Work experiences
Throughout my 3 years in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I have gained many valuable knowledge and insights through multiple work experiences at different preschool centres. Coupled with part-time work experiences from other industries, these experiences helped me grow as an all-rounded individual in the Early Childhood sector.
My last day of practicum 2
My assistant host teacher and I putting up decorations for the K1 Farewell Party. We drew, designed and coloured the block letters (decorations seen in the picture) by hand.
My last day of practicum 2
I conducted this lesson with a group of 6 K1 children. I created an obstacle course based on the story ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’. This resource- ‘Hopscotch’ using the hands and feet, represented the “snowstorm”, one of the ‘obstacles’ children had to overcome by hopping through the Hopscotch with asymmetrical body postures.
I created this Twister mat with high frequency word cards. The objectives of this activity were for a class of K1 children to listen and follow verbal cues given during the Twister game, and recognise at least 6 familiar/high frequency words on the Twister mat from the book ‘The Dragon Tree’. In groups of 6, they were also able to maintain balance on various body parts (hands, elbows, knees, feet) at medium level during the Twister game.
I came up with this resource called the Penguin Trap Ice Breaker Game with numbers. The objective of this activity was for K1 children to work in pairs to match numerals to a quantity of a set of things by drawing the corresponding number of things printed on the piece of paper in each ‘ice cube’ collected (within 20).
I conducted this lesson with a group of 6 K1 children. I created an obstacle course based on the story ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’. This resource- ‘Hopscotch’ using the hands and feet, represented the “snowstorm”, one of the ‘obstacles’ children had to overcome by hopping through the Hopscotch with asymmetrical body postures.
Lesson resources I created
- Motor Skills Development lesson plan
- Language and Literacy lesson plan
- Numeracy lesson plan
- Numeracy Learning Centre and activities
- Reflections on my implementations
Assistant Preschool Teacher (practicum)
E-Bridge Pre-School
(November 2020 - December 2020)
In year 2 of my studies, I completed a 5 weeks practicum at E-Bridge Pre-School at Yishun, where I took on the role of an assistant teacher to 2 Kindergarten 1 (K1, 5-6 years old) classes (20 children each), alternating between both classes every other day.
My teaching responsibilities:
- Applied knowledge of child development and curriculum planning to plan and implement 3 lesson plans for 1 K1 class according to children's interests and abilities (learning areas: Motor Skills Development, Language and Literacy, Numeracy)
- Curated differentiated instructions / activities according to the diverse range of children and their needs (i.e. children with slower learning abilities, children with various types of learning styles)
- Created a Numeracy Learning Centre in the classroom
- Assisted in children's routine care (i.e. arrival, dismissal, toileting, mealtimes, naptime)
- Hosted morning meetings (i.e. storytelling sessions, sing and dance with the children)
What I learnt:
- Skills to communicate effectively with older children, and establish collaborative partnerships with their families (i.e. parents) and teachers in the centre
- Knowledge of planning age-appropriate, engaging and safe learning experiences for older children
- Appropriate integration of technology into lesson plans (i.e. YouTube videos) to supplement children's learning
- Techniques in classroom management,
- Managing children's behaviours (i.e. strategies to comfort a crying child, child throwing tantrums, child being rude to his peers)
- Built confidence in teaching / speaking in front of a class
Assistant Preschool Teacher (practicum)
Skool4Kidz Preschool
(April 2020 - July 2020)
In year 1 of my studies, I completed an 8 weeks practicum (every Monday) at Skool4Kidz at Marsiling, where I took on the role of an assistant teacher to a Nursery 1 (N1, 2-3 years old) class of 15 children.
My teaching responsibilities:
- Assisted in children's routine care (i.e. arrival, dismissal, toileting, showering, mealtimes, naptime)
- Prepared lesson resources with guidance from my host teacher
- Used knowledge gained in child development to observe and make documentations of a focus child through anecdotal records and reflective practices
- Analysed the focus child's holistic development (physical, cognitive, socio-emotional) and gave appropriate suggestions to aid her physical development
- Oversaw the class when my host teacher was busy (i.e. by playing with the children, reading them a book)
What I learnt:
- Communicating and engaging with younger children with liveliness and eagerness
- Knowledge of age-appropriate lesson plans, materials and play activities for younger children, and skills to manage a class
I read a board book that the children chose to a class of 11 N1 children when my host teacher was busy. I captured the children's attention using their favourite book and engaged them in a storytelling session. All the children were seated throughout and were very responsive when I asked them questions about the story.
