Childrens Lifeworlds in a Global City: Singapore

This book examines connections between policy contexts, school experiences and everyday activities of children growing up in the global city of Singapore. In particular, it explores how Singapore childrens everyday experiences inside and outside of school shape their orientations towards educational success. Alongside an analysis of school life and educational policies, it also considers childrens out-of-school activities, including leisure, homework, and enrichment activities, and connections between these and their school-based activities. The book draws on empirical data from Primary 4 classes in two Singapore schools in the form of student-completed surveys, classroom ethnographies, student responses to a learning dialogues activity, and a re-enactment of one child's out-of-school life, as well as curriculum and policy analysis. It provides readers with an in-depth understanding of Singapore Primary 4 childrens experiences inside and outside of school, including the structure of timetables and pedagogical approaches encountered in school lessons, childrens enjoyment of activities inside and outside of school, childrens engagement and wellbeing at school, and the impact of Singapores educational policies on childrens learning experiences. Moving beyond a simplistic focus on Singapore childrens academic performance in international high-stakes testing, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of their lives inside and outside of school. This holistic approach is unique in the Singapore context and contributes to a greater understanding of childrens everyday lives in the city.