Waldorf Steiner workshop in Singapore

August 17, 2008 at 7:06 am (Uncategorized)

Thanks to Lee Ean for the information below. Lee Ean also opened a childcare centre, Kampung Kasih, which is based on Steiner’s education, in April this year at PJ, No.130, SS 2/4.  She also frequently invites educational professionals to hold workshops and short classes in her school during the weekend and in the evenings.  Lee Ean is a University of Greenwich degree holder who is also a qualified Montessorian.

SUSAN PERROW - story doctor, teacher trainer, mentor and parent educator, specialising in storytelling and creative discipline. Susan has an extensive background (25 years) in early childhood teaching, teacher training, storytelling and course facilitating. She travels internationally giving workshops and training seminars. She lives on the eastern coast of Australia.

Susan will be offering the following talks:

(A) The Kindergarten as a Basis for Morality

Venue: Kampung Senang – Holistic Lifestyle Centre, Blk 106 Aljunied Crescent #01-205

When/ Time: Friday, 19 September 2008, 7.00pm to 9.30pm

Fee: S$10 for Kg Senang Member, S$15 for Public

(B) The Essentials of Early Childhood Wardorf Program – Rhythm, Rhyme and Repetition

Venue: Kampung Senang – Holistic Lifestyle Centre, Blk 106 Aljunied Crescent #01-205

When/ Time: Saturday, 20 September 2008, 9.00am to 11.30am

Fee: S$10 for Kg Senang Member, S$15 for Public

and workshops:

(A) PLAY – The Most Precious Gift of Childhood

This workshop examines the importance of play for young children, explores examples of ‘unhealthy’ and

‘healthy’ creative play, and discusses the value of simple toys and ‘raw’ materials in encouraging creative

play.

Venue: Kampung Senang – Holistic Lifestyle Centre, Blk 106 Aljunied Crescent #01-205

When/ Time: Saturday, 20 September 2008/ 2.00pm to 5.30pm

Fee: S$55 for KS Member, S$60 for Public, S$50 early registration before 1Sept (M or Public)

(B) HEALING STORIES FOR CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR

Therapeutic Storytelling: Healing Challenging Behaviour Through the Medium of Story.

For teachers, parents and child practitioners/therapists.

In this workshop, the examples, ideas and techniques for writing healing (‘medicinal’) stories for children will

be share and the therapeutic use of metaphor explored. With the support of a story-making framework, the

participants will be guided to create their own stories addressing a range of challenging behaviour and

challenging situations with young children.

Venue: Kampung Senang – Holistic Lifestyle Centre, Blk 106 Aljunied Crescent #01-205

When/ Time: Sunday, 21 September 2008 / 9.30am to 4.30pm

Fee: S$110 for KS Member, S$120 for Public, S$99 early registration before 1 Sept(M or Public)

TO REGISTER PLEASE USE THE ATTACHED FORM AND RETURN TO KAMPUNG SENANG DIRECTLY. WALDORF STEINER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MEMBERS RECEIVE THE SAME DISCOUNT AS MEMBERS OF KAMPUNG SENANG. PLEASE INDICATE ON THE FORM WHEN YOU REGISTER IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF OUR ASSOCIATION.

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Just a jot.

August 17, 2008 at 6:54 am (Uncategorized)

I remember when I was teaching in England, I came across a Montessori database record keeping system (which I can’t remember the name now) which was also created in aligned with the  country’s education system for the very young- Early Learning Goals. The software costs about less than 200 pounds.

Today I saw another system which is based in USA and it is called MORE. The one thing that interests me about this database is that you can look for it on the net and register your school into the system immediately, for no price at all. It is absolutely FREE!!

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Follow The Modern Child

August 17, 2008 at 6:43 am (Uncategorized)

Maria Montessori wrote about the importance of following the child in The Secret of Childhood (I think.) In this age, another word has to be added in that phrase. The word ‘modern’. ‘Modern’ in this term is equivalent to the new way of how information is relayed through technology, ICT and internet. It is about using modern equipment such as computer, Smartboard and internet to tap into the human intelligence for the sake of development.

How is the modern Montessori teacher able to use this useful technology for the benefit of her students? Not until that we depend on technology for every single step of our lives, but to assist us on our daily takings and making our lives easier and better. More efficient if not effective.

What principles did Dr. Montessori espoused that we ‘follow the child’, even when the human civilization has changed so much from the first time she introduced the Montessori Education/Movement?

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Young Writer

July 23, 2008 at 5:30 am (Literacy, news)
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The story about 12 year old Victoria Siaw Wei Yah writing 8 children stories which were published at the beginning of this year hit the news two days ago. Her story is certainly an inspiration for budding young writers who want their voices and muses to be heard and read.

I also applaud the effort taken by the publisher, Future Text Publications Sdn Bhd, for giving Victoria a good start at such a young age. (I’m curious about who is the illustrator of all her stories.) More publishers should scout around the country to publish children stories written by children themselves, as I believe there are more Victorias waiting to be discovered just around the corner. How about having a X-Factor/American Idol alike programme for this talented people?

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Conferences.

July 23, 2008 at 5:09 am (Uncategorized)
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For those who are interested in attending conferences for networking purpose and to gather knowledge an inspiration from other practitioners, there are two conferences which they can attend this year:

1)National Conference On Early Childhood Care and Education (24 - 26 July 2008) at Crown Plaza Mutiara Hotel Kuala Lumpur. More details at their website: http://montessorimalaysia.org/.

