By Serene Leong
One common way that many of us have learnt to commemorate Racial Harmony Day is through wearing traditional garb or getting our kids to do the same. While that makes for beautiful pictures and allows us to appreciate cultures through the intricate designs of each traditional costume, the teachers at Anglican Preschool Services always love a challenge to dig deeper.
“This year’s celebration took on a new meaning to teachers and children. We were challenged to look beyond the many interesting and colourful traditional costumes to into the real meaning of this occasion. The emphasis was to impart and live out harmony!” Senior Teacher from Little Seeds Preschool (Praiseland) Woo May Lin said.
All of us, regardless of race, language or religion are to live in peace and harmony, especially in the turbulent world we live in today.
Traditional games and food
The children at LSP Praiseland played traditional games like five stones, chaptek and did henna painting. The older children sampled food from different cultures such as bandung and traditional Malay kuehs.
The K1 and K2s were also taught on what harmony means inside and outside the classroom. For example, living peacefully and harmoniously with friends and family and loving people of different races. The teachers used toy sharing as an example on how to resolve conflict!
Centre Leader of LSP (TSA – Tampines) Liana Neo said: “We learnt that Racial Harmony Day falls on 21st July to commemorate the racial riots that took place in 1964. They showed us how dangerous racial & religious divisions can be and we do not want to repeat it.
Our race and beliefs may be different, but we can look beyond them and embrace one another in love!”
The children at LSP Tampines also had the opportunity to experience and appreciate cultural arts such as henna and traditional games like chapteh, congkak and kuti-kuti.
“We saw the beauty of how fun can bring people together. There was also a pop-up kacang putih booth where we enjoyed local snacks like murukku, “ear” biscuits and gem biscuits. It was such a treat!”
To end off the special day, the children reflected on what they did through a Racial Harmony Day bingo.
Appreciation of cultures – and parents!
LSP Ascension brought in musical instruments from different cultures for the children to play and learn. The children enjoyed listening to the different sounds and music from the instruments, such as the Indian tabla, Malay kompang and Chinese er hu.
Centre Leader of LSP Ascension Theresa Enriquez said: “We wanted to teach the kids appreciation of the cultures in Singapore. When they all dress up in ethnic costumes, we emphasise on respect and living in harmony with friends from diverse cultures. We are all different, but we are all special.”
Theresa added: “I appreciate that the parents made the effort to dress their children up in ethnic costumes to make this event special. Parents have a great part to play in such celebrations and I see the effort they put in to be part of their childs’ learning.”
Giving back to the community
LSP Kiddy Ark celebrated Racial Harmony Day with the usual ethnic costume parade with prizes for the best dressed. The children learnt four different cultural dances in class. After that, they had a fruit rojak making session.
Centre Leader of Little Seeds Preschool Kiddy Ark Agnes Yeo said: “We want to celebrate diversity. The children were given different types of cut fruits which they mixed. We added honey and lemon, to symbolise the sweetness of diversity and unity.”
In addition, with the focus on community collaboration and awareness, LSP Kiddy Ark organised a learning journey for the children to visit the elderly at St Luke’s Eldercare. Due to the rise in Covid cases, however, it could only be held as a virtual engagement.
Nevertheless, the children managed to brighten the faces of the aunties and uncles as they sang and danced on Zoom with a cultural dance performance!
The day before the engagement, the parents donated food and the kids helped to pack the for the elderly. The K2s also made handwritten cards for the elderly.
The children learnt that besides childcare, there is also another type of care – eldercare!
Agnes said: “Racial harmony isn’t just about four races coming together. It also means living in harmony with people in your community. So you must know the people in your community and reach out to them.”
As many of APS’s schools are situated underneath HDB blocks, the classrooms extend into the neighbourhood and give children the opportunity to mingle and learn from people of all ages and of all walks. Though Racial Harmony Day happens only once a year, so much of what they have learnt in a day can become precious activities to do with community or traditions that can be passed down for years to come, all in the name of unity and embracing different cultures in our nation.
To find out more about our preschools and curriculum, visit https://littleseeds.edu.sg
