Creating play-based learning centres in townships
A MAJOR property developer has teamed up with an educational organisation to enhance the developmental growth of children in its townships.

Gamuda Land chief operating officer Jess Teng said, “When we masterplan our townships, we are mindful of all the elements we bring together – from the landscaping to the infrastructure to the home design, to all the community meeting places.

“Our partnership with Kiddypedia aligns with our commitment to providing more activities to create a closely knitted community.”

Kiddypedia is an advocate for children’s education and development.

Building upon the success of previous community engagement initiatives, such as the “Heroes of Tomorrow” series, which engaged over 5,000 participants across Gamuda Land townships, this partnership introduces the Kiddypedia Discovery Centres.

These hubs, nestled within Gamuda Gardens and twentyfive7 across Klang Valley, offer edutainment experiences for families to explore varied career paths.

Integrating sports, arts, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workshops and team-building exercises, the approach ignites young minds, fostering a lifelong love for learning through active engagement.

Gamuda Land’s facilities such as parks, waterways, lakes, and the Wetlands Arboretum serve as the backdrop for the variety of on-hand educational programmes.

These place-based learning programmes, co-developed with Gamuda Parks hope to expand participants’ knowledge about the environment and span across an entire academic year – particularly in urban garden management and biodiversity conservation.

The “100 Careers Challenge” syllabus encompasses various career pathways, including roles such as Little Botanist, Little Urban Planner, Little Environmental Architect, Little Marine Biologist, and more.

Kiddypedia chief executive officer Cavin Tan said these roles offer hands-on experiences designed to reinforce learning and foster interdisciplinary teamwork, immersing participants in real-world challenges.

“We have discovered that the settings within Gamuda Land townships are perfectly suited for our Play-Based Learning Centres.

“These environments enable us to weave the classroom curriculum with the local community, culture, and surroundings, utilising the natural and cultural assets of the area to enhance our learning programmes.”

He added that through immersive learning experiences that emphasised discovery, experience and play, they aimed to deepen children’s understanding of the world around them and inspire active participation in their local environment and community.

“These out-of-school programmes not only enrich the overall educational experience but also offer parents valuable insights into their child’s strengths and areas for improvement.”

Additionally, Tan said, they provided an opportunity for parents to connect with their children and with other parents, establishing a strong support network within the community.

As the programme matures, there are plans to offer participants the opportunity to visit Gamuda’s Next-Generation Digital Industrialised Building System facility in Banting, Selangor based on the participant’s chosen career path.

This initiative aimed to provide participants with first-hand experience in modern construction methods and sustainable construction practices, which represented the future of the industry.

The programme would also incorporate field trips to the Wetlands Arboretum Centre at Gamuda Cove.

These excursions include visits to the adjacent Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands, designed to introduce and educate children about the importance and role of the wetland’s ecosystem.

As part of this partnership, GL Rangers, a children’s club designed for children under 12 years old, will be introduced.

For an annual membership fee of RM200, GL Rangers will be able to enjoy a 15% discount for programmes offered at Kiddypedia Discovery Centres.

Other membership benefits include an exclusive free gift upon registration, invitations to a diverse array of engaging activities and events, ensuring members are always up-to-date with the latest highlights and programmes.
Gamuda Land,Kiddypedia
A MAJOR property developer has teamed up with an educational organisation to enhance the developmental growth of children in its townships.