SDEA's signature early childhood arts pedagogy certification course is back in January 2026 for its fourth intake!
ETLA-EC is a 36-hour course designed to equip participants with key knowledge, skills and disposition to work with children in the early years, primarily ages 4 to 6 years. This course offers a platform for participants to delve deeper into the foundation of their teaching beliefs and how that shapes their practices that are aligned with the principles of teaching and learning in early childhood (arts) education.
With a strong emphasis on applied learning, this course provides participants with hands-on learning experiences - observing and applying the knowledge and skills learnt during the course in an early childhood context. In addition to building upon individual’s artform skills and knowledge, participants may explore working collectively to create interdisciplinary arts experiences with and/or for young children. SDEA will be partnering with Presbyterian Preschool Services (PPS) to facilitate practicum sessions for course participants in their preschools.
At the end of the course, participants will be awarded with a Certificate of Completion, which is recognised by the National Arts Council. This Certificate satisfies the minimum pedagogical requirement for arts instructors to conduct NAC-AEP Workshop programmes in preschools.
ETLA-EC graduates will be invited to join a Community of Practice that meets quarterly to reflect on their practice and share best practices.
About ETLA-EC
Course Objectives:
SDEA hopes for the programme to assist in developing a greater awareness of the role and impact of teaching through the arts in an early childhood setting.
This course aims to introduce participants to:
- Key theories and principles of early childhood education;
- A range of evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning of the arts in the early years;
- Developing a greater awareness of their roles and responsibilities as early childhood arts practitioners;
- Key components and principles of lesson planning, and acquire skills to design developmentally and culturally-appropriate lessons for target groups;
- Effective engagement strategies to facilitate children’s learning in and through the arts.
Minimum Requirement:
- Professional Qualification (minimum of a diploma in a relevant art form, and/or industry experience)
- Some Teaching Experience (teaching experience in pre-school/primary school is preferred)
Suitable For:
- Teaching artists and arts educators who want to extend their practice to early childhood environments with students 6 years old and below.
- Teaching artists and arts educators who want to learn more about the role of the arts in early childhood education.
- Teaching artists and arts educators who want to learn about integrated arts pedagogies.
- Early Childhood Educators with at least 2 years of experience in teaching in, through or about at least one art form (drama, movement/dance, music, visual arts).
Course Schedule
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Date
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Time
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Module Code
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Module Title
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Facilitator(s)
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Venue
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3 Jan 2026 (Sat)
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9am - 9:30am
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Orientation
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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3 Jan 2026 (Sat)
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10am - 1pm
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DTWC
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Development of the Whole Child
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Elaine Ng
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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3 Jan 2026 (Sat)
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2.30pm - 5.30pm
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DTWC
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Development of the Whole Child
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Elaine Ng
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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10 Jan 2026 (Sat)
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9:30am - 12:30pm
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DAAP
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Developmentally Appropriate Arts Pedagogies in the Early Years (4-6 years old)
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Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong and Wong Seet Fun
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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10 Jan 2026 (Sat)
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2pm - 5pm
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DAAP
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Developmentally Appropriate Arts Pedagogies in the Early Years (4-6 years old)
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Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong and Wong Seet Fun
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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17 Jan 2026 (Sat)
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9:30am - 12:30pm
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LDAE
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Lesson Design in a Diverse Learning Environment: Assessment & Evaluation of Teaching and Learning (General)
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Elaine Ng
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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17 Jan 2026 (Sat)
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2pm - 5pm
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LDNF
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Lesson Design & Facilitation in a Diverse Early Childhood Learning Environment (Contextualised)
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Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong and Wong Seet Fun
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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24 Jan 2026 (Sat)
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9:30am - 12:30pm
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LDNF
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Lesson Design & Facilitation in a Diverse Early Childhood Learning Environment (Contextualised)
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Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong and Wong Seet Fun
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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24 Jan 2026 (Sat)
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2pm - 5pm
