For over two decades, Madam Muni has been a guiding force in early childhood education. As the founder of Tadika Montessori Daffodils, her commitment and passion to philosophy has shaped the learning journey of many young children. More than just an educator, she’s a mentor, a nurturer and a pioneer who believes every child deserves to be in an environment where they can thrive at their own pace and enjoy their childhood. Her journey from a government enforcement officer to a passionate Montessorian is an inspiring example of dedication, love for children and a strong belief in the Montessori method.
A Career Rooted In Family
“I was working for the government for about 20 years, then they gave us an option for early retirement at 40”, Madam Muni shared in our interview.
She took that opportunity and decided to venture into Montessori education, a decision that was driven by her own children.
“I wanted to do something that relates to my children. I have three children and at that time, they were about 13, 10 and 5 years old. I wanted to do something different because my previous job, I was a enforcement officer in the Ministry of Trade and it was a bit of an outdoor job and kind of risky. So, I wanted to do something where I could have time for my children as well”.
Understanding Montessori Education
When it comes to Montessori, we think it’s only for the younger kids and a place where they could come in and have a good playtime. But no, that’s not just it! At Montessori Daffodils, they cater to children aged 2.5 to 6 years old, emphasizing hands-on learning.
“Montessori is all about materials– early, intermediate and advanced materials to teach. For me, in my school I go from the earliest to the most advanced materials for six years. We call it pre-primary”.
Along with that, the policy of Montessori Daffodils is to follow and uphold the teachings of ‘Maria Montessori’, known for her philosophy of education mainly on the Montessori Method. With all their hands-on teaching materials and styles, Madam Muni takes immense pride in the success of her students.
“It’s been 22 years, and my children are doing very well because the foundation is so strong. My first batch, I think, is about 26 years old now, and they still keep in touch with me. Everyone is doing very well”.
As an educator, happiness comes when you see the children that you once taught become successful. That pride and joy is something every educator deserves.
Building a Nurturing Environment
Established in 2003, Montessori Daffodils has about 30 students right now. Madam Muni shared that the ratio of teacher to child is low, one group is about six children, and highlights the importance of individualized attention.
“Overheads are quite high because I need to have teachers who are trained and then I also do my own training”. She stands strong and strict by the methodology. “I want them to follow exactly how the materials are used”.
Materials are something you need to practice often or else you will forget it. Especially when it comes to Montessori teaching, where young kids are learning, it is crucial to have proper materials and teachers to educate them. And at Montessori Daffodils, Madam Muni ensures that it is followed and practiced.
Montessori Daffodils Impact on Education
When asked about the influence of Montessori Education globally Madam Muni emphasized it’s foundational role in modern teaching.
“Maria Montessori started this methodology about 118 years ago. She was a medical doctor, a scientist and worked with many educators to design materials for children. In every aspect, different methodologies, in many educational centres or even government curriculums are all Montessori-based”.
Clearing the common misconceptions, Madam Muni clarified,
“Montessori is not just about learning through play. Maria Montessori never intended to make money from this. She was passionate about helping children. I am a proven case where children come in at 2 to two and half years old and by the time they leave when they are six, they are the top students in their classes. Whether it’s in International schools or local schools”.
When a kid is sent to an environment where they learn different and unique things along with education at such a young age, their mind tends to be prepared for the next stage. That’s exactly how a Montessori life at Daffodils is. They teach the children everything that a kid needs to learn, and that method changes their life.
“For me Daffodils is a different concept. Because it’s my passion, I love children, I want to do something for them. I am very passionate about this , because IT WORKS”.
A Day at Montessori Daffodils
The Montessori method involves a structured yet child-centric approach to learning.
“For the early years, from two to three years old, we usually start by doing singing, outdoor play, and sensory activities. They will do sand play, water play, outdoor play in the playground. Because we believe they have to learn to be rooted to earth. So what I do sometimes is to get them to walk on grass. They have to have the routine”, Madam Muni explained.
As children progress, they engage in practical life activities such as pouring, threading, and hand coordination.
“Pouring might look like masak-masak but there’s a lot of learning involved. They start by pouring large beans, then rice, then water. It builds up a sense of joy. These activities help with eye-hand coordination, motor control and concentration”.
For the older children, the curriculum expands to include subjects like math, language and cultural studies.
“We use Montessori materials, but I also include worksheets to align with the local curriculum. In Malaysia, parents want to see books, so I streamline both approaches, and it has worked all these years”.
A Holistic Approach to Learning
Montessori education at Daffodils goes beyond academics.
“We teach Geography, Botany, Zoology and even Grammar using materials. For example, we teach nouns, verbs and prepositions to six-year-olds with hands-on activities”.
Apart from that Cultural education is also integral to her philosophy.
“We celebrate all festivals, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali so that the children understand and respect different cultures. We also teach love for Malaysia through National Day celebrations”.
One of the best education approaches Montessori takes is they educate the children using the five senses, they let children touch, smell and see colours. An example activity shared by Madam Muni is, when you’re learning about fruits. They do not just draw an apple on the board, they would bring an actual apple, cut it open, let them look inside and smell. So its a very wholesome approach.
“That’s why when my children come in everyday, they look very happy.”
Making Montessori Accessible
Despite being located in Damansara, Madam Muni ensures the affordability. Her fees are reasonable and for those needy parents who are genuinely interested, there’s help and even more reasonable fees that can be given. Madam Muni ensures that she believes every child should have the opportunity to learn.
A Dedicated Educator and Mentor
Madam Muni’s passion extends beyond her school. She holds a diploma from Montessori Centre International UK.
“I did my diploma in Malaysia then went to Singapore for my practical exams, where I earned a distinction. It was quite tough, but I was determined because I love this field”.
Apart from being a Montessori educator, she also mentors aspiring teachers at Segi College. When a student completes their theoretical studies, they do a three month teaching practice at her school. Madam Muni would assist them in preparing lessons and be a part of their evaluation. She also shared that when it comes down to this, she’s quite strict on it as early childhood educators need proper training before entering the workforce.
The Essence of A Montessori Teacher
When asked what qualities a Montessori teacher should have, Madam Muni emphasized patience, respect for children and attentiveness.
“Teachers must be inviting and pleasant. They must be hands-on and aware of the prepared environment. All the materials and everything is prepared, they have to ensure that it is properly used”.
She also believes in humility. “What I am trying to tell early childhood educators is don’t be so high up and mighty. Some schools are very strict, where they order the kids around. In Montessori, we always respect the child.
A Lifelong Passion
Reflecting on her journey, Madam Muni finds immense fulfilment in her work.
“Every day, I learn something new from children. They teach you things that make you look at the world differently. Montessori education, if done the proper way, is very crucial for young children. It builds them into confident, happy learners who carry this foundation with them for life”.
Madam Muni’s story is one of passion, perseverance and a deep love for education. Through her school, she continues to shape the young minds, proving that Montessori is not just methods, it’s a philosophy that transforms lives.
For parents interested in enrolling their children at Tadika Montessori Daffodils, from aged 11/2-6 years old, you can reach out to Madam Muni at 012 2965375 or 03- 67324297 or visit their website, Instagram, Facebook. The Montessori is located at Jalan Kiara, Bandar Sri Damansara.
All Information’s And Images Are Provided By Madam Muni
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