Changes and Increased Standards in Early Childhood

This week I spoke to Ms. O'Brien about the various standards in Singapore's local schools as well as in the international school that she teaches in. In Singapore, the local schools already have high standards where testing is done from a young age and streaming children begins early. Children are academically challenged and assessed but the general schooling does not take into consideration creativity or other alternatives as these are merely seen as extra curricular activities. We discussed this issue at great length and came to the conclusion that as children learn at different rates, many fall behind and are unable to reach their full potential from an early age. Although Singaporean schools are beginning to now consider the individual child and their own development, there is still a lack in a child's play in school.

On the other hand, Ms. O'Brien's international school follows the International Baccalaureate and she specifically works with younger children within the Primary Years Program. She outlines that it is a hands-on approach that is inquiry-based and can cater to every child's individual needs, strengths, and weaknesses. This particular school has implemented the IB PYP program in such a way that individuals in each class are not only challenged as well as receiving a well-rounded development but are also compared to each individual across that grade level to determine a benchmark but as a gauge for the teachers without the excessive amount of pressure.

High standards put pressure on children that does not benefit each individual but with the incorporation of successful programs that provide individualized learning and encourage different outlets for, for example, creativity, children have the opportunity to have the best education possible.