KLC International Institute (KLCII) was invited to conduct a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme for 110 preschool educators in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The workshop on “The Role of Attachment in Social-Emotional Development” was held on 23 and 24 August 2019 at the Apple Tree Pre-school Early Childhood Educators in Jakarta. It was conducted by Ms Masliah Bte Abdul Rahman and Ms Nancy Lee-Wong, lecturers from the training faculty of KLCII in Singapore.

Participants learned about the power of attachment, or emotional connection, in the preschool years. It addressed how relationships with primary caregivers have the potential to impact a child’s future.

It was designed to help the educators gain a deeper understanding on attachment and apply it in their work. It equips them to be aware that all children have complex emotional needs that have to be met in a number of different ways.

They also learn how to support the emotional wellbeing of children and develop strategies to assist them in honing their social and emotional skills; and to engage parents to encourage them to invest in their children’s emotional needs.

Their key takeaway was that educators need to establish positive emotional connection with their young charges as the relationship relates to higher academic attainment, better behaviour and social competence.

Participants learned about the power of attachment, or emotional connection, in the preschool years

The two trainers from KLCII themselves have extensive experience in early childhood education, including in teaching, leadership roles, mentoring and training. Ms Nancy Lee-Wong, a RIE™ Inspired Practitioner, has a Bachelor of Social Science, Family & Children Studies (Edith Cowan University, Australia), and a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (Monash University, Australia). Ms Masliah Bte Abdul Rahman has a Bachelor in Early Childhood and  a Master of Education (Monash University), as well as an Advance Certificate in Training and Assessment from the Singapore Workforce Development Agency.