Children learn so much through games, activities and outdoor play. Studies show that a play-based learning approach has many benefits for preschoolers. It encourages creativity and exploration and aids in the development of motor skills. We’ve rounded up some of the top play-based preschools and learning programmes in Singapore that incorporate learning through play into their curriculum.
The Grange Institution
The Grange Institution provides their young learners with a foundation from the earliest stages of their learning journey with the International Early Years Curriculum. Through learning blocks such as Young Botanists, Young Chefs, Young Musicians, Young Sportsmen and Young Artists, preschoolers are taught real-life skills. Besides promoting inquiry, these also foster thinking, social, collaborative and self-management skills.
The classrooms have an open-concept arrangement, providing versatile learning spaces. They accommodate varying class sizes and cater to different learning through play needs. The school’s new DigiLight Atelier opens up additional possibilities for students to experiment with light formations and express their creativity in innovative ways. Furthermore, during music lessons held in a separate space, students have the chance to experiment with various musical instruments and fully immerse themselves in the realm of music.
The school believes that outdoor learning is a crucial element that enhances the educational experience for students at The Grange. There are opportunities for students to appreciate, understand and respect their natural environment. This involves dedicated time spent in the school’s eco-garden and miniature food forest, showcasing a diverse array of over 100 plants, vegetables and fruits.
Hear from a preschoolers’ parent
“Ms Momoe has been expanding the children’s interest in music through various creative play based learning activities. These include listening to Chinese music, looking for words in the lyrics and guessing the names of notes in a quiz format. The choruses and dances performed by the children at music concerts and ceremonies are all of high quality, and we can feel the teachers’ teaching ability and enthusiasm.” – Ayako Toyokura, Japanese
449 Yio Chu Kang Rd
6817 3630 | thegrange.edu.sg
Kinderland Academy & Preschools
Kinderland’s music-infused curriculum is built around the K.I.N.D.E.R. multidisciplinary lands. Their suite of holistic play-based learning programmes and activities include the Children’s Music Programme, KinderFit Cardio Wellness, S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Reading & wRiting, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), outdoor exploration, water play, sand play, sustainability activities, enrichment and holiday programmes.
Their Children’s Music Programme provides children with the opportunity to play the keyboard, while younger ones enjoy an early foundation in music in a fully-equipped music room/studio. KinderFit incorporates cardio-wellness exercises and enables acquisition of fundamental motor skills. In S.T.R.E.A.M., children are engaged in inquiry-based project work. From idea development to conceptualising, researching, creating prototypes and constructing and assembling the actual structures, children are actively involved in leading and problem-solving their own queries. Coding is incorporated into some S.T.R.E.A.M. projects. The coding gadgets and software that Kinderland uses include Code-a-Pillar, Bee- Bot and ScratchJr.
There are a variety of outdoor activities in selected Kinderland centres. They range from water and sand play, to planting farm-to-table vegetables from scratch at Kinderland Academy @ Yio Chu Kang. At the Academy, the crops from the field are harvested, cooked and eaten by Kinderland students in the school’s self-help kitchenette. Kinderland offers a myriad of enrichment programmes such as rhythmic gymnastics, abacus, speech & drama, K-pop and science. There are also excursions to popular spots in Singapore and workshops on trending topics during the holiday periods for Nursery to Kindergarten children. All of the learning through play activities seek to empower children to gain independence and capability.
Hear from a preschoolers’ parent
“My child enjoys highly sensorial activities that contribute to his physiological development. He has consistently expressed intuitive interest and deep affection for the lives of insects, birds and other creatures. The learning through doing at school leads to at-home sharing, reading and discussion. It’s truly wondrous to witness how play-based learning is activating my son’ natural instincts to ask “what” and “how” questions about his world. He can confidently express and articulate care and empathy for all things great and small. I deeply appreciate that Kinderland’s holistic program will shape his core values of curiosity, resilience, collaboration and compassion for the years to come.” – Grace Lee-Khoo
15 locations islandwide
kinderland.com.sg
Mosaic Play Academy
Mosaic Play Academy believes that play-based learning programmes boosts creativity and imagination in a child’s development. In their hands-on learning journey, children are able to exercise self-expression and take on active roles as a learner. This encourages critical thinking and helps develop their problem-solving skills.
Mosaic’s curriculum aims to promote each child’s learning and development through various learning through play approaches to ensure learning is fun, engaging, and challenges children to think outside the box. The play based preschool in Singapore achieves this with lessons catered to music, storytelling, craft, sensory play, discovery of the world around us, STEM, nature play, mud kitchen exploration, and much more.
The school’s outdoor area is one of the most unique things about Mosaic Play Academy. There’s ample space for children to run free and stay in touch with nature. There are also play structures and a mud kitchen suitable for children aged 12 months to 9 years of age. These all create endless possibilities for nature based, learning through play inspired activities.
Hear from a preschoolers’ parent
“Lyra embarked on this incredible programme at just 14 months old. Those early parent-accompanied classes were a whirlwind of discovery as we watched her immerse herself in play based learning and exploration. When she hit the age of 2 years, she ventured solo into the playgroups seamlessly. She gets so excited when she heads off to her playgroup every morning. She bubbles with pride when recounting her morning’s adventures and discoveries. The array of learning through play activities has each been a stepping stone in her development. The flexibility this programme offers has given her the space to flourish unlike any traditional preschool setting. This has also nurtured her independence and sparked a real passion for learning that’s truly remarkable to witness.” – Roma Bracq-Paquot, French
402 Joo Chiat Place, The Yards
8031 2371 | Instagram @mosaicplayacademy | mosaicplayacademy.sg
Adventure Tree Preschool
The Play & Inquiry Curriculum of Adventure Tree Preschool provides countless opportunities for children to learn as they discover, create, improvise and imagine. Play provides a supportive environment where children can ask questions, solve problems and engage in critical thinking and develop holistically, beyond academics.
The school’s play-based learning approach is grounded in a philosophy of instilling a life-long love of learning in every student. It nurtures within every child a sense of self-esteem, personal integrity and a respectful, caring attitude towards others. This play based preschool in singapore uses various themes to deliver a seamless integrated approach to learning by teaching with real life materials and resources. This makes learning come alive within and outside the classroom.
Outdoor Learning is at the core of the curriculum. With campuses nestled in landed houses that have large outdoor facilities, the entire school’s beliefs revolve around the importance of placing nature at the centre of every children’s education. Through activities like Outdoor Exploration, Water Play, Sustainable Gardening and Outdoor play, children are offered unique opportunities to learn through their own investigation of the outdoor environment.
Hear from a preschoolers’ parent
“What sets Adventure Tree apart from other preschools is its collaborative play-based learning programme. From sensory play to imaginative storytelling, the teachers engage the children in activities that stimulate their curiosity and creativity. We really appreciate how these activities contribute significantly to her overall development. The teachers create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where children feel comfortable exploring and learning. The play areas offer ample opportunities for physical activity and imaginative play. The emphasis on outdoor play is something that my daughter looks forward to every day. We highly recommend Adventure Tree to parents seeking a holistic, play-oriented, and multicultural early learning experience for their little ones.” – Dylan and Tracy Burke, South African, parents of Pax
- Katong campus: 4 Crescent Road | 9784 4135
- Bukit Timah campus: 38 Tham Soong Avenue | 9781 7260
- Holland campus: 9 Grove Drive | 9710 5815
Looking for more fun activities for kids? Don’t miss our guide to preschools and kindergartens in Singapore too.
