by Juliana Geetha
Where It All Began
At Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Bukit Panjang), we often say that raising children takes a village. This year, that truth came alive in a special way through our “Goals for Me” initiative—a journey that brought parents and teachers closer in shaping meaningful goals for our children.
The seeds of this journey were planted back in July 2024, when parents first gathered at our centre to learn about executive functions—crucial life skills like focus, self-control, and perspective-taking that form the building blocks for learning. One parent reflected after the session:
“I realised that it’s not just about academics. These skills—like managing emotions and taking turns—are what really prepare our children for life.”
The conversation deepened at a second Parents Engagement Session in February 2025, where together, we explored how goals at home could align with those at school. To keep the momentum going, we sent out a “Goals for Me” survey ahead of the March Parent-Teacher Conference (PTC), inviting every family to set one intentional goal for their child.
Walking Hand in Hand
Parents discussing their goals for their children with teachers.
At the March PTC, parents and teachers came together to discuss these goals. Some were focused on academics, others on life skills, but all had the same heartbeat: to see our children flourish.
In the months that followed, these conversations didn’t just stop at the conference table. They continued in casual chats at drop-off and pick-up, where teachers and parents caught up on progress, shared stories, and celebrated small victories.
By the time we met again in September, families and teachers could look back and see how far the children had come. And sometimes, the growth went far beyond the original targets.
What Parents Say
For the Tan family, the goal for little Johan (PN) was to build focus and self-control. Yet something beautiful unfolded:
“While we started with Johan’s goal of focus and self-control, we realised along the way that he also grew in perspective-taking. He noticed when his older brother Jayden (K2) had big emotions and tried to comfort him. That was something very meaningful for us as parents.”
– Parents of Jayden and Johan Tan
The Ang family experienced something similar. Joel (PN) and Evan (N) had their own goals, but what struck their parents was the intentionality of the process:
“This ‘Goals for Me’ journey has been very intentional. We see how the same goals are integrated at home and in school, and that makes learning more meaningful for our children’s growth.”
– Parents of Joel and Evan Ang
A Teacher’s Perspective
Our teachers, too, have found new depth in their practice.
“Having clear goals set together with parents has helped me guide children more meaningfully in class. For example, when a child’s goal was to build focus, I designed small-group activities that required taking turns and paying attention for longer stretches. I could then share those observations with parents, and they reinforced it at home. That consistency made a real difference.” – Karen, PG English Teacher
Why It Matters
As principal, I’ve seen how this partnership strengthens our preschool in ways big and small:
- Parents and teachers are no longer working in silos—they are walking the journey together.
- Children benefit from consistency: when home and school speak the same language, children feel secure and supported.
- Growth multiplies: setting one goal often sparks progress in many areas.
- Teachers become more intentional: knowing what matters to families guides our planning and practice.
One parent summed it up beautifully:
When we’re on the same page, our children sense it. They know everyone is cheering them on, and that motivates them to grow.
Looking Ahead
The “Goals for Me” initiative has reminded us that growth is rarely a straight line—it’s often richer and deeper than we expect. As we continue this journey, we celebrate not just the goals achieved, but the relationships strengthened and the children who are blossoming before our eyes.
At Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Bukit Panjang), we remain committed to walking hand in hand with families, because together, we don’t just teach children, we nurture lives.
Juliana Geetha is the Principal of Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Bukit Panjang)