2)National Early Childhood Conference (16 - 17 August 2008) at Summit Hotel, Subang USJ. More details in The Star newspaper or contact SEGI College Subang Jaya directly.

Yours truly is not going to participate in any of the meetings, due to financial constraint, although she would very much love to. Anybody care to sponsor me??

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Nature Walk activities

June 11, 2008 at 11:07 am (Uncategorized)

Woodland or forest in Malaysia is full of trees, shrubs and wild flowers of different species. One way to engage children with the outdoors is to make them botanists. How? Send them for a B.Sc course in botany. No, just kidding. Another way to cultivate their interest in plants is to seek the help of FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia) and MNS (Malaysian Nature Society). In England, the Wildlife Trust will set you off in the right direction. I myself have never come across such activities, for young children, through FRIM, MNS or other organization. I would love to get in touch with them and seek advice for such activities, especially during the school holiday.

Here, I have a few suggestions for Montessori teachers who love conducting Nature Walk:

  • Tell children to look for 3 categories of plants: fungi, parasitic plants and conifers (Tropical places can replace conifers with flowering plants perhaps.) Whoever sees the most at the end of the walk is the winner, with consolation prizes of course.
  • Identify plants from their leaves. Introduce the name of the leaves beforehand using the Leaf Cabinet in the Botany area.

What other wholesome things can your children do when they are in the woods? Share your thoughts here.

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Outdoor playing items for children

June 8, 2008 at 11:07 pm (family, holiday)

I am currently in London visiting friends and former colleagues. It is going to be a gorgeous summer this week and everybody especially children will definitely can’t wait to be released into the fields and pools to enjoy the sun and the high temperature.

Some famous and interesting playing items that would entice any age of children are:6-foot kids tipi, space hoppers, inflatable ring pool, bumble bee pinata game, hanging chair and wheelbarrow. If any readers have other items that they think should go onto the list , do enter them in the comment area. I’m sure parents and teachers would welcome any ideas that are capable to keep the children’s hands busy.

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Keen To Review Children-related Educational materials

April 29, 2008 at 10:34 am (news)
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I am interested and very serious on writing a review on children-related educational materials, especially for the Early Years group, to be published in a magazine called Tomorrow’s Child, which is a Montessori magazine published by Montessori Foundation, a North American group focusing on reporting and informing any Montessori activities.

I was intending to review on a DVD seried named Bing and Bong, but couldn’t yet find it in the market here. I might then have to do a review on storybooks perhaps.

If readers have any information on who I can contact to do free review for them, in return of owning the products for FOC as well, so that I can apply or practise the products on the suitable target group–children, please write to me. I would really appreciate it.

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Peace Education In The Classroom

April 6, 2008 at 1:29 am (sports)
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There is this particular researched article in one of the past issues in Montessori International magazine discussing about Montessori’s concept of peace and current talks on the peace issue. What interests me is the fact that inner and inter-community peace plays a more pivotal role in moulding the general peace of non-violence and no war threats among countries in the world. How does this peace topic applied in a Montessori classroom? In the 6 components exhibited in the Montessori environment:-freedom &r responsibiity, order, beauty, nature, didactic materials and development of community. Several ideas for resolving conflict peacefully in the classroom were also included (strike me well on the head):

  1. Introduce a PEACE TABLE for children to resolve their conflicts.
  2. Introduce a special place for SILENCE & PEACE (with beautiful natural objects, or a card written ’silence’ on it), for quiet reflection.

I urge practitioners to try the ideas above, in your very own style, bearing in mind the purpose of the tasks, and giving them some time to germinate. Remember to role-model it to the children, meaning you using practising the idea as well. Before long, you can see the children copying your steps and utilising the area you provided for them. Let’s see!!

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Focus! Concentrate on your work! But how?

February 26, 2008 at 6:11 pm (Montessori, family, holiday)
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If I’m not mistaken, exam is over for most of the schools and most children and teachers are looking forward for a nine-day holiday retreat. Meanwhile, it is also wise for parents to use this holiday time to exercise their habits and attitudes on some ways to help boost their child’s concentration when they go back to school. The below points are taken from Women’s Weekly, Feb 2008:

1)Start with 20 minutes: Limit distractions while the child is working, meaning no TV or games when doing homework. Set a time limit for an activity, no more than half an hour. Do have a break in between activities and add more minutes as your child progresses. Remember to give positive reinforcement, in the form of praise or reward, every time your child makes a little progress.

2) Make it fun: Make memorising fun by using mind-mapping method, journey method or story method.

3) Do it together: Oh, how my husband’s nephews love this idea! Every time we play a game together, they insist that I concentrate on playing with them, like not reading the newspaper while playing Happy Family cards with them. Do homework with your child, play games with them, and spend holiday time with them.

4) Give loads of encouragement: Research has shown the positive effects of this kind of non-material positive reinforcement to be more permanent than materialistic ones.

5) Find out your child’s learning style: Remember the 8 Multiple Intelligence? Which one does your child belong to? Cater to their learning needs and you will definitely hit success, which coincides exactly with Montessori’s principle of individual learning and ‘following the child’.

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