Ask Our Experts: Playschool

How will I know if my little one is ready to attend an enrichment centre or playschool? I am worried that at her tender age of 32 months, she might not be able to keep up with the activity levels or get along with other kids. Also, are all centers the same? Thank you.

Stimulation comes in many forms for a baby, chiefly visual, audio, touch, taste and kinetic. While it’s always best that the child receives stimulating care and attention from his parents, new experiences through service providers can provide fresh perspectives and the chance to meet other families at the same stage of life.

Here are some guidelines to choosing a suitable program for your child:

Enrichment center or Playschool: Usually offers a niche and focused program for a particular age range. The program is usually shorter per session and may start from a younger to an older age group. Examples of enrichment programs are music, right brain program, swimming, cooking and art.

As the originator of Malaysia’s first Playschool, I coined the phrase ‘Playschool’ with the intention of creating an early preschool experience that delivers learning through play. A Playschool offers a broader program, longer time period per session and should develop a child intellectually, physically and socially.

Assessing readiness of the child: A child is always ready to learn. The readiness of the child for a particular program depends on the nature of the program.

I usually recommend starting off with parent-accompanied shorter enrichment programs in a secure environment where a child can learn in the arms of his parents. Babies who are exposed to enrichment activities are usually more receptive to starting school.

When the child enters toddlerhood or appears bored with existing routine, it may be time to consider a daily attending Playschool. The Playschool program offers variation in his learning experience, and provides opportunities to socializing with peers.

Finding the right fit: Not all centers are created the same, obviously. The factors to consider should include the philosophy of the center.

It’s important for a center to have a clear philosophy, which sets the tone and objectives of its programs. Every parent has his or her own core value and expectation. Finding a match of the center’s philosophy against the parent’s expectation will ensure a fruitful relationship.

Age appropriate activities & the objectives of the Program: When a child in his early years, the focus should be on setting the right foundation, keeping learning joyous and planting the seeds of inspired learning.

When the child is older, say from three years old, it will be a good time to consider introducing a ‘passion’ or hobby through a more focused and targeted enrichment program. This should be a supplement to daily schooling. Examples of such targeted enrichment programs are swimming, ballet, junior tennis, music and so on. A well-structured program would define its suitable age range, objective and intended learning outcomes.

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