I have a 4 yrs old who is about to start primary school and struggles numbers and alphabet, what is to be done

Question

Parrot like learning is considered as 'neandrothaolous' but for a 4 yr old it is essential as a stable base is requiredin both learning numbers and alphabets. Is there a technique? Delhi has several learning schools, which is more appropriate? Steiner, montaserri, etc. ?

Answer 1

Montessori schools are great. The point of a Montessori school is that they are 100% child based. Be careful however, schools can use the title Montessori in their name even if they are not a certified montessori school. Ask to see the cerificate from the state! Every child learns at a different pace. Some children learn the alphabet at the age of 4 some at the age of 6. Just keep working and make it fun. Make some games, use candy do what you can so that your child can enjoy learning. Again Montessori schools are the best. They have all hands on activities and really relate to each child's learing pace. Best of luck!

Answer 2

I took my daughter (now 7) to Montessori when she was 3 1/2. I LOVED it but there are different kinds of Montessori so read up a bit and visit the school.
One thing they taught ME right off the bat is that if you choose learning toys for children that have only UPPER case letters and they have a hard time learning to read because we don't WRITE books in all upper case letters. It's like learning your letters in English and having someone hand you a Chinese book to read.
They recognize the beginning letter of each sentance but no more.
Why don't the toy companies catch on to this?? Montessori uses techniques like sandpaper letters and numbers, the teachers very quietly and purposefully hold the letters and trace them with their fingers and say the SOUND the letter makes very slowly and then hand the letter to the child and have them do the same, the sensory pieces help them learn more readily and they think they are playing .
If you choose to check out a Montessori and observe, make sure you ask questions about what the children are doing and what they are learning from the "work" they are doing. You will be amazed!

Answer 3

Montessori schools are usually very good, also look into schools with a Reggio Emilia Approach (inspired by the schools in Italy which were named the best in the world)

Parrot like learning is no good. The children might memorize the facts but it means nothing to the child and wont help them get ahead.

Dont worry about it. These types of schools do not stress academics as public schools do (children this age are not ready for this type of learning). These schools are often play based, which is the single best way for children to learn. This does not mean they ignore literacy development.

In the school I volunteer in, we have several Kindergarteners who dont even know half the alphabet, and can't count to ten, but they catch up in first or second grade with their peers and do just fine.

Answer 4

Of course, rote learning is a self defeating exercise. Associating alphabets with words- especially those related to the environment - is the most appropriate method.
As a pattern, Play way is better than Montessori etc. However, particular exercises of Montessori are very effective for 'particular' results; but do not go overboard with them. One simple litmus test is- is the child distracted while using Montessori 'work' exercises? If so, turn to the more easy method of functional usage.
There again; what do you mean by 'struggling'? If s/he is just slow, don't worry. Is it about understanding concepts? especially number concepts? 4 years is too young to bother about number in the abstract. If s/he can identify less: more; few: many and single: group, then you can allow more time for actual numbers. It all depends on the stage of learning and the reaching of benchmarks.

Answer 5

Repartition is the best way for a small child to learn. I use flash cards with my 3 1/2 y/o twins. I sit with them and go through each letter written on its own card. We keep going as long as it holds their interest. I leave the cards in a place they can find them and now they bring the cards to me when they want to do their letters. I do this a few times a day but never push them if they are not into it.

Answer 6

use the singing format.music catches the childs attention .associate a tune to the A-Z alphabets/use poems for nos(like 1-2 buckle my shoe etc).dont force the child to repeat. u keep repeating it as though unknwingly(while he is around).or sing poems to him while u feed him.this way even if he doesnt repeat the things will remain in his memory and he can associate with it during class.
dont force him into anything cause it will cause aversion to the subject. let him take his own time.afterall for the nxt 15yrs of his life he has to do the study stuff.

Answer 7

She is probably not developmentally ready for academics yet! Let her play! All children develop at different times and for some kids, four years old is just too early to learn to read/math. Let her play in the sandbox, play dressup, read to her, take her to the park. Give her an extra year to mature.

Answer 8

Montessori

Answer 9

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Answer 10

montesorrie....is fine
forget the parrot like learning,coz four is the most receptive period of child development,a bit of help from u'r part ,a bit of motivation and regular coaching will serve fine.
if she's actually sruggling as u said,check if she's having a learning disability like dislexia or discalcula.