The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is a major milestone for every child in Singapore. However, students may be tempted to only start studying when their papers are just around the corner. Unfortunately, last-minute cramming has been proven to be largely ineffective, and can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety among children. Parents who are looking to help their child excel in the PSLE this year should start preparing from as early as today.
Here are five ways you can help your child with their PSLE preparations for 2023:
1. Establishing Goals and Developing a Roadmap
The primary step of any successful PSLE preparation plan is to set clear goals with your soon-to-be Primary 6 child. Discuss the expectations that you both have for their results, and create a roadmap for each subject tested — English, Maths, Science and Mother Tongue. Your roadmap should include target grades to achieve for each paper, as well as how your child will work towards achieving them over the year. It is important that you aid your child in breaking these goals down into smaller milestones, such as specific grades for intermittent test papers, so they can better track their progress and stay motivated along the way.
2. Creating Momentum During the Holidays
The primary school holidays are a great opportunity for your child to get a head start on their PSLE preparations. By creating a study plan, setting achievable goals, and incentivising progress with rewards, you can help keep them motivated during the extended school break. As part of the plan, you can also arrange extra Primary 6 enrichment classes or tuition sessions to supplement the learning process. These can be especially helpful in helping them catch up in the subjects they aren’t performing well in, be it English, Chinese, Math, or Science.
However, do be sure to make sure your child’s holidays are not boring or monotonous. Find creative ways to make studying more interesting — such as using fun memory tricks or playing educational games — so your child actually looks forward to learning, instead of seeing it as a chore. This will also help them develop better study habits in the long run, which will come in handy when preparing for other big exams like the O and A Levels.
3. Helping Your Child Look Beyond the PSLE
Helping your child understand the importance of the PSLE is key to motivating them to study. As a primary school parent, you can encourage your child to look beyond their results and consider their future educational aspirations. Whether this means applying for a secondary school they want to go to, or eventually getting accepted into a specific polytechnic or university course, remind them that the effort they put in now will help shape their academic future.
Additionally, you can raise their awareness on just how many opportunities are available for them after Primary 6. From leadership programs and athletics to robotics classes and coding workshops, you can show your child that there is more to life than English, Math, Science and Mother Tongue as mere academic subjects; by doing so, you will be helping them build internal incentives for studying, and stay focused and striving for excellence in all areas of their education.
4. Providing a Supportive Environment at Home
Creating an optimal study environment at home is essential if your child is going to achieve their goals. This includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule — primary school students should get at least 8 hours of sleep per night — as well as providing healthy meals and snacks during the day to ensure they have enough energy for studying. Ensuring your child has access to the materials they need and a quiet place to study can also provide them with the comfort and peace of mind they need to focus on their PSLE preparations.
Aside from providing them with conducive physical space, be sure to also encourage them mentally and show your support in their Primary 6 journey. Praise their hard work, help them stay positive when they are feeling down, and remind them of the importance of resilience — these will all have a huge impact on your child’s motivation to keep going.
5. Encouraging a Balanced Approach to Learning
Finally, one of the most important things you can do as a parent is to ensure your child maintains a healthy balance between their academic pursuits, physical activities, and social life. Allowing your child time for leisure and recreational activities allows them to take regular breaks from their PSLE preparations, relax their minds, and come back ready for more primary school learning. Additionally, hobbies such as outdoor sports or creative activities are great ways for children to learn valuable skills like teamwork, which will also help them excel in other areas of their lives.
Enhance Your Child’s PSLE Preparations with MindChamps Enrichment
At MindChamps Enrichment, we design enrichment programmes that incorporate exam strategies and simulations to help children in Singapore perform their best. Our PSLE – The Champion Mindset Way programme is perfect for students looking to engage in efficient PSLE preparations.
The curriculum is tailored to help students understand, relate and apply concepts across the subjects of English, Chinese, Math, and Science using our proprietary Optimal Flow Method™. Discover how previous Primary 6 cohorts fared over the past years, and find a MindChamps Enrichment Centre near you today to sign your child up.