NTUC First Campus developed a game-changer for the local preschool scene through original content that gives children a strong start in learning the Chinese Language.

Ni Xuejing, Chinese Lead Teacher of My First Skool at 51 Fernvale Link reads a book about Lunar New Year to a class of K1 children. Photo credit: NTUC First Campus

NTUC First Campus (NFC) is one of the first preschool operators in Singapore to produce original, high-quality Chinese Language books with a “local flavour”, specially tailored for children in Singapore.

Currently, most Chinese Language books read by preschool children in Singapore are imported from China or Taiwan. Such books contain words not commonly used in Singapore’s local context. By addressing this issue, NFC’s Chinese Language books help children at My First Skool preschool centres to pick up the language easily. The words, dialogue and events depicted in the books are relatable to the children, as they reflect on their daily lives in Singapore.

Produced by a team of Chinese Language specialists at NFC’s Child Development Department, the latest series of books published in 2021 introduce how Singapore’s colourful and vibrant festivals such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali are celebrated in the country. These books help our children appreciate the different cultures in Singapore in the Chinese Language at a young age. Currently, there is a lack of Chinese Language books in the market that promote multiculturalism in Singapore.

The latest series of Chinese Language books produced by NTUC First Campus introduce how Singapore’s colourful and vibrant festivals such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali are celebrated in the country. These books help our children These books help our children appreciate the different cultures in Singapore in the Chinese Language at a young age. Photo credit: NTUC First Campus

Since 2017, NFC has produced 62 original Chinese Language books. The content produced by NFC is not just limited to books and teaching aids. NFC also composed 45 Chinese children songs, which have been well received by teachers, students and parents.

Apart from helping our children hone their Chinese Language, NFC also uses Chinese Language books to nurture children’s soft skills, such as communication and interaction with one another, with an emphasis on inter-cultural understanding, appreciation of diversity and friendships with people from all walks of life.

“NFC believes the best way for children to learn the Chinese Language is through ‘Living Chinese’. Hence, we created books, songs and learning moments for our children to learn and use the language in their daily lives. Our focus is to make the lessons fun, interactive as well as relevant and applicable to their daily lives. We do this through the constructive use of play-based learning materials and by encouraging conversations between our children and their teachers and peers,” said Dr Connie Lum, Director of the Mother Tongue Language Curriculum and Professional Development at NTUC First Campus.

Ni Xuejing, Chinese Lead Teacher, My First Skool at 51 Fernvale Link finds it a breeze to teach her K1 class with these Chinese Language teaching resources.

“As the Chinese Language books are very localised with stories which our children can easily understand and speak about, they have been very effective in helping me teach the language to our children in the class,” she said.

Two children of My First Skool at 51 Fernvale Link playing a fishing game related to NTUC First Campus’ Festival Books. This game helps children to understand the food that people consume during the different festivals in Singapore. Photo credit: NTUC First Campus

Eileen Goh, whose two sons are enrolled in both K2 and K1 at My First Skool at 51 Fernvale Link, found that her children have increasingly shown interest in the Chinese Language since they started school. She believes that the high-quality Chinese Language curriculum and the teachers play a huge part in nurturing her children’s interest in the language.

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“My sons have shown a deep appreciation and interest in the Chinese Language since they started school at My First Skool. They have been asking me a lot of questions about the language, and even break into dance and action learnt in their classes,” she said.

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