What to expect in Primary One

When I was in primary one many years ago, the teacher only started to teach A, B, Cs. Many of my classmates did not go to kindergarten.

Kindergarten is still not compulsory now. But children are expected to know so much more before entering primary school.

My girl studies in a neighbourhood primary school in Jurong West. The school is using the Stellar program, which means that they use story books to teach English. Kids are not allowed to bring the story books back home. I asked the teacher and she showed me the story books in the classroom. The books are very simple, only one sentence of 5 to 6 words a page.

However, the school's English workbooks are not easy. The following photo shows a page from the workbook. A primary one child is expected to be able to read and understand a passage like this as early as February.
The child is expected to know how to answer these questions :


The following photo shows a question from the Maths workbook. Kids are expected to read and understand questions like this by March.

It takes a lot of time for kids to learn how to read this well. In order to read at this level, I believe that kids have to start learning the language no later than 3 years old. In fact, most parents start to send their kids to pre-schools from as young as 18 months old.

It is entirely possible to teach a child to read very well at home. In fact, no enrichment classes and pre-schools can promise this type of standards. Parents are the best teachers !



The following is a guide.

One to two years old :
First Step - Teaching A B C
It is very important for the child to know all the 26 phonics letter sounds very well. Do not rush the child, give him enough time to learn. My boy was only learning the 26 letters before he turned 3 years 3 months old.
At the same time, develop a love of books :
Wonderful books for kids from birth to 3 years old


Three to Four years old :
The child can start to learn phonics :
How to teach phonics
When the child knows how to join 3 letters to form a word, you must start teaching sight words using the Key Words (Peter and Jane) series :
Key Words with Ladybird

Five to Six years old :
Both my kids completed the Peter and Jane book 11 and 12 before they turned 5 years old. By then they are able to read long English novels. The child must continue to read out loud everyday, even after completing the Peter and Jane series. Parents should continue to choose good books that interest the kids :

Reading confidently at a very young age
Developing a love for reading
The importance of reading books

Note that every child progresses at a different pace, here is a guide :


If a child can complete the Peter and Jane book 6a and 6b before entering primary one, he is already very well prepared.

Teaching a child to read very well at a very young age, is not only about preparing for primary school. You are teaching the child the most valuable skill that will be essential for lifelong learning.