"Children do not move, think or speak in a straight line, and neither does imagination nor creativity."
In October, Kingmaker Consultancy had the privilege of partnering with Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) to conduct a 2-Day Design Thinking and Presentation Skills Workshop for 40 Primary 5 students.
Designed and led by our Director of Leadership and Communication, Mr Benjamin Aw, this programme aims to nurture young changemakers by equipping primary school students with essential design thinking, communication skills, and confidence — key foundations for future-ready learning.
Day 1: Learning the Design Thinking Mindset
The programme began with an introduction to the design thinking mindset, helping students understand how designers observe problems, experiment with ideas, and iterate solutions.
Working in groups, students took part in hands-on & experiential activities that challenged them to:
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Generate creative ideas collaboratively
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Think from different perspectives
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Apply design thinking principles to real problems
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Create presentation slides for their proposed projects
Day 2: Presentation Skills & Confident Communication

On the second day, the focus shifted to presentation and public speaking skills.
Students learned how to:
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Structure their ideas clearly
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Speak with confidence and purpose
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Pitch their design concepts persuasively
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Engage an audience through role-play and practice
Through guided coaching, presentation role-play, and practical tips, students developed the confidence and clarity needed to articulate their ideas effectively.
Our trainers were deeply impressed by the students' creativity, enthusiasm for learning and team collaboration. By the end of the programme, the students delivered confident pitches that showcased thoughtful problem-solving and growth in communication skills.
Well done to the students of PLMGS (Primary)!
Why Design Thinking Matters for Students
Design thinking programmes help schools:
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Develop future-ready competencies
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Strengthen student confidence and communication
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Cultivate creativity beyond academic grades
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Encourage leadership and collaboration from a young age


