1. Overall & Integrated Self Development
2. Cheerful Learning
3. Meaningful Learning Experience
4. Life Long Education

Objectives:

1. Have positive personal attitude, character and self-concept in order to be a patriotic Malaysian.
2. Good command in Bahasa Melayu and develop basic communication skills.
3. Use the right Chinese and Tamil language to communicate in kindergarten that use Chinese and Tamil language.
4. Use English in daily interaction as English is the second language.
5. Practice moral values in daily lives.
6. Having cognitive skills, thinking skills, and problem solving skills.
7. Having mature emotion and social skills.
8. Develop physical and practice good health and safety measures.
9. Having high creativity and aesthetical value to appreciate the beauty of nature and cultural heritage.
10. Practice Islamic values.

Kindergarten were only set up by the churches in the 1950′s

In late 50′s and early 60′s, education was emphasized. Kindergarten was only for the children from the rich families. There was no professional training for the teachers.

Traditional curriculum was used namely the 3M(Mengira, Membaca, Menulis).

The ministry of Education later reported that children had better achievement if they attended pre-school before heading to primary school.

1969, Asia Foundation gave grant to Worker Society of Malaysia to open 3 children center model at Selangor similar to American “Head Start project”. Target of this preschool is for children from poor families.

1969, KEMAS started to get involved in preschool education in 196 for children from poor family.

1970′s, FELDA established preschool education center.

1973, Malaysian Kindergarten Association was established with the help of Sister Denise Paguatte.

1976, Preschool (TABIKA) of National Unity Department was established.

1980, RISDA established preschool for children of rubber planters.

There are 3 agencies that are responsible towards early childhood education in Malaysia:
- Government
- Social organization
- Private sector

• Group settings deliberately intended to effect developmental chnages in children from birth to the age of entering the first grade (Gordon, A.M & Browne, K.W)
• The care and education of children from birth through age eight and includes serving the families (Teacher Education Partnership Commission)

Why we need early childhood education?

• Recognition of the importance of early years e.g. be prepared for primary education, tabula rasa
• Increasing demand for child care and changing enrolment patterns e.g. no one take care of the child at home
• Changes in family life e.g. both parents are working, living away from relatives
• Benefits of early childhood education e.g. learn basic skill for primary education, develop social skills

What is in the early childhood education?
Malaysia National Preschool Curriculum

• Language and communication development
• Moral and spiritual development
• Cognitive development
• Socio-emotion development
• Physical development
• Creativity and aesthetic development

World (general)

• Language development
• Spiritual development
• Cognitive development
• Emotional development
• Physical/Motor development
• Creativity development
• Social development