In Singapore, the first thing that we want the children to learn is alphabet and numbers. We often think that learning alphabet and numbers is the top priority. Parents are very delighted when their children can name the letters and numbers. It was mentioned in the video that the children might not understand what they have learnt. They might be just regurgitating from their memory when they see the letters and numbers. Often, after the children have learnt, we will start to make them do worksheets as a form of assessing them. This will take away the joy of learning. If we could make writing more functional and fun, I am sure children will love it more. Besides doing worksheet, we can get them to write shopping lists for parents, a recipe of making cupcakes or writing a note to parents.

To ignite the love for learning, we as educators have to create different opportunities for children to explore. I believe children will remember what they have learnt through ‘real-life’ experience. For example, if we want to teach children on how to make a cupcake, we can let them watch a video. Some children might remember some of the steps, while others might have to watch it a few times. However, if we allow the children to have hands-on experience of making cupcakes, they will definitely can remember the process better. 

When the kids are doing hands-on activities, we can introduce different literacy and numeracy concepts. They can be learning counting, scooping, reading of recipe, following instructions when making cupcake. Hence, instead of teaching concepts in traditional ways, it can be taught in a fun way.

We can also extend their learning at home by involving the parents. We can share with parents various of creating different platforms for their children’s learning. Recognising of words can also be done when the family is doing their grocery shopping. Children can learn to read the words on packaging, signboards.

Hundred languages of children to me are varied ways of children’s communicating their ideas and perspectives of the happenings. As children often do not have past experiences, so they will see things in a different light. We must recognise that there are hundreds of ways in seeing the world. We need to allow children to share with us their thoughts, findings and how do they come to such conclusions. We should not be judging them when they are sharing their thoughts. We as educators will have to provide different platforms for children to explore and share their findings. The children’s thoughts can be shared in the forms of words, drawings, paintings, singing, dancing or acting. There is no best way of presenting as long as the ideas are from the children.