FAMILY bonding time is probably the most important part of our lives; one that is so enormous and can greatly impact the well-being and development of our children.
If one is to speak about ways to nurture children’s development from a tender age, then storytelling is undoubtedly one of the most effective.
For this reason, three key industry players – Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), SEGi College Penang and Whytehouse Education Group – will host the International Family Day Storytelling Festival 2021.
State executive councillor Chong Eng, who helms the Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs portfolio, said during her speech that the sessions would be streamed online on Whytehouse’s Facebook page on May 8, 9, 15, 16 and 22 from 8pm to 9pm.
“The state government, through its Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’, places high importance on family values and bonding.
“There are a lot of building blocks for family bonding and storytelling is definitely one of them.
“Memories fade, but when passed down, stories have the power to live forever. Stories do stick with us.
“These stories have a serious impact on children, especially on their social and emotional developments.
“Thank you PWDC, SEGi College and Whytehouse for this timely initiative that can help many families to sit down with their little ones and hear out some truly inspiring stories relating to family,” Chong Eng said during the press conference at Tech Dome Penang in Komtar today.
On May 8, there will be a special storytelling workshop conducted by experienced educators from SEGi College, University of Greenwich, United Kingdom and the Education University of Hong Kong.
It will be held from 8pm to 9pm and catered mainly for parents.
Separately, Chong Eng extended her hopes that families, especially parents, would view this initiative seriously and encourage not only their children but themselves as well to participate in this festival.
“I hope families from Penang and all over the world will enjoy the stories that will feature professional storytellers based in Taiwan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, India and Singapore,” she added.
There will be a total of eight storytellers from the countries mentioned above participating in the live sessions.
Also present during the press conference were Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, PWDC chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng, Whytehouse Education Group founder and executive director Jery Yeoh and SEGi College Penang principal Cheah Teong Keat.
For more information about the festival, please visit Whytehouse’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/whytehouse.edu/?ref=page_internal.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi