Pathways for learning

Thomson Kids teaching philosophy is based on the concept of neuroplasticity, where peer-reviewed research has shown that our brains can be re-wired through repetitive targeted learning. 

Our teaching approach builds on scaffolding, where students with learning difficulties learn better when teachers provide supports, or scaffolds, to enhance learning and aid in the mastery of tasks. 

Furthermore, children with learning difficulties do not learn well in traditional classroom learning.  They learn better when learning experiences engages their different senses.  Neuroimaging studies shows that multisensory learning activates larger parts of our brains, therefore increasing the chances of improved neural connections and connecting information to previously learned information. 

Basically, the more of our brain we use, the better chance we have of remembering things later and connecting new knowledge to things that we already know.  We do not use assessment books.  We developed our own teaching and learning materials based on insights from research and our collective clinical experience. 

Before enrolling for our Specialised English or Chinese Programmes, each student will be assessed by our psychologist to determine his/her learning needs.  Children will be grouped based on ability and chronological age.   

For each ability level, our curriculum team has planned specific learning objectives according to MOE school curriculum requirements.  This means that children will be learning the key reading and writing skills which they need to build a strong foundation in English and Chinese Language. Our materials are directly relevant to school and we aim to equip children with exam skills to tackle school-based assignments.  

We recognise that not all students have the same unique learning needs. While our teacher follows the specific learning objectives for each lesson, our teacher may modify tasks for students such as reducing the number or the complexity of questions. The programme is supported by our curriculum specialist and psychologist who will make recommendations to modify the learning materials, when needed.

Concepts are reinforced at every lesson, as we are aware that students with learning difficulties have fast forgetting. Our teachers will assess the students’ needs throughout the year to ensure that students are not falling behind in their learning. An annual test will be conducted at the end of the year to measure each student’s learning improvements.

All our teachers have experience teaching preschool or primary students in Singapore. Our teachers undergo our in-house train-the-trainer programme to ensure that they are familiar with the Thomson Kids curriculum. Many of our teachers have also attended courses in teaching special needs students.

Our centre has a parent/student portal where teachers will upload information about what your child has learnt in the lesson. We provide lesson materials and worksheets which your child will bring home. We strongly believe in parental engagement in fostering learning in students and strongly encouraged you to reinforce the weekly learning concepts at home. 

Our teachers communicate regularly with parents regarding their child’s progress via the student/parent portal. If you have questions, you can email your teacher(s) via the Parent portal.

Research shows that small-group instruction encourages active student participation, higher achievement, and greater ability to view situations from others' perspectives. For these reasons, we keep our classes to a maximum of 5 students to one teacher.

Each lesson will be 1.5 hours long.

Only students will be attending the lesson.

Class schedules differ and depends on demand and teacher availability. Our classes typically start from 10am with the last class ending at 8pm.

No lessons will be held if it falls on a public holiday. We will provide home-based learning materials to students so that they will continue to keep up with their learning.

If your child misses a lesson because he is sick, on holiday, busy with school activities etc., we will replace up to a maximum of two lessons per term in the form of vouchers which can be used to off-set fees for the next term.

No lessons will be held during MOE school holidays.

To secure a student’s space in the class, fees are paid one month before the start of the new term. Fees are not transferrable and refundable. We accept Cash, Credit Cards, PayNow, Bank Transfer. We are applying to be an Approved Institution (AI) registered with Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) under the Baby Bonus Scheme (more information to come).

Please contact us by Whats App or submitting a form on our website. Our customer service staff will contact you within 3 working days to discuss your child’s needs and arrange a time for you to come in to meet with our psychologist.

To ensure that children have maximum opportunities for group learning, no midterm withdrawals are allowed.  One-month withdrawal notice is required should you like to withdraw your child from our programme.   Parents will need to fill up a withdrawal form.  

We are prepared for the unforeseen circumstances caused by the current pandemic. Our teachers will conduct online lessons should this situation occur in the future.

After every lesson, our teachers use hospital-grade disinfectant to wipe down all contact surfaces. There will be no intermingling between students in different classrooms. All students are required to bring in their own stationery and temperature is screened before entering the centre premises.