by on 31/01/2024 707
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Sri Kenanga Preschool, Bukit Jalil is a holistic preschool and kindergarten that blends diverse pedagogical approaches with real-world experiences to foster all-round development in children aged two to six years old.
As the third Sri Kenanga branch–and its first outside of Klang–the Bukit Jalil school carries the same commitment to quality education that has made it a household name in Klang for the past three decades.
Helming the school is owner and principal Carmen Yong, a passionate educator with a background in early childhood education from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).
“I’ve always had a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge with others,” says Yong. “When I was a teenager, we had camps where we worked with young children over the school holidays. It gave me a lot of satisfaction to see them learning and growing. That sparked my interest in pursuing early childhood education,” she adds.
Having studied and worked in Australian and local schools, Yong realises the importance of both play and academics to create a balanced learning experience.
This is why Sri Kenanga Preschool Bukit Jalil incorporates a blended approach, with elements of Montessori, thematic, and the national syllabus integrated into its curriculum. Younger children spend more time with activity-based items, while still learning basic concepts such as alphabets and numbers.
Older children, on the other hand, are gradually introduced to a more academic-based structure, to help prepare them for entering local primary schools, in particular, Chinese vernacular schools.
Materials are developed in-house, and used alongside different storybooks, some of which incorporate Augmented Reality (AR) to inspire learning and creativity.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” At Sri Kenanga, this is a question that children can ponder and explore beyond the confines of a classroom.
The school organises mini excursions and field trips where they can find out more about different occupations, allowing children to explore various settings and connect better to the outside world.
For example, the school has previously organised a visit to a clinic nearby, where children were introduced to the doctor and nurses, what they do, the tools that are used to diagnose patients, as well as equipment within the clinic’s settings.
These trips not only encourage a healthy sense of curiosity and impart knowledge about how things work, but also alleviates the fear that some children may have when making a doctor’s visit.
Aside from real-world learning, children are also taught physical and emotional skills, from breathing techniques and proper exercises to help them relax, to how to interact with their peers.
“Academics are important, and children will learn it eventually in the classroom, but we want to focus on social and emotional learning as well. Things like how to express their feelings, how to calm their anger, and how to be more composed. These are important must-haves that will help them in the future,” says Yong.
A healthy environment builds a healthy mind, which is why Sri Kenanga Preschool Bukit Jalil is well-equipped with everything that a child needs to learn and grow exponentially.
The building spans three floors, with dedicated classrooms and plenty of space for both study and play. Interiors are bright and cheerful, boasting soft pastel tones and wooden furniture that feel warm and inviting.
There is an activity area, a library, and a dedicated language corner on the second floor, as well as a spacious indoor playground, messy play area, and a dress up corner where children can take part in occupation roleplay on the top floor.
True to their child-centric approach, Yong says they tailor the play activities according to the individual child’s interest. “There are children that are very active, and they want to play on the slides and climb, but there are also children who prefer taking part in quieter activities. Not all children are the same, so we respect their individualism and we provide a safe and conducive space for them to do so,” she explains.
For safety, CCTVs are installed in every classroom, and common areas such as the corridor and staircase. As an additional measure, each classroom comes equipped with air purifiers to ensure the area is clean and conducive.
When it comes to snacks and meals, less salt, sugar, and oil is used in cooking to ensure the food is nutritious and well-balanced. Healthier alternatives are always used, for example, strawberry jam with less sugar instead of chocolate spread that may be loaded with sugar.
Parents are updated on their child’s progress via the Diibear app, where announcements and photos are posted. The app also eases communication through messaging and allows parents to conveniently check when their children have arrived at school, or to apply for sick or personal leaves for them.
Sri Kenanga offers a welcoming space for children with plenty of opportunities for learning and exploration. With its seamless integration of play and academics, as well as immersive experiences, the school is well poised to help shape bright futures for young learners.
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