Most preschools introduce foundation literacy and language lessons to young children when they enter playgroup or nursery. To enhance their learning beyond the classroom, you can look into enrichment classes that provide holistic learning in a fun environment to encourage your child to be a lifelong learner.
However, if you’re stumped by the assortment of enrichment classes available for toddlers in Singapore, here are five tips to help you make a well-informed choice.
1. Identify your child’s interest
Choosing the type of enrichment class depends on your child’s interest. To make learning enjoyable, explore classes that are aligned to their interest that provides an added avenue to nurture their strengths and talents.
When children are engaged with activities that appeal to them, they will look forward to every class with enthusiasm, making learning more meaningful.
2. When looking for enrichment classes for toddlers in Singapore, consider skills you want your child to develop
If your child is an emerging reader, give their reading ability a boost by enrolling them in an English enrichment class with a targeted reading programme, such as the MindChamps Reading programme. By being equipped with age-appropriate reading strategies, young children can develop greater interest and skills for reading to ease them smoothly into their primary school years.
Have a child who is quiet and shy? Why not give kids’ theatre programmes a go? One great example is the Champion Mindset Theatre programme, which is powered by MindChamps. With opportunities to speak up and express themselves in a fun setting, introverted children can build their confidence and improve their self-esteem as they slowly shed their inhibitions.
3. Choose between a specialised or integrated class
If you’re working to bridge a specific gap your child has in class, there are specialised classes such as English enrichment writing or reading classes to give them a leg up.
However, if your goal is to expose your toddlers to a broader aspect of language development, an integrated enrichment class with a comprehensive curriculum is an ideal choice. These classes cover wide-ranging language developmental skills such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, in a more holistic approach.
Read also: 3 Ways Chinese Enrichment Classes Can Help Your Preschooler Love Mandarin
4. Look beyond English Enrichment Class
For most families where English is predominately spoken at home, parents start to feel stressed when their child displays resistance towards learning Chinese.
Apart from attending Chinese preschools, Chinese enrichment classes can help to overcome this barrier as the language is taught using play, story-telling and other activities through creative ways. With positive association, toddlers will grow to appreciate their Mother Tongue as they gain greater exposure to the language, giving them more confidence to use Mandarin at home and in school.
5. Do your research
Before committing to a class, do your research and find out more about the school. Ask if you can observe how a class is conducted and watch the interaction between the teacher and students. This is also a good chance to learn more about their curriculum and teaching approach to assess how your child will be engaged in the lesson.
Speak to other parents and find out if their kids’ learning experience squares up with what you have gathered from the school. A popular enrichment centre may not necessarily mean what is best for your child, so trust your parental instinct and choose one that suits them.
Read also: “Am I being too kiasu for starting my 4-year-old on enrichment classes after preschool?”
At the end of the day, there is no one size fits all enrichment class for your toddler. Whichever enrichment class you choose, the key thing is to provide another learning opportunity to make your child’s learning journey a happy, enriching and enjoyable one.
Written by Susan Koh
Want to know how your toddler can benefit from MindChamps’ enrichment programmes?
Find out more about the MindChamps Reading programme and Champion Mindset Theatre – and book a Complimentary Literacy Assessment or sign up for the next term!