Singapore Expats

I’m looking for insights on how preschool education impacts young children in Singapore. Beyond basic learning of letters, numbers, and colors, what skills or habits do children gain from attending preschool?

Both of my kids went through it, and the only benefit was a stronger immune system.

Studies have shown that most kids who skip preschool catch up with their peers by the end of Primary 1.

To build your foundation to primary school. Cos primary school expects you to already home the basics.. So without the basics you'll fall far behind

As a 5yo, I remember being bored in Kindergarten because nothing was being taught that I didn’t already know. The only thing I looked forward to was the milk and cookies. First grade wasn’t much better, but second grade was a disaster — the teacher got fired for not teaching us anything, and we had to learn both 2nd & 3rd grade the following year. About half-way through high school my priorities shifted to a singular goal — doing the absolute least and still graduating. While I was extraordinarily successful, this set me back a year in college.

Did losing a year in grade school or high school matter? Absolutely not. By the end of university, I did incredibly well and was making the dean’s list. The idea that one can’t catch up is a fallacy.

Social skill. Kids need to learn how to play with other kids since young age, I believe.

raptor_from_vietnam wrote: ↑

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:35 pm

Social skill. Kids need to learn how to play with other kids since young age, I believe.

That brings back a memory. I couldn’t have been older than 8yo when this junior high schooler (13yo) asked me to hold a basketball under my arm. Not knowing what he had planned, I agreed. What happened next was unforgettable… he punches the ball out from under my arm and it hits another junior high schooler right in face, giving him a bloody nose. The victim took the basketball and shoved it into my stomach real hard, almost knocked the wind out of me. Then he turned his attention to the ones who tricked me. I guess I learned not to be so trusting after that.