AECES overseas learning trip to Austria; Injecting fresh light to our local practices

        In June 2016, eight local preschool advocates from the Association of Early Childhood Educators (Singapore) who represents various preschools and educational institutions came together to travel across the globe to visit kindergartens in Austria. In this cross-cultural learning trip, there are distinct differences between the two cultures and two early childhood landscapes, yet there are similarities in both countries preschool education. In this trip, our preschool advocates have gained valuable insights and are inspired to improve the lives of family and young children in Singapore. Bearing in mind that different early childhood systems have its advantages and disadvantages; a certain system works in a culture but it could have detrimental effects to another culture. Thus, it is important for learners to be exposed to see, learn and do during overseas learning opportunities and to shortlist possible, culturally sensitive practices to implement and review in our own local context.

Most importantly, we see that children’s love for learning is passionate and contagious. We witness that learning can take place across culture, children are naturally curious and attracted to knowledge; they love to learn so let’s not ruin their drive. Thus, books and music are effective learning tool to overcome the language barriers.

The bottom line: how can we improve? 

Though, it is not (yet) possible for us to have our preschool in rainforest or to banish formal learning in preschool. We can change our pedagogy to be child-initiative, where we can build a culture that allows them to be who they want to be and award them the autonomy of their own learning and play. We need to slow down to listen to them because they have so much to share. We need to move them out of padded mats, indoor gyms, to risky, nature treks because they have so much to learn out there. We need to continue to shift parents’ and lawmakers’ mindset from formal learning and kiasu-ism to play, play and more play.  Bit by bit, we can make a change for the betterment and future of the lives of families in Singapore.