How to help your child transition from Kindergarten to Primary 1 English

Singaporeans are often praised for having excellent knowledge of the English language. The reason the population of Singapore is so proficient in this language is Singapore‘s unique English curriculum that enables students to learn this language from primary school.

But even with all of these perks learning English can be rather intimidating especially for young children who are mostly speaking Mandarin, Tamil, or Malay at home. And helping their children master this essential language can be a rather daunting task for the parents as well.

If you want to know how you can help your child transition from kindergarten to Primary 1 English, and what you can do to improve their English skills in general at this young age then keep reading.

There are several main techniques that can help your child improve their Primary 1 English score, so without further ado here they are.

1. Parental encouragement is essential.

When your child transitions from kindergarten to primary school, their curriculum naturally becomes more challenging. This change in pace and added pressure can intimidate many children so it is essential for them to feel encouraged by their parents.

You can encourage your children by repeatedly reminding them that they are perfectly capable of achieving everything they set their minds to no matter how hard it may seem at first. Positive affirmations have a beneficial psychological effect on whatever they are trying to do including language studies. If you help them boost their confidence they will flourish.

2. Reading together with parents is immensely beneficial.

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate various benefits of reading. The studies have highlighted that children’s reading skills develop better if they are performing the task together with their parents. Try to make the reading sessions entertaining and fun in order to benefit fully from them. Do this by picking engaging and age-appropriate books. Encourage your children to read the passage loudly and clearly. If needed, correct their pronunciation but be careful not to get frustrated with them if they make mistakes or do it too slowly. The last thing you want is to make this an unpleasant experience because this may discourage your child from reading in English altogether.

You can also discuss the story with your child and speculate about what will happen to the characters next.

3. Have them practice writing.

This is another crucial skill every child needs to develop in primary school. Some fun ways to teach your child to write in English is by encouraging them to write short stories, keep a journal, and even compose poems. One thing children don’t lack is imagination, so encourage them to express themselves in writing and make sure to praise them whenever they do so.

4. Cultivate good homework habits.

Make sure your child does all of their English homework all of the time. Consistency is key here. If your child knows that they have to do their homework at a particular time, then over time they will get used to doing it without complaining and objecting. And also make sure that the study area is free from all distractions such as smartphones, iPads, or noise from the television. They need to focus on their homework and take it seriously to do it well.

If they’re having difficulty with something then, of course, you should assist them, and when they overcome the obstacle make sure to praise them for their diligence.

5. Use online resources.

Modern technology is one of the most beneficial things when it comes to studying a foreign language. Not only can you find a lot of past papers if you are trying to prepare for a test, but you also have access to tens of thousands of fun and educational materials right at your fingertips. Watching some fun English videos online will help your child hone their listening skills as well as improve their vocabulary. This will also help to create an association between the English language and fun in your child’s mind, which means that they will be more motivated to learn this language.

6. Speak English at home.

English language shouldn’t be confined to just classroom and homework. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions in English even when you are at home, and encourage them to express themselves in English as well. Incorporate English into your daily conversations even if it is one word at a time. Needless to say, this will improve your child’s vocabulary, their speaking, and listening skills, and it will also boost their motivation and improve their self-confidence when using the language.

One of the best ways to learn new words for children is by using them in context so speaking English at home is one of the best things you can do to improve your child’s language skills.

7. Hire an experienced tutor.

Sometimes due to the lack of time parents do not have an opportunity to monitor their child’s progress and help them as much as they would like to. If you’re one of those parents hiring an experienced English language tutor is one of the best solutions for you. An experienced tutor will know exactly what your child needs to succeed in their Primary 1 English. In addition, tutors have a unique approach that best suits each individual child and they can even help your child prepare for their classes in advance.

To conclude, being proficient in English brings an enormous benefit to your child. It will serve them well throughout their entire life and the earlier they start mastering the language the better. Of course, the Primary 1 English curriculum is relatively more demanding than what they had to face in kindergarten however it is nothing you can’t overcome with diligence and consistency.

One of the most important things is to get involved in your child’s English lessons. Be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and if you come across something you feel you can’t deal with by yourself then don’t shy away from hiring a tutor. Mastering the English language is a worthwhile investment that will help your child achieve their goals no matter where they end up.