Kids.Play n Learn: Green n Grow

Earth Day (22 April 2013) has come and gone but it does not mean that our effort shall stop there. In the face of climate change in recent years, how can we do our part in saving our Mother Earth? How can we educate our little ones on environment?

An effective environmental education helps to shape in young children the lifelong attitudes, values and patterns of behaviour toward natural environments. In fact, the approach used to instil these values in the young ones shall not be based on classroom learning only.

In the article “Getting to know nature”, I.S. Shanmugaraj, head of the Malaysian Nature Society’s education department, mentioned that “Young children learn about the environment by interacting with it. So, educators and other adults must attend to the frequency, nature and quality of child-environment interactions during their early years. Many young children are at risk of never developing positive attitudes and feelings towards the natural environment, or being familiar with their environment.”

Moreover, practice and patience lead to mastery. It is not about the type of skill the young ones is going to study. It is about the creative application and practice of that skill itself, like how Christopher from The Art of Learning puts it: “Learning isn't mechanistic, it's creative and organic. Skills and knowledge cannot be transferred, they must be grown and mastered-- through creative application, imitation, practice and concentrated effort.”

We are facing a situation, a situation whereby education is centred on classroom learning and examination. Instead of focusing on grades, let your child practice and grow. Let them play freely in the greeneries for them to create a sense of appreciation and attachment towards the nature. Let them “green n grow”.

The compound of CECE is in the midst of greens, making it a conducive learning and practice environment.

At CECE, both the College students and preschool students are exposed to creative application and practice for mastery of skills.

Kids.Storybooks: I Love Reading

Reading is a fun activity!

A kid who doesn’t love to read is something that worries parents and teachers alike. As such, many parents tend to force their child to read or specify the genre(s) that their child must read.

Sadly, this not only will not cultivate the habit of reading in the child, it might bring about negative effect.

Thus, in order to motivate your child to read, parents are advised not to interfere with the types of book your child choose to read.

Instead, provide them with a wealth of book resources and act as a guide in recommending a variety of genres of literature. 

Bring them to the public library and the bookstore and let your child choose what they want to read. Bring the story alive by reading to them in funny voices and with dramatic gestures. This way, your child will naturally develop an interest and pattern of reading.

The reading process itself is in fact the most direct journey of discovery of themselves and the world. Reading is a joyful activity that opens their eyes to the world.

Further Study: Be a Trained, Certified and Qualified Educator of Young Children (2)

Now, we will be continuing the journey from where we left off previously at Further Study: Be a Trained, Certified and Qualified Educator of Young Children (1)

Effective training in early childhood studies is the stepping stone for well-trained early childhood educators.

Here, students learn through thematic integrated child-centred methodology and put theories into practice through assignments, projects, tutorials and extra-curricular activities. With a steady set of skills, a well-trained early childhood educator can adopt any language in teaching.

“Till today, I am still adopting the thematic, integrated and child-centred approach that the institute focuses on, which is effective in providing children with a balanced and holistic way of learning. The amazing thing is that I was also able to apply the approach when I was working as an ECE reliever in New Zealand!” – Low I-Juen (Trainer)

Further to this, the training not only focuses on in-class learning but also on out-of-class learning. Students also learn how to develop lesson plan for early childhood classes.

“Although Institut CECE is small, but the experience gained from here is larger than life. I learned techniques and skills needed to be a teacher, principles and theories needed to understand children, form passion and commitment needed to work with children all thanks to Institut CECE for without them, I would not be where I am today.” ~ Soo Chea Erng (Final year student)

Educating children is never an easy task and shouldn’t be taken lightly. With the correct perspective on learning and teaching, early childhood educators will be able to create a positive environment for the children’s upbringing, nurturing them into achievers.

“My journey for this diploma has indeed changed my perspective on learning and teaching and it has also prepared me for the responsibility to make changes in children’s life through early childhood education.

Packed with activities and talks, lectures and tutorials, assignments and projects, along with a team of very dedicated lecturers and staff, my life at Institut CECE became memorable.” ~ Soo Chea Erng (Final year student)

This is what life is like at Institut CECE (The Institute of Childhood Education-Studies and Community Education).

Institut CECE, Always in the Service of Children

Further Study: Be a Trained, Certified and Qualified Educator of Young Children (1)

Previously, we were brought into the world of the importance of training in early childhood education (ECE) in article Further Study: Trained & Qualified Early Childhood Educators?

In this chapter, we will journey upon a fun-and-professional training available in Malaysia.

A place where you can put theories into practice…

A place where you will experience experiential learning…

A place whereby it is purpose-built for early childhood studies…

A place where you will be trained by lecturers with at least 15 years experience in teaching children and adults alike and with at least a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies…

A place where you will learn how to implement the National Pre-school Curriculum (Malaysia) through the thematic integrated child-centered methodology…

A place for Learning + Training…

Kids.Mind n Soul Development: Colours Stimulate Child’s Brain Development

Growing up in a colourful environment brings great impact on the child’s observation, thinking and memory abilities. They gained better abilities compared with those who grow up in ordinary colours environment.

According to a 5 years research on 300 infants, unpleasant colours – black and grey – and dim environment can affect the development of brain cells, leading to dull, unresponsive and mental retardation behaviours in the child.

In another 3 years study by psychologist, children playing in a room with pleasant colours – light blue, yellow, yellow-green and orange - have higher EQ, are smarter and more creative than children playing in unpleasant colours room – white, black and brown.

It is commonly known that colours affect a person’s mood and behaviour to a certain extent. Thus, fill the child’s world with colours – blue sky, green trees, colourful flowers and appropriate coloured interiors – to help stimulate the child’s brain development for increased intelligent and brain power.

Here are some of the suggestions:

Red, yellow, orange	Uplifting, active in thinking, quick reaction, increased vitality	Fill activity room and dining room with warm colours to enhance vitality and increase appetite. Fill the room with warm colours if your child is less active.
Green, blue	Cool, emotional stability, calm	Fill the room with cool colours such as green to stabilize the child’s emotion.
Grey	Cool	Fill your child’s bedroom with grey so he/she will feel at ease to sleep.

Further Study: Trained & Qualified Early Childhood Educators?

Many do not realize the importance of training in early childhood education (ECE).

To some, it is just a stepping stone while finding a better paid job in another field. To others, it is to pass time and earn extra pocket money while awaiting their public exam results (O-level or A-level) or when their children have already grown up.

Becoming an early childhood educator is not as easy and relaxing as many think. In reality, it requires a huge heart and passion to understand and deal with child’s development – physical, cognitive, social-emotional, language and moral.

A look into the job scope of an early childhood educator reveals that he/she needs to:

Thus, a higher education in ECE is as important as any other degree. It is not a “waste of resource” as some perceived because the knowledge and skills gained during the training are applicable in all areas of life – as educators, parents, siblings, relatives etc.

With the appropriate training and qualification in ECE, an early childhood educator will thus be able to provide appropriate skills to nurture our future – our child into great achiever while at the same time, ease parents’ mind - that their child is in the care of professionally trained personnel.

Here is an additional reading: Why Trained and Qualified Early Childhood Educators?