By Farah Aziz
I know someone from Australia and she told me a story that stayed with me for a long time.
She had gone to a party and met some new people, but there was one gentleman that she remembered in particular. They had a casual conversation and he asked about her profession. With such pride, she announced that she just completed her research with such success that she was awarded a PHD. He was impressed and congratulated her.
Then came the next question, “What was your field of study?”
“Early childhood”, she replied.
Almost instantly, he cracked a smile and said “Yeah right. What is it really?”
Now she felt offended and assured him that it was not a joke.
“You mean there is a PHD in early childhood? How hard could that be?” was what he said.
She is an incredible woman who had faith in researching early childhood, but was mocked and ridiculed for her choice.
Recently, another friend of mine confided in me and said that she had never felt worse in her life. She had to admit to her own family that she has been studying in the early childhood field and was pursuing a career as a pre-school teacher. She said, “I saw the change in how they treated me and it hurts.”
She had kept that secret for three years and felt that after earning a degree in early childhood, she would earn some respect from her own family. She was wrong. Her own family loathed her in pity and shame. But why? Is a pre-school teacher really someone who should be frowned upon? Should they be degraded to the point that they don’t deserve respect?
Early childhood teachers in Singapore are not just stereotyped. This impression that some have of us is completely wrong. We live by the words of Sigmund Frued, Lev Vgotsky and Jean Piaget. Their research with children transcends the ordinary and has inspired how all of us view children.
In the early 1900s, children were not respected as unique individuals but merely treated as smaller adults. Child labour was a norm and parents refuse to send children to school. It is the work of these bright minds and the teachers who took their research to heart that made the world look upon the early years as the turning point of an individual’s life.
Within these early years, 75% of the child’s brain is developed. The first three years is the critical period, where the rate of acquisition of new skills is at an optimum. Based on this research, teachers all around the world have been unceasing in their efforts in providing exceptional care to children. We lift children high up in the air so that the world can see them. We give them the confidence to be themselves and we show them that the world is theirs to conquer. The way I see it, an early childhood teacher can either give you confidence or crush it. This is because a child never forgets and they take good and bad experiences with them throughout their lives.
For those who are still wondering, yes there is a Degree, a Masters and a PHD programme in early childhood and it is not based on how you teach ABCs. We learn child psychology to understand the emotional ups and downs in a child’s life. We learn first aid so that we can nurse a child in emergency situations. We learn brain development so that we can develop their cognitive abilities.
Before you start to judge pre-school teachers, realize that you have put your prized treasure in our hands. Your children is the nation’s future. The people you degrade are the very people who fill the hearts of your children with compassion, love and joy. These people whom you frown upon are the very people who would be there whole-heartedly for your children even when we are being mocked at. You trust doctors with your lives and you respect them for their service. But teachers are responsible for something more important — the lives of your children — and you degrade them? Within those school hours, teachers are responsible, for the health, safety, emotional well-being and academic development of your children. We don’t do it for the money. We do it because we see children like no else does, for their potential.
We will dash into a burning building for them. If that does not earn us the respect, I have no choice but to loose faith in humanity. I stand proud as a teacher and I hope many others who are in the field of early childhood would join me.
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It’s an image problem – people often mistake childcare for early childhood education.
After all, they think, how hard could it be to look after kids, teach them ABCs, or play games with them?
I sympathise with you, but this situation isn’t going to change soon. But if you believe in the value of your work, then other people’s opinions don’t matter.
How can you beat ignorance! I was a Directorate Officer, at the top of my professional grade in the Hong Kong Government for 15 years. I quitted the job which paid me US$330K per annum and set up a language centre to dedicate 10 of my best years in the study of early brain development and language acquisition.
We are conducting playgroups in 5 languages for babies and toddlers. They are growing up as happy, sociable and responsible chidlren who can speak the 5 key languages in the world when they are 2 years of age. I am so proud of what we what my team has achieved in the past 6 years.
You call us playgroup teachers. But we are very proud of what we are doing. Because of our continuous R & D, and the important breakthroughs, we are making more important contribution to many managers and senior managers in traditional companies.
