Where Your Child Shines Bright with Digital Smarts and Global Hearts
Uncover how NTUC First Campus is preparing preschoolers for tomorrow’s world through innovative education that nurtures relational skills, global citizenship and digital savvy.
Imagining a bright future for preschoolers is like predicting the weather 10 years from now – it may be tricky but it’s essential! However, it’s not just about literacy and numeracy anymore, and preschoolers these days need skills that will outlast quickly evolving tech fads. But what else is there to do beyond the ABCs and the 123s? NTUC First Campus has the answer you’re looking for.
One of the Red Dot’s largest early childhood care and education service providers, NTUC First Campus has more than 170 preschool centres around the island under two well-respected brands – My First Skool and Little Skool-House. With just over four decades of experience that’s backed by research-based curricula and an award-winning team, NTUC First Campus prides itself on enabling bright futures for every child and their family that walk through their doors. At each of its centres, children are encouraged to think beyond the basics; and in every classroom, creativity, emotional smarts and adaptability are taught through three vital skills – relational skills, global citizenship and digital intelligence.
Nurturing Future Leaders by Building Relational Skills
As our world increasingly relies on digital connectivity over face-to-face interaction, it’s crucial to teach children the right skills to build effective and meaningful interpersonal connections – without a digital device in the way.
That’s where relational skills come into play. Defined as the abilities that help individuals connect and interact effectively with others, these encompass empathy, compassion, communication and teamwork – all crucial for building meaningful relationships. For preschoolers, developing these skills lays a strong foundation for enhanced social interactions and emotional intelligence.
At NTUC First Campus, fostering relational skills is a core part of the curriculum. In 2014, NTUC First Campus and NTUC Health launched an Intergenerational (IG) Programme, which promotes regular interactions between preschoolers and seniors in Singapore. Studies have shown that such interactions boost empathy, compassion, and respect among children, while giving seniors a sense of purpose and dignity.
Embedded in My First Skool’s (MFS) preschool curriculum, the IG Programme encourages children to practise relational skills at home and in the community. Activities such as museum visits, games, art projects, and fundraising events provide opportunities for meaningful interactions. Seniors share their life experiences, imparting valuable lessons to the younger generation.
By integrating relational skills into daily learning, preschoolers build a strong foundation that prepares them to be compassionate, confident, and collaborative. Programmes like these are a hit with parents too, and they are happy with the valuable learning experiences their children gain.
Empowering Young Global Citizens
Diversity isn’t just a cool buzzword at NTUC First Campus. Instead, children are taught the principles of global citizenship, which, in essence, means understanding and respecting people from different cultures and countries, and taking action to make the world a better place. It involves being aware of global issues, like climate change and human rights, and working together to solve them. Global citizenship is an important part of the curriculum at Little Skool-House (LSH), where a special “People Around Us” topic is taught.
This module uses an inquiry-based approach to teach empathy, acceptance, and respect. Preschoolers learn about friends from various backgrounds, expanding their worldview through meaningful conversations and addressing misconceptions. Racial harmony education is woven into lessons, laying the groundwork for an inclusive society where everyone feels valued and celebrated.
Preschool teachers also use current events as valuable learning experiences. And while discussing sensitive topics like natural disasters or political situations can be challenging due to emotional impacts and age appropriateness, these conversations are carefully handled by educators. They facilitate rather than instruct, guiding discussions on various current events and encourage critical thinking by asking questions like, “What makes you say this?”, “How can we help?”, and “What are the possible causes or consequences?” This approach helps children develop problem-solving skills and empathy.
Children are also encouraged to consider their role in helping others. For example, when students were asked how they could help Morocco earthquake victims, they suggested donating warm blankets and winter clothes and questioned how they could send these items.
Not only does this approach help them appreciate diversity and understand the interconnectedness of our world, it also fosters empathy, cooperation and a sense of responsibility, preparing them to be thoughtful, proactive citizens.
NTUC First Campus Innovates Preschool Digital Savviness
The digital world is constantly evolving, and digital mastery is about more than just swiping on apps or learning hard skills like coding, virtual reality and robotics. In fact, it’s really about how to navigate the digital world with confidence and safety. Developing digital intelligence means teaching children not just how to use devices, but how to protect their privacy, recognise online dangers, and use technology purposefully. By fostering these skills early, we prepare them to adapt to new digital tools and platforms, ensuring they grow into confident, responsible digital citizens.
NTUC First Campus recognises this and stays ahead of the times with its innovative Digital Literacy Programme. The Digital Literacy Programme, currently piloted in all Little Skool-House (LSH) preschools, features dedicated digital literacy centres equipped with educational materials in English and Mandarin. Designed to empower preschoolers to handle technology responsibly and intelligently, the programme spans from K1 to K2, and covers topics such as online safety and data privacy, how to avoid scams, and prevent cyberbullying. The curriculum is taught every two weeks through engaging classroom activities like storytelling, games, discussions, and hands-on practice, keeping screen time within recommended limits.
Want to help your child be resilient and future-ready? Visit the NTUC First Campus website to learn more about enrolment at either of its preschools – My First Skool or Little Skool-House – and discover how they can nurture your child’s potential.