PRE SCHOOL AT RAFFLES PLACE PARK: THE NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN

Abstract

The thesis looks into a new environment for early childhood education.

The existing centers limit the learning of a child to textbooks and a closed classroom environment. The Montessori program is selected to address the issues related to the new learning environment. The new direction for child’s education drives towards an overall development and preparing them for independent learning in future. The Montessori program deals about reality, where children learn from their adult world at young age. At the same time, scale, freedom and green are also important elements that contribute to a child’s learning experience.

The design strategies include co-opting the urban environment, the programming of spaces and the use of circulation. The intervention locks itself into the existing qualities and activities on site. Each placement of activity rooms in regards to the site caters for a different learning experience for children through observation, smell, sound and touch. Concurrently, the introduction of the childcare center also serves to enhance the urban qualities for the working population.