EQUIPPED, PRIMED AND READY FOR THE FUTURE - DISCOURSE(S) OF SUCCESS AND CHILDREN'S ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Drawing on Bourdieu’s theory on habitus and cultural capital, this thesis explores ideologies of parental behaviour regarding their preschool children’s education. First, it investigates the messages conveyed by enrichment centres’ advertisements. Second, it observes parents’ practices and beliefs concerning their children’s successful future. For the first inquiry, the data are taken from 100 Facebook advertisements of local enrichment centres. Content analysis reveals that emphasis on academic success is a central theme. Also, other skills such as critical thinking, creativity and self-expression are valued as the key soft skills to be acquired by preschool children. For the second, data are taken from a survey involving parents of preschool aged children. Sociolinguistic factors such as class-based differences are investigated for goals for children’s enrichment learning. The key findings indicate that there are clear contrasts between parents from the higher and lower socioeconomic classes regarding expectations for their children’s goals and learning outcomes.