AS a mother of two who often worries about how her children are coping in school, early childhood educator Ms Loh Huiling deeply understands the concerns of parents she meets at the preschool where she works.

The senior teacher at PCF Sparkletots @ Tampines Central Blk 867A is known for her close collaboration with parents, which has made her a well-liked and respected educator.

“I make it a point to provide consistent updates through weekly photo uploads, engage in meaningful chats with parents and present comprehensive reports on their children’s progress during parent-teacher conferences,” said Ms Loh, 42. “I enjoy sharing children’s small successes with their parents to brighten their days.”

She added that building trust with parents is crucial for excelling in her role. “Being a parent myself helps me offer empathy and effective problem-solving support.”

Ms Loh recounted an incident where a child under her care experienced persistent nappy rash, which greatly concerned the child’s grandparents, who were the primary caregivers. “I calmly explained our preschool’s childcare practices to them and discussed ways to prevent future occurrences of nappy rash,” Ms Loh shared. She and her team then adjusted their approach to the child’s routine care, and the rash eventually cleared up.

“By working closely with the child’s caregivers and adapting our methods, we were able to successfully resolve the issue,” she said. “Today, the grandparents are among the strongest advocates for our preschool.”

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

Through her 16 years of experience, Ms Loh has observed that parental involvement significantly impacts children’s development and self-esteem. When parents show interest in their children’s preschool experiences and stay informed about the topics the children are learning, they can extend the same learning at home. This engagement helps improve the child’s confidence and abilities.

Ms Loh also taps on parents’ expertise by inviting them to contribute to the children’s curriculum. For instance, she has worked with parents who enjoy exercising to lead fitness sessions at the preschool; engaged art-inclined parents to help create classroom displays; and welcomed gardening enthusiasts to contribute caterpillars for children’s hands-on nature exploration.

By getting to know the children’s parents and building strong relationships with them, Ms Loh has cultivated a rich learning environment that supports the children’s holistic growth.

HANDLING WITH CARE

While Ms Loh’s collaborative approach enhances the learning environment, there are also times when she has to navigate difficult topics with the parents. It is never easy to inform parents when their children are not thriving as expected. These children could be experiencing delays in reaching development milestones in areas such as language skills, social skills, cognitive ability and motor skills.

“It’s natural for parents to experience a range of emotions when receiving feedback recommending early intervention,” said Ms Loh. Having a child with developmental delays herself, Ms Loh has firsthand understanding on how daunting this situation can be.

To ensure she provides the best support, Ms Loh consults with PCF’s Inclusive Education Team before discussing concerns with parents. This preparation helps her to address the parents’ worries and provide reassurance that she will support them to the best of her abilities. She’s also better able to share the ample resources available to meet their children’s needs.

Ms Loh recalled an experience where a 16-month-old child newly enrolled in infant care could not stand independently. After observing the child for three days, she shared her concerns with the child’s parents, who initially thought that the child was simply disinterested in standing. The parents later sought professional evaluations, which confirmed that the child was indeed facing developmental delays and required therapy.

From there, Ms Loh coordinated with the principal to delay the child’s transition to childcare. After extending infant care for two months, the 20-month-old child successfully joined her peers in playgroup, much to the joy and pride of her family.

MAKING PARENTS FEEL HEARD

Despite the occasional challenges in her journey as an educator, Ms Loh remains committed to supporting parents through their concerns with empathy and personalised solutions. “By integrating parents’ feedback into my practice, it helps them feel more included in supporting their child’s well-being, development and learning,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Ms Loh aims to further engage parents by involving them in the preschool’s community activities. She plans to crowdsource cleaning supplies from parents to support the spring cleaning of senior care centres before gradually encouraging them to take on more active roles. Her vision is for parents to model graciousness and compassion to their children, helping nurture them into responsible and caring individuals.

“I deeply value the trust and effort parents invest in our collaborations,” she said. “This mutual support and recognition are integral to creating a conducive environment where children can thrive and grow.”