From MRT Maps to Microphones: How a Nexus Family Turned Curiosity into a Podcast

For many children, an interest in trains comes and goes. For our Kindergarten learner, Jonah, it became the inspiration for an entire podcast.

Together with his mother, Nexus teacher Sarah Forand, Jonah hosts Riding the MRT with Jonah & Mama. The podcast explores Singapore’s MRT system through the eyes of a young enthusiast. 

With eight episodes and counting, the pair have explored everything from how trains operate to what happens behind the scenes before MRT services begin each morning. Along the way, they have answered listener questions, shared fascinating facts and even interviewed an industry expert.

While the podcast centres on the MRT, the story behind it is really about something much bigger: the power of following a child’s curiosity.

A Passion for Transportation

According to Sarah, Jonah’s fascination with transportation started early.

“His first words were ‘bus’ and ‘car’,” she said. “When the MRT near our house opened when he was about three years old, his love really began to grow.”

Jonah quickly became fascinated by train maps, station numbers and route sequencing. Rather than simply providing answers to his many questions, Sarah encouraged him to investigate and discover them for himself, an approach she also values as an educator.

“As a teacher, I have always focused more on helping children find the answers to their questions rather than answering the questions for them,” she explained.

The idea for the podcast came during their daily commute to school. Inspired by the podcasts they listened to together, Jonah asked if he could start one of his own, and the topic was an easy choice.

Learning Together

Creating a podcast was a new experience for Sarah.

“I had not one bit of experience,” she admitted. “I had to tap into resources, ask other teachers for help (shoutout to Ms. Steph Thompson, our Digital Learning Coach!) and do a lot of reading before I felt ready to embark on this task.”

For Sarah, that experience offers an important lesson for parents. Supporting a child’s interests does not require expertise. Sometimes it simply means being willing to learn alongside them.

The project has helped Jonah develop a range of skills that extend far beyond his knowledge of the MRT. Through researching topics, planning episodes and searching for information, he has learned how to ask questions, evaluate sources and think critically about the information he finds.

While researching future MRT developments for one episode, Jonah and Sarah came across online “Dream MRT” maps created by enthusiasts. The experience became a valuable lesson in media literacy, as Sarah guided him in distinguishing between official information and fan-created content.

The podcast has also helped him develop confidence and communication skills. During the production of Episode 5, Jonah conducted his first interview with a real MRT station manager. The opportunity came through a Nexus connection, when classroom assistant Ms. Firah introduced the family to her brother, who works in the role.

Jonah prepared his own questions and even reached out to the station manager by phone before conducting the interview.

“It was a real challenge for him to get over his nerves,” Sarah said. “But he felt so proud of himself when he conducted the interview successfully.”

The podcast has also become a collaborative experience for the wider Nexus community. 

Other learners have contributed questions and ideas, helping shape episode content while encouraging Jonah to investigate new topics and perspectives.

As families look ahead to the school holidays, Sarah encourages parents to embrace their children’s passions, whatever form they take.

“I would tell parents to show genuine curiosity in your child’s interests,” she said. “Children may go through phases of interests, but when you notice a real passion, it’s best to embrace it and guide them in a positive direction.”

Curiosity as a Driver for Learning

Whether the interest is trains, animals, sport, coding or storytelling, Riding the MRT with Jonah & Mama is a reminder that meaningful learning often begins with a simple question, and a parent willing to explore the answer alongside their child.

Inspired to learn more about Singapore’s MRT? Listen to Riding the MRT with Jonah & Mama on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and discover the fascinating stories behind Singapore’s train network. Listeners can also submit their own MRT questions for Jonah to investigate. You never know, your question might even be featured in a future episode!

At Nexus International School Singapore, we believe that curiosity can be a powerful driver for learning. By encouraging learners to pursue their interests, ask questions and take ownership of their learning journeys, we help them develop the confidence and skills to explore the world around them. To learn more about how Nexus nurtures learners’ passions and agency, book a personalised school tour.