Research Author Abbie Sng Wei Qin

Validating a Tool to Measure Ecological and Environmental Awareness in Singaporean Preschool Children

Early childhood is a crucial period for fostering sustainability awareness, yet culturally relevant assessment tools are lacking in Singapore. This study validates a newly developed tool designed for K1 and K2 children, aligned with the Nurturing Early Learners framework. Administered digitally to 249 preschoolers, the tool assessed Ecological and Environmental Awareness. Two fold cross validation Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) confirmed its construct validity, with good model stability and fit indices. Results support its reliability, distinguishing ecological from environmental awareness. This validated tool offers a structured approach to measuring young children's sustainability awareness, informing curriculum design to nurture future environmentally conscious citizens.
Read MoreValidating a Tool to Measure Ecological and Environmental Awareness in Singaporean Preschool Children

The Role of Autonomy Support in Children’s Involvement in the Preschool Classroom

This study examined the impact of activity type and teacher interactions on involvement levels in Singaporean preschool children. Findings revealed that learning corners, characterized by independent exploration and choice, fostered significantly higher involvement than large group activities. Moreover, higher levels of autonomy support from teachers within learning corners further enhanced children's engagement. This highlights the importance of creating preschool environments that prioritize child-led learning and teacher interactions that nurture autonomy.
Read MoreThe Role of Autonomy Support in Children’s Involvement in the Preschool Classroom

Classroom Interactions

Preschool interactions are crucial for social, emotional, and cognitive development. Warm, responsive teachers create a supportive environment through verbal and non-verbal back-and-forth interactions.
Read MoreClassroom Interactions