Sunnytots Playhouse may look like your usual early childhood education centre, but children here learn more than just Languages, Maths, Music & Movement, and Art & Craft. Housed in two first-floor shoplots in Desa Sri Hartamas, Sunnytots was set up nine years ago by sisters Michelle and Maggie Low to provide children with an integrated and holistic curriculum. Michelle, who has a Masters in Psychology majoring in child development, brought with her more than 10 years of training and practical experience in early childhood education, counselling, and child development, while Maggie ably managed the day-to-day operations to create a warm, safe and homely environment for the children at Sunnytots.
Ms Michelle told us, “Our curriculum is based on the National Standard Preschool Curriculum with a mix of Montessori and programmes such as the Australian R.I.C. reading programme. We offer the usual academic subjects, but we believe it is very necessary for us to provide support in the non-academic aspects that are so crucial to children today, namely, character building, team work, living skills, and socio-emotional development. In fact, the earlier we start on these aspects, the better for the child.”
To do this, Sunnytots select teachers with the right personality, passion for teaching, and a love for children, besides having the right qualifications. Ms Michelle went on: “We have to train our teachers to educate the children in the areas I mentioned. For example, the children are taught to respect others in their speech and actions. When a child does not behave properly, our teachers do not directly reprimand, but gently help the child to understand how his/her classmates and teachers feel when the undesired action takes place. Also, when a child cries, we don’t make them feel that it is wrong. We must acknowledge that one can feel sad and it is alright to let our emotions out. The important thing is one must learn to solve the problem after that.”
To help the children to be independent, parents of the 5- and 6-year olds are encouraged not to join in the school’s field trips. “We do this because we don’t want the children to cling to their parents. They will soon be going to primary school, and this helps to prepare them to do things by themselves,” explained Ms Michelle.
“Children who have been with Sunnytots are very independent, very outspoken but respectful to others, able to work in a team, and are aware of their personal safety. We teach them about their body and the correct words for parts of their body where only certain people can touch; no baby language here. We also teach them that they must respect others and not touch others inappropriately,” she added.
Where academic work is concerned, Ms Michelle is very firm that children should be taught according to the milestone they are at, and not pushed beyond what is appropriate for their age: “For example, we are careful that children should not start writing before their fine motor skills are developed. That is why we encourage even young children to learn to eat by themselves. It is one way to develop their fine motor skills and will help them to hold a pencil properly later on.
“We also don’t do Standard One work here. We assure parents that once their child is self-confident and has self-esteem, he/she will know how to adjust to the new work in primary school. We want the children to be independent learners. Perhaps they will suffer a little initially, but they will certainly be able to catch up.”
The children also have activities to develop their eye and hand coordination such as water pouring. Good daily habits such as cleanliness and neatness are inculcated by showing the children how to eat properly, how to pack their own bags, how to sweep the floor, etc. Activities such as eating, singing and gym are carried out in mixed age groups so that older children can learn to relate to the younger children and vice versa.
All in all, Sunnytots’ holistic programme has proven to be a success as parents have testified to improvements in their child’s character and behaviour. Another plus point is that Sunnytots also accepts slow learners and children with mild autism. With her years of training, Ms Michelle is qualified to screen children with various learning disabilities and has been a blessing to many parents with her advice on the appropriate measures to take for their little ones.
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