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Featured in 《孩子启发妈妈创业之路》
"How Children Inspired Mothers on Their Entrepreneurial Journey"
Lianhe Zaobao Cover Story, 3 May 2019

Giving Children a Different Childhood

On the second floor of a row of shophouses in the Kampong Bahru area sits a secret garden for children named Wondrous Light Children's House. As one pushes open the door, the warm wooden interior immediately brings a sense of calm to what may have been a restless heart. Handmade dolls are displayed on wooden shelves. Plants gathered from nature decorate the windowsills. Staircases on either side lead to the playroom upstairs and an outdoor pond.

The founder of this children's enrichment centre, Doreen Eng, 47, is the mother of two daughters. Her elder daughter, Arianna, is eight this year, while her younger daughter, Celeste, is six. The girls have grown up in this little wooden house. Their father, Chang Yong Ter, is an architect. This space is a playground lovingly created by the couple for their two daughters, with the hope that they would grow up happily in an environment filled with love.

Intense social competition has led many parents to send their children to various enrichment classes and tuition programmes from a very young age, placing a strong emphasis on academics while neglecting their children's early physical and emotional development. Doreen candidly shared that it was only after becoming a mother that she began to seriously reflect on the meaning of education.

"My husband and I both came through the traditional education system. Along the way, we were simply taught to study hard and achieve good grades, without really understanding what we ourselves wanted. Today, children are pushed by their parents into all kinds of classes from a very young age. Before their minds have fully developed, they are already expected to shoulder tremendous academic pressure."

Through reading and searching, she came to know the philosophy of Waldorf Education, which advocates a human centred approach that values the harmonious development of body, mind, and spirit, and seeks to uncover the unique potential within every child rather than measuring success solely by academic achievement.

This resonated deeply with her own educational beliefs. Doreen and her husband therefore decided to establish a children's enrichment centre free from rote learning, where children could enjoy the delights of childhood through handcrafts, baking, clay modelling, and painting. They would also bring children outdoors, allowing them to come to know the world through direct encounters with nature.

An IT Mother Nurturing Through Love

Entering the field of education was never something Doreen had expected. For more than a decade, she had worked in the IT industry. Yet, for the sake of providing her children with a better educational experience, she changed the course of her life.

As an advocate for education, she is now not only the mother of her two daughters, but in a broader sense, also a mother to all the children at Wondrous Light Children's House.

Doreen shared that she thoroughly enjoys spending each day with the children, telling them stories, playing games with them, going on nature walks, pitching tents outdoors, and discovering the beauty of nature together.

According to Doreen, the Waldorf approach advocates that from birth to seven years of age, attention should be given to nurturing the development of the twelve senses, including touch, smell, balance, and the capacity to experience warmth and love.

There are no electronic devices or plastic toys in the Children's House. In their place are handmade dolls sewn by Doreen herself. Soft to the touch, they carry with them a greater sense of closeness and warmth.

There are no word cards hanging on the walls, nor are there spelling lessons. Stories are brought to life through puppet plays, and the children listen with complete attention. While awakening an interest in language, their imaginations are allowed to soar freely.

Through play and through their relationships with others, children learn to love and help one another, and to care for each other.

Doreen admitted that she had never imagined herself entering the field of education. Yet today, this work of nurturing through love is something she deeply enjoys and remains passionate about.

Translated from the original Chinese article published in Lianhe Zaobao on 3 May 2019. 

"Children only have one childhood. We hope to protect this precious season of life and allow them to grow in their own time."