Learning Experience in Singapore

Nov 7, 2016

Learning Experience in Singapore

By Teacher Iris Pinto

 

Last September 22-25, 2016, a delegation of eight (8) centre heads, business development associates and department heads visited Singapore for our continuous learning. We were lucky enough not to see only one (1) brand but three (3)—Cambridge, ChildFirst and Shaws! Each had slightly different approaches to learning but all shared similar values.

 

ChildFirst

childfirst

When we reached ChildFirst I was so amazed. The program is based on Howard Gardner’s, Multiple Intelligences (similar but slightly different from Cambridge’s project approach.) I admire ChildFirst because everyone here values their differences (just like at Cambridge.) It’s the most “ideal” center because of the technology that they provide for their students, size of their centre, order and cleanliness, and adherence to their their MI curriculum.

 

Cambridge

cambridge

 

Robertson / Serangoon / Mei Hwan

robertson

Just like Cambridge Philippines, Cambridge Robertson / Serangoon / Mei Hwan give importance on our Project-Based curriculum as well as the value of individual differences. I appreciate how diligent the documentation process is. I would like to emulate this practice at each level at my Centre (Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, Philippines). These centres also stress exposure to a “real world” set-up, the involvement in planning a project, and being united as a family.

 

Shaws

shaws

Shaws curriculum is the combination of the ChildFirst and Cambridge in my view. I appreciate that they let children do projects their own way, get messy and learn by doing.

 

Peranakan Culture: Exhibit

peranakan

It was evident that all three (3) brands are indeed in one community. Shaws and ChildFirst supported the Cambridge Peranakan event. Being united as one family (without focusing on the flaws of each Centre / Program) is the key to success in our journey as educators. They’ve experienced bumps in the road but simply view them as new learning experiences.

These schools (ChildFirst, Cambridge, Shaws) give importance on the:

  1. documentation of the work of their students,
  1. value individual differences of their students
  1. passion in teaching and implementing curriculum
  1. enthusiasm working with kids

 

As we end the school visit, I have learned that we have to absorb, analyze and apply whatever we think is workable at our designated Centres.