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2024 National Preschool Teaching Aid Competition –Creating Singapore's Chinese Picture Books

Jan 2024

2024 National Preschool Teaching Aid Competition – Creating Singapore's Chinese Picture Books


1. Background

Singapore Chinese Language Centre (SCCL) is committed to promote and nurture children's interest in learning Chinese language. In order to encourage early childhood educators, students, parents and members of the public in Singapore to create teaching aids for teaching and learning Chinese Language, SCCL organises the National Preschool Teaching Aid Competition biennially since 2018.

The theme of the first competition in 2018 was "Things in Everyday Life". It aimed to encourage participants to utilize "things in every life" to create teaching aids. Winning entries were collected and published in 2019 as the book Singapore Preschool Chinese Teaching Materials in Daily Life.

The second National Preschool Teaching Aid Competition held in 2020 had the theme "Creative Tabletop Activity". Participants were tasked to create tabletop games to engage children to learn Chinese language. Winning entries were collected and later published in the book Come, Let's Play Board Games -- Creative Board Games for Preschool Chinese Language Teaching in Singapore.

For the third competition held in 2022, the theme was "Creative Picture Book Storyboard". The theme was chosen because of the advantage of using storyboards in teaching. Teachers can make multiple boards to create different storylines and encourage critical thinking in children. Teachers can also make changes to the type of vocabulary used, according to the children's language ability. A good storyboard can also allow for different interpretations of the same picture. With the skillful use of a good storyboard, there is no limit to children's imagination.

Based on the success of the past years, SCCL will hold the competition again in 2024. The theme is "Creating Singapore's Chinese Picture Books". It aims to encourage teachers to use local Mandarin vocabulary and utilize the Singapore Mandarin Database to create picture books containing Singaporean Mandarin words and enhance children's awareness and love of Chinese Singaporean literature.

 

2. Objectives:

  1. To enhance the ability to integrate creativity and practicality in designing children's picture books using Chinese language.
  2. To encourage the effective use of the Singapore Mandarin Database for the creation of picture books and promote children's interest in Chinese Language.
  3. To provide a platform for the community to interact and create interesting and engaging Chinese picture books.
  4. To develop Chinese language picture books with local flavor for the promotion of Singaporean culture.
 

3. Organising partners

Organiser: Singapore Centre for Chinese Language

Co-organiser: Speak Mandarin Campaign

Supporting Organisations:
Singapore University of Social Sciences, National Institute of Early Childhood Development, PAP Community Foundation, Kinderland, E-Bridge Pre-school and National Library Board.

 

4. Entry Requirements

4.1 Title of the picture book

The title of the picture book must contain a word (or words) found in the Singapore Mandarin Database. Some acceptable examples are "The Big Rooster who lives on the five-foot way （wujiaoji.五脚基)", "The Uncle (Tua Pek Kong大伯公) who likes to travel" etc.

For the Singapore Mandarin Database, please refer to:
https://www.languagecouncils.sg/mandarin/ch/learning-resources/singaporean-mandarin-database
Or
https://www.languagecouncils.sg/mandarin/en/learning-resources/singaporean-mandarin-database

4.2 Vocabulary

The text of the story must contain Singaporean Mandarin words, including but not limited to words found in the Singapore Mandarin Database. etc.

4.3 Theme

The theme must be related to local life in Singapore, which includes history, geography, ethnicity, scenery, landmarks, people, food, etc.

4.4 Specifications of the Picture Book

  • The book must be properly bound, The cover and inner pages of the picture book should be presented in a two-dimensional manner; pop-up books will not be accepted
  • Number of pages of the picture book is not less than 18 pages and no more than 34 pages (not including the front and back covers).
  • Text scripts: only simplified Chinese characters will be accepted.
  • The illustrations may be hand-drawn or digitally-drawn.
  • The picture book should be of A4 size (210 × 297 mm).

4.5 Entries must include the following:

  1. Registration form (Annex 1)
  2. Declaration Form (Annex 2)
  3. Consent Form (Annex 3)
  4. A Summary Description of the Picture Book (Annex 4);
  5. The Picture Book

Digital version of the forms in Annexes 1-4 are also available here.

5. Participants

  • This competition is open to early childhood educators, early childhood education tertiary students, parents or members of the public in Singapore.
  • Participants may register as an individual or as a group. For group registration, the number of participants per group shall not exceed six people.
  • Each individual can enter a maximum of two entries (individual and/ or group) in this competition.
 

6. Competition Details

6.1 Competition launch date:5 September 2023 (Tuesday)

6.2 Competition Process
Registration and submission of the prototype → First round of competition → Finals → Release of the winners' list

6.3 Submission of Required Forms and Prototype Work:

  • Submission of Annexes 1 to 4 in Word format by email to:
    ecced.events@sccl.sg
  • Submission of Prototype Work by Post to
    Singapore Centre for Chinese Language,
    287 Ghim Moh Road, Singapore 279623.
    Attn: ECCE

    On the envelope, please indicate "2024 National Preschool Teaching Aid Competition – Creating Singapore's Chinese Picture Books"

    The registration process is considered as completed only with the successful online submission of Annexes 1 to 4 and physical submission of the prototype.

  • Duration of submission period:
    8 January 2024 (Mon) to 12 January 2024 (Fri), 5 pm.

Note:

  • Please ensure that the prototype Work is complete and properly packed if submission is by express delivery. The core contact person of the team will be notified by email or phone after the entry has been received. The prototype work may be damaged in the process of delivery. SCCL shall not be held liable should there be any damage. Participants are advised to make a back-up copy of their entries.

