In 2023, Xavier* began his learning journey with the DAS Preschool Programme while in Kindergarten Two. A quiet and reserved child, he spoke very little due to a speech delay, which affected his articulation and made it hard for others to understand him. Writing was also a challenge as his letters often strayed from the lines, and forming a sentence took a long time. On top of that, his gross motor skills were underdeveloped, causing him to appear clumsy and occasionally trip over his own feet.
Despite these difficulties, Xavier showed quiet determination. He consistently applied what he learned and gradually made remarkable progress in reading and spelling.
Opening The Door To Confidence
Each lesson began with a story, followed by questions to engage the class. In the beginning, I had to direct questions specifically to Xavier, as he was too shy to respond on his own. Over time, he began speaking up more often, even though we occasionally struggled to understand what he was trying to express. With encouragement and patience, his confidence grew. We also focused on improving his handwriting, working on letter orientation and stroke accuracy. By the end of the year, he was writing more neatly and with greater control.
The Obstacle Faced
While Xavier received consistent literacy support at DAS, access to frequent Speech and Language Therapy sessions at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) was limited. At the end of Kindergarten Two, a doctor at KKH assessed that his speech remained significantly delayed and recommended that he repeat the year. Although he obtained a supporting doctor’s letter, he still needed to secure a new preschool placement that could accommodate him and continue providing intervention.
His previous preschool was unable to support him further due to a lack of manpower. This led his mother to seek help from ECDA to find a nearby school willing to take him in. It was a challenging process, and he was only able to return to school two months after the academic year had begun.
An Inspiring Breakthrough
I remember vividly the day I recorded a video of Xavier reading a book and shared it with his mother. She told me through tears that she cried while watching it. Seeing him read simple sentences on his own marked a powerful turning point. It gave her renewed hope for his future.
Xavier later underwent a school-age assessment for dyslexia, which confirmed his diagnosis. He will continue receiving intervention at DAS as he moves through primary and secondary school.
We are grateful that Xavier is now receiving the early literacy support he needs. With continued guidance, structured intervention, and his own determination, his path forward is filled with possibility. His story reminds us of the incredible growth that can happen when the right help arrives at the right time
At DAS, we are committed to providing personalised learning support for children with different educational needs. Our financial assistance programme ensures that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their financial situation.
Find out more about our Preschool Programme here.
*The name in this story has been anonymised for privacy reasons.
