By Serene Leong
Most of us know that helping others is the right thing to do, and we should lend a helping hand (or an encouraging ear!) to those in need. However, it’s also true that some possess better sensitivities to give the right help when it comes to loving and caring for our family and friends with special needs.
6-year-old Megan Tan is one such special soul. She not only helps her classmates with homework, but encourages slower classmates and assists her teachers to make sure that no one is left behind. She does it with such ease and does it without realising she is helping.
“I just like to help people,” Megan says, when asked why she helps others.
Megan won the Little Heroes of Inclusion Award which was presented to her during the Early Childhood Intervention Conference 2022 on 9 September, for demonstrating constant care and support to Love (name has been changed), a classmate with special needs.
The award, given out by advocacy group Good Start SG, is a symbol of recognition and appreciation to preschool children who have shown exemplary care and support to their peers with learning or developmental needs.
English Teacher at St. James’ Church Kindergarten (Leedon) Ms Chia Xin Pei, who teaches both Megan and Love, says: “When a teacher told me (about the award) and asked if I had someone to nominate, I thought of Megan straight away. Because she has been helpful to her friends, not just Love, and she doesn’t know she is helping, she just does it.”
Looking out for her friends
Xin Pei says: “Megan is very attentive to the needs of her friends. She will respond quickly even before I ask. She’s very responsible as well. I asked her once to keep a lookout for Love, and after that she would naturally do it.”
Love, who is in the same K2 class as Megan, has trouble with social interactions as well as expressing her needs and wants.
Although some of the things Love says may seem out of the blue, Megan is able to respond to Love’s questions and comments. At times, she helps to interpret what Love is trying to express, Xin Pei says.
“Once, in a big group setting, Love referred to an oven (inside the classroom). Although it was out of context, Megan was able to understand what Love was trying to say and helped everyone to understand Love’s question,” Xin Pei explains.
“Another time during a baking session in class, the children worked in groups to make the cookie dough. Megan offered Love the spatula for mixing so that she had her turn to participate. Megan held on to the mixing bowl while Love did the stirring. When Love found the task too challenging, Megan happily took over.”
Xin Pei shares that Megan is more of the initiator in their friendship. Not only is she attentive to the classroom instructions, she goes the extra mile to make sure that Love is following them. In play or group work, she usually allows Love to go first.
Accepting flaws and imperfections
Megan acknowledges the strengths of Love and chooses to see the good in her.
During a class discussion, Megan shared with everyone that Love has a very good memory, explaining that she can remember stories very well.
On top of that, Megan is also a forgiving friend, Xin Pei says. Once, during group work, Megan took the initiative to tell her peers that it is okay that Love made a mess, because she did not do it intentionally.
On written tasks, Megan understands that Love writes better within a box. She has gently reminded Love to write her words smaller so that it will fit in the box.
At times, Love struggles with using the eraser. Without saying anything, Megan sometimes naturally assumes the role of a supporter to help Love with the task. She also cheers Love on for a job well done!
The sensitivity and thoughtfulness that Megan has shown to Love is reciprocated in little gestures.
Xin Pei says: “Love doesn’t show it that much in words but in actions. For example, Love likes to do things herself and doesn’t accept people’s help readily. But because of their friendship, she is open and accepting of Megan’s help. Megan in her own way is able to reach out to Love and gain her trust,” she adds.
Inspiring others by example
Megan’s kindness has inspired other students to also show care and love to those who may be different.
Xin Pei shares that in their class of 24 students, four have additional needs.
“We always tell them to keep a lookout for each other and encourage each other,” Xin Pei says.
Megan isn’t the only one who helps Love, Xin Pei says.
“This morning when Love was distracted by something, another classmate guided her by the shoulder to the teacher to check her temperature. They work together to help each other,” Xin Pei says.
“Because God loves us, we can love others. The class knows this verse very well – we talk about it at devotion every morning and reinforce it in their actions.”
Ms Chia Xin Pei
“We try to spot as many good actions and affirm them. But we are also aware that we are human and can’t see all the time. We tell the children, ‘Even if we didn’t say anything you still did a good job and God definitely sees it.’”
How did Megan feel after winning the Little Heroes of Inclusion Award?
“Shy,” she says, smiling unassumingly.
But she says that her parents were proud of her and told her, “Good job!”
Megan is not only an inspiration and encouragement to her classmates, but also her teachers.
Xin Pei says: “Megan is only 6 and she is doing so much (to help her friends). As a teacher, I tend to be very intentional in making sure I cater to the needs of the children. But when you are embracing the person as a person, things will come more naturally. I also aspire to be like that.”
To find out more about our preschools and curriculum, visit https://sjck.org.sg.
