Etonhouse International Preschool in Bahrain

  When it comes to learning Mandarin,   many parents want to know how they can play a greater role in helping their children master the language . Whether you’re a native Mandarin speaker, a parent who has lost touch with the language after leaving school or a parent who is completely new to the entire concept of Mandarin, read on for five things you can do at home to play your part in your child’s learning journey: Gather round, it’s story time! Children love to  hear stories   and it’s a great way to pick up a new language and bond with your child at the same time. Look for books that print  hanyu pinyin  below each Mandarin character to aid you in reading the words. Pretty soon you might find yourself recognising each word without the need to read its  hanyu pinyin ! There are Mandarin books available that come together with a read-along CD that you can play as you read. After listening to the CD a few times, you’ll soon be reading those stories without the help of the CD! There are

  A lot of research has been done   all around the world  on the use of testing and worksheets, and the results are always the same. Test-based, traditional, norm-referenced assessment is not beneficial and in some cases, harmful to children’s learning. Here are some of the key reasons why worksheets do not work: Not child responsive:  Worksheets are usually selected by the teacher, based on what  they  want their students to learn, often regardless of students’ interests. One size fits hardly anyone:  For some students, a given worksheet will be too easy, and they will fly through it. For other students, the same worksheet will be too complicated, and they will struggle through it. Download our free e-guide on Top Trends in Education That Every Parent Should Know. Work without real learning:  Students can complete a worksheet without learning anything. For example, a student who can do simple addition under 10 or match words to pictures can complete 20 questions without building knowl

  As Senior Principal of   EtonHouse Pre-School Mountbatten 223 , Ms   Josephyne Ho makes it her goal to make every child's education a positive and happy experience. She believes in developing in each child the confidence to become a risk-taking, problem-solving, lifelong learner. Josephyne holds a post-graduate degree in Early Childhood Education. She was  awarded the   MCYS (now MCCY) Outstanding Leader Award in 2011 ,  Singapore’s highest award in the child-care sector which honours and recognises the contributions of outstanding child care leaders.  In today's Meet & Greet, we catch up with Josephyne!  1. What are your interests and hobbies?    I am always learning. Sometimes I wish I had gained certain insights and knowledge earlier so that I could be a better teacher and person. I am always open to trying and learning new things, though I steer clear of extreme sports and thrill-seeking activities. 2. What inspired you to become a principal of a pre-school? As a clas

  The ability to bend and flex in the wind is what makes a growing tree strong; modern buildings are built to sway when the earth shakes. People need resilience to bend and flex through the winds of uncertainty and remain standing through the emotional earthquakes. What makes a person resilient?  Resilience is the ability to bend and flex in the face of difficulty and stress but still remain standing. It is so deeply connected to happiness, success and confidence that it can be confused with those qualities. Resilience is, in fact, the foundation of most traits. Happy people are so because they are not overly dragged down by the dramas of life - which is actually a measure of their resilience. Resilient people may not actually be more successful but appear to be so because they remain almost unaffected by difficulties.  Confidence and resilience look similar because a confident person and a resilient person can both continue on through challenges without becoming burdened by the opinio

  Stress affects all of us. From financial issues to deadlines, worrying about personal relationships and peer pressure. All these factors leading to stress can overwhelm us from time to time. Even more so when it comes to teenagers as their fluctuating hormones are always throwing them off while they juggle school and find their social footing. How then, can parents help teenagers relieve stress? Here are some ways to help your teenager manage stress. Get sufficient and quality sleep  Do you know that not having sufficient sleep impairs your cognitive abilities, making it harder to do other tasks and manage relationships? It sounds like such an easy fix, but  getting good rest  can make a world of difference to a child's emotions and wellbeing. Between homework and hanging with   friends , it can be hard for teenagers to get enough sleep, especially during the school week. Ideally, adolescents should get nine hours a night. Help maximise their chances of   sleeping   soundly and c

  The early years is the most important period in a child’s life as it lays the foundation to their future. Pre-school education is not only about  developing skills in literacy and numeracy . It is absolutely critical in shaping a child’s personality, self-concepts, social competence, and overall disposition towards learning. What should we keep in mind when choosing a pre-school that will empower our children to be confident, competent, creative in spirit, and successful in any environment they go to in the future? 1. Philosophy and Pedagogy Different schools adopt different curriculum philosophies.  It is important to look out for a holistic and stimulating curriculum based on  pedagogical integrity and research-based  best practice. Research has proven time and again that young children learn best through inquiry; that children construct knowledge through a process of active engagement with the world around them. In an  inquiry-based environment , learning is meaningful, engaging,

  Outdoor learning is not just limited to physical development of children through  gross motor  play . Its real significance lies in the emotional, social, cognitive and psychological  development  of young children. Why is it important for children to engage in outdoor learning? What are some benefits?  Embracing the importance of outdoor learning  Research proves that meaningful interactions with nature supports creativity and problem solving, enhances cognitive ability, improves academic performance, reduces Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms, improves self-discipline, eyesight, nutrition and reduces stress amongst a range of other benefits. These findings are becoming increasingly significant, given that children now have limited opportunities to  connect with nature. Nature presents ample opportunities for children to investigate and inquire, and provides a calming influence as well. In natural environments, children engage with the world through their senses and develop awarene

  As parents, we may tend to overtly focus on the academic outcomes for our children. But, we also want our children to be happy. Emotional competence is the ability to regulate and   manage your emotions , especially in challenging situations. It is an essential skill for children to be happy and successful in school and life in general. Very often than not, adults react to extreme situations in an impulsive way. Children are developing   self-regulation and communication skills   and therefore find these situations more challenging than adults. However, we can equip children with strategies and skills, and through role modeling help them regulate their emotions and develop emotional intelligence from a very young age. Such competencies go a long way in ensuring a child’s happiness, wellbeing, and contentment. Studies have shown that children who can manage their emotion-driven impulses are more successful in engaging in pro-social behaviours and accomplishing tasks. Students with hig

  We live in a world full of diversity. Diversity encompasses one’s region of birth, nationality, race, religious affiliation, age, gender, ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Learning more about people and cultures, different from our own, are ways that we celebrate and appreciate diversity. If we’re not aware, a discriminating attitude towards others or being discriminated against can influence our personality and feelings of self-worth. How then, can we inculcate diversity and multicultural awareness in children? We want our children to grow up in a world free from prejudice and  discrimination. Thus, as adults, we need to be mindful of how we as a generation behave. It is clear that we pass our values onto our children through what we say and do. Teaching children the right values is an important step in parenting since we will inherently influence their choices, attitudes, and relationships. From a young age, children begin to inherit the teachings of th