[By the way, can you tell me the names of some universities who are offering degrees in early education or training teachers in this field? We need more high quality playgroup teachers from all over the world in our language centre in Hong Kong.]
Sam Chow, Director, Le Beaumont Language Centre, HK. http://www.beaumont.edu.hk
I for one recognise the true importance of early childhood education. It sets the mental and emotional foundation for children because it is the period when the child is like a sponge, taking in everything around him.
And this isn’t the only discipline singaporeans mock. Ignorant sinkees have a habit of mocking many trades that aren’t their narrow perception of a job, like lawyer, doctor, businessman or engineer.
The narrow-mindedness that pervades this island is very commonplace. Ignore those who deride your chosen field of study or professional passion.. perhaps they won’t ever get it.
Many a dysfunctional character today in the form of a dysfunctional mother, father, boss, friend, wife, husband, leader, teacher, political person is the result of some trauma, abuse or neglect in the formative few years of childhood.
These are the same ones who think lowly of pre-school education.
Early Childhood education is tough. You cant earn a decent living with low salary and a tough job, especially if you have untrained China workers replacing you. Years ago my wife was passionately working in the industry, but just that conditions were so disheartening she had to leave the field. Though she is doing much better now, one day she hopes to go back teaching the children again.
Right now we have heard that MCYS is stepping up its checks on the qualifications of the teachers as one of their quality-control measures. Thats good news, but then again, the bad news is teachers are still being paid peanuts. Over the years we have seen so many talented passionate people disenchanted by the industry in Singapore whom has either moved on to other fields or work in the industry overseas.
hansolo (comment 1):
Why then are childcare providers looked down upon? It makes no sense! These people are every bit as important in a child’s life as full-fledged teachers.
Is it EASY to teach a toddler or pre-schooler ABCs and counting? Is it EASY to handle the varied emotions and needs of these young people? People who think it is EASY obviously have never tried it before. This negative perception should end at once.
I didn’t know society in general looks down on early childhood teachers. Perhaps they are just the isolated bunch of people that looks down on most others.
You have to be happy and PROUD of what you are doing. Why do you feel miserable because people don’t lespeck what you do? If other peoples’ approval is so important to you, regardless of basis, then go do something that you are miserable doing, and suck at, and you can feel respected whenever people ask for your profession.
Eh, my advice for those qualified and passionate early childhood educators is to explore starting a new life in Australia or New Zealand. You will be respected in your profession, and that respect is translated into attractive salaries.
Singapore does not owe you a living. Neither do you owe Singapore anything. Go and do what you love for other societies that support you and able to provide a good environment to your family and kids too.
Unless Singapore and singaporeans change their mentality, otherwise Singapore does not deserve you.
Ng E-Jay (Mar 25, 2010 13:22):
They are looked down upon because the skills and expertise are not recognised and rewarded. This results in low pay, which causes a poor image, and that in turn depresses salaries. It’s a vicious cycle that requires huge effort to reverse.
I have not heard of a professional body that speaks for early childhood teachers in Singapore, an united voice is required.
Hi Sam,
Bloggers here have no guts. Once they see your high and mighty credentials and big pay packets they will shut their big mouths with their tails bt their legs and scamper off.
Moderated by TOC for vulgarity.
Hi, Louis,
Our research shows that brain neurons and synapses explode from 100 billion at birth to 100 trillion at the end of the first year. The critical period for developing the voice recognition system in the brain takes place largely in the first 6 months. Language synapses that have not been used are weeded out in a massive way from the 9th month onwards.
These findings may not be final. But it indicates the great importance of the early years in brain development, personality development, IQ and the development of language skills.
Mom is the best early educator. Wake up your baby and play for a while with him before and after you go to work every day. It stimulates brain growth and language development. It does enormous good to the baby.
Send your baby to a playgroup nearby on the days you have to work. Don’t just leave him at home, glaring at the bland ceiling. The brain would not develop without any stimulation.
Early educators are making enormous contribution to our children and our society. Government should invest more in the research and the promotion of early education, especially during the critical early years.
Maybe when teachers and early childcare educationists are paid millions, then they will be looked up to, in the little red dot. This is what LKY has done to politicians such as himself and others in Singapore, and thus “upgraded” their formerly lowly status.