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LDNF
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Lesson Design & Facilitation in a Diverse Early Childhood Learning Environment (Contextualised)
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Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong and Wong Seet Fun
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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26 Jan - 6 Feb 2026
(1 selected weekday)
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TBC
(1.5 hour morning/ afternoon)
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OBS
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Class Observation
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Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong, Wong Seet Fun or invited external facilitators
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In-person, selected preschool centre
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7 Feb 2026
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6pm
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Lesson Plan Assessment Submission
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Online (no lesson)
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23 Feb - 19 Mar 2026
(1 selected weekday)
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TBC
(1.5 hour morning/ afternoon)
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PA1
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Practicum Assessment 1
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Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong, Wong Seet Fun or invited external facilitators
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In-person, selected preschool centre
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23 Feb - 19 Mar 2026
(1 selected weekday)
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TBC
(1.5 hour morning/ afternoon)
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PA2
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Practicum Assessment 2
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Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong, Wong Seet Fun or invited external facilitators
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In-person, selected preschool centre
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21 Mar 2026 (Sat)
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9am - 11am
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TPRP
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The Professional and Reflective Practitioner
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Elaine Ng
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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21 Mar 2026 (Sat)
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11pm - 1pm
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TPRP
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The Professional and Reflective Practitioner
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Elaine Ng
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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28 Mar 2026 (Sat)
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10am - 1pm
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PPLJ
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Personal and Professional Learning Journey
(assessment module)
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Elaine Ng
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In-person, Goodman Arts Centre
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Module Synopses
Development of The Whole Child (DWTC)
Facilitator: Elaine Ng
This module aims to provide an overview of the developmental areas and milestones of children ages 4 – 6 years old and explore teachers’ beliefs of a whole child. Key theories that underpin elements of current practice in early childhood care and education will be discussed.
Developmentally Appropriate Arts Pedagogies in the Early Years (4-6 years old) (DAAP)
Facilitator: Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong, Wong Seet Fun
This module aims to introduce a range of evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning in the early years. Learners will also be introduced to the
‘Nurturing Early Learners: A Curriculum for Kindergartens in Singapore’ (framework) and discuss how to translate the principles and learning goals into practice, with a primary focus on the Aesthetics and Creative Expression domain.
Lesson Design in a Diverse Learning Environment; Assessment & Evaluation of Teaching and Learning (LDAE)
Facilitator: Elaine Ng
This module aims to introduce the key principles and elements of a thoughtful lesson plan for and/or with children (4 – 6 years) of diverse needs and abilities. Learners will learn to apply knowledge of developmentally and culturally-appropriate practices in the early years, explore the interconnected relationships between assessment of/for children’s learning, and evaluation of teaching practices that will inform their curriculum decisions.
Lesson Design and Facilitation in a Diverse Early Childhood Learning Environment (Contextualised) (LDNF)
Facilitator: Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong and Wong Seet Fun
This module enables the learners to apply and contextualise the key principles of planning and facilitating processed focused arts experiences for and/or with children (4 – 6 years) of diverse needs and abilities. Learners will be given an opportunity to engage in collaborative planning of an interdisciplinary arts lesson and explore how it can befacilitated in a physical learning environment as well as discuss possible adaptations to online learning.
Class Observation (OBS)
Facilitator: Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong, Wong Seet Fun & guest facilitators
Educators will be grouped and assigned to observe and/or participate in 1 class session to get themselves acquainted with the children.
Practicum Assessment 1 (PA1)
Facilitator: Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong, Wong Seet Fun & guest facilitators
Educators will be working in groups to prepare for their 1st teaching assessment.
Practicum Assessment 2 (PA2)
Facilitator: Elaine Ng, Lavina Chong, Wong Seet Fun & guest facilitators
Educators will be working in groups to prepare for their 2nd teaching assessment.
The Professional and Reflective Practitioner (TPRP)
Facilitator: Elaine Ng
This module aims to heighten arts practitioners’ critical awareness of the importance of engaging in reflective practices, individually and collectively. A range of professional issues will be examined, including ethical issues and challenges of being an arts educator in an early childhood setting, continuing education and advocacy. Learners will also be introduced to tools and frameworks that will help them to gain a better understanding of self, and skills to enhance personal effectiveness through self mentoring.
