KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 — The bond between parents and their child can begin long before birth. Baby Angels Childcare Centre Sdn Bhd is bringing this belief into focus through Taegyo, a Korean-inspired prenatal education programme for expectant parents.

From a parent’s question to a purposeful beginning, the story of Baby Angels began with a simple yet deeply personal question familiar to many Malaysian families: “Who can we trust with our baby?”

Like many working parents, the founders experienced the challenge of balancing demanding careers with the responsibility of caring for a newborn. They believed that the earliest years of a child’s life provide an important foundation for future emotional, social and developmental well-being. Every cuddle, conversation, smile and reassuring touch contributes to a baby’s sense of comfort, security and belonging.

Their search for suitable infant care revealed a gap in the market. Although many childcare options were available, few were designed around the unique needs of newborns and young babies while also combining professional care, modern facilities and meaningful collaboration with parents.

This experience became the inspiration behind Baby Angels Childcare Centre, a premium infant care concept created to offer families a nurturing environment where professional care, early childhood development, safety, comfort and emotional connection come together.

For Baby Angels, however, supporting a child should not begin only after birth. The relationship between parents and their baby can begin during pregnancy. This belief led the company to introduce Taegyo to Malaysian families.

The programme is currently being developed by Jiwon Yoon, Ph.D., a Korean American educator, researcher and writer who previously served as a tenured Professor of Media Studies at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Born and raised in South Korea, Jiwon Yoon spent her early childhood immersed in Korean family values and traditions. During her teenage years, her family moved to Thailand, providing her the opportunity to visit Malaysia on a few occasions. She later returned to South Korea to pursue her university education before continuing her academic journey in the United States, where she completed both her master’s and doctoral degrees.

With more than 20 years of teaching and research experience across South Korea and the United States, she has worked in public and private schools, alternative educational settings, universities and teacher education programmes. She currently continues her academic work as a Fellow Scholar at the Media Education Lab.

Rooted in a long-established Korean prenatal philosophy, Taegyo encourages mothers and fathers to become active participants in the pregnancy journey. It introduces simple and meaningful practices that encourage expectant parents to maintain positive thoughts, develop emotional balance and build a loving connection with their unborn baby.

For mothers, Taegyo encourages calmness, mindfulness and positive daily habits while recognising the many physical and emotional changes that accompany pregnancy. It serves as a gentle reminder that caring for a mother’s emotional well-being is also an important part of caring for her unborn child.

The programme also highlights the important role of fathers. Although fathers do not experience the physical changes of pregnancy, they can begin building an early bond with their baby through talking, singing, reading, and other affectionate interactions. Their involvement can also provide valuable and meaningful emotional support to mothers throughout the pregnancy.

By involving both parents, Taegyo transforms prenatal education into a shared family experience, encouraging couples to communicate, support one another and prepare emotionally for parenthood together. Rather than focusing solely on physical preparation for childbirth, the programme places equal importance on emotional well-being, family relationships and prenatal bonding.

This philosophy reflects the wider mission of Baby Angels, to accompany families through every meaningful stage, from pregnancy and birth to infancy and early childhood.

Jiwon Yoon, Ph.D., has adapted Taegyo into an accessible and research-informed programme thoughtfully designed for Malaysia’s multicultural families. Its principles are presented in a warm, relevant and practical manner, allowing parents from diverse backgrounds to embrace them while honouring Malaysia’s rich traditions, cultures and shared values.

In conjunction with Malaysia’s Merdeka and Malaysia Day season, Baby Angels will introduce Taegyo at the BIG Baby Expo, taking place from 28 to 31 August 2026 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

Expectant parents are invited to visit Baby Angels x Le Harmony at Booth 140 to learn more about Taegyo and enjoy exclusive early bird registration opportunities.

Participants who complete their early-bird registration during BIG Baby Expo will also qualify for a lucky draw. Three lucky winners stand to receive a Crolla Ally Premium Creamy Series baby cot each worth RM599, sponsored by Crolla Baby, a homegrown Malaysian brand recognised with the Superbrands Award 2024 and committed to delivering quality baby products that combine safety, comfort, functionality and contemporary design.

As Malaysia celebrates unity, family and the promise of future generations, Baby Angels hopes to remind parents that a brighter future begins with the care, love and values shared with a child from the very beginning.