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News Detail:

Playing vital for optimal child development, says doctor

25-02-2018

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.- Borneo post



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