Page 25 - Jurnal Kurikulum BPK 2018

The aims and objectives above are the building blocks of producing holistic Malaysians who will
be able to pursue higher education or join the workforce, able to face current challenges and
st
challenges of the 21 century as well as be a global player.

Curriculum Framework for Kindergartens in the Republic of Singapore

The curriculum framework for kindergartens in Singapore as its aptly named Nurturing
Early Learners: A Curriculum Framework for Kindergartens in Singapore. This curriculum has
been in place since 2013 to assist preschool teachers in designing and implementing quality
teaching and learning for children aged four to six. Its common abbreviation is “the NEL
framework which spells out six principles, encapsulated in the acronym “iTeach” as the basis for
best practices in the Singapore context” (MOE, Republic of Singapore, 2013). The Overview of
the NEL Framework as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Overview of the NEL Framework
(MOE, Singapore, 2013)

The iTeach principles focus on the child, which taps their developmental stage of four to
six years of age. During this stage children are curious, active and competent learners. This
principle informs teachers to facilitate purposeful play and quality interactions with an integrated
approach to learning. The teacher who acts as a facilitator of learning enables children to construct
knowledge in order to hone their holistic development. Planned meaningful activities that
encourage participation of children in the process of constructing knowledge and acquiring skills
formulated in six learning areas namely:

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