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02-08-2015, 08:00 PM
An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:
The Big Read: Educators flag absentee rate of children of low-income families as a concern
SINGAPORE — While there is almost full participation rate for pre-school education here — 99 per cent of children here are enrolled in pre-schools by the age of six for each cohort — the reality on the ground paints a different picture.
Educators and social workers say it is a challenge getting the children of lower-income families to attend pre-school regularly, with higher rates of absentism among these children despite the readily available financial support.
Due to the lack of exposure to the English language at home, the children are further handicapped in their learning, given their weak grasp of the main language of instruction, they said.
They added that the self-confidence of children might be affected when they find themselves lagging behind their peers. If their families face issues such as domestic violence or if a parent is in jail, the children could also develop behavioural issues.
With the middle- to high-income families increasingly sending their children for enrichment activities from a young age, there is also a growing concern that kids from low-income families would be left behind from a young age.
Working with the community, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), pre-schools and voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) have been tackling the problem with various initiatives including roping in neighbours to help bring the kids from low-income households to the pre-schools, and chip in with money for these families.
Two years ago, Sharon (not her real name), who was then five years old, would be absent from her pre-school at Lengkok Bahru for weeks or months - at times, due to sickness or because her parents, who do shift work, have no time to bring her to school.
Her worried teachers discussed the situation with social workers and educational therapists attached to the centre.
The pre-school is experimenting with a multi-disciplinary approach under its Circle of Care project - to improve children’s overall socio-emotional well-being and learning abilities.
Social workers started knocking on Sharon’s door to explain to her parents on the importance of early childhood education. They also linked up the family with financial assistance schemes and job opportunities. Her teachers and the educational therapists also discussed intervention strategies and held dedicated learning sessions for her. Their efforts paid off, as Sharon started attending Kindergarten Two regularly, and showed improvements in literacy and numeracy skills. Sharon entered Primary One this year.
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...ors_picks=true (http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/free-rides-financial-aid-disadvantaged-kids-get-fair-shot-vital-pre-school-education?google_editors_picks=true)
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?211803-FAP-keep-their-promise-the-nobodies-were-left-behind!&goto=newpost).
The Big Read: Educators flag absentee rate of children of low-income families as a concern
SINGAPORE — While there is almost full participation rate for pre-school education here — 99 per cent of children here are enrolled in pre-schools by the age of six for each cohort — the reality on the ground paints a different picture.
Educators and social workers say it is a challenge getting the children of lower-income families to attend pre-school regularly, with higher rates of absentism among these children despite the readily available financial support.
Due to the lack of exposure to the English language at home, the children are further handicapped in their learning, given their weak grasp of the main language of instruction, they said.
They added that the self-confidence of children might be affected when they find themselves lagging behind their peers. If their families face issues such as domestic violence or if a parent is in jail, the children could also develop behavioural issues.
With the middle- to high-income families increasingly sending their children for enrichment activities from a young age, there is also a growing concern that kids from low-income families would be left behind from a young age.
Working with the community, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), pre-schools and voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) have been tackling the problem with various initiatives including roping in neighbours to help bring the kids from low-income households to the pre-schools, and chip in with money for these families.
Two years ago, Sharon (not her real name), who was then five years old, would be absent from her pre-school at Lengkok Bahru for weeks or months - at times, due to sickness or because her parents, who do shift work, have no time to bring her to school.
Her worried teachers discussed the situation with social workers and educational therapists attached to the centre.
The pre-school is experimenting with a multi-disciplinary approach under its Circle of Care project - to improve children’s overall socio-emotional well-being and learning abilities.
Social workers started knocking on Sharon’s door to explain to her parents on the importance of early childhood education. They also linked up the family with financial assistance schemes and job opportunities. Her teachers and the educational therapists also discussed intervention strategies and held dedicated learning sessions for her. Their efforts paid off, as Sharon started attending Kindergarten Two regularly, and showed improvements in literacy and numeracy skills. Sharon entered Primary One this year.
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...ors_picks=true (http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/free-rides-financial-aid-disadvantaged-kids-get-fair-shot-vital-pre-school-education?google_editors_picks=true)
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?211803-FAP-keep-their-promise-the-nobodies-were-left-behind!&goto=newpost).