Amanda Tan, Co-founder & Chief Curriculum Officer of Eduwis

In the ever-evolving landscape of early childhood education, raising well-rounded kids has become a priority for parents and educators alike. We recently interviewed Amanda Tan, Co-founder and Chief Curriculum Officer of Eduwis, who highlights the importance of holistic early education and the innovative “8 Educationists’ Approach” – a unique approach that doesn’t just focus on one method of educating children, but eight!

So What Exactly Is Holistic Early Education?

Holistic early education is about more than just academics; it involves the physical, personal, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being of children. Amanda Tan explains, “A holistic approach in children’s development and learning recognises the connection of the mind, body, and spirit. It focuses not just on academic advancement but on establishing children’s overall well-being as a ‘whole-child’ development.”

“Integrating learning concepts with the ‘whole-child’ approach in education can increase children’s problem-solving ability and enhance their critical thinking skills.”- Amanda Tan

This approach emphasises the significance of a supportive and positive learning environment, where social and emotional learning are integrated with academics. Such an environment helps children develop self-awareness, higher self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of social responsibility. Amanda adds, “Integrating learning concepts with the ‘whole-child’ approach in education can increase children’s problem-solving ability and enhance their critical thinking skills.”

The 8 Educationists’ Approach

Eduwis has developed a unique program by integrating the philosophies of eight renowned educationists, combining Western and Asian methodologies. This comprehensive approach is designed to cover various aspects of child development, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience. The educationists include Maria Montessori, Lev Vygotsky, Loris Malaguzzi, Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, Confucius, Shinichi Suzuki, and Friedrich Froebel.

Examples of the 8 Educationists’ Approach:

Friedrich Froebel: Known as the “father of kindergarten,” Froebel’s emphasis on play and nature is central to Eduwis’s philosophy. Amanda shares, “We prepare more than 1,600 hands-on learning activities to let children ‘learn through play.’ All Eduwis centres are equipped with an edible garden, allowing children to grow vegetables, flowers, and fruits as part of the curriculum.”

Maria Montessori: The Montessori approach is well-regarded for fostering children’s living skills, self-discipline, and self-regulation. Eduwis implements Montessori’s philosophies by maintaining an orderly and clean classroom environment where children learn good eating habits and proper use of utensils.

Confucius: Confucius’s concepts of “ren” (benevolence) and “li” (etiquette and rules) are used to cultivate empathy, altruism, and respect among children. “We emphasize ‘yi’ (righteousness) to bring up future leaders who are loyal, courageous, and just,” explains Tan.

Cultivating Life Skills

Eduwis also places a strong emphasis on developing essential life skills such as social skills, creativity, and presentation abilities. In the interview, Amanda highlights the importance of these skills, stating, “Mastering basic life skills like taking care of hygiene, having proper table manners, and making decisions enhances children’s self-esteem and self-confidence.”

Annual activities like storytelling, singing presentations, puppet shows, and dance performances provide platforms for children to develop self-efficacy and presentation skills. “These precious life skills prepare our children for the 21st century education perspective,” Tan notes.

The Unique Benefit of Piano Lessons

One of the most distinctive features of the Eduwis program is the integration of compulsory daily piano lessons for every child. This initiative is rooted in the philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki, who believed that learning music should be as natural as learning a mother tongue.

Amanda Tan elaborates on the benefits, stating, “Learning music can enhance various sensory functions of the brain, including vision, hearing, touch, physical movement, and social awareness. Hands-on and minds-on! Many experts have found that to raise smart children, we should let them use all their fingers regularly to stimulate the left and right brains.”

“Learning music can enhance various sensory functions of the brain, including vision, hearing, touch, physical movement, and social awareness.”

Piano practice requires children to coordinate their ears, eyes, mouth, hands, and feet, thus engaging multiple sensory pathways and enhancing their overall brain function. This multi-sensory engagement is not just beneficial for musical skills but also contributes to improved cognitive development, concentration, and memory.

Moreover, piano lessons foster creativity and imagination. Children learn to interpret music and express themselves through their performances, which in turn boosts their confidence and self-esteem. “Every year, Eduwis Preschools organise singing presentations where one child sings and another plays the piano. These performances provide valuable opportunities for children to work together, enhancing their social skills and self-efficacy,” adds Tan.

Preparing for the Future

Eduwis’s programs are aligned with both Malaysia’s Ministry of Education and Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework, ensuring a seamless transition into primary school. This interdisciplinary curriculum fosters critical thinking and holistic development, preparing children for a dynamic and fast-paced world.

In conclusion, raising well-rounded kids requires a holistic approach to early education. By integrating the philosophies of eight renowned educationists and focusing on the whole child, Eduwis provides a nurturing environment that fosters the development of essential life skills, creativity, and academic excellence. As Amanda Tan wisely advises parents, “Focus on the development of children’s skills rather than solely on academic achievements. Grant them the freedom to explore and learn from their immediate surroundings, fostering a sense of responsibility and respect towards their environment.”