Personal and Professional Learning Journey (PPLJ)
Facilitator: Elaine Ng
Educators will be sharing their personal reflection on their learning journey and how they will apply their new understanding in their work context.
The Faculty
Elaine Ng
Having found her passion in the arts only in her late teens, Elaine has since dedicated her life to advocating the crucial role of the arts in early childhood development. Elaine holds a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Australia and is a current PhD candidate with Griffith University. Elaine championed her belief in the importance of the arts for over 25 years and has shared her pedagogy with young children, families, early childhood practitioners and professionals from all around the world. She is the co-founder of The Learning Connections, an arts education organisation since 2009. Through her heavy involvement with various independent and governmental institutions, including Singapore's Early Childhood Development Agency and National Arts Council, Elaine hopes to educate and empower all stakeholders in children’s lives. Her aim is to collaborate and create a holistic ecosystem that would nurture a generation of compassionate, creative and agentic global citizens of today and tomorrow.
Lavina Chong
Lavina Chong is the Managing Director of Wigglepods Pte Ltd, a creative music movement company, that specialises in the arts from infants to preschool age. She is an Arts practitioner with 30 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood. She is also an adjunct lecturer with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC).
Wong Seet Fun
Wong Seet Fun holds a Master’s in Science (Early Childhood Education) from Wheelock College and BA (Hons) in Fine Art and Critical Theory from Goldsmiths College, University of London. Founder and owner of Art Loft, she has more than 20 years of experiences working with young children, families and in the past 15 years, early childhood and museum educators. Passionate in Museum education for the young children, she works very closely with community partners like National Heritage Board to design tours and workshops to teach and promote art, culture and heritage to children, teachers and Museum educators. She is presently an Adjunct Lecturer with NIEC.
Funding and Subsidies
SDEA Membership Discount
All SDEA Members enjoy 25% early bird discount (now - 30 Nov 2025) or 20% off standard price (1 Dec 2025 onwards).
[NEW] SkillsFuture Credit | Apply by 2 January 2026
Singaporeans aged 25 and above who are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit can apply for a claim.
Please inform SDEA upon course registration your intent to utilise your SkillsFuture Credit in part or in full for the qualifying course fee to obtain the necessary supporting documents for the claim.
Visit MySkillsFuture to check your credit balance* and for more information on the claims process.
*Only the SkillsFuture Credit from the Opening Credit and One-off Credit Top-Up are claimable for this course. Credits expiring on 31 December 2025 and the Mid-Career Credit are not applicable.
Applicants sponsored by an organisation or request for school e-billing will not be eligible for a SkillsFuture Credit claim.
[NEW] Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
NTUC Union members enjoy up to 50% unfunded course fee support, capped at $250 or $500 (aged 40 years old and above).
UTAP application must be submitted within 6 months after course completion via the NTUC UPortal. T&Cs can be found here.
NOTE: This funding is in the form of a reimbursement. Registrants will have to make full payment to SDEA first.
[NEW] NAC-NICA Training Support
Self-employed arts educators can claim up to $500 in subsidies and training allowance.
Applicants must be:
- NICA Member (NTUC Union Members may convert their membership)
Application process:
- Apply for a Letter of Eligibility (LOE) from NICA
- Email the NICA-issued LOE to SDEA by 28 March 2026.
More details and application here
NOTE:
- This funding is in the form of a reimbursement. Successful applicants will have to make full payment to SDEA first.
- Successful applicants will automatically be eligible for UTAP funding. No additional application is required for UTAP.
Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative (TSPDI) [Open to SDEA Members only] | Close 23 Nov 2025
The Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative (TSPDI) is a funding initiative by the Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA) to support freelance practitioners and drama educators to make professional development a regular part of their lives.
Successful applicants will be awarded up to S$500 subsidies for this course.
- Application Deadline: Sunday, 23 November 2025, 11:59pm
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified for an interview latest by 14 December 2025.
- Successful recipients will be notified by: Friday, 19 December 2025.
Click here to find out more.
Please ensure that you have registered for the course before applying for funding.
If you require any support, please contact projects@sdea.org.sg.
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