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First early childhood education Fellows to share best practices

SINGAPORE — Professional networking and sharing sessions on how to manage children’s behaviour better, and training early childhood educators on new pedagogical tools are among the areas that the inaugural batch of Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Fellows will be looking into.

One of the receipients of the ECDA Appointment, Ms Narayanasamy Pushpavalli, holding up a candle presented to the Fellows, a symbol signifying their light being shone onto the early childhood sector as they continue their passions for teaching. Photo: Jaslin Goh

One of the receipients of the ECDA Appointment, Ms Narayanasamy Pushpavalli, holding up a candle presented to the Fellows, a symbol signifying their light being shone onto the early childhood sector as they continue their passions for teaching. Photo: Jaslin Goh

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SINGAPORE — Professional networking and sharing sessions on how to manage children’s behaviour better, and training early childhood educators on new pedagogical tools are among the areas that the inaugural batch of Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Fellows will be looking into.

The 14 Fellows, mainly sector veterans such as principals and senior specialists, were appointed yesterday during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

Appointed individuals under the ECDA Fellows programme, which was first announced last September, are expected to improve the professionalism and quality of the early childhood sector by sharing best practices through workshops and mentorships.

The Fellows were selected based on several criteria such as their professional expertise, strong leadership in building a culture of professionalism and developing partnerships and networks. Their three-year appointment started last month. Each Fellow will receive an annual Service Recognition Allowance of S$9,000.

With the ECDA’s support and in partnership with pre-school operators, the Fellows will take on sector-level roles and projects based on their areas of expertise. They will also create a fraternity of professionals and act as role models and mentors for the sector.

Ms Narayanasamy Pushpavalli, principal of Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Kindergarten, said she has already started piloting “Network Learning Communities” with the ECDA for teachers to come together and share problems they face in the classroom.

“Through small groups and over a sustained period of time, we can build bonds, identify issues and collectively initiate good practices. Currently, we’re looking at socio-emotional development of children, how we can manage children’s behaviour in the classroom positively so that learning can take place,” said Ms Pushpavalli, 61.

As for Dr Geraldine Teo-Zuzarte, centre director of The Caterpillar’s Cove Child Development and Study Centre, her team is planning a series of workshops later this year on a pedagogical tool widely used overseas. The tool, called Learning Stories, have been contextualised for the local curriculum.

Another area where practices and competencies can be improved is in the “birth-to-three” space, said Dr Teo-Zuzarte, who is also head of professional practices at NTUC First Campus.

“I think currently it’s about what the educarers are doing in the rooms with the babies — what kind of activities they are doing (and) how they are looking at growing children’s learning potential. These are some of the practices we would need to strengthen with the educarers,” she said, noting that some of these educarers are “minimally qualified”.

Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, who hosted the ceremony, said developing early childhood professionals remains a top priority.

A customised executive programme will be organised to help the appointed Fellows perform their new roles and prepare them better to serve as curriculum leaders and mentors, he said.

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