taken from Straits Times, 7 Feb 2009 Sat

For Parents ;)

8 things you can do to help your child sail through school

Myth 1: " My child needs to start school as soon as he can so that he gets a head start."

Reality 1: Delaying entry may be better - especially for those born late in the year and not ready for school. "Don't fast-track your child. Those born on 1 Jan may not benefit from starting school one year earlier." 

Myth 2: "If my child attends a top-performing school, he will thrive in its challenging environment."

Reality 2: Some children - even those of high ability - perform better in average-ability school. "Choose best school, not top school. Better to be a big fish in a little pond, say experts."

Myth 3: "Buying my child plenty of books will get him into the habit of reading."

Reality 3: There is no replacement for spending quality time with your child in front of a book. You must read to - and with - your child. "Interacting with your child is key."

Myth 4: "The best way to motivate my child is to praise or reward him when he scores high marks."

Reality 4: Tying your praise to high scores runs the risk of linking your children's self-worth to how well they do in examinations. Praise their effort instead. "The right motivation can encourage positive self-belief."

Myth 5: "My child has to have a private tutor - tuition is a necessity these days."

Reality 5: It works for most children, and the best results can be achieved in subjects like Mathematics. "Use tuition intelligently."

Myth 6: "My child's success at school all comes down to him working hard, not my attendance at parents' events."

Reality 6: Behind every successful child is a super-involved parent. "Kids do better if parents take an interest in their school."

Myth 7: "Watching educational and children's shows is good for my child and helps build his intelligence."

Reality 7: TV can restrict your child's development. Switch off the television set.

Professor D Christakis from Seattle Children's Research Institute and the University of Washington explained that TV exposes children to flashing lights, scene changes, quick edits and auditory cuts which may overstimulate developing brains. Things happen fast on the TV screen, so children's brains may come to expect this pace, making it harder to concentrate if there is less stimulation."

Myth 8: "Too much sports and CCA will distract my child from his studies."

Reality 8: Sports and C0-curricular activities enhance academic performance. "Research shows that being physically active help kids do better in their studies."

"Many studies link sports activity with higher academic achievement. The latest cognitive neuroscience research demonstrates that physical activity actually contributes to important brain development in young children. A study found that 40 minutes a day of aerobic exercise improved "executive function" - the aspect of intelligence that helps us pay attention, plan and resist distractions. Yet another experiment showed that the brains of physically fit children showed evidence of more extensive processing during each task. Compared to sedentary kids, fit children had faster reaction times. A study by the California Department of Education found that higher achievement was associated with increased levels of fitness. Other studies found that it is not the CCA participation per se that enhances educational outcomes. It is the fact that the activity provides skills, strengths, networks and support, plus social and personal rewards."