TLDR;
In this episode of the Manusiawi Podcast, Dr. Puteri Afzan Maria discusses childhood education, highlighting the importance of understanding children's perspectives and fostering their natural curiosity. She contrasts educational approaches in the UK and Malaysia, noting a significant difference in how children's emotional and intellectual needs are met. The conversation explores the pressures of academic expectations, the value of play, and the significance of parental involvement in shaping children's development.
- The importance of understanding children's perspectives and fostering their natural curiosity.
- Contrasting educational approaches in the UK and Malaysia.
- The pressures of academic expectations and the value of play.
- The significance of parental involvement in shaping children's development.
Introduction [0:00]
The hosts introduce Dr. Puteri Afzan Maria, an expert in childhood education, as their first female guest. They express their excitement to discuss a topic that requires a deep understanding of children and the role of parents in their development. The conversation aims to explore the challenges and opportunities in childhood education, particularly in the context of Malaysian society.
Dr. Puteri's Journey into Childhood Education [2:19]
Dr. Puteri shares her personal journey into childhood education, which began when she was 18 and her youngest sibling was born. While studying IT, she realised her passion lay in creating software for young children. An aunt's suggestion about the growing importance of early childhood education further inspired her. Observing her younger sibling's rapid language development and interaction with technology, she recognised the significance of early role modelling and observation in a child's learning. Her natural curiosity and habit of observing people and their behaviours led her to question educational approaches and their impact on children. Despite studying IT, she pursued her interest in early childhood education, facing challenges in cross-disciplinary studies but eventually finding her path through elective courses and experiences abroad.
Comparing Childhood Education in the UK and Malaysia [11:17]
Dr. Puteri discusses the stark differences she observed between childhood education in the UK and Malaysia during her seven years abroad. She emphasises the importance of looking beyond surface-level observations and relating it to her own upbringing. She notes that while developed countries may have advanced systems, Malaysia is still developing. She recalls feeling alone during her childhood and aims to create a different experience for her children, without blaming her parents, who were also learning and struggling. In the UK, she noticed that parents were more engaged and communicative with their children, which she found admirable. She stresses the need for a shift in mindset to bring similar experiences to Malaysian children, rooted in Islamic principles.
The Mismatch Between System and Child Development [17:25]
Dr. Puteri addresses the issue of children becoming unhappy with learning as they enter formal schooling. She argues that the current system is too technical and fails to align with the natural developmental processes of a child's brain. She explains that technical learning, such as memorising formulas in mathematics or focusing on spelling over comprehension in reading, hinders a child's ability to think creatively and express original ideas. She points out that in other countries, children are encouraged to solve problems first, leading to the creation of formulas, which is the opposite of the approach in Malaysia. She highlights Japan's approach, where formal learning starts at age 10, aligning with scientific findings about brain development.
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) [26:58]
Dr. Puteri explains the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in early childhood development, noting that it makes up 90% of the brain's capacity. She breaks down EQ into four components: the reptilian brain (self-defence), emotions, relationships, and memory. She stresses that building strong relationships between a child and their caregivers is crucial for the child to trust the world and develop a sense of purpose. She links this to self-actualisation and takwa (piety). She argues that EQ needs to be well-developed before focusing on intellectual intelligence (IQ), which typically starts around age 7 and continues until age 25. She also touches on spiritual intelligence (SQ), which she believes automatically develops when EQ is well-supported by IQ.
The Missing Element: Jiwa (Soul) [31:43]
Dr. Puteri discusses the missing element in Malaysian education: jiwa, or soul. She observes that while many Malaysians learn the pillars of Islam from a young age, these teachings often don't resonate deeply within them. She emphasises that the key to humanity is the soul, and without it, people lack a true connection to their faith and values. She contrasts this with her experiences abroad, where she felt a stronger sense of Islamic values in non-Islamic countries due to the deep-rooted humanity she observed. She advocates for creating curiosity in children, respecting their natural inquisitiveness, and addressing the impact of colonisation on the Malaysian mindset, which often prioritises hard work and external achievements over internal well-being.
