My First Skool uses a unique relationships-based approach and curriculum. We find out how this curriculum works and why it’s effective.
When it comes to infant care and preschool, My First Skool has been a popular choice among parents in Singapore for the past few decades. One of the preschool’s defining features is that it follows a relationships-based curriculum. The educators at My First Skool believe that learning happens when a child feels secure and happy. This is a fact that’s been backed by research – children who learn through a relationships-based curriculum have demonstrated better concentration and higher levels of involvement in class activities. As such, the preschool places emphasis on forging close bonds as well as building genuine relationships with its students as well as their parents.
What’s a “relationships-based curriculum”?
Aside from home, school is the next place a child spends most of their time. It’s also the place they spend the most time without their parents. As such, it’s super important that a child feels safe and comfortable in the school that they’re attending. This is where a relationships-based curriculum comes in – where teachers focus on building positive and trusting relationships with the children under their care, as well as their parents.
Why is this an effective learning method for young children?
Just like children thrive in a happy family, they also learn best in a happy and safe environment. My First Skool believes that a child who receives encouragement and love is more eager to learn. Besides that, feeling secure builds emotional resilience and confidence in children. This empowers them to explore their surroundings, express themselves, and try new things without being afraid of making mistakes. This is especially important for slightly older kids as confidence helps them adapt to new situations and environments, such as moving to the ‘big kids school’!
How does My First Skool implement this curriculum?
Perhaps the most important step in the relationships-based curriculum is the forging of the bond between teacher and student. My First Skool’s teachers do this by going the extra mile to understand their students. Firstly, they get to know their students by observing their routines and leverage on their interactions as well as experiences with each of them. Teachers will also speak to parents to find out more about each student’s routine or habits at home. With all this information, the teachers can then adjust their teaching methods to create a strong learning continuity between home and school. Adding on to that, the preschool has a dedicated team of pedagogists who specialise in understanding each centre’s dynamics as well as the needs of its teachers and children. These pedagogists not only facilitate authentic learning experiences, but act as a support system for each centre so that students get the best learning experience possible.This way, the school will seem just like a home away from home, evoking a sense of comfort and eagerness to learn.
But that’s not all – the relationships-based curriculum extends to peer relationships as well. A good relationship between a student and their peers contributes to their overall happiness in school too. My First Skool ensures this by promoting positive interactions between students so that every child has a supportive network in school that they can rely on. Besides this, positive peer relationship teaches them about empathy and develops their social-emotional and collaborative skills.
Last but not least, My First Skool lets children be children. This means that the preschool encourages their students to learn through the thing they do best – play. It provides children with a facilitated play experience, be it within the classroom or during outdoor play. This allows a student’s curious mind to lead them as they explore their surroundings, make discoveries, and learn new things – all the while guided by teachers who act as a reliable ‘base’ that students can depend on.
Your family can benefit from a relationships-based curriculum today!
With over 150 centres islandwide, My First Skool has made its unique relationships-based curriculum accessible to all families. This curriculum goes hand-in-hand with the preschool’s holistic classroom offerings: be it from learning STEM through technology-enabled toys, appreciating nature in its Every Singaporean a Naturalist programme, or mastering bilingualism through its thoughtfully-designed classrooms. The outcome? A global citizen child who cares about the environment they live in and respects the people they live with; as well as one who is eager to explore the world around them while thinking critically and solving problems creatively.
Think this curriculum is perfect for your family? If so, you can register your child at your nearest My First Skool centre.
Bonus: Grab a free $100 shopping voucher when you enrol your child at My First Skool* from now till 31 December 2022.
* Selected centres only. You may check out the full list here.
This post is in partnership with My First Skool.