Month: April 2025

Parents often ask, “What afterschool programs do you offer?” when choosing student care centres. The answer helps parents determine which student care services best suit their children. To keep the parents interested and encourage enrolment, afterschool programs have evolved from homework support and a safe place for students to stay after regular classes. 

Enrichment programs have become popular because they instill life skills that are helpful to students today and beyond. Here are some of the best afterschool programs in Singapore’s dedicated student care centres. 

Arts & Creativity 

One popular afterschool program is art and creativity. These age-appropriate programs include painting, digital art, and crafts. These interactive programs encourage student collaboration while helping them foster social, creative, and problem-solving skills. Students also learn how to express themselves, and the skills they learn will prove handy in subjects like English composition. 

Tuition

Most parents enrol their children in afterschool programs for tuition. The hours spent at student care centres are a productive way to give students extra classes, especially in complex subjects. Most student care centres have professional tutors who help prepare students for examinations. 

Since student care centres offer various services, parents interested in tuition should choose a dedicated student care centre. Student care centres offering tuition services have a low teacher-student ratio for personalised attention. They are also flexible, allowing students to focus on tough subjects. A dedicated student care centre also helps students prepare for exams. 

Language Learning

English is the primary language spoken in at least 70% of Singaporean homes. However, about 75% of Singapore’s population is Chinese, and most young people don’t speak Chinese dialects. Mandarin is the most spoken dialect, with approximately 35% (primarily older Singaporeans) of the population speaking it. 

One of the student care services is language learning, and some parents consider it important, especially for students with parents or grandparents who don’t speak English. Mother tongue languages are also part of the school curriculum. 

STEM and Coding

Singapore is one of the countries with a high student enrolment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). It all starts with a good foundation in STEM, and student care centres are critical in helping them excel in their primary and secondary school exams. 

Parents with kids interested in coding can find a dedicated student care centre offering age and skill-appropriate coding lessons. Parents can also introduce coding to young children, and they can build up on it as they get older. 

Sports and Games

Some student care centres offer opportunities for physical development. This feature is common in student care centres with students of all ages. Popular sports include swimming, football, and martial arts. Parents with children who need physical activity or those interested in sports thrive in student care centres offering physical activities. 

These are some of the popular afterschool programs. Singapore has hundreds of student care centres, and parents should consider their children’s interests and needs. It is important to find a balance to ensure their children get the most from the afterschool programs. 

Many parents overlook tuition in Chinese, especially native Chinese. They expect their kids to pick up the language easily, especially if they use it at home. However, a child’s fluency in Chinese is rooted in their ability and willingness to learn the language, not the background. Fortunately, there are several ways for parents to tell if a child needs Chinese tuition. To Learn more about how we can help your child excel in Chinese. Visit us!

A Child’s Engagement With the Language

If the household speaks Chinese often, parents can observe the child to see if they are improving in the language or if they are stagnating. If the child is attending Chinese classes and has regular exposure to the language at home, there should be an improvement in their vocabulary or fluency. If, over time there is no change, you should consider Chinese tuition.

Difficulties with Specific Concepts

Encourage your child to share the difficulties they face in Chinese learning, just like with all the other subjects. Chinese learning is not easy, especially for a child who hasn’t been exposed to the language from early childhood. Unfortunately, Chinese learning is limited to a few lessons a week, and the kids also have the burden of other subjects.

The time set aside may not be sufficient for a child to make much progress in the Chinese language. So, getting a Chinese tutor is a solution. When possible, enroll your child in Chinese tuition early so that he can progress along every level with no difficulties.

Lack of Confidence

Learning a new language can be equally exciting and frightening for a child. Some kids approach the lessons with the desire to learn Chinese, but their fear of failure makes it difficult for them to grasp some concepts. Some people may justify it with them being slow to learn the language, yet the problem is their confidence. Personalized lessons may help boost their confidence in reading and speaking Chinese.

Difficulties with Regular Chinese Classes

Some children find it difficult to concentrate or understand lessons in a class with many children. This may stem from their lack of confidence or difficulty in concentrating in the presence of many students. The teacher may also be moving too fast for the child, and if other students don’t have a problem with it, they may be left behind or “forgotten” as the class moves on with the syllabus. In this case, personalized learning is the solution.

The Child’s Attitude Towards the Language

A parent doesn’t have to look at a child’s performance before deciding they need Chinese tuition. Sometimes a child gives hints in their attitude towards Chinese. For example, if the parent is fluent in Chinese and speaks it often but the child responds in English, it is a sign that something is wrong. 

The child may have trouble speaking Chinese, they don’t know how to respond, or they are worried about saying the wrong thing. Despite this, the child may not initiate an interest in Chinese tuition but may be grateful if the parent brings it up first.

Some parents request for tuition in Chinese because they feel the Child needs it. Often, this is true. However, there may be instances when parents hire a Chinese tutor because they don’t have the time to monitor the child. All these are valid reasons to give the child additional support, especially since Chinese is examinable and it will affect their overall performance.