“Life teaches us that there are many variables
beyond academic ability which determines who succeeds. Our education system should not say
or teach otherwise. Beyond grades: values.”

From Speech by Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, at the 4th Anniversary Public Lecture at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, 14 August 2008 - Educating the Next Generation

IT'S RECESS TIME!
For children and adults in our hectic world where the daily schedule sees most of us rushing around, with hardly time for recreational activities, it is vital to remember the importance of play time. With this objective in mind, Apple Treehaus has designed programmes for both children and adults alike.

For the children specifically, we tailored our programmes that have them learning through experiences in food as food plays an essential part of our daily lives, cultures and heritage. Key features of our programmes include cooking classes when the children learn and prepare simple delights such as pastries.

The children participating in these programmes are encouraged to enjoy the process of food preparation which serves as a way to build their self-esteem as they see the efforts of their labour in fruition. All these are done without the unnecessary burden of academic expectations which mean that the children are learning through play, building on a holistic approach to learning which transpires beyond the classroom.

"New research suggests that play and down time may be as important to a child's academic experience as reading, science and math, and that regular recess, fitness or nature time can influence behavior, concentration and even grades.” The lead researcher, Dr. Romina M. Barros, a pediatrician and an assistant clinical professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said the findings were important because many schools did not view recess as essential to education. Playtime and nature time are important not only for learning but also for health and development.

Recess time is not just important for the children, but adults as well. We connect recess times with carefree jaunts in the playground with our friends, having fun, laughing and generally having a good time. As we progress into adulthood, such an aspect of our lives is very often missing due to career pursuits or family commitments.

Don’t we all miss those recess times? A short period to break away, a time for food, fun and socialising; doing things we like? Like a child, an adult needs to spend time relaxing, reconnecting and having fun as well. Our programmes for the adults focus on reconnecting the adult with the fun childhood recess times through different experiences such as outdoor adventures and more.

We understand the importance of the precious moments spent with families and our programmes are also catered for special bonding moments as the adults and children in the family come to enjoy recess time together.