What readers are talking about this week

Sprightly Learning Campus co-founder Jolyn Low uses flash cards during a maths lesson for six-year-olds (from left) Leow Hui Yu, Cayern Se, Alecia Tan, Koay Ger Maine, Isaac Lim and Isabell Tan.
Sprightly Learning Campus co-founder Jolyn Low uses flash cards during a maths lesson for six-year-olds (from left) Leow Hui Yu, Cayern Se, Alecia Tan, Koay Ger Maine, Isaac Lim and Isabell Tan. PHOTO: DIOS VINCOY JR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

A New York Times column on "victimhood", and parents sending their children for Primary 1 preparatory classes got readers talking this week.

Some readers urged people not to adopt a defeatist attitude and to take charge of their own lives. They urged caution against an entitlement mentality and against blaming others for their plight; instead, they encouraged self-empowerment, rather than reliance on the Government.

Readers also raised concerns about the need some parents feel to prepare their children academically for Primary 1. Some said there is enough time in the Primary 1 curriculum to allow children to adapt, while others questioned if the enrichment centres many parents are sending their children to really prepare children for Primary 1.

Some readers also said parents should allow their children time to play and just be children, and that many elements of holistic development can be acquired in childhood; hothousing them at such an early age could hamper their ability to be independent and resilient.

Here are some of the letters:

To be the 'victim' or not is a choice

Let's resolve not to play defeatist role of victim

The 'need' to prepare for P1 worrying

Important to support kids' holistic development

For more forum letters, please click here.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.