Piaget views the child as a busy, self-motivated explorer who forms ideas and tests them, against the world without external pressure. Pre-schoolers are naturally born scientists who love to explore, examine and have an inquisitive mind in the things happening around them, They are eager to find out the how’s and why’s of the natural environment around them. Like scientists, children think, form concepts and solve problems. Children observe, infer, classify and reach conclusions. Therefore, it is essential for the teacher to identify how children learn and to select the content that is closest to the children based on interest, past experiences. To keep a balance between biological and physical science and to explore community resources that are available.

The Zoo is one of the community resources where children explore real life experiences. It arouses, sustains children’s interest, cultivates their sense of wonder, enhances their curiosity and stimulates them to find out more about the animals using their process skills in science. As they use their process skills in science, such as:- investigating, discovering, experimenting, observing, defining, comparing, relating, inferring, classifying, communicating, etc..., they should be thinking, solving problems and developing the concept of living and non- living things. They also get to learn why and how living things such as animals in the Zoo atct as they do; the interdependence of life. As children get the opportunity to do problem solving, their self confidence is being built up and their knowledge widened; this is important in the development of child.

In the Zoo, children’s language is further enhanced where children have the opportunity to communicate with peers and teachers to learn new words, names of animals and to describe the variety of animals,to do labelling and recording both verbal and written.

Teachers can also enhance and nurture hands -on activities where children get the opportunity to see, touch and feel the animals. Visiting the Zoo can further strengthen children’s emotional and social development. As children touch and explore the animals, it assuages their fears of animals and unfamiliar objects.

Thus, the zoo is a resource centre where children learn about animals and the world around them.

By Christina Ng

Welcome to Marymount Kindergarten.

Indeed, it is a blessing and a privilege for all of us here at Marymount Kindergarten to be of service to you and to your child. As Educators, we are committed to live our vision of “Touching Lives and Building Hope” and to continue our mission of reaching out to our children with outmost care and dedication.

As in the words of St Mary Euphrasia, Founder of the Good Shepherd Sisters and the Kindergarten, “One person is of more value than the whole world”, I strongly believe that early childhood education should be child-centred, where the child is treated with respect and dignity. In valuing each child for who he/she is, your child’s hidden potential can be fully nurtured, cultivated and groomed.

In Marymount Kindergarten, our aim is to enhance your child’s learning through a variety of fun-filled and interactive activities that are stimulating, engaging and challenging to both the mind and spirit. We take great pride in nurturing your child’s emotional intelligence as well as in character building. These are some of the important components in our curriculum which calls for our attention in this present era.  

Academic excellence is necessary in order to develop your child’s potentials. As such, discipline and determination are expected from your child. This is to ensure that the future augurs well for your child.  Hence, at Marymount Kindergarten, we are committed to providing a holistic approach to early childhood development where schooling is a fun and exciting adventure as well as an enjoyable learning journey.