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Alternative Approaches to the Development of Early Childhood Education in Singapore

Author

Listed:
  • Yong Yik Wei

    (SCAPE)

  • Aekapol Chongvilaivan
  • Chew Jing Yang

Abstract

A knowledge-intensive, innovation-driven economy needs innovative and creative individuals in business, government, and the various professions. Singapores education system has an important role to play in equipping the young with the right qualities. This could be better achieved by moving away from an overly rigid education system that places undue emphasis on rote learning and examination scores, to an education system that develops students creativity and critical thinking abilities, and encourages their innate curiosity and willingness to experiment. We examine, as a backdrop, various economic theories of entrepreneurship and, believing that it is important to begin with a good educational foundation, the features of some alternative approaches to pre-school education. We also examine Singapores attempts to promote independent thinking and creativity among Singaporean students, and other countries experiences, in particular those of Finland and the Netherlands. Among other issues, emphasis is placed on play and the fostering of students love of learning, in less structured settings, as the media of learning during early childhood education.

Suggested Citation

  • Yong Yik Wei & Aekapol Chongvilaivan & Chew Jing Yang, 2008. "Alternative Approaches to the Development of Early Childhood Education in Singapore," Development Economics Working Papers 22581, East Asian Bureau of Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:eab:develo:22581
    as

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    File URL: http://www.eaber.org/node/22581
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurship; Pre-school Education; Play-based Learning; Reggio Emilia approach; Montessori Method; Teach Less; Learn More (TLLM) initiative;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other

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