Meet Michelle, who started Arty Learning with a heartfelt mission: to honour every child’s unique learning style and pace. She observed that many misunderstood learners were simply not being taught in the way they best absorbed information. What began as an insight during her early days as a relief teacher has now grown into a nurturing literacy centre that prioritises joy, creativity, and personal growth.
At Arty Learning, Michelle breaks away from age-based systems and focuses on individual literacy development, allowing each child to build confidence in a safe and affirming environment. As both an educator and a mother, she brings a deeply human and balanced approach to early childhood education, one where empathy, authenticity, and growth are central to every lesson.
What first inspired you to start Arty Learning, and how did your early experiences as a relief teacher shape your vision for the centre?
Arty Learning was born from a simple but powerful observation. Every child learns differently. Yet, our education system often expects them to fit into the same mould. When I started as a relief teacher, I encountered many children who were weaker learners.
They were often misunderstood simply because their learning styles weren’t recognised. That experience inspired us to create a space where learning feels joyful, creative, and personal, a place where children are taught how to learn, not just what to learn.
Arty Learning focuses on individual literacy development rather than age grouping. Can you share an example of how this approach has transformed a child’s confidence?
One child came to us at age seven, struggling with reading and constantly comparing himself to others. Rather than focusing on his age and what he “should” already know, we worked on his foundational literacy skills and built his confidence through varied activities.
Over time, he started picking up the language and reading independently. A few months later, he volunteered to read aloud in class. His mother told me he now reads storybooks to her at home.
That’s the magic of allowing children to blossom at their own pace rather than forcing them to fit the mould.
As both an educator and a mother, how has parenthood influenced the way you design programmes and communicate with families about their children’s growth?
Our programme was designed even before I became a mother, and our beliefs and methodology haven’t changed much. However, parenthood gave me a deeper appreciation of balance. I now ensure my child isn’t overwhelmed with enrichment classes and still has time to enjoy childhood.
This experience helps me guide other parents, teaching them how to prioritise early nurturing so they don’t end up squeezing everything into the early primary years. It can be stressful for both child and parent.
It was one evening with my family at our new Upper Thomson centre. After a long day of renovations and work, we sat down and had dinner there. Watching my daughter play with the materials and exploring the space brought a deep sense of contentment. It reminded me of how far we’ve come.
In a competitive preschool and enrichment market, how do you differentiate Arty Learning from other centres?
Our edge lies in our HEART methodology, which integrates visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic learning. We focus on each child’s individual literacy ability and use creativity to express learning.
Because of this, we keep class sizes small and tailored. It means we don’t always have readily available slots, but our students graduate throughout the year when they’re truly ready, not according to a fixed academic calendar. This flexibility allows us to honour each child’s unique learning journey.
What values or philosophies have guided you most in nurturing both children and your business?
Two core values guide me: authenticity and growth. I believe in being genuine—with the children, their parents, and my team—and in constantly evolving to serve better. Just as children grow, we as educators and leaders must grow too.
Challenges will always arise, but staying true to our mission keeps us grounded.
When was the last time you truly felt at peace?
It was one evening with my family at our new Upper Thomson centre. After a long day of renovations and work, we sat down and had dinner there. Watching my daughter play with the materials and exploring the space brought a deep sense of contentment. It reminded me of how far we’ve come.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
I resonate deeply with what our Prime Minister recently said about keeping early childhood screen-free. My vision is for a more mindful and balanced approach to early education, where children explore, create, and connect more, and spend less time on screens.
I hope to see a Singapore that values heart-based, human learning while nurturing curiosity, communication, and emotional intelligence from young.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I’d choose the ability to read minds. With mental wellness being a rising concern, I wish I could understand what children and teens truly feel beneath their smiles and silence.
If I had that power, I’d use it to share positivity and resilience, helping them see that failure is not the end but part of the journey towards growth.
Connect with Michelle: ArtyLearning, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Michelle is a member of Rainmaker, a revolutionary movement that rallies like-minded people together based on the values of Love, Authenticity, Respect, Kindness and Youthfulness (LARKY).