I read a board book that the children chose to a class of 11 N1 children when my host teacher was busy. I captured the children's attention using their favourite book and engaged them in a storytelling session. All the children were seated throughout and were very responsive when I asked them questions about the story.
Anecdotal records of my focus child
Analysis of the holistic development of my focus child
Inventory Officer (part-time)
LeChic
(October 2018 - March 2019)
Image credits: https://www.lechicsg.com/
My responsibilities:
- Worked independently to pack / return customers' orders and process products into the inventory (logistics) of an e-commerce website, liaised with a courier company to ensure that orders get collected daily
- Arranged new stocks / restocks of products in the warehouse
- Assisted in studio and outdoor photoshoots, communicated with different people to ensure that the set runs smoothly (photographer, model, makeup artist etc.)
What I learnt:
- Administrative skills (i.e. written communication- writing professional emails to customers)
- Technical skills (Microsoft Excel)
- People skills (i.e. friendliness, approachable, sociable)
- Attention to detail, accuracy in working
- Effective communication with people from various walks of life
Teacher Assistant (part-time)
Chiltern House Turf Club Road
(May 2018 - August 2018)
During my gap year, I worked as an assistant teacher to an N1 class of 12 children.
My teaching responsibilities:
- Assisted my host teacher in children's routine care (i.e. mealtime, toileting, dismissal)
- Took special care of a child with Autism (i.e. guiding him during activities, paying close attention to him/sitting next to him during lessons)
- In charge of decorating the classroom and planning art and craft activities for the children to create green coloured artworks to be put up in the classroom for The Green Party
- Prepared materials for children's lessons and the classroom
- Ensured the safety of the class during the annual Sports Day and a field trip to Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
What I learnt:
- Genuine passion and interest in working with children
- Creativity in coming up with activities / resources
- Empathy and open-mindedness while working with children of diverse abilities
I decorated the letter cut-outs, cut out the flowers that the children have painted and put them up on the tree with my host teacher.
I came up with the idea of Dinosaurs for the theme of The Green Party and drew and cut out the big dinosaur from scratch. The children really loved the dinosaurs and I was commended for my hard work by other teachers in the centre.
I obtained a 100% participation rate during the activities and the final result of the classroom was well-received by both the children and teachers.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the art and craft activities that I planned and asked my host teacher if they could make more turtles.
I came up with the idea of Dinosaurs for the theme of The Green Party and drew and cut out the big dinosaur from scratch. The children really loved the dinosaurs and I was commended for my hard work by other teachers in the centre.
Pictures of The Green Party
My colleagues and I on my last day of work (April, 2018)
Food Runner (part-time)
Seorae Korean BBQ
(January 2018 - April 2018)
My responsibilities:
- Worked collaboratively with other service and kitchen staff to ensure that food was prepared and served correctly
- Kept a constant lookout for customers' needs and took their orders diligently
- Ensured restaurant's cleanliness and hygiene (i.e. sweeping, mopping, clearing of tables, wiping of furniture)
What I learnt:
- Customer service skills (i.e. positive language, effective listening, attentiveness)
- Maintaining a calm composure when I had to attend to difficult customers (i.e. self control
In relation to the Early Childhood industry, this experience helped me grow as a dependable and reliable individual in my work while treating all teachers, children and their families with respect and sensitivity.
Service Crew (part-time)
McDonald's
(November 2015 - February 2016)
My responsibilities:
- Cashiering duties (taking customers' orders, managing payment i.e. ensuring the correct amount of cash is received and returned)
- Preparing food inside the kitchen and ensuring the kitchen's cleanliness and hygiene (i.e. sweeping/mopping designated areas)
What I learnt:
- Proper food preparation (WSQ Basic Food Hygiene Course certified)
- Customer service skills (i.e. respect, willingness, cheerfulness)
Image credits:https://www.mcdonalds.com.sg/