The PSLE Prelim Exams are around end August or just after Teachers' Day. Parents..... Do not panic!!! Do not stress your child if he is already performing A or A* standard. Let them keep consistent work. No point piling them with top school exam papers... etc.

If you want to help them to do well in problem sums or learn some speedy ways to solve a mathematical problem, you can attend Ernest Wong's SpeedMaths Camp. You can find the schedule at http://www.SpeedMaths.com. He also runs special tuition class in his home, which is rather conducive for learning. Just give him a call and make a tuition appointment for your child. You can choose to be there everyday or not at all once your child is competent and confident.

Parents who cannot help their children will turn to tuition.... Try KipMcgrath or get tuition from a MOE certified teacher who are experience with Upper Primary students. MindChamps and MindEdge actually have good programs, but it may be too late if you only have 2 more months to go before PSLE. At MindChamps and MindEdge, they have developed a system to help your child to open his or her mindset and maintain focus to do well. If you child is in P5, you may want to consider getting them ready for this program now. If you need to talk to someone, please leave a comment or email me.

If your child is not able to pass one or two subjects, get some help now. Just make sure that they do not get an "U" for it... I think it is a score below 25 marks (please check with the school). If he can make it to above 50, there is still hope.

I cannot say much about Mother Tongue, it is hate/love relationship. Just make sure that your child does not get an "U" even though he hates it. In fact, in the case of Chinese, many children who attended speech and drama courses, or fun way of learning Chinese, has a tremendous love for the language. I met a couple with a Caucasian husband and Chinese wife, they speak to their daughter Mandarin from day 1.... the husband tries hard too and he is a non-Chinese. Very interesting. Good strategy.

Parents who have younger children, and are reading this.... do not wait till your children are in P6 to start taking action to help them in their studies. Seek to understand their strengths, and use their strengths to bring about academic achievements.

PSLE Written Exam 2008

English 3 October, Mathematics 6 October, Mother Tongue 7 October, Science 8 October, Higher Mother Tongue 9 October,

Refer to http://www.seab.gov.sg/SEAB/psle/2008PSLETimetable.pdf

16 to 21 October 2008 PSLE Marking Days ..... you may want to take off for a short holiday to celebrate with your child the end of PSLE, and let them relax after a bout of hard work.

In the mean time.........Help your child by achieving little successes. Help him see studying as fun and enjoyable. Do not resort to scolding or nagging or even comparing with his siblings or friends who have done better.... it does not help. Learn good positive words that can raise your child's self-esteem. Put yourself in your child's shoes... be a supportive parent. You can be the one who can make the huge difference in his or her life.