Fatimah (fifth right) presents the ‘Best Contingent’ prize to Taska Adinda. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Parents and caretakers should not underestimate the importance of play for children particularly in their pre-school and kindergarten years.
According to Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, playtime and fun-learning activities play a vital role in the development of young children as it allows them to develop and practise many different skills.
“When children are playing, they learn a lot of things such as language and conversation skills, motor skills as well as values such as sharing, playing fair and so on.
“They will learn all these in a fun stress-free environment which in turn will develop their social skills, positive behaviour and values,” she told reporters when met after officiating Taska Day 2017 at Yayasan Sarawak’s Jamilah Hall here yesterday.
However, she pointed out that there are parents who insist that their children be able to read and write upon completing their early childhood education.
“This is not good for the children because we want them to develop at their own pace. Early childhood education at pre-schools and kindergartens are meant to prepare them for formal education.”
“When they enter primary school, what is expected out of their six years of education there is to be able to read and write,” she remarked.
In view of this, she urged parents to be more lenient and not to push their children too hard during their early years.
“The early years are for them to play and enjoy their childhood. When it is fun, it is easy for them to learn,” she emphasised.
Earlier, Fatimah presented prizes to pre-schools which won during the Inter-Taska Telematch held in conjunction with Taska Day. Thirteen pre-schools participated in games such as ‘Tennis Balloon’, ‘Pass the Water’, ‘Memory Games’, ‘Big Foot Match’, ‘Stack the Cups’, ‘Obstacle Games’ and ‘The Longest Life’.
Organised by The Association of Registered Childcare Providers Sarawak (PPBS), Taska Day aimed to create awareness on the importance of play in overall development of children; encourage childcare development centres (Taska), early childhood educators and parents to implement the concept of learning through play; promote unity among Taska in the state; and enhance children’s physical and social emotional development through the telematch.