EDITOR'S NOTE
Dear Readers,

Time has flown away again and it's another New Year with new and wonderful things to look forward to, so before I go on, let me wish you a Wonderful Year ahead filled with the best of everything.

In this issue of the RTRC Newsletter, besides featuring our interesting programmes for the year, we are also going to discuss the dilemmas of many parents and educators: How do we help children learn to be upright individuals who care for others as much as they care for themselves. During discussion with the students at RTRC, I have heard many complaints from teachers that children don't seem to be as virtuous as the children of yesterday. I wonder why this is so? Is it because the children of yesterday were more obedient, was it because of the "spoil the rod, spare the child" parenting skills that were practised in the yesteryears. How many of you truly believe that children would be more virtuous if parents were to adopt this method of parenting again? Your views would be an interesting addition to our next Newsletter. Anyway, I am sure you would already know how to contact me, that's right, via my email address: belindaseet@rtrc-asia.com or snail mail at RTRC ASIA PTE LTD, NTUC Trade Union House, Singapore 189556.

This issue features a few articles on the subject of moral education for young children and an abstract of a study done by a group of students who have completed their research in this subject. I sincerely hope this issue would spur you into sharing your own ideas of education with other readers.

From Belinda's desk.

Our study on storytelling and its impact on the development of social skills in young children.
By Janica Ng and her fellow researchers
Through our readings and discussions with stakeholders in the education field, we found that educators and parents are very concerned about the social skills of young children and whether this would have an impact on their future academic achievement. A study in 2000, commissioned by the Child Mental Health Foundations and Agencies Network (FAN indicated that "social and emotional school readiness is critical for young children's early school success-and may even set the stage for success later in life"(as cited in Susan, 2002).

Armed with this information, our group embarked on a small study to enhance children's positive behaviour. We decided to examine whether positive behaviours could be enhanced through storytelling. Each story that was told to the children emphasised character education. We chose this strategy because we believed that storytelling is one of the easiest methods of conveying moral values to young children.

We selected nine participants, four boys and five girls, to take part in our mini research. All the participants are between five to six years old and they are in Kindergarten two. We designed three observational tools so that we would be able to triangulate the data. The observational tools allowed us to collect information for both quantitative scoring and qualitative comments. Most of the qualitative comments were collected from the anecdotal records, interviews with the children and self-evaluation done by the children; whereas the quantitative scorings were gathered from the checklists. The checklists that we used to observe the positive behaviours were defined by two characteristics, namely respect and self-control. Each characteristic assessed 5 different criterion listed , which made up for a total of 10 specific positive behaviours. These observational tools were used to help us in observing the children's behaviour during pre and post tests.

Findings from this research suggested that there was much improvement after the treatment (stories). Improvements were observed in participants' conversational skills and other skills related to socialising such as being assertive rather than aggressive and cross, thinking of other people's needs and so on. The participants were observed to be more aware of the consequence of their actions during play. They used language to convey their needs to their peers. This behaviour was not seen before the treatment. Before the treatment, children were quite aggressive towards their peers.

How do we raise responsible children
By Belinda Seet

"Children do not show respect to their elders, nowadays." "Children are confused about what is right and what is wrong." "Children are more difficult to manage nowadays." These are some of the comments that I have heard in my discussion with teachers and parents. Some teachers that I know feel that there is a need to return to the old methods of childrearing where parents and teachers ruled children with the rod. Is fearing the rod, the best method of helping children become responsible beings. How does a child become responsible and respectful of others when he or she does not feel that same respect for himself or herself?

According to Confucius, a Chinese Philosopher, a person's first duty was to attain virtue. The definition of a virtuous person is one who is morally upright, is honourable, incorruptible, believes in justice and has a high regard for righteousness.

I personally feel that to be a virtuous person, we need to accept responsibility for our own actions instead of blaming others when things go wrong. There is a need for us to be honest with ourselves and judge our true intentions instead of trying to gloss our deeds with pseudo intentions. When confronted with challenging situations, we must also think of others and try to look at the situation from the perspectives of others. We need to feel compassion for others when undertaking any task as every action has a consequence for others.

According to an article from the United States Department of Education, a responsible character should be nurtured as nature did not pass this virtue to anyone of us. To be responsible, one has to feel, think and act in an upright manner whether or not anyone is watching. A responsible person does so because they understand that it's right and because they have the courage and self-control to act decently even when they are tempted to do otherwise.

Children should be taught proper attitudes and behaviour as early as possible, as problems and challenging behaviour will arise if we do not help them learn what is right from wrong. We need to help children change bad habits to help them grow into beautiful beings in the future. We want our children to appreciate the importance of being responsible and develop positive attitudes and the strength and courage to act honourably in order to maintain self-respect in their everyday lives.

