![]() Teachers read them stories about technology, including the popular hit Boy + Bot. To prepare children for their lessons, the school used a very simple piece of technology: the book. The tests have ensured that teachers can incorporate the toys into lesson plans, and pulled together a mix of complex robots and simple tools - encouraging pupils to develop a range of skills. Next year, a $1.5m scheme will see the toys used in a further 160 pre-schools across the island. It was chosen, the IDA has said, because it is a school with low fees rather than one of Singapore’s most expensive pre-schools. The toys are currently being tested by the Yuhua PCF pre-school in the Jurong Lake district. Passively facing a screen isn’t the best idea,” Lim explains. “For pre-schoolers, you really want to encourage social interaction and build communication skills. ![]() Research shows that young children should only spend 2 hours a day using a screen - including use at home. None of the toys requires a computer screen, Lim stresses. “How many people can say their job is to curate toys?” His team oversaw the project: researching the latest tools, testing them at Temasek, and finalising a shortlist to trial in an ordinary pre-school. “How many people can say their job is to curate toys?” asks Adrian Lim, director of education at the IDA. Ten toys were shortlisted after an international research exercise, and these were narrowed down to four successful candidates by a team of officials. Playmaker has been running since last September, starting with trials at an experimental pre-school run by Temasek Polytechnic. GI caught up with with the educators, technologists and government officials behind the scheme to find out more. It is part of a new scheme - called Playmaker - using technology to give the next generation skills the they require. The robotic bee is one of four high-tech toys being trialled with pre-school children across Singapore. This short exercise has just taught her basic vocabulary, logic, sequencing and navigation. It trundles across a colourful mat, turns left and stops on a picture of an ice cream cone. The girl prods a few of them in turn, puts the bee down and presses go. It has five buttons on top: forwards, left, right, back and go. “ICE CREAM!” A group of six year olds are grinning as a small girl holds a laminated picture in her hands.Ĭalmly, she puts it down and picks up the robot bee sitting in front of her.
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