In fact, most politicians are viewed elsewhere in the world, in the same category as used car salesman and sellers of snake-oil. They are often treated with disdain and are and not to be trusted, but tolerated as a necessary evil.
If you do not respect yourself, no one will respect you. In many professions you will get people who roll their eyes and question the logic of your job, and you are the only one who can convince them it’s a worthy cause. Others may be ignorant, but your duty is to enlighten them.
As for practicality, singapore is truly not a place to pursue such a career.
Dear Farah Aziz,
You’ve said it all and said it very well:
“We lift children high up in the air so that the world can see them. We give them the confidence to be themselves and we show them that the world is theirs to conquer. The way I see it, an early childhood teacher can either give you confidence or crush it. This is because a child never forgets and they take good and bad experiences with them throughout their lives.”
“We learn child psychology to understand the emotional ups and downs in a child’s life. We learn first aid so that we can nurse a child in emergency situations. We learn brain development so that we can develop their cognitive abilities.”
Pre-school teachers -
“people who fill the hearts of your children with compassion, love and joy.”
“people who would be there whole-heartedly for your children”
“are responsible for something more important — the lives of your children ”
“see children like no else does, for their potential”
When we apply all the above noble principles in our practice, people can feel our sincerity and our contributions. It’s really not that difficult to gain their respect.
As for those materialistic snobs, why bother about their opinions?
Take pride in what we do, and do it well. Stay happy and positive for our own sake, if not for the children.
All the Best!
Farah Aziz
YOU SHD EMULATE SAM AND START A CENTRE. PUT YOUR “EXPERTISE’ TO THE TEST & THE MONEY INSIDE YOUR MOUTH.
why indeed.
answer’s simple: they draw less pay. if you’ve noticed, singaporeans tend to associate people who’re in less feasible a financial circumstance to proletariats; while they act like royalty, or at the lest, bourgeoisie. rather than showing what aristocracy is, i think the sentiment betrays a generation dismally lacking in moral ethics, and educated attuned to a wrong mindset; a misconception. crass.
this view will stay as long as parents teach their charge all the wrong things. as long as (our) society labels these people scum. as long as a low pay, and not dedication, or passion, is attributed to one’s success and standing within the community.
i hate this. we all should.
Pst, you’re absolutely right. I believe that the real problem is that Singapore really does not have anything resembling a “civil society” as that term has been understood since Roman times (at least). Rather, in Singapore, we’re taught, both implicitly and far too explicitly, that all that matters is pushing against a depersonalised, unfeeling goal. Test scores and school results get that started, and the mindless competition against others for scarcer and scarcer achievements we’re told to believe have value cont9inue the job. This also explains why we’re so hopelessly separated from each other communally: for a “multicultural society,” damn few of us have significant close friends outside our race/clan/tribe; we don’t communicate, we don’t achieve shared objectives, and the results are all around us. We all know why that is; “divide and rule” is also at least as old as the Romans, or the Shang.
I’m afraid that this may well turn out to be one of the real problems facing Singapore (as opposed to what the official media fusses about) so long as that root cause remains. Reaching out to people, building communities without previous express official charter is rather seriously Frowned Upon. So long as that remains the case, “sit down and shut up” may be seen as sensible to one’s own survival. At least it’s not that difficult to emigrate – until you’ve an HDB loan, a car loan, a kid or two… and then you start feeling the shackles, and how badly they chafe the soul.
Perhaps early childhood teachers should start a union :)
Plopp – but then the new union would be required to be assimilated into NTUC, yes? Rather defeats the whole purpose; a union formed to counter government-encouraged negative impressions and poor working conditions, becoming part of a “trade union congress” more interested in running profitable ventures than standing up for the interests of the workingman…
I say the man is so dumb…..
Thanks for another wonderful post. Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.
Thanks for this wonderful article.
And to those who look down on early childhood educators, I challenge you to spend one day with 20 young children….
The respective authorities should look into the remuneration of these teachers as their love for teaching the young forbids them to leave their jobs especially those under the umbrella of PCF. For their contributions to build a better society starting from the very young, they really deserve more…
Couldn't agree more however, a little less rant from this article would make naysayers more convinced of your stand.
Keep up the good work!