In line with this idea of creating an environment where the love of learning is inculcated, Mrs Ngiam also explained subject-based banding, which allows parents to opt for a mix of Standard or Foundation subjects for their children, based on their Primary 4 examination results. "We want to provide more flexibility for students with different strengths and abilities so that they can reach their full potential. However, for this to work, the selection of subjects must be made in light of the best interests of your child, his or her academic results and teachers' judgements," she advised.

The eight participating primary schools set up publicity booths where current pupils could tell parents and children about their programmes.

Preparing for discovery

While an educational framework has already been set in place for children to develop a strong foundation in life and knowledge skills, parents play an indispensable role in ensuring that their children get the best out of their early years of formal education. The second speaker, MOE Parent Ambassador Mrs Veron Sim, offered some practical tips on how to best support your child in primary school:

• Encourage independence: Plan a routine for your child after school e.g. nap for an hour, homework, dinner, TV show, etc. Eventually, you shouldn't need to sit by your child's side for homework to be done because this becomes a habit.
• Communicate proactively: Talk about life in school. Don't settle for one-word answers like "OK." Probe with open-ended questions like, "What's the funniest thing that happened today?" Likewise, also tell your child about your day so that a bond develops.
• Not just the grade: Avoid comparing your child's results with his/her peers or older siblings. Focus on the process and the effort put into the work and reward a child based on progress rather than the actual grade achieved.

Learning more about primary school education

After the presentations, there was a Q&A session, then parents could visit an exhibition showcase in the canteen to find out more about the eight primary schools in the Jurong and Bukit Batok areas which had come together to organise this seminar. Each school had their own booth as well as pupils on hand to tell parents more about their programmes, and the latter's enthusiasm was the most convincing evidence of how much they were enjoying their primary school experiences.

Parent Mdm Hamitha Banu appreciated that the focus of primary school education is on holistic development.

Parents enjoyed the opportunity to chat with pupils and hear about their schools in a more informal, festival-like setting. "We live around here [Bukit Batok] so it's also very convenient to have the publicity booths where we can find out more about the various primary schools in this neighbourhood," said Mr Tan Geok Peng, parent of a six-year-old. "The talk provided enough useful information in terms of how to proceed in getting my son geared up for primary school."

As for Mdm Hamitha Banu, whose son is already in Pri 1, she wanted to understand the school system so that she could provide better support for him at home. "The talk provided very good information, and I particularly like the part about character development and how the focus should not just be on grades."

Curious about what primary school education is like these days? Find out more about the latest changes to primary school education. And look out for part 2 of the Schoolbag report on the Q&A session, which will cover common questions about specific subjects or programmes in primary schools.