August 11, 2008

The Glen Doman Method

Glen Doman is the founder of The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP). The Institutes are famous for their pioneering work with brain-injured children and for their work in early development.

This method suggests that conventional education fails to exploit the young child's increasing desire for knowledge and vast ability to learn. Children can learn to read words presented in large, bright letters. The method comes in the form of flashcards with special guidelines for parents. It can be started from 10 months onwards, although 18months is the optimal age.

Thematic Approach

The Thematic Approach works well in preschool settings as teachers organise their subject matter around a unifying theme. Science, Language Arts, Social Studies and Mathematics are integrated around a chosen to see the big picture.

This approach cultivates and encourages the students' interest. If the curriculum were to be planned around the theme "A Butterfly", students read books and poetry involving caterpillars or butterflies, create colorful compositions of butterflies, learn about the butterfly's metamorphosis and so on.

Tadika

Kindergarten for children between five and six. Tadika are registered under the Ministry of Education.

Taska

Taman Asuhan Kanak Kanak under the Ministry of Woman, Family and Community Development or childcare centre. Children aged four and below are sent here.

August 08, 2008

Upcoming Events



4th Parenthood Expo 2008
22-24 Augst 2008

Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur
10.30am to 9.00pm

Free Admission

August 06, 2008

Smart Reader

Smart Reader schools are a popular choice for Malaysian parents created by Dr. Richard Ong and Dr. K.H Wang. As the name suggests, Smart Reader aims to "translate the potential of every child into an achievement". The method of teaching involves a group learning enviroment.

A variety of programmes concentrating on different skills including the Smart Reader Program, Smart Maths and Computer Whiz are available. The English programme aims to equip students with the proper under-standing and usage of English while encouraging an interest in reading and writing.

Religion-Based Preschools

Religious preschools, whether Islamic or Christian or any other religion, focus on building the academic, physical, social, emotional, mental skills of their students, encompassed in a spiritual framework. Many use religious principles as a fundamental guideline in their approach to teaching. Students are exposed to spiritual teachings that lay the foundation for the development of a well rounded personality.

Phonics

Instructional design that teaches children to read by learning rules, or pattern connections between letter configurations and sounds that they represent. Phonics involves connecting sounds with letters or groups of letters (e.g., that the sound /k/ can be represented by c, k, or ck spellings).

Multiple Intelligence

The Multiple Intelligence(MI) Approach allows students to explore their own strengths or intelligence, whether artistic, mathematical or linguistic. The basis of the Multiple Intelligence approach is the belief that different children learn in different ways.

Created by Howard Gardner, the theory states that there are seven different intelligences: Verbal/Spatial, Bodily/Kinesthetic, Musical/Rhythmic, Interpersonal, and Intrapersonal.

Every student has a different profile of strengths and weaknesses across these intelligences. Teachers utilising the MI approach accommodate the different learning styles of each individual student in the curriculum. The MI approach is most likely to be used in preschools with lower student-teacher ratios, as the method of teaching heavily depends on the skills and focused attention of the teacher for each of the students.

August 03, 2008

Counselling & Mental Health

Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA)
A non-profit voluntary organisation run by industry professionals has a comprehensive directory of Psychiatric Services in Malaysia

Pedagogy

The linked process of teaching & learning

Tadika & Taska

Please see Kindergarten & Nursery

Kindergarten & Nursery

Kindergartens (Tadika)
-Schools that cater to children aged 4-6years of age.
Nurseries, Childcare Centres, Playschools or Preschools (Taska)
-Schools that cater to children aged 0-4 years of age.

Although the word pre-school is often used as a blanket term to refer to schools that cater to children that haven't yet reached primary school-going age.

Early Childhood Education

Pupils from birth to 8 year old. (Malaysia) Also referred to as elementary education. (US)