Yu Der Kindergarten, Pandan Indah

Education Philosophy

The education philosophy reflects the hopes that Ms. Tang and Yu Der Kindergarten have for the future generation, i.e. to cultivate future children with multiple abilities, focusing on 7 main areas:

• Social
• Physical
• Emotional
• Creativity
• Cognitive
• Language
• Disposition

Mrs Tang is a strong advocator of early reading for children, therefore pictorial reading is incorporated into their syllabus where children will learn the stories through the pictures; and from the stories they would learn about moral values and good manners in life. It’s amazing how you may find children who are not yet able to write able to recognize the words in the pictorial reading materials. “This not only helps children improve their vocabulary, it also helps them develop their thinking skills, so we do it in all 3 languages (English, Chinese and Bahasa Malaysia)” said Ms. Tang while demonstrating the materials used. Rich vocabulary is essential for essay-writing and expressing themselves when children advance into national primary schools.

Extracurricular Activities

Besides the compulsory pictorial reading, there is an optional library membership – students are encouraged to loan a book on a weekly basis for reading at home, while parents are encouraged to read together with their children. While academics are important in Malaysia’s education system, Yu Der recognizes the importance of extra-curricular activities as well, such as music, wushu, arts and physical activities. Every morning before classes begin, children will be brought to the park opposite the kindergarten for stretching exercises and a morning jog. Yu Der has found that the children are able to concentrate better in class after these light morning exertions. These morning exercises could not have differed much from the activities our parents or grandparents engaged in during colonial times! As Ms. Tang and her sister are both actively involved in Chinese cultural dance, they also offer dance classes to their students. Therefore, it came as no surprise when we were shown the kindergarten’s dance studio, its size being as big as the classrooms, replete with floor to ceiling mirrors and whole wall spanning ballet barres and air-conditioning. With Yu Der kindergarten steeped in history and tradition, for a second, I just wondered how many famous and well-known artistes and dancers have passed through its doors.

Yu Der is a beautiful paradox – so much has changed yet so much remains the same. Through the years countless students have graduated and left Yu Der yet hundreds still come through its doors with the same thirst for knowledge and the same hunger to learn. Additionally, many teachers have come and gone, yet those that are here today still possess the same passion and dedication towards this noblest of professions as those from a bygone time. Speaking to Ms. Tang made us realize that being a kindergarten educator is a tough job. It is more than just educating small children. It requires a lot of dedication and passion. As the world continues to grow and develop, teaching methods have to be adjusted to suit the interest and needs of the younger generation. We believe that Yu Der Kindergarten is a well-rounded kindergarten that will provide the foundation necessary for the future of your child.