Five Enriching Ways To Cultivate Early Education
There is nothing more a parent would want than to give their children a head start in life; especially with a good preschool curriculum singapore. Especially in competitive Singapore, where everything is expensive and the need for success is more emphasized than ever, parents are always feeling the constant need to provide more for their loved ones. Here are some five potential trailblazing enrichment introductions for children, to either help them foster their talents or try something new.
Music lessons
With such young active minds, it’d be a waste to not teach them music. Singaporean parents all over the country have been known to send their kids to music classes, whether it is the violin or the piano, learning an instrument at such a young age can do wonders for their mind and potentially be a source of income when they get older. In addition, for children who continue and love their classes until primary school, they will have the opportunity to qualify for the Music Elective Program and take music as a subject during their O level examinations. This will not only be a priceless opportunity for them but a subsidy on their school fees will also be given.
From toddler group classes to private music sessions, these are some of the quickest and most effective ways for children to learn. Yamaha has multiple branches all over the country and holds group sessions for toddlers where they will be able to pick up the keyboard. Parents will also get the opportunity to learn and sit in with their children. Once they’ve grown up, these group lessons will then shift into private piano lessons. Three months of classes at Yamaha are priced at $401.25 for the weekdays. If one finds that their kid is more inclined towards Metallica genres rather than classical, they can also seek music session at the Academy of Rock for their children.
Coding workshops
In an era where technology is all the rage, being able to code can prove to be a very useful skill for growth and the future. Apart from having an interest in computers, coding also builds the foundation for high-income freelance careers, computing as well as software engineering. Do note that as advanced as these classes are, they also do not come cheap. Enrichment classes held by Saturday Kids over the March holidays begin at a price point of $530. Children will be able to learn about a software called Scratch Jr. where they will pick up skills on visual programming and sequencing. They also have weekend classes where block-based programming and game creation is taught. Coding Lab also teaches kids from as young as four years old on how to code really simple applications. First Code Academy has designed the complexity of their workshops to be suited for the ages of their students and hence conducts these tailored coding introductory workshops for children as well.
Phonics classes
When it comes to head starts in life, there is nothing more useful than being proficient in reading and writing early on in life. In Singapore where education is paramount to a good future, picking up critical reading skills can help children not only ace their English subjects but also understand other subjects such as Mathematics and Science in Secondary School. Jan & Elly music school conducts phonics classes for children between the ages of four to six. And Learning Journey cultivates the joy of reading and learning through sessions called Super Readers; teachers will use art lessons to teach reading to children from the ages of four to seven.
Financial literacy classes
Financial literacy is one of the most important skills in life and yet schools hardly teach it. It is more than just mathematics, teaching children how to budget, tips for saving as well as money management. Although the topic may seem dry, there are many workshops out there teaching children financial literacy through play. Star Horizon helps children become more independent by teaching important concepts such as budgeting and savings through storytelling and fun activities. Civil Service Club also runs a series of workshops called Money Management for Kids starting at a price of $40 without membership for children between the ages of seven to 12.
Learning a third language
Learning another language apart from the compulsory classes of “Mother Tongue” in school can give children an advantage when it comes to future university options. European universities are considered more affordable compared to Singapore universities and can give children an opportunity to explore and experience the world. Whether they may like or dislike learning the compulsory second language, picking up another will definitely expand their world view and cultivate language learning skills. In addition, different children may exhibit different aptitudes and passions for learning different kinds of languages. Doing badly in one does not equate to doing badly in other languages. Goethe Institut is one of the places where children can learn German in a group setting and likewise, the Alliance Francaise also has French group sessions for young children all the way up to their teens. For children who are interested in learning Spanish, Las Lilas School offers lessons for them as well.
Conclusion
No matter what kind of enrichment classes one may choose to send their children to, having a wide variety is one of the best ways to cultivate and nurture a healthy and creative mind. It also gives children the opportunity to explore their interests and perhaps even find their passion at a young age. This can do wonders to pave their future decisions academically as they may pursue these interests at a higher level such as in university. And maybe even in the future, make one of them their career. While time and monetary costs for these classes may be limited, the love of a parent is boundless, and they will always want the very best for their children. If you are a parent, be sure to do ample research on the type of enrichment classes available for your child; and find one within your budget so that your kids get the most out of it without straining your finances.
