The finnish education system is ranked #1 worldwide; singapore is not too bad too. The finnish children go through their education system and emerge equally smart and capable compared to the singapore children. However, the finnish preschool education system vs that of the singapore preschool system is ends apart.
In Finland, children do not begin formal school or learning before the age of 6. They go for daycare or playschool at 3 years of age (that's the min) and they play! That's all they do. They interact with their friends and do, close to no formal learning. They sing, they have craft and stations to play. But, there's no writing, recognising words. And, at three, they are only expected to know numbers 1 - 6.
Now, the SIngapore education system, at three, the children are expected to know numbers to 12. AT the end of their year (N2) they are expected to write their names. And, in 2 languages... Here, schools only teach English till they are in K1, where they get to choose another lnaguage.
Why are preschools in Singapore rushing the children to learn? 2 reasons: mentality of the parents and expectations of the primary schools.
As a mum, I worry. I worry that when J goes back to SG to start his primary one, he won't be able to write very well, or read real stories. He won't be able to cope with so much of expectations. In Finland, children learn to read and write in elementary school. They are not expected to know these skills, such as the various concepts in Math (adding, subtracting etc) before. This takes the pressure off the parents. Although most children will have had a basic understanding of those concepts before elementary school. This understanding of concepts is not done on paper, and not required to be demonstarted on paper. They probably have learnt it in their daily lives, out of their own curiosity asked their parents or adults and found out over time.
Most of us will know the requirements of the primary schools... they do categorise. *worry* YIKES!
The fact: Finns do as well as Singaporeans in the international setting. So, do we push and rush J now? Should we?
I need to consider... :)
living in singapore i can't help but feel the 'pressure' that my girl will need to write chinese & english well by e time she reaches pri.1. even tho she's 3+ this yr & in nursery, she can read some chinese and have started writing, as practiced in school. Although she enjoys it and it's a good thing, I'm surprised the schools are starting them so early!
ReplyDeleteBut i'll be moving to aust for a few years where she won't get to start sch till she's 6yrs old! I would worry if i am coming back to sg...but if we do get to stay on in aust i think i wouldn't worry so much. And i hope she'll enjoy learning for the joy of it, believe that's the most impt, which i think gets lost somewhere in pri sch.