It’s that time of the year again, when parent and child join once more in the annual dance, or contest of wills, to transmute hopes, aspirations and goals into glowing report cards. Yes, the first few weeks of a new school term are upon us.
Now that you and your child have had a couple of weeks to adjust to changes and settle into a rhythm for school, you are likely getting a clearer idea of the milestones or targets you would like your child to achieve this year. Coupled with the help and guidance from us at The Learning Lab, the chances are that you and your child are already on firm footing for your learning journey.
But you may also be trying to sneak a peek at how other parents and children are faring in their own dances, especially if this year is bringing you significant firsts in the form of major examinations or transitions to a new school. If that happens to be the case, then you’re in luck, as we have also got you covered!
We checked in with someone who is very familiar with the spotlight, and is happy to share what hopes and goals she has in mind for her 11-year-old daughter Aly this year: former radio deejay and actress Jamie Yeo. Have a look at what Jamie had to say below, and you may well find much that relates to your own experience too:
1. To be able to self-study effectively
We are still in the process of trying to get Aly to study on her own. My mom tells me that it is very typical of kids Aly’s age to still be guided by their parents and tutors for their studies.
To be honest, however, I think kids in Aly’s generation are a bit too spoon-fed when it comes to their education. They have been provided with the best tutors from Day 1 and as a result have not learnt to self-study effectively, and to be independent and responsible for their learning and results.
Aly is in Primary 5 this year and it is high time she takes more ownership of her studies. We have given her the responsibility of remembering to log into her Zoom classes and also to do her homework without reminders.
Punishments are meted out when she fails to do either of that. I have already started to see improvements in her since we set about being more firm about her responsibilities. For example, she is now able to study for her Chinese and English spelling tests by herself.
2. To achieve a percentage mark of at least 70% for her Chinese (Mother Tongue) and at least 80% for Maths, Science and English
We have also set her some target grades for her respective subjects this year.
I am getting more involved in overseeing Aly’s studies this year, especially for her Mother Tongue subject - which is Chinese.
She failed her end-of-year Chinese exam last year, and she knows that a repeat performance will not be allowed this time around. The circuit breaker period and home-based learning did not do her any good. She was already weak in Chinese to begin with and having to attend classes over Zoom where it was harder for her to pay attention only caused her grades to slip even further.
She also did not do very well in Maths and Science partly due to the disruption brought about by the switch to Zoom classes. At the same time, I have to admit that my busy schedule also had a part to play. I was so busy last year and often I just left her to it and did not supervise much. This is something that I intend to change this year.
3. To be able to practise better time management.
We have emphasised this repeatedly through encouragement (and nagging) and I’m proud to say that Aly is now more efficient with her time when it comes to revising and doing her homework.
We have also seen that she has started to take the initiative to prioritise doing her homework before play. I remember when she used to sit in her room and waste time by doing other non-related stuff while she was supposed to be doing an assignment instead.
There were occasions when she would take the whole day to complete a single task that would have taken her half an hour to finish with complete concentration. Like I said, we are pleased that she has improved and hopefully we will be able to see more progress from her in this area in the coming months.
Hitting Milestones and Surpassing Limitations
As is the case with Jamie, it is only natural for parents like yourself to have hopes and expectations for the next stage of your child’s academic development this new school year.
Active parental engagement can really set the tone for how a child approaches his or her learning. The key lies in getting the buy-in from your child in this latest leg of their journey towards success and excellence, something that is easier said than done and that can be as vexing as it is rewarding.
At The Learning Lab, we are committed to helping you and your child do just that. Our focus on holistic development means that we not only aim to equip your child with the specific classroom knowledge he or she needs to ace their assignments, but also with the skills and mindset that make them more motivated and adaptable learners in general.
Click here to find out more about how our programmes can help your child confidently achieve his or her academic goals.
Jamie Yeo x TLL
As a mother actively involved in her children's development and academic progress, Jamie Yeo is well-versed with both the joys and frustrations of parenthood. Read more as she takes us through different stages of parenting.
Jamie sheds some light on what she does to stay involved in her ten-year-old daughter Aly’s life — both in school and at home — as a hands-on mum.
Jamie shares her five top tips on P3 preparation in hopes that other parents will find it valuable and applicable to their own children and home dynamic.
Discover Jamie's method on striking a balance between her hectic job schedule while managing work and play for her daughter over the school holidays.
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If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 6733 8711 / enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.