Teachers, parents come together to celebrate children’s learning journeys  

 By Theresa Enriquez 

In the ever-evolving world of education, teachers are constantly seeking ways to enhance their skills, improve classroom dynamics, and better serve their students. One of the most powerful yet often overlooked tools for professional growth is peer sharing.  

On 23 Aug, all our Little Seeds Preschool centres held the “Celebration of Learning”, a day where we celebrate the journey our children have taken. Our teachers also had a peer sharing conversation to exchange insights, experiences and strategies.  

Mrs Dianne Seet, Senior Director (Early Childhood Development Centres) of Anglican Preschool Services said: “We allow our children to express their wonderment, to be curious about how things work, to ask deep questions. It not the destination that matters but navigating our children through this learning journey where values are caught not taught.”

“Parents are invited to view the children’s works and teachers also get the opportunity to talk to their peers about the different journeys they have taken with their children so they can learn from one another. Through peer sharing, we allow the teachers to be acknowledged, and we create a safe space to reflect, share and critique.” 

Children learning from different approaches

As a new teacher, Pre-Nursery English teacher Hazel Serra at LSP (Ascension) shared that she had many takeaways when she listened to her peers sharing the different approaches to learning. She was inspired to see how children did their projects uniquely, reflecting their strengths and interest.  

“It was clear that when children were given the freedom to choose and create, their engagement and enthusiasm increased, leading to more meaningful learning experiences,” Hazel said. She shared that she has learnt a lot and gained new perspectives that would help enhance her teaching strategies.  

Pre-Nursery English teacher Dawn De Foe at LSP (Ascension) also took away valuable insights. She said: “It was a learning time for both children, parents and teachers. I felt that the teachers have shifted their mindset from being task-oriented to focus more on the child’s interest. It is about listening to the children’s voices and planning accordingly.” 

Teachers learning from one another

Peer sharing, whether through formal professional development programs or informal conversations, offers our educators the opportunity to exchange insights, experiences, and strategies.  

During our peer sharing, teachers learned to refine their methods and introduce new effective approaches to their practice. For example, a teacher struggling with classroom management may learn a game-changing strategy from a colleague who has faced and overcome similar challenges.  

Reflection is a cornerstone of effective teaching. By engaging in peer sharing, teachers are encouraged to reflect on their own practices in light of others’ experiences. Conversations with peers allow our teachers to question their assumptions, rethink old methods, and gain new perspectives. 

Peer sharing not only fosters professional growth but helps build a sense of community among educators, creating a network of support where teachers feel valued and heard.  

This support system is crucial for teachers’ emotional well-being and can reduce feelings of burnout, allowing them to provide a better learning experience for their students. 

English teacher Chew Kim Kin shared that the peer sharing session was an excellent way for the teachers to learn from one another. “I was very encouraged to see the teachers share with so much confidence and passion about what and how their children have been learning,” she said.

Parents learning how to reinforce lessons at home

During our “Celebration of Learning”, parents were invited to visit the school to see firsthand what their children were learning. This allowed them to be more engaged in their children’s learning and gain a clearer understanding of the curriculum, teaching methods, and the challenges their children face. This engagement can lead to more meaningful support at home, where parents can reinforce lessons and encourage continued learning beyond the classrooms.  

K2 English teacher Tan Mei Lian shared that the session was truly a celebration of learning for all of us – children, parents and educators. Many parents expressed their appreciation in the teachers for educating their children. A few parents even shared that after Mei Lian did a Science project in class, their children started doing the experiments at home – they could not stop talking about the Science activities in school and started asking many questions! 

In fact, children’s confidence and motivation are boosted by simply seeing that parents are interested in their education. When parents attend school events or observe their learning, children feel a sense of pride and validation.  

Playgroup Chinese teacher Dong Yu said that when parents walked into our school, they were amazed of how much learning was taking place in school. Parents shared that their children are happy coming to school and enjoy singing Mandarin songs in school and at home. 

“I felt grateful and happy sharing with parents what I have been doing with the children and showcasing the children’s learning. It has motivated me to think deeper and to design more variety in my lessons for the children,” Dong Yu said. 

Seeing so many parents in our classrooms interacting with teachers and learning about the exciting activities happening at school truly highlighted the strength of our school community.  

As Principal of LSP (Ascension), it was heartwarming to see our school community coming together to create a nurturing and supportive environment where each child can thrive. I am thankful to all the teachers who went the extra mile – for their enthusiasm, commitment and for being such an integral part of our children’s learning journey.  

To find out more about our preschools, visit https://littleseeds.edu.sg/.  

Theresa Enriquez is the Principal of Little Seeds Preschool (Ascension)