The task above may seem rather daunting; however, it is not, as we know that children learn best in concrete situations. As adults, do we model the behaviour that we expound to the children? Do we really respect them as individuals or do we always feel that they are not important as they are too young to know. For example, how many times have we heard adults say, "Oh you don't have to ask him what he would like to eat, he'll eat what we eat." What impression does this have for the child? "I do not matter, because, I do not have a voice." How many of us have really said thank you to a child who has done something for us, for that matter, how many of us have used the word "please" when requesting a favour or something from a child? Children learn from seeing, hearing and overhearing the conversations we have with others about our dealings. Have we acted honourably, are we proud of our own actions, do we really want children to follow what we do and not just what we say?

As adults, we need to show our children by our words and our actions that we respect others. We need to show children that we are compassionate when others are suffering. Children need to see our self-control, our courage and honesty. They need to see that we are treating others as well as ourselves with respect and that we have the courage to do what is right in challenging situations. One of the best ways to help children learn responsibility is to act as responsibly as we can in their presence.

ne of the best tools to use when helping children become responsible is to help them talk about what they see and what they have experienced in their daily lives. We need to encourage children to ask questions about their experiences. We also need to think carefully about the comments that we make to answer their questions as this would help us gain a mutual understanding of each others' thoughts and feelings. Mutual understanding between an adult and a child leads to children respecting our ideals of what a person of good character possesses.

Kids for Character, Character for Kids
- is the first conference in Singapore that aims to provide teachers, caregivers and parents with strategies on promoting social competencies in pre-school children.

In recent years, research has confirmed that the value orientations of children are largely formed by the time they reach the age of six. As our society becomes more and more complex, our children face many uncertainties. Of concern are the inconsistent values promoted in media and the increasing disrespect for parents, teachers and authority figures observed by many pre-school educators. 

The aim of the conference is:

• To highlight the importance of inculcating positive character traits in young children and introduce interesting and exciting strategies for caregivers, teachers and parents to adopt and adapt in the classroom and at home; and
• To empower parents and teachers to support the development of the following social competencies in young children:  kindness, independence, self-discipline, assertiveness, resilience and sense of responsibility.

The conference is targeted at childcare and kindergarten teachers in Singapore, as well as parents of pre-school children.

Keynote speakers:

Dr Hal Urban is an international speaker who has made more than 800 presentations in the US and other countries. He has also been a teacher for 35 years, encompassing high school and his alma mater, the University of San Francisco.

Dr Daniel Fung is a Consultant Psychiatrist and the Deputy Chief of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the Institute of Mental Health. He is a consultant in charge of the Child Guidance Clinic, Sunrise Wing and the Director of the Children's One-stop Psycho education Services (COPES). He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Division of Psychology at Nanyang Technological University.

Date of Conference: 22 April '06

Time: 9.00am to 4.00pm

Venue: Le Meridien Orchard Hotel

Ticket price is $55 +5% GST per head. Early birds who register by 22 March 2006 will enjoy an early-bird rate of $45 +5% GST. 

Access http://www.rtrc-asia.com/news&events/viewevent.asp?eventid=135 to download an application by 22 March to enjoy the early bird fees.

Main organiser       : RTRC Asia
Co-organiser           : NTUC Childcare Co-operative Ltd and Singapore Kindness Movement
Supporters              : MCYS and Family Matters
Official magazine   : Family

RTRC Asia Pre-School Professional Circle Membership Launch
Calling all RTRC Asia's Alumni, Graduates and Students to become members of the Pre-School Professional Circle!!!!

The Pre-school Professional Circle (PPC) is exclusively set up for all RTRC Asia alumni. As leadership growth plays a vital role in ensuring quality early childhood education for all children, the PPC plans to serve as a platform for early childhood professionals to lift the status of this leadership in Singapore. The purpose of setting up a Pre-School Professional Circle is to strengthen and enhance the ability to build a stronger profession via leadership that would influence recognition and respect by the society and community that it serves.

BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF PPC

• Use of resource library/centre;
• Free subscription of eNewsletter;
• Use of meeting room at minimal charges ($10 an hour), from 9am to 5pm, on Tuesday and Friday;
• Entitled to special membership rate when enrolling for RTRC Asia's courses/workshops/ talks;
• Entitled to attend special events/ exchange seminars or talks specially arranged for PPC members.

For more information on the Pre-School Professional Circle membership, please contact Wei Ling at 6332 2530 or email to info@rtrc-asia.com

Promotion For Group Sign-up Incentives
We are pleased to announce that we will be launching group sign-up incentives!!!

