SINGAPORE — Beyond being fed and put to sleep, infants also need a responsive environment with caregivers constantly interacting with them.

And instead of being controlled and directed to do certain activities, toddlers learn better when allowed to choose the ones they were more interested in.

Guided by its research findings, preschool operator NTUC First Campus has introduced a new curriculum since January at over 130 My First Skool centres. The curriculum focuses on understanding children’s needs and interests, and building attachments with educators, it announced today (July 22).

The study from July 2013 to December last year involved 130 children and was funded by the Lien Foundation. It found the new “relationships-based” curriculum significantly improving the well-being and involvement of those in the experimental group, compared to the control group. The experimental group was happier, settled into childcare more quickly and was involved for longer periods during activities.

Up to three infants aged two to 18 months were assigned to each educator, with close bonds forged.

Children with a sense of security, trust and self-confidence tend to learn better and these can be developed through bonds with their educators, said Professor Marjory Ebbeck of NTUC First Campus’ SEED Institute, who led the study.

Despite more children being put in childcare from an earlier age, the curriculum for the birth-to-three age group remains relatively underdeveloped, with more attention on the four-to-six age group, said NTUC First Campus chief executive Chan Tee Seng. An estimated one in five children aged zero to three was placed in childcare last year, up from one in eight in 2009.

The previous curriculum at My First Skool was too regimented and focused on academic learning, said Prof Ebbeck, Emeritus Professor and Director of SEED Institute’s Centre for Research and Best Practices.

Children were unhappy, especially toddlers at age two who were looking for more independence.

Teachers, who thought they had to control and direct the children, were exhausted, she said. “Now they understand that they have to prepare an environment based on the children’s interests and needs, and then give them the opportunity to choose their activities and then to interact and extend their learning.”

My First Skool expects to fully implement the new curriculum, which will benefit over 6,000 infants and young children, in two years and has trained about 1,000 educators and principals.

It will work with the Early Childhood Development Agency to see if the approach can be shared with other preschools, said Mr Chan.