by on 01/11/2024 1180
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Picture a place where your little ones can blossom through the power of play and art. Nestled in the lively Mont Kiara neighbourhood, Mum N Kids Club offers just that: an open and welcoming environment that brings together the Reggio Emilia philosophy, a French curriculum, and an art-centred approach to learning.
Established in 2019, the Mum N Kids Club brand comprises a preschool daycare for toddlers and children aged 18 months to 5 years old, as well as a dedicated art school for older kids and adults.
“We started Mum N Kids with the simple idea that learning should be fun,” says founder Ms. Li Yan, who believes that young children learn best when they’re engaged and having a great time. “We want kids to grow and discover at their own pace, in a way that feels natural and exciting.”
It is a philosophy that radiates throughout the preschool, from the mixed-age free play sessions to the bright and cheerful environments that invite children to explore and express themselves.
Mum N Kids’s preschool and daycare follows a Reggio-Emilia approach integrated with the French early years’ curriculum, which sets it apart from the more common UK-based or Montessori programmes in Malaysia.
Learning here is structured into three age-appropriate classes, all named after positive values such as Love, Faith, and Joy. In the Love Class, children aged 18 to 30 months are encouraged to explore the world around them and satisfy their curiosity through sensory play, music, and movement.
Meanwhile, children in the Faith Class (30 months to 4 years old) are believed to be unique individuals that can excel in their own ways and are guided through interactive children-led activities in arts, practical life skills, language, maths, and science.
Finally, Reception for children aged 4 to 5 focuses on nurturing children through stimulating situations and hands-on activities, so that they are ready to face the next stage of their learning journey.
“In French preschools, mixed-age setups are quite common. We incorporate that here as well, so during free play sessions, younger children can interact and mingle with older children and enjoy activities together, which helps the children to build stronger social skills. Younger kids look up to the older ones, while the older kids learn to be nurturing and patient,” explains Ms. Li Yan.
Everyday routines are thoughtfully planned to balance structure and freedom. Circle time is where the children sit together, share stories and reflect; while during free play, they may choose their preferred activities at the various learning stations, whether it’s water or sensory play.
“We have something called DEAR time — Drop Everything And Read. It’s a cosy time for the children to read books in our little library corner and enjoy the love of stories,” Ms. Li explains.
Since the structured learning groups tend to be small, it also allows teachers to tailor their teaching according to each child’s needs. “If a younger group hits their learning milestones early, we may introduce them to more complex tasks,” says Ms. Li Yan.
Another important aspect which Mum N Kids draws from the French curriculum is to assign daily responsibilities for children, such as helping to take attendance or perform certain tasks. “We believe in giving children roles from a young age. It teaches them responsibility and a sense of pride in what they do,” she adds.
The preschool is partnered with the Lycee Francais de Kuala Lumpur (LFKL), which offers a headstart for parents who wish for their children to transition into the French international school later on. Afternoons at the preschool are filled with enrichment activities for the older children, such as English and Mandarin enrichment classes. Plans are also in the works to introduce French as a second language, in partnership with LFKL.
Walking into the bright, airy spaces of Mum N Kids, it’s clear that this isn’t your typical preschool. With natural lighting, drop-down windows, and glass doors that offer views of the garden outside, the environment invites children to learn through interaction with their surroundings.
The preschool’s 2,700-square-foot space includes a small outdoor playground with soft artificial grass, a vegetable garden for planting, and three spacious classrooms. Each corner is thoughtfully designed to provide safety and comfort, with foam-padded areas and antiviral and antibacterial paint on the walls.
Ms. Li Yan notes that the open layout and easy access to materials are in line with their Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. “Children come in each day and can choose how they want to start — whether they’re interested in exploring the water stations, trying out the art stations, or heading outside to play. It’s their time to be curious.”
Art is woven into every part of the Mum N Kids experience. Unlike most preschools where art is just an extracurricular activity, it’s a core part of the curriculum here. For the younger children, Mum N Kids focuses on “process art” — a form of art that focuses on the act of creating rather than the result.
“We give the children various loose parts and materials — paper, ribbons, paint— and let them figure out how to use them,” Ms. Li shares enthusiastically. This free-form approach not only nurtures creativity but also helps children develop fine motor skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
“You’ll see a big painting hanging in our school — a 1.2 x 1.2 metre canvas, created by our students,” says Ms. Li. The school also regularly holds art exhibitions where they showcase students' works and sometimes sell these pieces, donating the proceeds to local charities and welfare homes.
The creative spirit of Mum N Kids doesn’t stop at the preschool. The Mum N Kids Art School, just a short walk away, provides a space for older children and adults to further immerse themselves in artistic expression. It employs a unique French Art Concept from La Petite Academie and takes students through three levels, namely Basic (5 to 7 years old), Intermediate (7 to 10+ years) and Advanced (10+ and above).
“We teach children art techniques — real fine arts, not just copying shapes or painting pictures. We introduce them to the works of different artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, and even contemporary artists to help them understand the cultural context of art,” Ms. Li Yan elaborates.
The art school also organises a variety of workshops, such as batik painting, manga, sculpture, and parent-child classes, making it a place where families can bond and create memories together.
For parents looking for an all-encompassing and holistic educational experience that values play, creativity, and a child’s individuality, Mum N Kids Club provides a platform where learning happens naturally and joyfully.
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