Brain-based Pedagogies and Cognitive Psychology for Preschools and Primary Schools

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Victor Lye, Ang Mo Kio GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education whether the Ministry has considered the feasibility of (i) adopting brain-based pedagogies to facilitate different learning behaviours (ii) assessing preschoolers using neuroscience and cognitive psychology to match them to suitable primary school pedagogies instead of a "one class fits all" approach and (iii) using adaptive AI tools in primary schools to personalise maths and language learning.

Response

1. Research on brain functions has enhanced our understanding of how children learn. These insights have guided curriculum design and pedagogy.
2. Our teachers employ pedagogies informed by neuroscience, psychology, and educational research. They create experiences where students learn by doing, discussing and reflecting.
3. Assessing preschool children using neuroscience methods to match to specific pedagogies is not appropriate. While neuroscience helps us understand how the brain works, effective learning also depends on socio-emotional, cultural and other motivational factors. Young children learn best through their five senses and hands-on activities in authentic everyday settings.
4. On artificial intelligence (AI), MOE is already leveraging AI-enabled features in the Singapore Student Learning Space to customise the learning of mathematics and languages at the upper primary level.