IF you were to speak with any of the preschoolers at My First Skool at Blk 222 Bedok North Drive, you might find that the children there have an extraordinary awareness of the environment – sometimes even more than in some adults.
This comes as no surprise as English lead teacher, Ms Victoria Ng integrates environmental education as one of the cornerstones in her teachings. “During the current issues segment I have with the class, the children and I discuss various environmental issues, including how the Semakau landfill will be full by 2035,” she shared.
The seasoned educator, who has been with NTUC First Campus’s My First Skool preschool since 2017, recognises the importance of instilling these values early on. She has transformed her classroom into a living laboratory by incorporating recycled materials into her activities, with contributions from parents and community partners alike. “This not only reduces waste but also encourages creativity and critical thinking among children as they find new uses for everyday items,” she explained.
BUILDING A WORLD OF WONDER
This learning occasionally takes place outside the walls of the school as well. To further deepen her children’s connection with nature, Ms Ng organises outdoor excursions. These nature-based learning experiences allow children to explore the world around them, but she says it wasn’t easy at the start.
“During a recent outdoor hike to Chestnut Nature Park, many of the children were initially apprehensive about the experience,” she shared. “They expressed concerns that it would be ‘too hot’ and they were afraid of encountering insects or animals.”
“To address this, I emphasised the adventure and discovery aspects of the hike, encouraging them to approach it with curiosity and an open mind,” Ms Ng said. “I reassured them about safety and comfort, ensuring everyone was well-prepared with appropriate clothing, sun protection and plenty of water.”
As the children ventured into the park, engaging activities such as a nature scavenger hunt and observation tasks captivated their interest in the park’s diverse ecosystem.
“Despite the initial discomfort, they discovered the beauty and excitement of exploring nature firsthand,” Ms Ng shared. “It was rewarding to see their attitudes change and their enthusiasm grow. Developing an interest and appreciation for the natural environment is crucial as it intrinsically motivates them to care for the environment more.”
Incorporating recycled materials into our activities not only reduces waste but also encourages creativity and critical thinking among children as they find new uses for everyday items.”
HARNESSING EACH CHILD’S UNIQUE POTENTIAL
This compelling approach is part of Ms Ng’s teaching philosophy, which is deeply rooted in the Japanese concept of “Mimamoru”, meaning to “watch and wait”. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching, Ms Ng observes and identifies each child’s unique strengths and challenges. She then tailors her lessons to ignite their curiosity, foster a sense of agency and nurture a love for learning.
Ms Ng’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by her colleagues and parents of her young charges. Ms Shirley Soon, principal of My First Skool at Blk 222 Bedok North Drive, said: “Victoria takes the time to genuinely connect with her children, actively listening to their questions, thoughts and ideas, and this reflects in the way she designs the activities in her classroom.”
“When you walk into her classroom, you will see confident children who are happy and proud to share with you what they have been working on in class,” Ms Soon added.
For her commitment to creating active, confident and empathetic learners, Ms Ng received the Leading Foundation Teacher Award (LFTA) in November 2023, which honours excellence in early childhood and special needs education in Singapore.
Through her creative teaching methods, Ms Ng has sparked Bernice’s interest in arts and crafts. Bernice now thoroughly enjoys exploring her artistic side, thanks to the encouragement and inspiration Ms Ng provides during class.
CULTIVATING A GREEN GENERATION
There is no doubt that this methodology bears influence beyond the classroom. Citing her desire “to make a difference in the next generation”, Ms Ng was heartened by the responses from the children during an ongoing recycling project.
“One common experience the children had from sorting plastics was encountering items that were incorrectly placed in the recycle bin,” she shared. One of the children wondered out loud if the “people who have to sort the plastics for a living” faced the same challenges in their work. This inspired the children to create their own posters and pictorial instructions to place near the recycling bin, to remind parents of effective disposal methods.
To other educators inspired to foster eco advocacy in their classes, Ms Ng advised: “Start small with simple, manageable activities that can easily fit into your existing curriculum. These can include regular outdoor walks to help children develop an appreciation and love for the environment while learning through direct interaction with nature.”
By making environmental issues tangible and relatable, Ms Ng has instilled in her children a deep-rooted sense of responsibility towards the planet, empowering them to be knowledgeable advocates who offer hope for our future.
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