pressure them. Like me, I got no choice to send J to playgroup. So i tot of being a SAHM when no2 comes. But looking at him enjoying sch now, I think I'll let him continue to be there even when I'm at home. I think he'll be bored with me at home. hehe Bad eh ? <strong>No, I don't think its bad wut. Now you have no choice but to send him but since he is enjoying it, there is no sense to change that when No. 2 comes along. Kids hate and become confused by change. This way you can give equal one to one time to both Lil J and Lil Lil J. And there will be less jealousies and fighting to deal with. You're also not sending him AFTER baby arrives which will send the message that you are sending him away or baby is replacing him. So no worries about that too. I think its perfect. :)</strong> It’s okay to send them to go for playgroup and all But seriously exams are too much for the kids in kindy. So, since most of the sch are practising it, then we just gotto tell our kids to have fun and do their best. Don’t pressure them.

Like me, I got no choice to send J to playgroup. So i tot of being a SAHM when no2 comes. But looking at him enjoying sch now, I think I’ll let him continue to be there even when I’m at home. I think he’ll be bored with me at home. hehe Bad eh ?

No, I don’t think its bad wut. Now you have no choice but to send him but since he is enjoying it, there is no sense to change that when No. 2 comes along. Kids hate and become confused by change. This way you can give equal one to one time to both Lil J and Lil Lil J. And there will be less jealousies and fighting to deal with. You’re also not sending him AFTER baby arrives which will send the message that you are sending him away or baby is replacing him. So no worries about that too. I think its perfect. :)

]]> By: Moomykin http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-260936 Moomykin Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:16:50 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-260936 We travel like 30mins-50mins for my boy's kindy because it's a place I know where the teachers are caring, trained to understand and help children develop individually and can give personal attention and help him grow as a person. He has separation anxiety, moans about not wanting to go to school because he loves me and will miss me, but is always happy when he sees me after 3 hours and declares he had a great time. There is no homework and the hardest work he had to do was some colouring for simple crafts. My own experience was very different. At 3+, almost 4, I was sent to kindy where we had homework and exams: We were tested on 3 languages, writings, crafts, math and singing. Both my parents worked and hardly had time to teach us. But I loved school even before I went in - had an older sis in the same kindy. So it was for better or worse. But now I make a different choice for my kids. Btw, I was last in class, with 2A, 2B and a sting of C! hahaha... <strong>Wow. You travel 30-50 mins. I chose my girl's kindy partly based on distance. The nearer the better. Hahaha. I never attended any kindy and I hated primary school because I was left to fend on my own being the last of 5 kids. I took the school bus to school on the very first day along with the bros and sis. Being the last of 5, mom and dad simply had no time left for me. I think whatever age you sent, parental involvement is so important. A child needs to feel secure in the thought that the parents are always there for her.</strong> We travel like 30mins-50mins for my boy’s kindy because it’s a place I know where the teachers are caring, trained to understand and help children develop individually and can give personal attention and help him grow as a person.

He has separation anxiety, moans about not wanting to go to school because he loves me and will miss me, but is always happy when he sees me after 3 hours and declares he had a great time. There is no homework and the hardest work he had to do was some colouring for simple crafts.

My own experience was very different. At 3+, almost 4, I was sent to kindy where we had homework and exams: We were tested on 3 languages, writings, crafts, math and singing. Both my parents worked and hardly had time to teach us. But I loved school even before I went in - had an older sis in the same kindy. So it was for better or worse. But now I make a different choice for my kids.

Btw, I was last in class, with 2A, 2B and a sting of C! hahaha…

Wow. You travel 30-50 mins. I chose my girl’s kindy partly based on distance. The nearer the better. Hahaha. I never attended any kindy and I hated primary school because I was left to fend on my own being the last of 5 kids. I took the school bus to school on the very first day along with the bros and sis. Being the last of 5, mom and dad simply had no time left for me. I think whatever age you sent, parental involvement is so important. A child needs to feel secure in the thought that the parents are always there for her.

