Wednesday July 8, 2009
Power of play
Play is far more important to a child’s development than most people realise.
WHAT is the opposite of “play”? Work. Since play is the opposite of work, it is often censured and curtailed.
Today, however, play is gaining new currency in the world, and parents and educators would do well to pay attention. Clearly, our children need playful (read: innovative, entrepreneurial, flexible, adaptable) minds to thrive amidst the rapid changes and shifts that characterise our world.
Pay attention: Children need playful minds to thrive amidst the rapid changes and shifts that characterise our world. It is strange, then, that as parents and teachers, we often look askance at play. In many parts of the world, the child’s right to play seems to keep being eroded as education systems, anxious about national and international rankings, pile on reform after reform that seems to unravel childhood.
It doesn’t help that this smacks of concern for global rankings and national pride rather than concern for the child in the classroom.
Children get less and less time to play even at kindergarten level. Instead they spend more time in formal classes, private tuition and enrichment sessions, being taught all the useful skills and knowledge we think they need.
Go to ParenThots to find out more about play and its importance.
To work or not to work
Often, mothers are faced with the hard decision of continuing in their careers or quitting their jobs to stay home with the children.
There is no right decision in this issue. One mother says she gave up her job because her child started going to school and she wanted to be there when the child returned home – to listen to her stories and encourage her daily.
Another mother says she decided not to quit her job because many depended on her. In addition, working helps her children learn to accept her and her career. Besides, she asks, why should it be a choice between work and family. Why can’t women do both?
Focus on the Family
This week’s instalment deals with physical punishment. Often, as parents, we are afraid that if we don’t discipline our children, they will become spoiled.
However, parents should not start punishing their children too early.
Psychologist Dr James Dobson says the foundation for emotional and physical health is laid during a child’s first 12 months and this period should be characterised by security, affection and warmth.
Readers write in
This week, readers write in to share their personal experiences – from the joy of finding out that one is pregnant to the emotions of a stay-at-home dad.
The winner of this week’s best e-mail is Bobby K.H. Ong. He wins a RM50 voucher from Kidz Spot in Tropicana City Mall, Petaling Jaya.
If you want to win a RM50 voucher from Kidz Spot, send your personal stories/experiences on parenting to parenthots@thestar.com.my. The best story/experience every fortnight wins a RM50 voucher.
To read the readers’ experiences, go to ParenThots.
Contest
The Baby Kiko Precious Moments July Contest is still on. The grand prize is a Baby Kiko hamper worth RM200, and RM200 cash; the first prize is a Baby Kiko hamper worth RM100, and RM100 cash; and the second prize is a Baby Kiko hamper worth RM50, and RM50 cash.
All you have to do is upload a photo of you and your child and complete the slogan: “You are amazing because ...”
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