Singapore
Education System is known by most people as academic driven resulting in great
stress being placed on both children and parents. However, Ministry of
Education (MOE) is re-looking at the education system in Singapore with the aim
of revamping the system by shifting away from the academics aspect working
towards offering students with the “opportunities to discover their interest and
talents, and develop life skills, a sense of curiosity and a love for learning”
(The Straits Time, 2016).
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long said, “We need to build character and
inculcate strong values in our children... and provide them with a broad range
of experiences and encourage their interest in non-academic areas. So that they
have a sense of belonging to Singapore, so that they want to help fellow
Singaporeans and contribute to society and to the school” (The Straits
Time, 2016).
MOE’s first
initiative rolled out in 2016 is doing away of the aggregate score for the Primary
School Leaving Examination (PSLE) replacing it with wider scoring bands similar
to O- and A-level examinations scoring system. Read in details via the link
below.
Going beyond grades: Evolving the Singapore education system
ST PHOTO:
JAMIE KOH
Being an
Early Childhood Educator and a mother, I strongly believe that character building and the developing of
learning dispositions are the most crucial for children especially during
the early years of life while academics are secondary objectives. Hence, I am
really delighted to see that the MOE seeks to revamp the education system and
of course we all need to understand and be prepared that time is needed for the
changes to take place. We may not see the result now but our future generations
like our kids will benefit from it.
What exactly is Learning Dispositions?
Learning
Dispositions which is often term as ‘Habits of Mind’ are attributes and skills
that will aid you during the learning process as well as when encountering with
situations. These are 16 Habits of Mind are critical life skills will aid you
in becoming a lifelong learner.
(Pikes Peak
Association for Gifted Students, 2017)
Help your child develop the Habits of Mind
The follow are
the key highlights of what you can do to support your child in developing the
Habits of Mind.
1.
Persisting:
Provide encouragements, remind about successes and acknowledging efforts
2.
Managing
Impulsivity: Discuss and remind about the rules and consequences, talking
about and resolving problem together
3.
Listening
to Others – With Understanding and Empathy: Use questions to help child
understand the feeling of others (Why, What How, If). E.g. If you are Ben, how
would you feel?
4.
Thinking
Flexibly: Suggestion possible alternatives, encourage, providing time to
think at his/her pace
5.
Thinking
about Their Thinking (Metacognition):
Ask questions to lead them in thinking further (Why, What, When, How, If),
guide them in making comparison and prediction
6.
Striving
for Accuracy and Precision:
Guide them in setting standard, checking and reviewing through things together.
E.g. Going through homework together and identify areas that are done well and
those that need improvements
7.
Questioning
and Problem Posing: Encourage
questioning, be a role model who seek for answers through questioning
8.
Applying
past Knowledge to New Situations: Help them recall upon the past
experiences or knowledge learn, guide them in applying those skills and knowledge
gained in a different situation
9.
Thinking
and Communicating with Clarity and Precision: Introducing new vocabulary,
provide opportunities to speak and share thoughts and ideas
10. Gathering Data through All Senses: Provide opportunities to use senses
– Sight, Taste, Touch, Smell, Sound. Cooking/Baking is one activity which can
help fulfil all these sense
11.
Creating,
imagination and innovation: Ask question
to lead them in thinking further (Why, What, When, How, If), engage in discussion
and brainstorming
12.
Responding
with Wonderment and Awe: Show enthusiasm, get them excited and create
enjoyment
13.
Taking
responsible risk: Encouragement and
support, providing opportunity to try something new
14.
Find
humour: Be humours, identify and share humour
15.
Thinking
independently: Encouragement, guidance and provide opportunity to be in
a team or work with others
16.
Remaining
Open to Continuous Learning: Constantly introduce new knowledge, be a
role model in learning from others, encourage questioning
Some useful articles for
educators
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