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Now that Anya has started going to school, I can’t help but see how the education system here in Singapore expects rather highly on our little ones. Academically, I mean.

While nursery and kindergartens in countries like Australia focus more on playtime and socialisation, schools here have started teaching kids - who turn four this year, like Anya - how to read and write.

I personally am not against introducing kids, at Anya’s age, to simple writing and reading. But when a school’s primary focus is on the academics and not so much on play, that’s where I feel better balance is needed somewhere.

If you ask me, I think kids at the age of three to four should still enjoy lots of playtime and socialising with friends. The majority of their days should be filled with stuff like creative explorations, fun with friends and physical / outdoor activities.

I feel they should also pick up skills like simple writing and stuff, but the focus should still be more on playtime.

Reasons being: academics and all its glorious achievements will always be there, always pursued, even by those whose hair has turned grey, but childhood moments can never be repeated. It’s gone when it’s over.

…

If I could decide for a nursery school’s syllabus, I’d probably go with, errr … 65% play and 35% academic learning?

But then I’d need to have enough money to buy an island and set up my own school there.