The children's house, 16 Sierra, Puchong

The children’s house, 16 Sierra, Puchong is a well-established preschool that follows the theory and methods of the world-renowned Maria Montessori to give children an education for life. It is distinguished by its compassion and unwavering commitment to the individual child’s developmental needs 18 months after birth to 6 years of age. The preschool believes that the quality of education a child receives at an early age will largely impact his or her future. To that end, they have built a strong parent-school community that works hand in hand to provide children with the very best opportunities to learn and grow.   

A Child-Centred Approach

Firstly, the programmes are designed with the understanding that each child is unique. S/he learns differently, likes different things and comes with different abilities. Therefore, teachers carefully design lessons around each child’s individual needs. The whole system is very child-oriented, respecting the child’s inner desires and gravitation towards certain activities that interest them. Children get to choose their own activities and work at their own pace without any interruptions. This will result in the development of independence and concentration in children, as well as promote joy in learning. 

Prepared Classrooms Well-Resourced with Didactic Materials

To further nurture children’s natural tendencies to explore everything and become independent, all learning areas are specifically prepared to be easily accessible to children. Inviting materials are placed on low shelves, giving children the freedom to work with them and return them when they are done. They also contain a built-in-mechanism which helps children learn from their mistakes without the intervention of teachers. 

Develops the Whole Child

The classroom environment and the activities work in tandem to develop children holistically. They cover key curriculum areas (practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics, music and cultural studies) that not only give children a strong understanding of basic concepts but also teach children real-life skills. Each level focuses on a core set of skills that is suited to the developmental stage of the growing child. For instance, the youngest ones start with exercises that develop large muscle skills; 3- to 4-year-olds work on fine motor and pre-writing skills; as they get closer to primary age, they handle more complex activities and further broaden their experiences through field trips.

Teacher-Guided Learning

All along, teachers are by the children’s sides, acting as guides as opposed to carrying out the traditional role of reciting facts in front of a class. They possess the required certifications and are highly trained to be able to observe the individuality of every single child. Based on this observation, teachers come up with relevant materials for the child, step back and let him or her take control of their own learning. 

Social Development and Collaboration

Unlike many other preschools, children here learn alongside friends of different ages. This setting encourages older children to role model and fosters imitative learning. Consequently, children learn how to work together and respect each other, contributing to the everyday social skills needed to develop the whole child.

An Education for Life

This acclaimed pedagogy, the climate of the school, the routines and the educational experiences truly lay the foundation for a lifetime of growth. Every component engages children’s whole personality. In this child-centred environment, they are encouraged to act and think independently, thereby building confidence. Through lessons that foster communication skills, conflict resolution, and grace and courtesy, children learn how to better behave in social situations. They learn how to become a member of the community and eventually a mature adult willing to contribute to the society. This is why an education at The children’s house is often described as an “Education for Life.