Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) is an organizational fund in Singapore that supports disadvantaged children within Singapore and overseas, providing them with the tools to develop into "contributing members of society" (MILK, 2012). It helps low-income families with the children's educations, vocational development, or special needs. As someone who has had many opportunities in life, I feel a sense of obligation to give back to the community in any way possible and help low-income families support their children with a positive education. This fund helps do so and provides a forum and outreach program that assists families in supporting one another as well.
The Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism (2013) supports a research project by the Singapore Center for Chinese Language that aims to understand Singaporean children's preschool language use and exposure . The challenge that I am focussing on revolves around bilingualism in early childhood and this fund helps analyze how to implement such a focus in Singapore. It mirrors my own ideas about how early childhood becomes a critical period for language and literacy development. As a research fund, it focuses on understanding children's different language learning styles, the acquisition of language, and how language teaching and professional development can help assist the progress made in bilingualism curricula.
Lee Kuan Yew is Singapore's founding prime minister. He has, for 50 years, pursued methods and program implementations that have allowed Singapore to be transformed from a "polygot former British colony to a united nation where everyone, while knowing English, knows also at least one other lanugage, their mother tongue" (Lee, n.d.). He has been able to successfully encourage bilingualism in local schools in Singapore to a certain degree that enables children to speak at two languages but is often limited to two languages. His ambition and similar aims emphasizes and encourages my own professional passion.
Despite being limited to Swedes in Singapore, working with the Swedish Embassy in Singapore would allow me to support new families and provide educational outlets that enable children to develop their Swedish language as well as procure or develop the English language. I would need to form more relationships to gain access to other organizations that could help with my support and I would also benefit from improving my Swedish and Mandarin skills.
References:
Lee, K. Y. (n.d.). My lifelong challenge: Singapore's bilingual journey. Singapore Press Holdings. Retrieved from http://www.sph.com.sg/system/assets/735/drjFtBll_LKY%20bilingual%20book%20summary.pdf
Milk Fund. (2012). Mainly I Love Kids. Retrieved from http://www.milk.org.sg/milk/index.php
The Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism. (2013). Bilingualism. Retrieved from http://www.bilingualism.sg/qql/slot/u210/pdf/Press%20Release/Press%20Release%20on%20LKYFB's%20Call%20for%20Research%20Proposals.28%20Nov%20(FINAL).pdf
Nicole, I did not realize that there are many overseas opportunities available in the field of early childhood education. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi, Nicole.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these resources. Your post gave us an interesting look at early childhood programs in Singapore. I can see how any of those roles would put you in a position to have a positive impact on children. Mainly I Love Kids sounds very similar to several initiatives in the U.S. that are focused on assisting children in low income families. It would be interesting to see if they use similar programs.
Penelope
Nicole, it seems like you have chosen excellent organizations to follow. Your blog post substantiates the need to support literacy at a young age. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI like the organization that you have chosen. Your organization supports my personal goals as professional in early childhood education. If this organization had a full time opening paying a decent salary of 70k do you think that you would ever relocate to Singapore?
Sherry
Hi, Sherry. I am already working in Singapore as a kindergarten teacher. However, when I finish the program that we are currently doing, I hope to dedicate more time to supporting and volunteering with organizations such as these.
DeleteNicole, I enjoyed the information you shared regarding national endeavors....such as MILK. I feel it is very important to give back to the community, especially developing children in the way the organization does in Singapore. I also enjoyed reading the information you have provided regarding Lee Kuan Yew- (bilingualism) both of these programs are making great strides in improving children's lives.
ReplyDelete