Connecting with parents
Always wanted to take a peek into your child’s world at school? At My First Skool (MFS), you can.
The pre-school believes in partnering parents to enhance children’s holistic development. It also regularly involves parents in its school activities as well as provides them with updates about their child and the pre-school centre through its MFS e-portal.
PARENTS' ENGAGEMENT
Parents can look forward to a variety of parent-engagement programmes at MFS, such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations, parenting workshops, sports day and field trips. These programmes help parents bond with their children and create a connection between the school and home.
Several MFS centres have also invited parents to participate in story-telling sessions or talk about their jobs with the children. Such programmes allow MFS to tap on parents’ knowledge. At the same time, the children feel a sense of pride when they see their parents at their school events.
Ms Pamela Tan, principal of My First Skool at Blk 1 Bedok South, said: “The children are happy to see their parents participating in the centre activities. It gives them a stronger sense of belonging when they see that ‘Mummy is also in the same school as I am.’”
Ms Tan shared how her school organises a family event every year to celebrate with everyone in the centre.
She said: “We had a carnival and picnic at the Marina Barrage the first year, a sports day at Bedok Sports Hall the second year, and a celebration of our centre’s third anniversary and Mother’s Day at Gardens by the Bay last year.”
During these events, Ms Tan makes it a point to talk to all the parents and build rapport with them. Many parents have also said that they look forward to the event every year.
“These events allow parents to bond with their children. It also enables them to be more aware of the centre’s curriculum and activities, and as such, parents are more appreciative of the centres’ and teachers’ efforts,” said Ms Tan.
MFS centres also prepare weekly take-home kits for parents. These kits comprise activity sheets, from games to art projects, that parents can do with their children to support learning at home.
ENHANCED COMMUNICATION
Since 2014, more MFS centres have been included in the school’s parent portal. This convenient e-portal allows parents to view announcements, the centre’s calendar of events, download documents, and view pictures or videos of their child participating in class activities.
The teachers also compile each child’s portfolio online. After the bi-annual parent-teacher conferences, parents can view their child’s e-portfolio and download a softcopy of it for keepsake.
These improvements showcase MFS’ commitment to giving children the best possible headstart in life.
For details, visit myfirstskool.com.
Produced by the TODAY Special Projects Team
