4 Ways to Simplify Science in Early Childhood
Science activities for children in early childhood aren’t all about lab coats and test tubes – it’s about connecting with the world around us. Many of us relate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) experiences to fizzling concoctions, dangerous chemicals and robotics, but the truth is that children as young as 6 months old begin to experiment with scientific […]
The Simple Art of Saying What You Mean
Language Strategies for Parents The more elaborate our means of communication, the lest we communicate. – Joseph Priestley As a parent, you might, once or twice, have found yourself making a comment – something like this: My child never seems to do what I ask! He always seems to do the very thing I ask […]
Reading Comprehension Difficulties Children Struggle With
Is your child struggling with reading comprehension? Before you help him/her, it is important to understand the underlying causes of the reading challenges that your child is facing. What is reading comprehension? Researchers have defined reading comprehension as a multi-faceted process where readers construct meaning as they interact with the text. Comprehension is only possible if the […]
What is the Best Age For Kids To Start Reading Programmes?
Reading programmes for kids abound in Singapore, but what is the best age for kids to start learning how to read? New research from Washington University in St. Louis has reported that “children as young as 3 are already beginning to recognise and follow important rules and patterns governing how letters in the English language fit […]
How to Encourage Your Child to Read in 8 Easy Steps
Experts worldwide agree that reading is a process involving a number of key skills – with mastery of phonics being just one. Here are easy steps to encourage your child to be an avid reader: 1) Engagement Actively engaging your child to develop the love for reading and writing If your child is actively engaged, […]
How Broadening Your Child’s Knowledge Helps Improve Reading Comprehension
You have probably heard that reading is a great way to gain more knowledge. But did you know that widening one’s knowledge helps improve reading comprehension too? It is a fascinating two-way relationship. First of all, be selective about what your child is reading. Is the reading material stimulating your child’s imagination and helping him or her see the […]
Awesome Preschool Reading Games to Improve Your Kid’s Reading Comprehension
You have probably heard that reading is a great way to gain more knowledge. But did you know that widening one’s knowledge helps improve reading comprehension too? It is a fascinating two-way relationship. First of all, be selective about what your child is reading. Is the reading material stimulating your child’s imagination and helping him or her see the […]
3 Things Parents Should Consider When Choosing Reading Programmes for Kids
Reading is an essential skill that should be cultivated young, as almost every aspect of life requires reading in some form. Not only are reading programmes beneficial for kids who are less enthusiastic about picking up a book, they also help more advanced readers expand their comprehension level. However, with the variety of reading programmes […]
Story Time: Creating a Lifelong Reader
Reading is an ‘unnatural activity’ – which is to say that we are not naturally ‘wired’ for it. In learning to read, the human brain ‘colonises and reprogrammes’ areas which were originally evolved to perform very different functions. This is a slow and intricate process, which is not achieved by accident. Our children only learn […]
My Child is Memorising Books Instead of Reading Them. Should I Be Worried?
Memorising words is a natural part of the reading journey, especially for pre-readers and early readers. However, if your kindergartener is relying solely on memorisation when reading, that can be a red flag suggesting that he or she needs more practice with sounding out unfamiliar words and understanding them in context. Research shows that reading […]