Meet t e families who sidestep the traditional bricks-and-mortar classroom.
KATIE ROBERTS talks to parents about how and why they’ve chosen to educate their children outside mainstream local and international schools in Singapore.
#1 Home-schooling
A dozen parents sit chatting in the shade on a weekday afternoon at Gardens by the Bay. Children aged from four to 13 years are racing about under the sprinklers and getting wet, riding scooters, or quietly playing Uno. The adult conversation centres around their children’s learning, what’s happened that day, and where they’re planning to go for the holidays. It’s a typical Singapore scene, and yet it’s not.
These parents are home-schooling their children, who are free from the 8am to 3pm confines of the traditional schoolyard. This particular social get-together, organised by American expat NIKOLE HORKIN under the auspices of the group she founded, Singapore Homeschooling Expats, is one of a number that support parents in their roles as teachers and educators, and provide an outlet for children to socialise and make friendships with kids on the same journey.
Nikole says that the parents, representing a broad range of nationalities and backgrounds, have chosen this form of education for many different reasons. “We’ve lived in Singapore for eight years now, and have home-schooled our 11-yearold son for the past two years,” she says. As their son was approaching upper elementary level, Nikole and her husband felt home-schooling could improve the quality of his education and the family’s quality of life, so they switched to an online curriculum. The curriculum dictates that children need to complete 180 school days a year.
Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av EL Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av EL Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Injury-free Skiing!
You've compared the various resorts' vital statistics, après ski options and historical snowfall data, and you're ready to hit the slopes this holidays! In this first of two articles, orthopaedic surgeon and ski-tragic DR DERRICK OH gives advice on how you can prevent skiing injuries.
Braces Vs Invisalign First!
Teeth straightening for kids can achieve more health benefits than just a great smile. Here, dentist DR ALEXIA KWAN talks about the pros and cons of the two main options: traditional braces and Invisalign First.
CAN OBESITY LEAD TO HEART ATTACKS?
Maintaining a healthy weight is more than just a matter of appearance - it's a vital aspect of heart health. DR MICHAEL ROSS MACDONALD, a senior consultant cardiologist at The Harley Street Heart & Vascular Centre, discusses how weight affects our heart and ways to manage it.
Achieving with Development Assessments
Every parent prioritises the wellbeing and optimal development of their child. Paediatric physiotherapist WAN YING TEH specialises in babies and children and tells us why a physiotherapy development assessment can help you achieve just this.
POWER WORKOUTS REDEFINED
It's easy to let fitness slide during the festivities, but keeping up your routine doesn't have to be a chore. These quick, high-burn workouts make it simple to stay active, boost your energy, and keep that waistline in check - no matter how packed your calendar gets!
TROPICAL TOWer
If you love a staycation option with strong eco credentials, try this lofty - and leafy - hotel in the heritage district of Tanjong Pagar.
A Boutique Resort in Malaysia
Inside a serene tropical sanctuary that combines contemporary design with nature.
A Guide to Lombok
As I floated on a surfboard, my instructor called out “go, chilli man!” to his friend carving along a breaking wave. He turned to me and said, “Have you tried the chillies here? They’re just like our island and our surfers: small but spicy.”
Thailand: City & Mountains
My two daughters are well into their teens, and in the blink of an eye they'll be heading off on holidays with groups of raucous friends rather than with their annoying parents.
Recipe CORNER
This holiday favourite combines the warmth of traditional spices with the rich textures of dried fruits. Enjoy with a cup of tea or a glass of mulled wine!