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The Start Small Dream Big (SSDB) movement was created in 2015 by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in Singapore to instill values, empathy, and social responsibility in children from a young age. Recognising that children are never too young to contribute meaningfully to society, SSDB was designed to empower preschoolers to take part in community and service-learning projects. The initiative addresses the need for children to grow not only academically but also emotionally and socially, fostering kindness, empathy, and civic responsibility.
Since its inception, Preschool Market has been the key partner in supporting and sustaining this movement, co-developing resources, facilitating school-community collaborations, and curating platforms for preschools to showcase their projects. By bridging educators, families, and community partners, Preschool Market ensures that the movement continues to thrive, building a culture where every child, educator, and parent sees themselves as an agent of positive change.
In practice, SSDB engages preschools across Singapore in designing and carrying out projects that align with themes such as kindness, sustainability, inclusivity, and intergenerational bonding. Children work with their teachers and families to identify issues in their community and create age-appropriate solutions. For example, preschoolers may design recycled art pieces to raise awareness of environmental issues, visit eldercare homes to build intergenerational connections, or organise kindness treasure hunts to promote empathy and inclusivity. Each preschool documents its journey through stories, photos, and videos, which are shared on the national SSDB portal. The projects culminate in a national celebration where children’s efforts are showcased, reinforcing their sense of pride and belonging. The model is simple yet powerful: child-led, teacher-facilitated, and community-supported action projects that grow values through lived experiences.
SSDB started as a pilot with a small group of preschools in 2015 and has since expanded into a nationwide movement. Today, more than 90,000 children from over 1,300 preschools participate annually, supported by thousands of educators and families. The movement spreads through strong national support, with the Early Childhood Development Agency coordinating efforts and partners such as community organisations, government agencies, and corporates contributing resources. The initiative has also gained visibility through media coverage, at grassroots levels, and at respective preschools' communities. Its success lies in its adaptability: each preschool designs its own project based on local needs, making SSDB scalable and replicable across diverse contexts. This bottom-up, child-centred approach enables the movement to spread organically while maintaining national cohesion through shared values and celebrations.
Over the years, SSDB has evolved to include stronger family engagement, digital storytelling through the SSDB portal, and thematic focuses such as sustainability and kindness. Preschool Market, as a partner, has expanded resources, curated toolkits, and facilitated collaborations with island partners, corporates, and NGOs. Recently, the movement introduced Our Wonderful Parents, recognising the role of parent-preschool partnerships, and began integrating nationwide campaigns aligned with Singapore’s milestones, such as SG60. These modifications ensure the movement remains relevant, impactful, and future-ready, while staying rooted in its original vision: empowering young children to dream big by starting small acts of kindness.
Start Small Dream Big (SSDB) is a flexible framework that any preschool, community, or country can adapt. To try it, begin by identifying a theme of societal change that resonates with your children and community (e.g., kindness, sustainability, intergenerational bonding). Then:
Engage educators and families – Share the vision that children are never too young to make a difference. Invite parents and teachers to brainstorm community issues together with the children.
Co-design a project with children – Encourage children to propose ideas and take active roles, whether through art, storytelling, outreach, or service activities. Keep the projects simple, age-appropriate, and meaningful.
Build community partnerships – Link with local organisations, NGOs, or corporates who can provide venues, resources, or mentorship.
Document and share – Capture children’s voices, photos, and reflections to showcase their journey. Share these stories widely to inspire others and reinforce children’s confidence.
Celebrate and reflect – End with a celebration where children present their work, reinforcing pride and values learned.
Preschool Market, as the key partner sustaining SSDB in Singapore, can provide toolkits, training, and facilitation support for schools or communities keen to replicate this model. Interested partners can start small with one pilot preschool or community group, and gradually expand into a network of schools working together on shared values.
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