The deservedly sensational Singapore Math curriculum over the past year attracted so much attention from the scientific press and many parents who want to provide their children with a high-quality education that meets international standards and, whenever possible, to run it online.
Briefly about Singapore Math: this is an advanced program emphasizing mathematical philosophy. In other words, the Eastern approach to science involves in-depth consideration of each specific problem and example against cramming and takes students from the physical to the abstract, and not vice versa, as is common in the curricula of most countries of the world.
Table of contents
Singapore Math Approach
Many people do not understand this approach, especially those who have encountered it for the first time. This is mainly because many of us, incl. Children who grow up in the rapidly changing conditions of global turbulence and chaos are not used to studying each separate section for weeks or even months – this is how the study of various topics in the Singapore program is carried out.
Children do not move on to the next topic until they fully show the results of mastering the current one. And this is not easy. The curriculum does not allow topics review, so it may seem that the training is stretched, but this is not the case.
The time saved on reviews is spent on a multilevel consideration of every concept and operation. Moreover, students often develop theories and offer new ways of solving seemingly long-proven theorems.
Intriguing.
Absolutely. So, below we will consider the main advantages and disadvantages of the most famous oriental method of studying and teaching mathematics with a close comparison with traditional methods and will match this comparison for children, parents, and teachers.
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Singapore Math Pros and Cons for Children
Pros:
- An advanced level of knowledge and proficiency in math skills compared to students who study standard curricula.
- Expanded exploring of concepts and operations.
- The opportunity to join any university, regardless of the curriculum.
- The opportunity to adjust the frequency of classes to the requirements and pace of the child.
- The opportunity to get a unique education of the Singapore Math system from any place in the world.
Cons:
- The first-meet difficulty of perception for children who study mathematics in school according to the standard program and the Singapore program is used as complementary education.
- High risk of demotivation because a student can get stuck on one topic for months.
- It is challenging to devise dozens of solutions for each problem.
- Sometimes it is overwhelming for children with a “non-mathematical” mindset.
- Difficult adaptation in case of a shift to the Singapore curriculum in secondary school.
- It is difficult to establish an effective interaction with a random teacher, regardless of his / her competence.
Singapore Math Pros and Cons for Parents
Pros:
- The opportunity to provide a child with quality education in a rare program at an affordable price.
- The opportunity to teach a child independently, without school teachers and tutors.
- The opportunity to choose an individual program for children with disabilities and children who cannot perceive the material at an increased pace of group lessons.
- The opportunity to postpone and speed up the course depends on the child’s needs and exam schedule.
- No attachment to location.
- It can be used as a basic or complementary curriculum and experiment until you understand the needs and capabilities of your child.
Cons:
- It is difficult to find a competent teacher.
- Before you understand the needs and capabilities of your child, you will have to spend time testing the speed and frequency of activities.
- It is always necessary to provide psychological support to the child and, in some cases, to contact a psychologist or coach.
- Before starting to study the course independently, parents must learn it themselves, which is impossible for many.
- It is necessary to allocate time for online classes because schools that teach Singapore Math are not presented in every country or city.
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Singapore Math Pros and Cons for Teachers
Pros:
- High demand versus low supply.
- Increased income in case of a high level of competence.
- The opportunity to conduct online classes with several children simultaneously, incl. those from different countries.
- Life-long development of soft skills.
- The opportunity to transform or adapt the curriculum to a specific child and obtain a patent for a new method or approach because the market is still unsaturated with specialists and novelties.
- The opportunity to work remotely only, to choose students, and to schedule according to the teacher’s requirements.
Cons:
- Difficulty (sometimes impossibility) in coordinating group activities for children connecting from different time zones.
- High competition among top professionals.
- Skills in working with children with disabilities or special needs may require.
- It isn’t easy to monitor each child’s progress in distance learning.
- Usually, classes last longer than in standard curricula, which may require additional health protection (strengthening posture, blood vessels, body exercise, eye exercises, walking after each training session, etc.).
- Requires a high level of knowledge of English (including speaking, listening, writing), and sometimes a combination with the child’s native language if it is not English.
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Conclusion
Thus, a unique approach called Singapore Math has its list of features for each group of users – parents, children, and teachers. To choose a schedule that is comfortable for everyone, you need to think about whether you want to teach your child according to this approach in advance and explore all the offers available in your area.
When deciding, the main thing to consider is that you should not choose the Singapore program just because it is a trend or because you dream of seeing your little artist as a great mathematician.
Build on your child’s physiological and social needs, explore their potential, consult with experts in psychology, social sciences, and Singapore Math itself, and conduct a test session with a candidate teacher to assess your child’s understanding of his/her explanation method.
Plan your budget according to the potential risks mentioned above: your child may want (or need to) switch to a different curriculum, your teacher can be unavailable, or your country may restrict access to the Singapore Math learning platform, etc.
The Eastern approach to life as a whole, whether it is science or a lifestyle, requires regularity and deliberation. Therefore, make sure you have enough time to make the right choice.
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