Top Tips to Prepare Your Child for the New Education System

Top Tips to Prepare Your Child for the New Education System

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of school? Exams have always made up a big part of school life, so with the upcoming changes to the Singapore education system, what can you do to keep your children focused in the new academic structure? We’ve zeroed in on four simple ways you can help your child stay focused and maintain his or her progress throughout the year, even without the frequent exams. And, these handy tips can already be put to use, starting with the upcoming school holidays!

1. Establish a routine

Take advantage of this change and work out a more balanced schedule of work and play. Try creating a weekly schedule for your kids that is made up of short but frequent revision sessions and allocated play times. This will help your child maintain concentration at a steady pace throughout the year so that he or she doesn’t get burnt out. What’s more, a structured routine with dedicated play, rest and learning can help teach children responsibility and healthy habits of a balanced lifestyle.

2. Make time for your child to engage in relevant sports and physical activity

While you’re building a routine, why not schedule in time for your child to take up some fun yet brain-stimulating activities too?

Sports like archery and fencing can help improve focus, as they require extreme concentration and composure. Alternatively, martial arts and dance can teach children to be goal-orientated and to focus on one thing at a time. Choosing the right activity according to your child’s preference will also make the learning process fun and may help pique his or her genuine interest towards learning in general.

3. Implement family meal times

These days, both children and adults are swamped with busy schedules or occupied by phones and TV screens. It’s common for families to eat dinner at separate times or with multiple distractions, but now more than ever, it’s important that you make time for meals where the family sits down together.

This creates a safe space for open discussion where you can get more involved in your children’s home and school life. Use meal times to ask about their day, their favourite subjects or any difficulties they’re facing at school. It will help you to stay on top of the challenges they face that could affect their ability to focus and concentrate on their school work. Engaging in open conversation may also help them uncover their interests, and allow you to get the resources needed to help expedite their learning in a new curriculum.

4. Provide supplements and nutrition to support better concentration and focus in work and play

Rather than load your child up with brain foods just during peak periods, it is important to incorporate them more frequently into their regular diet instead.

Many fish like Salmon, Sardines or Tuna are filled with Omega-3 fatty acids, which help improve attention in children , while nuts and seeds, such as walnuts and pumpkin seeds, are said to enhance memory and cognitive ability .

And instead of giving your children Essence of Chicken only before exams, BRAND’S® AlphaMynd Essence of Chicken for Children makes a perfect addition to daily breakfasts to give your children the energy they need to sustain focus and concentration throughout a full day at school. BRAND’S® AlphaMynd Essence of Chicken for Children is packed with the same protein, peptides and amino acids that’s found in regular Essence of Chicken, but is also fortified with Vitamin B Complex to help improve energy, focus and concentration.

At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits-all method for children to adapt to this change, but one thing is for sure – education should be a marathon and not a race. Whether it’s through extracurricular activities, experiential learning or more self-regulated studying, work with your child to figure out what works best to help him or her maintain focus throughout the year.