by on 30/04/2024 2159
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Our little ones deserve the best care and education in their formative years—and there’s no better place for them than at Little Mandarin House.
Nestled within a tranquil, leafy neighbourhood in Bangsar, this established preschool and kindergarten brand has operated for 20 years and consists of two buildings located just minutes apart.
One is dedicated to toddlers aged one to three, and the other caters to four- to six-year-olds—ensuring that teachers can provide their utmost attention to fulfilling the unique developmental needs of each age group.
As the name suggests, Little Mandarin House emphasises mastery of the Chinese language, while also nurturing other aspects of the child’s development to encompass physical, mental, and emotional growth.
The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to evolve as the students progress, initially focusing on Montessori principles for ages one to three, and gradually introducing structured learning and assessments for ages four to six.
“Many associate learning Chinese with strict discipline, and even some level of coercion. Here, we believe that it can go hand-in-hand with Montessori and other teaching elements,” says principal Joyce Cheah, adding that the goal is to guide children to reach their full potential.
Joyce, who heads the branch at Bangsar Park, which houses the one to three-year-old group, says that children are given freedom to move about classrooms and explore materials that they are interested in, which fulfils their innate curiosity and triggers their imagination.
During circle time, they are taught to follow instructions, which instils rule-following within the proper setting and is especially helpful for when pupils move to later grades and primary school.
“Malaysian society in general doesn’t take learning at this age (one to three) seriously—but we strongly believe that this period is crucial to build a strong foundation. Education isn’t just about learning language or mathematics, but also overall development,” she adds.
Complementing the excellent curriculum and teaching philosophy are facilities designed with children in mind. Stepping into the school’s premises, one feels a sense of calmness and tranquillity, thanks to the abundance of lush greenery.
Well maintained gardens and playgrounds, classrooms with child-safe furniture, as well as a cosy industrial design, with plenty of room for children to learn and play, are hallmarks of Little Mandarin House.
At its Bangsar Park branch, visitors are welcomed by a spacious area filled with toys and plants, which also overlooks a verdant playground.
Classrooms are equally cheerful, some featuring cute animal designs on its walls. Montessori materials, books, and toys are neatly arranged, giving pupils the freedom to work with materials they like.
The branch along Jalan Ara, which caters to the four to six group, spans three floors, with classrooms on the upper floors, and a more open concept on the ground floor. Large windows allow for natural lighting, making spaces bright and airy. These conducive environments certainly play a part in nurturing confident individuals.
Little Mandarin House offers both half and full day programmes. For younger children, the day usually starts with physical activities in the playground, which helps to improve their concentration.
After breakfast, there is a short reading session, followed by classes in subjects such as English and Mandarin.
The learning process is made fun using flash cards and activities such as singing and reciting ancient poems. For the one- to three-year-olds, the focus is on improving their gross motor skills and helping them understand instructions, from learning how to grasp a pencil, to colouring and tracing.
Small classrooms with a low student to teacher ratio ensure each pupil is given personalised care and attention. Beyond the usual subjects like English, Malay, Mandarin, and Math, which are taught by in-house teachers, additional enrichment classes such as music (using Australia’s Kindermusik programme) and gym classes are also available.
As for nutrition, children enjoy well-balanced meals daily that are packed with nutrients, with a menu of items that may include rice, pasta, and protein like chicken fillet and salmon.
Fridays, for example, are porridge days, where the children are served porridge made from quality ingredients such as barley, sweet potato, minced chicken, and loads of vegetables.
“Our pupils spend long hours here every day, so this is like their home. This is why we’ve made everything to be homely and cosy. It’s a space where children can feel safe and learn the things they should be learning at this age,”—
Little Mandarin House founder, Emanda.
Love for children that comes from the heart is a core tenet at Little Mandarin House. Teachers play the role of providers and givers, where they are not only doing it as a job but are truly connected to each child and want to be there for them every day.
“We’re all about celebrating the children’s achievements. It feels amazing when a child manages to complete a task on their own for the first time, even if it’s just recognising a number,” says Joyce.
She also stresses the importance of parental involvement so that the child has a good support system, both at school and at home. Parents are updated regularly on their children’s progress, and open communication is encouraged. Meanwhile, school-organised trips to places such as organic farms afford parents time to bond with their kids.
For Joyce, she hopes that every pupil that receives an education at Little Mandarin House walks away with two things. “I hope that their time here will instil in them a lifelong love for learning, and that they can bring away sweet memories of their childhood,” she says.
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