Malaysia is counted as one of the top 10 destinations that provide quality education to students. If you reside in Malaysia, you might know that several preschool curriculums are based on the Montessori approach, thanks to its obvious benefits.
This post walks you through the Malaysian preschool curriculum, its benefits, and what it includes.
Most of the preschools in Malaysia follow the Montessori curriculum.
The basics of the Montessori curriculum
The Montessori curriculum existed in the early 20th century and was named after Dr Maria Montessori, an Italian doctor and educator. The curriculum follows the child-centric approach that emphasises building the child’s personality by developing cognitive and behavioural abilities.
An ample number of toys is provided to make the child understand the concept. The classrooms are of mixed age groups that focus on building a community of learners who learn to thrive with each other. The curriculum comes with several benefits.
- The Montessori class is less structured than standard preschool.
Unlike standard preschools in Malaysia, Montessori is not traditional and does not follow a rote learning approach. The classrooms are less structured, and teachers act as guides, not instructors.
Many children explore and find what interests them; the classic size-fit approach doesn’t work here.
- The Montessori classroom provides hands-on training through real-world activities.
The Montessori preschools in Malaysia develop curriculum in such a way that it strengthens the child’s senses and curiosity.
- It fosters child development.
What’s unique about Montessori classrooms is they are not a classic version; rather, the students of different age groups study together and learn different concepts from each other.
The mixed-age classroom environment fosters peer-to-peer learning, strengthening their confidence and leading to overall development.
- The focus is on making the child inquisitive.
In Montessori education, the concept of coercion and forced learning is not thrust upon the children; rather, the love for learning is developed by making them partake in different activities.
What is taught in the Montessori classroom?
The Montessori curriculum offers education in five key areas: practical life, sensorial, mathematical, language, and cultural studies. Each area comprises educational materials that become complex as the child progresses.
- Practical life
The Montessori curriculum includes various activities and exercises that help the children become independent. These activities improve concentration and fine motor skills. The typical classroom activity might include lessons on behaviour and courtesy, cleaning, passing the items, etc.
- Sensorial
The sensory activities refine the five senses of the students so that they grab the concept of shapes, textures, colours, weight, and dimension better.
Through sensorial materials, the children learn the smells, tastes and sounds. It also prepares them for complex subjects like mathematics and geometry.
- Mathematics
Through various tools like hanging beads, teen boards, and hanging boards, children are given insight into abstract mathematical concepts like numbers, quantities, addition, subtraction, decimals, multiplication and division.
- Language
In the Montessori curriculum, the language is not taught traditionally. The children learn the spellings, letter sounds, letter identification, letter reading, sentence structure, vowels, consonants and formation using phonics.
Oral language skills are also developed through peer interactions, group activities, and by taking lessons in grace and courtesy.
- Culture
Montessori culture curriculum introduces various subjects like geography, botany, zoology, history, music and art. Through it, the children understand the community and world around them and their social responsibilities. The children learn to respect diversity, music, and art and develop awareness and sustainability. Various puzzles and activities are conducted to teach them.
Music and dance, Hindi, and EVS are other subjects in their curriculum.
Which is the best preschool in Malaysia?
GIIS is considered the best preschool in Malaysia. It has made a mark in the following areas to emerge as a go-to option for preschools:
- Its primary and secondary school fees are less.
Quality education is within your budget. The primary and secondary school fees are nominal, and they offer a scholarship program to support the students.
Through the merit cum means scholarship, GSF extends financial assistance to parents across all grades. The scholarship tenure is for 2 years, and the scholarship is up to 80% of school fees.
- The school follows the 9 Gem approach.
The GIIS pedagogy is based on the 9 GEMS approach. Through this, the students gain excellence in nine areas, academics, skills, sports, arts and values. The approach is well embedded in the curriculum, thus preparing the students for their career progression.
- The school makes them future leaders.
From early childhood, children are imbibed with leadership qualities that eventually make them future leaders. Exclusive programs and presentations further help them in developing their entrepreneurial skills.
- STEM Education
Our curriculum is based on a STEM approach that hones the child’s problem-solving and mental abilities.
Our last thoughts
The preschools in Malaysia follow the Montessori curriculum because it prepares the children well ahead, irrespective of challenges and obstacles. And when it comes to admission, GIIS is the best because it is affordable, safe and backed by qualified staff.
In fact! The school offers secondary school fees concessions too. So, if you want to enhance your children’s learning and development during their formative years, enrol with us.
