Not kidding around: Our Methodist preschools are keeping step with the tech age

Mdm Goh Lay Kwan , mother of Emily (K2, Bedok Methodist Preschool), likes the school's attention to emotional and character development. She appreciates how the teachers have invested in Emily's life, teaching her good values, wanting for her to have a godly character, and to remain responsible and God-loving through to adulthood.

Emily had the opportunity to participate in a week-long Space Buds Programme at the preschool, where she learned about space and even interacted with a true-blue Asian, female astronaut. "To be able to hear stories from an astronaut's perspective was so valuable and so interesting for her."

Mrs Tulika Nayyar , mother of Aadya (K1, Foochow Methodist Preschool), praises its holistic programme which not just prepares the children to be ready for primary school but also to face bigger challenges. She has seen how the curriculum encourages creativity. With programmes like LEGO (Build the Change) Minecraft Education, Mrs Nayyar is also appreciative of the teachers and staff who, in her own words, "nurture the children, help them build confidence, and in general make them good citizens" having the right moral values.

Mr and Mrs Borhade Sumit, parents of Charvee (K1, Sengkang Methodist Preschool), endorse the preschool's all-round focus on a child's academic, spiritual as well as social development. "Every Friday, there's Chapel, I've myself learnt a few things from her! For instance, she once came home and told me we should be kind and thankful to people around us," says Mrs Sumit.

Mr Sumit is equally awed by Charvee's intellectual progress. He recounts their astonishment when Charvee was able to help her mother at the supermarket to open her phone camera, scan the barcode of an item and proceed with the checkout. Since then, his daughter has started taking great interest in his work as a software engineer, asking endless questions about the devices she sees on his desk, and how they operate.

Mr Tian Jian , father of Zexuan (N1, Toa Payoh Methodist Preschool), is another parent who is impressed, noting that the teachers treat the children with love, patience and gentleness, always encouraging them and helping them to form good habits. "Zexuan learned from his teachers to share and take turns with his classmates when playing. I can see that he gets along well with his friends. When he first entered the unfamiliar environment of school, he often cried. Now he hums a song and says, "See you tomorrow!" to his teachers after school. My family and I feel that it is very important that our son is happy at this age. Being a happy, optimistic person with good character is invaluable and will help him overcome stresses in future."

Mr and Mrs Louis-Marie Edward Jean Gallois , parents of Melchior (N2, Serangoon Garden Methodist Preschool), first came to Singapore when Melchior was about 2 years old. Mr Gallois says, "Maybe because there were too many changes in his life then; sometimes he would be a bit angry or cry. But we can really see the difference now. Now, he is so eager to go to school! He can understand and speak English now and is really comfortable interacting with people. We say grace before mealtimes but once, when we began eating without saying grace, Melchior started saying grace by himself! I was so happy to see him do that."

They are also glad that moral values such as being respectful and polite are taught at the preschool.

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