Preschool Children Discover Malaysia Through States, Culture and Heritage | KiddyNews

A preschool in Malaysia is giving National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations a more meaningful twist by helping children discover the country through its different states, cultures and heritage.

Its 2026 “Discover Malaysia” programme introduced children to the unique identities of different states, including their flags, traditional clothing, flora, fauna and historical features.

Rather than learning about Malaysia solely through books and classroom activities, children were given opportunities to explore the country’s diversity through a hands-on experience involving their teachers and families.

Learning About Malaysia Through Each State

As part of the programme, each class was assigned a state to explore. Children learned about features associated with their assigned state, including its flag colours, traditional attire, animals, plants and cultural heritage.

For example, the class representing Perak incorporated its white, yellow and black colours, while Kelantan was represented through its red and white colours and the kijang, or barking deer.

Sabah highlighted the orangutan, Sarawak featured the hornbill, and Penang showcased the pinang palm. Melaka, meanwhile, incorporated elements reflecting its rich history.

The approach allowed children to connect what they learned in class with visual and practical experiences, helping make unfamiliar facts more accessible and memorable.

Parents Become Part of the Learning

Parents were also invited to participate by helping their children prepare outfits inspired by their assigned state.

Some families incorporated state flag colours, traditional clothing, animal symbols or other elements associated with the state.

While the preparation was simple, it created opportunities for conversations at home. Parents could ask children questions about their state, such as identifying its flag or learning about its state animal.

These everyday conversations extended the learning experience beyond the preschool classroom.

Celebrating Diversity From a Young Age

The programme also introduced children to Malaysia’s cultural and geographical diversity in a way that was relevant to their everyday experiences.

Although each class represented a different state, the children shared a common message: every state has its own identity, while remaining part of the same country.

Through the experience, children could begin to understand that differences in culture, traditions and nature are part of Malaysia’s richness.

The programme builds on the “My Country” theme already included in the preschool curriculum for six-year-olds, giving children another opportunity to explore the subject through practical experiences.

For young children, learning about a state’s flag, animals, culture or traditional clothing can be a simple first step towards understanding the wider country they live in.

Rather than limiting patriotic celebrations to songs, flags and themed outfits, experiences such as “Discover Malaysia” can give children an opportunity to learn about the country by exploring what makes its communities and states unique.

Source:

The Star – “Heart And Soul: Preschool teacher shows children what makes Malaysia unique”

Thoughtfully adapted by KiddyNews. Keeping parents and educators informed with the latest ECCE developments from Malaysia and beyond.