by on 09/10/2024 141
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Strong foundations are crucial in early childhood education, as they lay the groundwork for everything that follows. Without a solid start, children may struggle to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally as they progress through school and life.
At Tadika Minda Holistik (Bright Kids) in Bandar Puchong Jaya, the focus is on providing these essential foundations, so that every child can embark on their learning journey with confidence, resilience, and joy.
School principal Ms. Candy is no stranger to the education field, having been involved in primary school education for over a decade, together with her team.
“As we grew, we realised that the children who came to us did not have strong foundations, and they were left behind in their studies. This inspired us to expand into early childhood education, so we can make a difference from the child’s earliest years,” she says.
Their determination to create the ideal learning environment also stemmed from a personal need. "We couldn’t find a school we wanted for our son,” Ms. Candy and her husband recalls. "We wanted a place that aligned with our beliefs, so we decided to build it ourselves." Since the beginning of their journey with this kindergarten in 2023, Ms. Candy and her team of experienced teachers have been on a mission to create a nurturing space where children can thrive.
Tadika Minda Holistik (Bright Kids) offers holistic programmes for children aged 18 months to 6 years old. Younger children in the Play Group enjoy a fun, play-based approach centred around different themes, and activities are always designed with learning goals in mind.
The Play Group also integrates the Budding Bean programme, which helps children to build speech and language skills through music and rhythmic activities. “Nowadays, a lot of children experience speech delays,” notes Ms. Candy. “The programme uses music to teach them how to talk. By using rhythm and repetition, we can see progress in as little as two months.”
For older age groups, the curriculum is a balance of play and academics, centred around the National Standard Preschool Curriculum (KSPK). There is a strategic progression in the learning structure, gradually increasing the academic component to prepare children for the demands of primary school. For example, for 4-year-olds, the balance is about 50% play and 50% academics, while 5- and 6-year-olds will have about 70% academic and 30% play.
Mondays to Thursdays are mostly dedicated to the right balance of academic work and play time depending on the age group. Meanwhile on Fridays, the school focuses entirely on play-based and self-care activities, such as teaching children how to be independent and take care of themselves, as well as sensory play, role play, storytelling, and speech and drama.
Building confidence is at the heart of Tadika Minda Holistik’s philosophy. Ms. Candy and her team have incorporated several activities designed to encourage children to express themselves and take leadership roles. “One of our aims is to train children to be leaders and to be more extroverted. We want them to know how to express their feelings and present themselves,” she emphasises.
The school even has a dedicated stage area to help children develop their public speaking skills. “You can see such a big difference among our students from when they first started compared to the present. Initially they were afraid to go on stage, but now they are eager and confident. We make it a point to have them present on stage during events such as annual concerts and our parent-child bonding activities,” Ms. Candy shares proudly.
Another way in which the school encourages children to be confident leaders is through its enrichment programmes, which are conducted in the afternoon and include language as well as Taekwondo classes.
For parents planning to enrol their children in Chinese-medium primary schools (SJKC), Tadika Minda Holistik (Bright Kids) sets the children on the right path with adequate guidance and support.
Ms. Candy’s experience guiding primary school children has given her insights on why some children find it difficult to adjust to Chinese-based education: they are unable to read and write Chinese characters, which affects their confidence across all subjects. To address this, the school has 1-to-1 sessions for Mandarin, English, and Bahasa, to help children brush up on their language skills.
The kindergarten also uses carefully curated learning materials such as Odonata books for Mandarin, Peter & Jane books for English, and the Pantas series for Bahasa Melayu. Small class sizes, capped at 10 students per group, ensure that teachers can provide individualised attention and focus on each child’s needs.
Academics may be important, but it is only one part of the equation. The kindergarten places a strong emphasis on character building and holistic development. “We want our children to leave here knowing how to be disciplined, to love themselves, and to respect others,” Ms. Candy states.
As such, the programme includes mindful practices such as meditation, which is conducted every Friday. At the same time, the children and teachers perform positive affirmations together. “The children will say things like, ‘I am good’, and ‘My hand is for loving and to help others’. It helps them understand that they are capable and kind,” says Ms. Candy.
The kindergarten’s facilities are thoughtfully designed to support active learning and exploration. There is a dedicated playroom, a small kitchen, an indoor playground with a caterpillar tunnel which the children love to do hide and seek in, a reading corner, and a Montessori rack, where the children are free to access materials and learn how to put them back properly after use, teaching them discipline. Meanwhile, role-play areas, such as a mini fruit stall, are set up to encourage imaginative play.
Safety is a top priority at Tadika Minda Holistik. The premises are located within a gated compound with a guardhouse, and there is a glass door and reception area, so no unauthorised person can enter. There are also CCTVs in every corner of the kindergarten. Meanwhile, toys and materials are sanitised daily, and the children enjoy nutritious, home-cooked meals.
Tadika Minda Holistik believes that open and transparent communication between parents, teachers, and children is key to a successful learning journey. This ‘triangle’ partnership is reinforced through regular Parent-Child Bonding (PCB) activities.
“We have at least four PCB sessions each year—whether it’s visiting fire stations or animal farms, baking and cooking sessions, or arts and craft sessions," shares Ms. Candy. The school aims to build a deeper relationship with parents, so that they can better understand the child’s needs both at school and at home, and work collaboratively to benefit their development. Parents can also stay updated on their child’s daily activities through the LittleLives app.
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