I,Malaysian!

I came across this cute news from The Star. Our prime minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visited the Permata National Childcare Centre in Kepala Batas yesterday. He made this confession to drive home the point that naughty children will grow up to be useful citizens if they are loved and cared for in their childhood. He even confessed that he was a naughty child when he was a kid.

Let us correct them with love and care and not by yelling at them,” he advised parents when opening the Permata National Childcare Centre at Taman Seri Menerong here yesterday. He also said that parents should set a good example at home. Young children are usually a little adventurous and mischevious -- but it's a crucial part for them, especially when they are still undergoing the growth process. It is during that period where they start to develop their character and learn and absorb things fast, that's why parents shouldn't quarrel and yell at their children for no serious reasons as it will only pose as a stumbling block in their formative years.

“I am confident the Permata project will add value to the existing pre-school teaching efforts,” he said of the project, which is under the Prime Minister’s Department. Adapted from a curriculum used by the Pen Green Centre in Corby, Britain, it emphasises play activities, speech, exploration and creativity as the route to childcare.

Permata (which means “gem” in Malay) was introduced in March and offers an alternative approach in childcare and early childhood education for children below five years old. Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the working committee chairman of the Every Child is a Gem of the Nation project, said it has been allocated RM20mil under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Adapted from a curriculum used by the Pen Green Centre in Corby, Britain, it emphasises play activities, speech, exploration and creativity as the route to childcare.

Let's hope for the day the younger generation now rules this country with successfully dignity and pride.

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