WHAT better way can we utilise time especially for schoolgoing children, who have now adapted themselves to virtual learning, other than exposing them to good hobbies.
The Buletin Mutiara team had the opportunity to get some insights into the activities conducted by two families with their children at home during this lockdown.
Forty-year-old Law Suun Ting, who is a photographer by profession, sees the closure of schools as an opportunity to encourage his children to pick up healthy habits.
“I have three kids, a pair of twin boys who are 12 years old and an eight-year-old girl. Our children are now spending more time at home which enables me to spend valuable time with them.
“During weekdays, my boys will be attending their classes from 8am till 2.30pm and then on weekends, they will be having a few hours of classes in the afternoon.For my daughter, she has fewer hours of online classes..
“After my children have finished attending their online classes, I will normally invite them to do gardening together with me. It is my hobby which I hope to instil in them.
“Exposing them to hobbies such as gardening will actually help them to better appreciate nature. Besides that, it will help to calm their minds after prolonged online classes.
“I also rear fish and tortoise at home. My daughter will normally assist me to clean the tortoise. In this manner, I can also instil in my children the love for creatures,” Law said when he was contacted by the Buletin Mutiara team today.
Law added that it is important to train children to do household chores as that would make them become more responsible and disciplined.
“I feel that parents should make children to do household chores so that they will know how to keep their home clean and tidy. I do that to my children.
“Since we are allowed to engage in non-contact sports activities, I encourage my children to play badminton in front of our house to keep fit,’’ Law added.
Interestingly, Yuizwan Yaacob’s family, who is like-minded, said their children would get on the ground to help plant vegetable seedlings at the house compound.
“We grow our own organic vegetables at our backyard. As you know, these vegetables are tastier, healthier and fresher compared to the ones that we normally buy in the market.
“So, we teach our kids on how to plant the seedlings. This will give them the idea of how organic farming is done as well as to keep them occupied during this lockdown,’’ said Yuizwan.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting