The Singapore Centre for Chinese Language Limited (SCCL) has long been committed to advancing Chinese language education in Singapore, cultivating students' interest and ability to use Chinese. By integrating the concept of "learning through play", SCCL has been, since 2018, organising a biennial national competition to promote creativity in Chinese language teaching tools among early childhood educators, students, parents, and the general public.

The theme of the first competition in 2018 was "Things in Everyday Life". It aimed to encourage participants to utilise "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. This was the first resource book in Singapore to reflect the teaching philosophy and practical experiences of local preschool teachers and was granted the Best Educational Title Award by the Singapore Book Publishers Association in 2020 (The Singapore Book Publishers Association, Singapore Book Awards 2020 Press Release, July 3, 2020).

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. Catered to pre-school teachers and parents in Singapore, this was the first reference book designed specifically for Chinese Language learning through board game.

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 allows for different interpretations of the same picture. With the skilful use of a good storyboard, there is no limit to children's imagination.

For the fourth competition, the theme was "Creating Singapore's Chinese Picture Books." The aim was to encourage teachers to use local Mandarin vocabulary and utilise the Singapore Mandarin Database (hosted by the Promote Mandarin Council Singapore) to create picture books containing Singaporean Mandarin words so as to enhance children's awareness and love of Chinese Singaporean literature.

A collection of outstanding entries from the third and fourth competitions (2022 and 2024), complemented with thematic extensions and teaching suggestions, has been compiled. Titled "Our Homegrown Sprouts -- A Collection of Mandarin Storyboards and Picture Books for Singapore Preschoolers"（Huiya Ji）, it will be published in the second half of 2025.

Building on past successes, SCCL will continue to organise the competition in 2026, with the theme "Picture Book × Board Game." Participants are to draw inspirations from picture books to create interactive educational tools based on the picture books' themes, storylines, and board game features. The objective is to enhance Chinese language learning through gamification.

 

 

1. Enhance preschool teachers' professional competencies in developing Chinese teaching aids.
2. Encourage integration of picture books and board games to stimulate children's interest in learning Chinese.
3. Provide a platform for sharing and exchanging ideas in creating Chinese Language teaching resources.
4. Promote the development of locally relevant Chinese teaching aids and foster the appreciation and transmission of Singapore's cultural values.

 

 

• Organiser: Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL)
• Supporting Organisations: Singapore University of Social Sciences, National Institute of Early Childhood Development, PAP Community Foundation, Kinderland International Education, E-Bridge Pre-school, M.Y World Preschool and National Library Board.

 

 

• 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 four people.
• Each individual may enter a maximum of two entries (individual and/ or group).

 

 

"Picture Book × Board Game" is a popular pedagogical tool found in open-ended language corners in early childhood education. It involves designing board games based on picture books read in the classroom and allows children to extend their learning through purposeful play.

This approach promotes story-driven learning in a joyful and immersive environment. By utilising "Picture Book × Board Game" , teachers can translate story elements into meaningful tasks and challenges within the game, enhancing children's expressive language, logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, emotional awareness and social interactions (Xi, J. 2019; Liao S. P. 2020).

Furthermore, these interactive games can strengthen connections among peers, educators and families, fostering positive relationships and collaborative learning (Wang, C. 2021; Xi, J. 2019; Nouchi, R. 2014; Liao S. P. 2020).

 

 

1. Picture Book Selection:

• Original
  • Self-created picture books.
• Commercial
  • For SCCL-published books, authorisation will be provided upon application (see Annex 5).
  • For other published books, participants must include a usage authorisation document from the copyright owner (participants may seek authorisation from the publisher, or use the template in Annex 5 to seek authorisation from the copyright holder).

 

2. Materials:

Participants are required to design a tabletop board game inspired by the central theme or moral values of a chosen picture book. The game should be playable on a flat surface and must be safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate for preschool-aged children.

 

3. Components of the Picture Book × Board Game:

Entries must submitted include a summary of the picture book. If the picture book is an original creation, images of the book must be provided for judging purposes. The board game component must reflect the story structure of the picture book and feature a complete game framework and rules. Specifically,

• The creator must extend the values and creative concepts of the picture book for the design of the gameplay and provide guides (including game setup, gameplay process, outcomes, and Q&A components, etc) to participants.
• The creator must establish clear game rules, which regulate gameplay and prevent unfair practices such as cheating. The creator may also come up with rules which increase the game's difficulty, thus enhancing its fun and challenges.
• Visual elements, characters, and story scripts used in the Picture Book × Board Game must align with the developmental characteristics of young children.
• The Picture Book × Board Game must effectively integrate the narrative elements of the picture book with the interactive and playful features of a board game.

 

4. Submission Stages:

4.1 Preliminary Round

• Submission of an introductory video of no more than 3 minutes. The video should indicate the Competition's name and should be uploaded to YouTube through YouTube Studio (please select "Public" under the visibility settings and save the changes so that the video will be accessible to anyone on YouTube).
• The video should include an explanation of the design concept, gameplay instructions and an overview of the game components.
• Please see the guideline for Recording the Project Introduction Video.