To qualify for the group sign-up incentives, there must be a minimum of 3 persons applying for RTRC Asia's academic courses commencing from March 2006 to June 2006. The courses include: -

• Certificate in Pre-School Teaching (English/ Chinese)
• Certificate in infant/ Toddler Care & Development (English)
• Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education (English/ Chinese)
• Diploma in Pre-School Education - Leadership (English)
• Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education (English)

Each of you will be entitled to registration fee waiverand $50 RTRC Asia Voucher that can be used for enrolling in our workshops or purchase of prescribed textbooks in the course with RTRC Asia.

There is no limit to the number of persons/friends to qualify for the group incentives. The more the merrier!!

Terms & Conditions

Please note that in order to qualify for the group sign-up incentives, the following requirements have to be satisfied: -

• The recommended applicant must meet the course entry requirement
• The course has successfully commenced
• The applicants have made course fee payment & cannot withdraw from the respective course for the 1 st 6 months.
• At any one time, applicants must not be under another promotion/referral incentives

For more information, obtain a Group Sign-up Incentives form from our Office now!!!

Or Contact us at 6332 0668 / 6332 2530 to find out more!

Refer-A-Friend Scheme
Do you have friends or colleagues to recommend to our programmes?

For every friend that you refer to our certificate and diploma programmes, you are entitled to $50 referral incentive and $100 for Bachelor and Master degree programmes.

For more information, please contact our office at 6332 0668 or email to info@rtrc-asia.com

Interested in Mentoring?
Join us in a rewarding partnership in Mentoring pre-service students!!

For more information on the mentoring programme, please contact Ms Pamela Han at email hansp@rtrc-asia.com

Attention all DPT and DPL holders

Interested in pursuing a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood with a focus on Expressive Arts and Special Needs?

Come and Join the

Wheelock College's Bachelor of Science

in Early Childhood Education programme

Commencing in June 2006

Distinct Programme Features

• Expressive Arts/Creative Arts
• Drama and Literacy
• Play and Therapeutic Play Environment
• Special Needs and Inclusionary Practices
• Applied Action Study
• Portfolio Development and Presentation

Preview Sessions

Venue : RTRC Asia Pte Ltd, 73 Bras Basah Rd , #04-01 NTUC Trade Union House,
            Singapore 189556

To register for the preview session,

• call us at 6332 2530; or
• e-mail your name and contact number to info@rtrc-asia.com

 Attention all Bachelor Degree holders in any discipline

Interested in pursuing a Masters degree in Early Childhood with a focus on Inclusion and Special Education?

Come and Join

the Wheelock College'sMaster of Science

in Early Childhood Education programme

Commencing in July 2006

Distinct Programme Features

• Focus on Inclusion and Special Education
• Overview of exceptionality, inclusive education and special education within the Singapore culture.
• Selected faculty member that possesses extensive experience and expertise for each course.
• Serves as a "trainer of trainers" program
• Exposes learners to models of exemplary inclusionary practices through readings, case studies, guest lectures and videotapes
• Supports learners in pursuing a research area and in developing a professional portfolio

Preview Sessions

Venue : RTRC Asia Pte Ltd, 73 Bras Basah Rd , #04-01 NTUC Trade Union House,
            Singapore 189556

To register for the preview session,

• call us at 6332 2535; or
• email your name and contact number to info@rtrc-asia.com

The University of South Australia

is commencing its 4 th Intake of the

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) programme

in June 2006

Distinct Programme Features

• Course modules are fully taught by University's faculty
• Emphasis is on integrating theory with practical applications
• Strong focus on academic and curriculum modules
• Comprehensive study guides provided
• 2 course modules every 3 months, excellent structure for working professionals
• Honours level qualification (based on academic merit)

Preview Sessions

Venue : RTRC Asia Pte Ltd, 73 Bras Basah Rd , #04-01 NTUC Trade Union House,
            Singapore 189556

To register for the preview session,

• call us at 6332 2530; or
• e-mail your name and contact number to info@rtrc-asia.com

Come and Join the University of South Australia's

Master of Education (Early Childhood Education) programme

Commencing in Jun 2006

Distinct Programme Features

• Completion in 14-16 months
• Course modules are fully taught by the University's faculty
• 1 course every 4 months; excellent structure and format for busy professionals
• Emphasis is on integrating theory with practical applications
• Comprehensive Study Guides provided
• Excellent reference library

Preview Sessions

22 March 2006 (Wed) - 6.30pm

12 April 2006 (Wed) - 6.30pm

Exclusive Preview Session

3 May 2006 (Wed) - 6.30pm

Speaker : Professor Marjory Ebbeck (Academic Director, University of South Australia)

Venue    : RTRC Asia Pte Ltd, 73 Bras Basah Rd , #04-01 NTUC Trade Union House,
               Singapore 189556

To register for the preview session,

• call us at 6332 2535; or
• email your name and contact number to info@rtrc-asia.com