Playing vital for optimal child development, says doctor
KOTA KINABALU: KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital celebrated this year’s Chinese New Year together with children from Smart Reader Kids.
KPJ Sabah chief executive officer Miranda Harumal said the celebration was to provide an avenue for closer engagement between KPJ Sabah and the community as their preferred healthcare provider.
She said free eye screening was also provided to raise health awareness for those attending the event.
The highlight of the event was the traditional Chinese lion dance performance which attracted more than 100 spectators at the hospital here yesterday.
This was followed by a ‘yee sang’ tossing ceremony held at the main lobby of the hospital to symbolize prosperity, abundance and good fortune throughout the year.
The children also received ‘ang pow’ from KPJ Sabah and held a performance at the event.
Meanwhile, KPJ resident consultant paediatrician and lactation specialist Dr Joanne Lee Guey Feng said that playing is important for optimal child psychosocial and cognitive development.
“As we usher in a fast-paced millenia, time for free play has been reduced and replaced by academic based programmes, digital gadgets such as television, computers and handphones, and expensive toys.
“We as parents indirectly derecognize the importance of play in major beneficial part of our children’s healthy brain development,” she said.
She said playing allows children to use their creativity in utilizing simple play tools while developing their imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength.
This helps them to model critical thinking and strengthen adaptive skills, she added.
The event, which was organized together with Smart Reader Kids, was also attended by KPJ Sabah Medical Director Datuk Dr Ajaz Ahmad Nabijan and Queen Elizabeth Hospital II director Dr Razak Tambi.