6.4 Release of results of the first round of Competition: 2 February 2024 (Friday)

6.5 Submission of introductory video:

  • Participants shortlisted for the finals will be required to submit an introductory video (4 to 5 minutes) of their competition entry by 26 February 2024 (Monday).
  • Given the tight schedule, shortlisted participants are advised to start working on the introductory video as soon as the results of the first round is released.

6.6 Final Competition and On-site Presentation

For the final competition, shortlisted participants are required to present on-site and explain the features and concepts of their picture books.

Date of competition: 9 March 2024 (Saturday)

Venue: Singapore Centre for Chinese Language

6.7 Release of the winners' list: To be announced at a later date.

6.8 Date of Award Ceremony and Presentation: To be announced at a later date.

7. Judging Procedure

First round:

  • Entries will be judged by a team of 7 to 11 professionals in the early childhood education sector from 25 to 31 January 2024.
  • Participants of shortlisted entries will be notified by phone by 2 February 2024 (Friday).

Final round:

  • Shortlisted entries will be judged by a team of 5 to 7 professionals in the early childhood education sector.
  • Participants of shortlisted entries are required to give a presentation on site on 9 March 2024 (Saturday).
  • Results will be announced on the same day.

8. Judging Criteria

Category Description
Developmental
appropriateness (20%)		 The story is developmentally appropriate for preschoolers in terms of both content and form.
Theme and Creativity
(20%)		 The story is creative, with elements of humor and a positive theme related to children's experience and reflects Singapore culture; can attract children's interest.
Plot and Structure
(20%)		 The story is complete with characters, plots and elements of suspense, including "exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution/denouement".
Pictures and Layout
(20%)		 The pictures/illustrations and layout are of high aesthetic quality and match the theme and bring out the story.
Use of local vocabulary and words found in the Singapore Mandarin Database (20%) Appropriate use of words found in the Singapore Mandarin Database in the title of the picture book. Appropriate use of local expressions, including and not limited to those found the Database, in the text of the story.

 

9. Awards：

Most Outstanding Award 1 Most Outstanding Award will be awarded. The winning team will receive a plaque and a cash voucher of $2000; each team member will receive a certificate.
Outstanding Award 1 Outstanding Award will be awarded. The winning team will receive a plaque and a cash voucher of S$1200; each team member will receive a certificate.
Excellence Award 1 Excellence Award will be awarded. The winning team will receive a plaque and a cash voucher of $600; each team member will receive a certificate.
Promising Awards 2 Promising Awards will be awarded. The winning team will receive a plaque a cash voucher of $200; each team member will receive a certificate.
Consolation Awards 10 Consolation Awards will be awarded. The winning team will receive a certificate.
* All rewards will be given in the form of vouchers. Certificates will be sent by email.
 

10.Rules & Regulations

10.1 Entries must be developmentally appropriate for pre-school children and the title must contain a word/words included in the Singapore Mandarin Database. Entries that do not meet this requirement will not be considered.
10.2 All entries must be original work of the participants which have not been previously published nor have received any awards locally or internationally. Any work found not to be original shall be disqualified and persons involved will face legal responsibilities (please see Annex 2).
10.3 Please ensure that the prototype Work is complete and properly packed if submission is by express delivery. The core contact person of the team will be notified by email or phone after the entry has been received. The prototype work may be damaged in the process of delivery. SCCL shall not be held liable should there be any damage. Participants are advised to make a back-up copy of their entries.
10.4 The award-winning works will be included in the publications related to "2022 National Preschool Teaching Aid Competition – Creative Picture Book Storyboard". By accepting the prize, where permitted by law, the award winner grants SCCL the rights to print, publish, broadcast and use the Works. Participants are required to sign the consent form in Annex 3.
10.5 While the authorship rights will remain with the award winners of the competition, all other rights will belong to SCCL. SCCL reserves the rights to rewrite, publish, copy and distribute the winning entries or parts of the content at any time and in any places, without getting consent from or paying any fee to the authors.
10.6 The registration form must be duly and correctly completed. Each team must not exceed six participants and a core contact person must be specified.
10.7 There should not be any mention or indication of the participants' identity in the entry description and the Work itself. Offenders will be disqualified from the competition.
10.8 The creation process of the picture book should be described in detail. Each step must be accompanied by a photo. There must not be any image (e.g. school uniform) in the photos that may give clues to the participants' identity.
10.9 Participants of entries not shortlisted for the final round of competition should claim back their prototype Work within seven (7) working days after the release of the results of the first round of competition. Unclaimed prototype Works will be destroyed after the stipulated date.
10.10 Participants of shortlisted entries are required to give a presentation on site on 9 March 2024 (Saturday).
10.11 Non-winners of the final competition should claim back their prototype Work within seven (7) working days after the release of the results of the final round of competition. Unclaimed prototype Works will be destroyed after the stipulated date.
10.12 The organiser reserves the right to amend any information pertaining to the competition at any time. Amendments will be published on the SCCL website. Participants will not be notified individually.

 

11. Contact us

Organiser: Singapore Centre for Chinese Language
Email: ecced.events@sccl.sg
Phone：6467 5667

FAQ

Q: If we submit a team entry, how do we fill out the registration form?

A: Please register as a group. The names, organisation(s), contact information of all team members should be included. Please specify who would be the core contact person.
 

Q: Would the organiser modify the wordings or pictures of the winning entries for publication?

A: The organiser is committed to publish high quality reading materials. While the organiser respects the design philosophy and creativity behind every entry, necessary modifications might be made to the picture book to enhance their readability and to ensure that they are suitable for young readers.
 

Q: Can I participate using an adaptation of a commercially available picture book?

A: No. Every entry must be the participant's original work. No adaptions of the wordings or illustrations of any publications, commercial or not, will be allowed. The story plot and pictures must be originally created.