One of SGM’s objectives is to nurture the future generation. To this end, this year, SGM will organise parent-child reading activities in local districts to enable parents and their children to develop closer relationships. These activities are also platforms for new friends and their children to participate in SGM activities and eventually become practise Nichiren Buddhism.
As preparation for the district activities, the SGM Young Mister and Kaho groups held a workshop at the SGM Culture Centre on January 21, with the attendance of almost 670 participants from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
In his speech, SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai spoke on the benefits of reading good books and encouraged participants to read the classics of world literature. He said that it’s important for children to be active in SGM activities since young and learn the importance of faith. He also spoke on the importance of shakubuku, or sharing Buddhism, drawing from President Ikeda’s guidance.
SGM High School Division Young Women’s Leader Anna Kang read and sang from a book titled Love You Forever, which left the audience moved. SGM Women Division Vice-Secretary and Kaho Group Leader Chan Yin Kwan introduced the Kaho Group’s activities for 2018, in particular the parent-child reading activity which aims to inspire parent and children to discover good literature together and build stronger relationships.
Two invited guest speakers, teachers Soon I Hoon and Lai Siau Ken, who have more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education were invited to speak on reading picture books. They read aloud six different picture books with various hand gestures and drew laughter from the audience, showing how interesting such books can be.
The speakers showed that interest in reading should begin with joy, encouraging the participants to draw interest and happiness in reading pictorial books. The time used to accompany children to read might be brief, but such experiences can stay on in the children’s memory for life. The participants asked various questions which the speakers answered diligently.
SGM Sarawak’s Kaho Group organised a picture book reading activity at the SGM Sarawak Culture Centre on January 14 with the attendance of 77 Women Division members from six chapters in the state.
The participants took turns to share the wonderful world of picture books, taking the participants into different imaginary worlds. Then they broke into ten groups to experience various modes of reading aloud. Such a presentation enabled them to be more proficient in reading picture books as well as getting to know various genres and the greatness of reading.
