Struggles of A Special Needs Teacher

This is a personal post; it has been a while since I last wrote such a post. This blog is mainly about academic articles.

I have been in preschool for 10 years, since the day I left the army for my mandatory 2-year National Service. Then I transitioned to a special needs teacher this year, and it has been almost half a year since I took my own class.

I guess since the start, the students always motivate and encourage me, while the adults make me feel like the worst teacher in the world.

It can be difficult to manage students or even know what to do during a meltdown. But I love them deeply and with all my heart. I cannot say the same for adults. If in another life or if I could restart this life, I would want to choose another career path. I might be worse or better at something else. But I do wonder how my life would turn out had I not chosen this path for myself.

It is easy to pivot when you are still in your 20s or just starting out. But in this stage of my life, while I can still pivot, I do not want to risk having a much lower pay just because I want to try something else. Unless the day comes when I have so much savings that I can literally afford to work for a lower wage.

I often wonder why God created these little ones to be so different. I feel so much for them as they struggle to communicate their thoughts and wants. I can only see their discomfort and try my best to console them. I do know in general what they dislike, but I find it hard to know what they want. Sometimes it is impossible to give them what they want when I know that something is exactly what they need.

So yup, hope you enjoyed this little personal sharing of mine.

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Lower Costs of Childcare and Preschool in Singapore

Lower Costs of Childcare and Preschool in Singapore

Singapore’s rising cost of living is a reality that most Singaporeans and foreigners have to reckon with. However, Singapore heavily prioritises its healthcare and educational systems, and in this article, it shall be understood that there will be better support for parents.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced during the National Day Rally that childcare and infant care fees shall be reduced to less than half by 2030, with lower-income households paying even less, as the government absorbs the majority of these fees, while government-supported preschools will receive even higher subsidies in school fees (Tham, 2026). This is great news for parents with financial difficulties, and though there are not many, this will be very helpful for them.

As the demand for infant care places increases, so does the need for more infant care teachers, so the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) aims to expand its Manpower Hiring Grant to allow preschool centres to hire and train both local and foreign educators with early childhood certification (Jacob, 2026). The government is doing its best to ensure that all aspects in early childhood are taken care of, be it the school fees or the teachers who are engaged with the young ones.

As Singapore continues to reckon with its declining birth rate, it is with hope that these measures shall encourage more children to be born and educated within Singapore.

References

Jacob, C. (28 August, 2026). Early childhood sector aims to recruit 1,800 more infant care educators by 2030. CNA. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/infant-care-teachers-childcare-preschool-ecda-6344776

Tham, D. (23 August, 2026). NDR 2026: Significantly lower childcare, infant care fees at government-supported preschools by 2030. CNA. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ndr-2026-preschool-fees-childcare-infant-care-subsidy-6335851

 

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What Should I Do If My Child Has Special Needs?

What Should I Do If My Child Has Special Needs?

Child with Special Needs?

Having a child is a huge responsibility that involves a couple’s total commitment, and every parent wishes for their child to be born strong and healthy. However, sometimes a child may be born different from others, or what is termed as having special needs.

Health Booklet

Every child born in Singapore receives a Child Health Booklet that documents every developmental milestone and immunisation, so these milestones are useful in helping parents understand their child’s development (Ministry of Health Singapore, 2026). This is the first indicator as to whether a child is suspected to have special needs, in which the parent can visit KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) for assessment.

KK Women's and Children's Hospital

The Department of Child Development can diagnose and intervene for children with special needs, which includes Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and even language delays (KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 2026). KKH is the primary source for parents to turn to if they suspect or have received feedback from the child’s teachers about the child’s development.

For children with special educational needs, they have access to either a customised or national curriculum, with the following primary diagnosed conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Loss, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, and Visual Impairment (Ministry of Education Singapore, 2026). Thus, Singapore’s educational system caters to every child.

However, while there are resources available in Singapore, the biggest challenge is for parents to seek help and accept that their child is different from others. There is a harsh reality that parents may have to take care of their child until the day they no longer can. Thus, it is even more important that parents understand how to better care for their little ones and seek assistance.

References

KK Women's and Children's Hospital. (2026). Child Development. Retrieved from KK Women's and Children's Hospital: https://www.kkh.com.sg/our-specialties/child-development

Ministry of Education Singapore. (2026). Explore your child's educational journey. Retrieved from Ministry of Education Singapore: https://www.moe.gov.sg/special-educational-needs/educational-journey

Ministry of Health Singapore. (2026). Child Health Booklet. Retrieved from Health Hub: https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/parent-hub/child-health-booklet

 

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