]]> By: mommy to chumsy http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-260889 mommy to chumsy Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:43:45 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-260889 hey MG. thanks for posting this up. i have been asked my times if i have started to send my daughter to a preschool...and she just turned 3. even my own father is pestering me to send her to school...saying that she needs to mix around...blah blah blah :( i don't think my daughter has any problem in that area cos she is not shy and loves to be with other children. i'm at a loss sometimes. is she lonely at home? does she prefer to go to school? i would love for her to enjoy her childhood and not be burdened by all the homework. i read in some mommies' blogs that even a 3 year old has homework!!! <strong>" i'm at a loss sometimes. is she lonely at home? does she prefer to go to school?" These are the questions we ask ourselves sometimes due to this pressure from others to send our child to kindy early.</strong> hey MG. thanks for posting this up. i have been asked my times if i have started to send my daughter to a preschool…and she just turned 3. even my own father is pestering me to send her to school…saying that she needs to mix around…blah blah blah :( i don’t think my daughter has any problem in that area cos she is not shy and loves to be with other children. i’m at a loss sometimes. is she lonely at home? does she prefer to go to school? i would love for her to enjoy her childhood and not be burdened by all the homework. i read in some mommies’ blogs that even a 3 year old has homework!!!

” i’m at a loss sometimes. is she lonely at home? does she prefer to go to school?”

These are the questions we ask ourselves sometimes due to this pressure from others to send our child to kindy early.

]]> By: Shooi http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-260600 Shooi Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:22:19 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-260600 If i have a choice, my boys would be at home till they are 5 or 6. Let them enjoy their childhood a little longer. Afterall they are going to be in school for a VERY LONG time. But i don't coz my parents can take care of #1 & #2 at same time, so off #1 goes to PLAYschool. I made sure very much that the school focuses on play. No pressure to excel academically. Everything is learning through pay. So far, i find that he has learnt a lot and he really enjoy himself at school. I just have to deal wit the occasional whining in the morning due to separation anxiety. But at this moment, i felt that going to school is a good decision for him. Btw, he is only 2.5 yrs also. <strong>Yah, it would be hard on your parents to have to take care of 2 at the same time so its understandable.</strong> If i have a choice, my boys would be at home till they are 5 or 6. Let them enjoy their childhood a little longer. Afterall they are going to be in school for a VERY LONG time.

But i don’t coz my parents can take care of #1 & #2 at same time, so off #1 goes to PLAYschool. I made sure very much that the school focuses on play. No pressure to excel academically. Everything is learning through pay. So far, i find that he has learnt a lot and he really enjoy himself at school. I just have to deal wit the occasional whining in the morning due to separation anxiety. But at this moment, i felt that going to school is a good decision for him. Btw, he is only 2.5 yrs also.

Yah, it would be hard on your parents to have to take care of 2 at the same time so its understandable.

]]> By: shoppingmum http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-260538 shoppingmum Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:20:49 +0000 http://mumsgather.com/2008/06/25/what-is-the-entry-age-for-kindy/#comment-260538 I ran learning center / tuition center and kindy before. Frankly, I didn't even want my kids to go to my own center, if it's still running. I really don't see the point of training my kids in all those right brain methods which I learned and want them to be extra-ordinary. I think you are right about being sensitive to your own children. If they can stay at home for a little longer, why not? I'm glad that my kids don't have to go thru the education system and kiasu learning environment in M'sia anymore. They can just play at preschool until 6 years old. :P No choice, mommy working liao. <strong>Lucky you... :)</strong> I ran learning center / tuition center and kindy before. Frankly, I didn’t even want my kids to go to my own center, if it’s still running. I really don’t see the point of training my kids in all those right brain methods which I learned and want them to be extra-ordinary.
I think you are right about being sensitive to your own children. If they can stay at home for a little longer, why not? I’m glad that my kids don’t have to go thru the education system and kiasu learning environment in M’sia anymore. They can just play at preschool until 6 years old. :P No choice, mommy working liao.

Lucky you… :)

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