Abacus Mental Math are popular with parents because the activity is thought to stimulate the growth of both sides of a child's brain!

This mental mathematics discipline from Japan teaches children to perform speedy and accurate mental calculation. Abacus' technique also seeks to develop the major processes of both the right and left-brain, in which the child is trained to think analytically, with the powers of logic and reasoning of left brain, and conceptually, with the big picture perspectives of the right brain function.

At the start of this 10-level programme, the child learns finer motor skills though the use of the abacus, leading to his memory and concentration levels improving. At advanced levels, the child is thought to visualise calculations by imagining bead positions and placement. This technique does not use drills and repetition. Instead it seeks to stimulate the child's aural, visual senses and his dexterity, to work together to develop a multi-sensorial learning experience that exercises the entire brain.

Each level runs for approximately 3 months and Abacus is recommended for children between the ages of five and 13 – the prime brain development years. Upon completion, the child would have acquired complex problem-solving skills that extend beyond subjects such as Math and Science.

Parents often send their children to Creative Writing classes to enhance their scores in composition writing. In fact, a good Creative Writing course can stretch the child's potential even more. A student who is a good writer often does well in most other subjects. On top of becoming a better writer, Creative Writing skills can develop your child into a better thinker, speaker and innovator.

He learns to frame his ideas and communicate them in a logical, plausible and coherent manner. These thinking skills will also help him collect his thoughts for public speaking. As he grows in confidence as a writer, he will likely be a good reader too, gaining a wider vocabulary and with knowledge that will spark his creativity and add to his confidence.

A programme like Creative Writing using Mind Mapping, for example, teaches a system to your child to bring his intelligence and imagination together for essay writing. This graphic technique, founded by educational consultant Tony Buzan, teaches children to plan and organise their thoughts by stimulating his imagination and word association to allow more engaging ways to begin his story, fill it with details and end it with a masterful touch. Mind Mapping courses also extend to other subject areas such as Math, Science and even studying techniques.

Going hand-in-hand with writing skills is verbal fluency to round out a child’s growth into a confident young person. The most effective way to achieve fluency in any language is to participate in an environment where that language is spoken. Speech & Drama courses have always been a favoured choice to aid the development of children’s appreciation of spoken English.

In addition, parents may prefer that their children are exposed to languages beyond their Mother Tongue, to broaden their appreciation of international cultures. For example, some parents may see Speech & Drama as essential enrichment for their child’s spoken Mandarin as well. International schools such as the Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning have set up Mandarin language departments to complement its English programmes. Mandarin programmes for preschoolers to Primary 4 levels are aimed at motivating children to use Mandarin in discussion and ideas sharing, creative writing, public speaking and drama.

On top of stimulating quick thinking and clear speaking, Speech & Drama classes can provide your child with the confidence to make new friends and engage in conversation with adults.

When it comes to financial planning for their children’s education, most young parents take a far-sighted view. They plan for their children’s university days, skewing savings and financial investment goals toward this milestone that is at least 15 years away. But more immediate financial commitments for essential extra-curricular enrichment are often overlooked.