Our panellists

Benny Bong has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, counsellor and trainer. He also conducts regular talks and webinars. Benny has helmed MM ’ s “You & Your Family” column for more than 16 years and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

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Rev Tay Li Ping is currently pastoring at Christalite Methodist Chapel. Trained as an IndustrialOrganisational Psychologist before becoming a pastor, Rev Tay is particularly interested in the intersection of Psychology and Theology. She is married and has five sons. share your questions

Koh Ai Jin is a registered clinical counsellor with extensive experience in marriage and family counselling, mental health concerns and psychological trauma. She runs her own practice and currently serves as vice-president of the Association of Christian Counsellors (Singapore).

Inspired by the Kodály concept of music education that promotes a holistic development of the child's ear, mind, hands and heart, the MMO seeks to address cognitive, physical, socio-emotional, moral and spiritual development whilst growing the child's musical aptitude and ability. The curriculum is built to incorporate games and movement activities in music learning that inspire engagement while addressing important growth areas such as joint attention, gross and fine motor movement, spatial awareness and linguistic ability. Children are exposed to, learn to identify and have hands-on experience with different musical instruments. All these elements will help to form a firm foundation that will equip them well for music lessons in Primary school.

Singing is a distinguishing factor of the Methodist tradition, with over 6,000 hymns penned by the Wesley brothers. In the hope that our children will embody this heritage, the MMO—intended to be a signature programme for MPSPL-managed preschools—is thus designed to be a singing-based programme. Christian hymns, songs and stories are used as vessels for teaching musical concepts. Lessons are designed to reflect the liturgical seasons of the Church year in song, allowing children to experience with the universal Church the cycle of awe, meditation, and triumph in unpacking the life and ministry of Jesus, as biblical truths and values are seamlessly internalised during MMO lessons.

The values inculcated during MMO lessons are directed by a biblical compass, piling the child's foundation with a knowledge of God, good character traits and moulding the child's perspective on life—all of which articulate the vision of MPSPL and The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). The programme's learning outcomes are also aligned with MOE's Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) Curriculum Framework for kindergartens in Singapore.

Marjorie Tan serves in various ministries including the Small Group and Glowing Years Ministries at Wesley Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Marjorie Tan