I refer to the article, 'Oh boy, no break for tots, too?' (The Sunday Times, June1).

I do not think it is necessary for preschooler Victoria Ong to attend so many enrichment classes.

Her mother said the six-year-old can read secondary school essays and write very well.

My five-year-old daughter attends only one weekly Chinese enrichment class this year. She completed an 11-month weekly phonics course when she was four. Now, she can read English books meant for teenagers, and write sentences.

I taught her at home. I am also teaching my four-year-old son to read. He can now read simple books.

I am a full-time working mother who can spare at most 30 minutes a day to teach my children. Every day, they will read one page from a book. My daughter will write a few words or sentences, and my son will practise writing some letters.

I can understand why parents are so worried about preparing their children for primary school. But I think children still learn best at home.

Even if the parents think kindergarten alone is not enough to prepare their kids, reading, writing and mathematics skills can be taught easily at home.

Like the article said, the most important thing is for the youngsters to spend more time with their parents.

Hock Chue Ha (Ms)

This article was first published in The Sunday Times on Jun 8, 2008