The Impact of Pressure and Expectations on Children [36:05]
Dr. Puteri discusses the pressure on children to learn quickly and the conflicting concerns about students dropping out. She explains that the focus on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) leads to a system where children are pushed to meet academic standards before they are developmentally ready. She points out that preschool in Malaysia has often been seen as preparation for primary school rather than early childhood education, neglecting the physical, social, and emotional development of children. She highlights the importance of communication and language exposure in building a child's thinking skills and vocabulary. She also criticises the tendency to view children as "bodoh" (stupid) if they don't conform to expectations, emphasising that curiosity is a sign of intelligence.
The Bonsai Effect: Stifling Curiosity [41:53]
Dr. Puteri uses the metaphor of bonsai to describe how children's curiosity is often stifled in the education system. She argues that cutting off curiosity at a young age leads to children becoming robots who conform to a single mould. She stresses that becoming a scientist or any kind of innovator begins with asking questions, not with acquiring skills. She criticises the system for focusing on rote learning and memorisation, even in higher education, and questions the purpose of spot questions in exams that test memory rather than critical thinking.
Parental Choices and the Importance of Internal Strength [56:38]
Dr. Puteri acknowledges the limited choices available to parents who want a different kind of education for their children. She suggests that parents need to unite and advocate for change from the bottom up. She explains that she created her schools to support parents in focusing on the internal development of their children, which she calls "internal strength." This includes self-esteem, self-concept, and a deep understanding of oneself. She advises parents to empower these qualities in their children, even if the schools they attend don't prioritise them. She shares a story about empowering underprivileged children by encouraging them to write their names in a big, bold way, which gave them a sense of hope and self-worth.
Navigating ASEAN Parenting and External Expectations [1:01:17]
Dr. Puteri addresses the issue of ASEAN parenting, where there is often a strong emphasis on tuition classes and extracurricular activities to make children more intelligent. She stresses the importance of understanding each child's unique abilities and exposing them to various experiences without expecting them to excel in everything. She references Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences and highlights that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) possessed all of these intelligences. She advises parents to be mindful of the discipline they impose on their children, ensuring it doesn't stifle their curiosity or passion. She also criticises the need for tuition, suggesting that a good education system shouldn't require it.
The Dilemma of Materialism and Career-Focused Parenting [1:11:06]
Dr. Puteri discusses the dilemma of materialism and career-focused parenting, where parents often worry about their children's future job prospects. She argues that this mindset has been prevalent for over 50 years and needs to change. She encourages parents to focus on making their children good human beings today, trusting that their future is in God's hands. She points out that having a strong internal compass and the ability to create something new is more valuable than simply having good grades. She shares her experience as a lecturer, where she observed students with high GPAs who lacked basic communication skills. She also criticises the pressure to give good grades, which she believes contributes to the problem.
Practical Advice for Parents and the Importance of Attachment [1:18:30]
Dr. Puteri offers practical advice for parents, emphasising the importance of self-preparation and understanding their purpose in raising children. She stresses that the choice of school is less important than the parents' clarity and commitment to their children's development. She advocates for incorporating early childhood education into marriage preparation courses. She shares her personal experience of learning from older colleagues and preparing herself for motherhood. She also highlights the importance of attachment, which she defines as the trust that needs to be built between two human beings. She advises busy parents that even five minutes of quality time with their children can make a significant difference.
Addressing Trauma and Building Trust [1:23:38]
Dr. Puteri addresses the issue of children who have experienced trauma in school, emphasising the importance of parents being a source of support and trust for their children. She explains that children need to have a safe space to return to and share their experiences without being dismissed. She highlights the importance of attachment and how it influences a child's future relationships. She acknowledges that childhood trauma is a significant issue in Malaysia, often unaddressed due to cultural norms and respect for parents. She stresses that relationships are two-way and that parents can also harm their children. She shares her personal experience of finally being able to have an open and honest conversation with her mother after years of therapy.
Closing Thoughts and Encouragement [1:30:56]
Dr. Puteri encourages parents to focus on the present and trust in God's plan for their children's future. She shares a message from her therapist: focus on the here and now. She encourages parents to correct their intentions and remember their purpose in life. She concludes by sharing information about her schools: Kinder Kaizen, Seri Arya, and Kinder BB. She expresses her desire to collaborate with existing universities rather than starting her own. She also mentions that her schools offer internships and that the feedback from the organisations has been very positive.
