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Small Wonder Malaysia, Bandar Parklands, Klang is a purpose-built kindergarten that provides a wholesome educational experience for children aged 2.5 years to six years old.
The school has an established history that dates to 1980, when it was first founded as Talent Kindergarten in Taman Chi Liung, before shifting to its current premises in 2016.
Today, the school cuts an impressive figure, towering three-storeys high in the distinguished Bandar Parklands neighbourhood. Top-notch facilities aside, it offers a comprehensive curriculum that ensures children are well developed in all aspects, not just academically.
An environment cocooned in greenery
Large, green spaces are key features at Small Wonder Malaysia, Bandar Parklands, Klang.
It is located just next to a well-maintained community park, with easy access to facilities such as an outdoor children’s playground, jogging pathways, and even a basketball court. Within the school courtyard is an obstacle course and a messy play area, which includes a sand pit.
Classrooms are extremely spacious: one of the largest under the Small Wonder Malaysia umbrella.
Principal Grace Khoo explains that wide spaces are essential for children to learn, explore, and play freely—something that is strongly encouraged at the school. It also helps the children get used to a formal schooling environment, as primary school classes tend to have a greater number of pupils.
The top floor, which houses the older age group, has floor to ceiling glass windows and feels almost like a treehouse, thanks to the verdant greenery surrounding the building.
Cultivating curious, independent learners
The school’s curriculum blends play-based and project-based approaches, ensuring the children are well-versed not just in academics but are also able to pick up critical skills that are applicable to their daily lives.
Younger children are educated using a Montessori approach, so there are no textbooks or workbooks at this stage. Instead, classes are filled with enriching activities, toys, and other sensorial materials.
They are also taught basic life skills such as how to set their table for dining, place their food on their respective mats, and lay out utensils. While seemingly simple for adults, these tasks are essential to train their fine motor skills, whilst also instilling good habits, discipline, independence, and manners.
The older children enjoy a blend of learning corners and project-based learning. While teachers impart knowledge through more traditional methods for subjects like Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, and Mathematics, the children are given the freedom to pursue their individual interests during the project-based portion of their lessons.
Parents are given the opportunity to be involved in their child’s learning as well. In 2023, the school had “A Childhood Expedition” showcase comprising four diverse projects, with one class learning about different kinds of noodles, visiting a noodle factory to see the production process, and eventually preparing their own noodles to serve to their parents.
Another class had an ice cream truck project, where they attended a gelato workshop and brainstormed ideas to create healthy treats, resulting in a unique cauliflower-flavoured ice cream. They were also exposed to mathematical concepts that are useful in real life, such as how to buy and sell their “products” using cash or QR codes.
Meanwhile, enrichment programmes after school include English and Mandarin drama, Scholastic World of English, arts and crafts classes, and keyboard classes. The Mandarin and English enrichment classes are especially useful for kids that are going to SJK(C), as it prepares them to converse in two languages.
Beyond learning, the school provides parents with peace of mind by covering every other aspect of childcare, including safety and nutrition. Meals are made fresh daily in-house.
Classrooms have a low teacher to student ratio of 1:8 for younger children, and 1:12 for older children. There is also a guardhouse outside the premises and CCTV within the building.
Conclusion
In the modern age, learning is no longer a one-way street where a teacher imparts knowledge, and students learn by rote.
Small Wonder Malaysia, Bandar Parklands, Klang stays up to date with the latest pedagogical needs through a combination of innovative teaching methods, collaborative projects, and hands-on activities for children, empowering them to become active participants in their own education.
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