Wong Xing Yi, Rie

Awareness of Early Childhood Issues

Holistic development is an current issue in the early childhood sector as more preschools are placing interest and focus on developing the child in terms of academics. Local preschool plans lesson and experience base on the principle iTEACH, one of the core values bring holistic development.

We wanted to find out how is holistic development implemented in the centre. After collecting the informations on the teachers, I feel like we could have done it differently, by going down for an interview instead of an online survey. As the teachers were busy and the message of doing the survey slip their mind. Therefore, interviewing them during their lunch time would speed up the processes. We then started comparing with the needs of both the principal and teachers and found out there was a misalignment in their believe and the lack of skilled teachers are the pressing needs. We then started creating the materials of the recommendation. We then did a prestation it to the principal, who gave us some recommendation, like how it can the slides localise by incorporating the Nurturing Young Learning cycle. Which I agree that point we did not focus on.

Personal Growth

In this project I learn a lot about how I can develop myself better as a person and as a co- worker. Starting the project, I realize keeping an open- mind and asking ‘how’ and ‘why’, was something I learn, when I place personal views aside and interview the principal.

On the first assignment I understand how I can organize similar needs from the transcript together. When we receive the survey from the teachers, we further cross reference on similar issues in the centre. Moving onto the second assignment, where I organising the information and finding relevant sources for literature review. Following that I categorise the articles and compare the differences.

For the last assignment, we tried to look for recommendation for the needs (skilled teachers). We wanted a solution which was easily accessible and straightforward for the teachers whom are busy. However, there were limited resources on guided inquiry (approach which the centre use). Hence, we asked advice from our lecture and the principle, who told us we can use inquiry-based approach with was similar to guided inquiry. We then went back on track in finding recommendations and presenting it to the centre.

Materials needed was also organise on a google drive which made it accessible. We also had designated time for each other to upload our reflections and parts of the assignment, to prevent our work being overwritten by each other. Time management in the group was well done when we schedule time to visit the principle and complete materials.

Communication skills are critical in any setting, being an empathetic listener and persuasive speaker is something I always strive to be. During the project I realize that I experience communication problems, such as anticipate and predict possible causes of confusion, and dealing with them up front. I should take time to think about receiving and sending message(ideas).

The whole capstone project guided us through the problem-solving process, in identifying the issue, solving the issue, implement it and reviewing the recommendations. Which will be useful when I’m going for internship when I’m planning for lessons or tacking issues going on the centre. Other than that, I can organize my time and materials. Communicate better with my co-workers, principal, parents and children as I aware of my strength and weakness.