Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Preschool children bring National Day cheer to ASH (Hougang) residents

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“I enjoy dancing and performing for the Ah Kongs and Ah Mas staying here,” shared bubbly 6-year-old Jovan Lim.

Jovan and 93-year-old Lee Fong Peng showing off the craft work they had worked on together.

Jovan is one of 23 five and six-year-old children from MapleBear Katong who performed a medley of National Day songs for the residents of All Saints Home (ASH) Hougang. This is part of the school’s “Touch of Love” project to reach out to the community.

“We would like our children to make performing acts of love and kindness second nature at our centre. As such, through our K1 and K2 children’s National Day performance at All Saints Home Hougang, we hope to bring cheer to the elderly,” shared Evelyn Wang, Principal, MapleBear Katong.

The K2 students performed a medley of National Day songs for the residents. 
A song and dance that is also a simple exercise routine for the residents to follow performed by the K1 students.
Residents enjoying the short exercise and song performed by the students and their teacher.
I enjoyed the performance and craft work and look forward to their next visit! ”, said 93-year-old Mdm Lee Fong Peng, one of the 30 residents from the Home who attended the event.

“I like doing art and craft with the Ah Kongs and Ah Mas. It is not every day that they get to do it and we got to do it with them to show our love,” shared 6-year-old Rebecca Meyer.

Here, Rebecca is presenting a goodie bag that she had prepared to 91-year-old Khoo Kim Eng.

“The Inter-Generational (IG) programme helps to promote social and emotional bonds between our very youngest and oldest populations. Research has shown that it promotes active living by enhancing mental and social well-being among seniors, as well as improving public perceptions and attitudes towards ageing. Through increased interactions between these generations, genuine long-term friendships are built. It also teaches the children strong values of respecting the elderly and encourages them to show empathy and display kindness,” said Michael Tay, CEO of ASH. The 155-bed Hougang Home has a monthly preschool engagement programme and works with preschools to bring their students to the Home to visit its residents.

A message penned by each student was attached to the goodie bags, which they handed to the residents of the Home.
One of the residents drew a picture of the visit and presented it to the school as a keepsake. 
“I would like to visit and perform for them again to make them happy,” added Jovan. 
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