• All competition entries must include all the following documents:
  1) Registration Form (Annex 1)
  2) Declaration of Legal Responsibility (Annex 2)
  3) Entry Authorisation Agreement (Annex 3)
  4) Picture Book Usage Authorisation for SCCL Publications (Annex 4) or Picture Book Usage Authorisation for non-original or non-SCCL published picture books (Annex 5)
  5) Project Description Form (Annex 6)
  
  Forms for Annexes (1) to (6) can be downloaded.

• Submission Period and Deadline
  • The submission for both introductory video and registration forms together with the required documents will be accepted beginning 23 February 2026. The deadline for submission is 2 March 2026, 5:00 PM.
  • Registration will only be considered complete upon successful submission of the project video and all required forms and documents.

 

4.2 Final Round

• Finalists are required to bring a complete physical set of the original Picture Book × Board Game (including all components and attachments) for presentation and explanation of the concepts and features of their submitted work on the day of the finals. The boardgame should not exceed the size of an A4-sized box (31 cm length × 22 cm width × 24 cm height)

 

4.3 Competition Schedule

• (i) Preliminary Selection
  • Announcement of Preliminary Finalists: 12 March 2026 (Thursday)
  • Submission of Physical Project: Finalists who pass the preliminary round must bring the physical version of their project to the final round on 28 March 2026 (Saturday).

• (ii) Final Round and Announcement of Winners
  • Finalists must bring the physical version of their project to the competition venue and and present and explain the concept and features of their submitted work in person on the day of the finals.
  • Date: 28 March 2026 (Saturday)
  • Venue: library@harbourfront
    Programme Room 2
    1 Harbourfront Walk
    VivoCity #03-05 (Lobby F)
    Singapore 098585
  • Announcement of Winners on site

• (iii) Award Presentation Ceremony
  • Prizes will be presented during the SCCL Conference in September 2026 (details will be sent to prize winners).

 

 

 

1. First-Round Judging

A judging panel consisting of 7 to 11 early childhood education experts will evaluate submissions between 4 March and 11 March 2026. Fifteen finalists will be selected.

The list of finalists will be announced on 12 March 2026 (Thursday). The Organiser will notify the finalists by phone.

2. Final-Round Judging

A separate judging panel consisting of 5 to 7 experts—including senior teachers and principals—will conduct the final evaluation on 28 March 2006 (Saturday)

Judging will be based on participants' presentations and live demonstrations of their projects.

 

 

 

1. Participants may use either an original picture book or a pre-existing one. If a non-original picture book is selected, a usage authorisation document must be provided. Entries that do not meet this requirement will not be considered nor evaluated
2. Submitted works must be unpublished and must not been submitted to other competitions. Plagiarism or imitation is strictly prohibited. If any such violations are discovered, the Organiser reserves the right to disqualify the entry and pursue legal and administrative action (see Annex 2).
3. To promote Chinese language learning, the Organiser intends to compile and publish the winning entries. Participants are required to sign the Entry Authorisation Agreement (Annex 3).
4. Authors of winning entries retain authorship rights. However, the Organiser reserves the right to publish or commercialise the work without requiring the author's further consent nor paying royalties.
5. Participants must provide both their English and Chinese name in the registration form. Each team may include up to four members and must designate one main contact person.
6. Personal information should be included only in the registration form. The Project Description Form and the project itself must not contain any identifying images or text. Failure to comply will result in disqualification from consideration and scoring.
7. In the Project Description Form, sections describing game components, functions, setup, and instructions may be expanded or reduced as needed. Each step should include one explanatory photo. No identifiable individuals, objects (such as school uniforms) or other elements that may influence the judging should appear in the photos.
8. After the announcement of the preliminary results, finalists must bring their physical project to the competition venue on the day of the finals.
9. Finalists must be present on the day of the final competition and are required to present and explain the concept and features of their submitted work in person.
10. The Organiser reserves the right to update the rules and regulations of the competition at any time. Any updates will be posted on the official event webpage without further notice.

 

 

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

 

 

(1)
Q: If we are submitting a jointly designed project, how should we fill out the registration form?
A: Please register as a team. The registration form must include the names, affiliations, and contact information of all team members, and one member must be designated as the main contact person.

(2)
Q: If the project wins, will the Organiser arbitrarily modify or publish it with unrelated content?
A: The Organiser, Singapore Centre for Chinese Language, is committed to high-quality publishing and respects each participant's design concepts and creativity. Any adjustments made will be flexible and appropriate, to enhance the project's appeal and richness, never arbitrary.

(3)
Q: Can I participate with a "Picture Book × Board Game" project based on a self-created picture book?
A: Yes. However, you must indicate "Original Picture Book" in the project description form.

(4)
Q: Can I introduce myself in the 3-minute project introduction video?
A: Yes, but you must not mention your organisation or wear any uniform, in order to ensure fairness in the competition.

(5)
Q: What should I take note of when recording and uploading the video?
A: You must include the video title (i.e., the project name) when uploading and ensure the YouTube video is set to Public.
For video recording requirements and tips, please refer to the guideline for Recording the Project Introduction Video

 

 

If there are any omissions, you may email us at: ecced.events@sccl.sg