While Happles Kindergarten is still young and new, it reflects over two decades of experience in education from the founding principal, Ms. Heng. It is the very definition of education that does not intend to instruct students to the vocations but to educate them to engage creatively, respectfully and thoughtfully with the world around them. Ongoing training and development is prized, and the principal is highly committed to delivering the curriculum based in a sense of best practices that she and her team had been growing in their professional lives. As a passionate lifelong-learner herself, Ms. Heng finds joy and challenge in the pursuit to seek better ways to facilitate learning for children be it attending workshops or joining collaborative learning communities. It goes without saying that at Happles, the principal seeks to make the love of learning contagious and run through everybody’s veins.
The school operates out of a dedicated building, purpose built to house the Happles preschool programmes for children aged 3 to 6 years. The atmosphere is supportive and progressive, with learning spaces bright and clean. Large outdoor play areas complement the school’s balanced learning experience. It takes modern educational concepts to heart: age-appropriate programming, activity-based approach, learn to learn, attention to build on children’s passions and interests, student-centred instruction and fun learning.
Best Practices from Multiple Curriculum Types
The core curriculum addresses different kinds of learners and different learning styles. It comprises a blend of best practices drawn from the Montessori method of education, learning corners, an integrated curriculum, experiential learning and project-based learning. This balanced approach encourages engagement from all students and not from ones who are only responsive to any one specific teaching method in particular.
The learning experience begins to support young learners aged 3 to 4 years through play, exploration and experimentation. A strong emphasis is placed on learning being concrete and rooted in practical experience, along with children developing confidence and a sense of self-sufficiency. Specially trained teachers act as guides, introducing children to progressively more difficult materials when appropriate. The experience progresses to support children aged 5 to 6 years with a more intensified concept of new challenges through project-based learning. Structured projects are designed to open up new avenues of exploration. New materials and opportunities are introduced to provoke children to further discover and question issues. The approach makes an effective way to promote personalized and collaborative learning, creativity, problem solving and critical thinking.
Across all age groups, a focus on an integrated curriculum is adopted. Activities connect different areas of study by cutting across different subject disciplines and accentuating unifying concepts. Strong emphasis is placed upon educating students through Learning Corners – a special learning activity with designated areas in the classroom designed to allow children to play and work with materials, apparatus and subject matters of choice. It gives children the freedom to choose what to do and strongly promotes independence, concentration and investigative learning. While academic performance is not the driving focus, it does not mean the school lacks standards for its students. Teachers place equal importance to promote a supportive academic culture, providing materials, experiences, tools and resources to facilitate a smooth transition to primary school years.
A Well-rounded, Fulfilling Experience
Extracurricular activities, enrichment programmes, field trips, presentation opportunities, a balance of indoor and outdoor learning, and holiday programmes all work in unison to formulate an engaged, all-rounded learner. The school will continue to grow its after-school enrichment offerings to include children yoga, art and craft, robotics, STEAM programme, just to name a few. Services extend to daycare options catered to assist children aged 7 years and above in school alignment activities and homework guidance.
A porous interface between parents and the school is strongly present. The principal strives to include activities and workshops to promote shared responsibility for children’s early learning and development, as well as to educate parents to encourage better results for all parties involved. It is the mission of Happles Kindergarten to provide individually-oriented and student-centred instruction, supporting children to reach their potentials within the core academic fields and beyond.
