Starchild: Why Malaysian kids are learning with love — thanks to great teachers
Where would we be today without our teachers? They help us discover new things, answer our big (and small) questions, and show us how to be our best selves.
Teachers are like gardeners. Every day, they help us grow – by teaching us letters and numbers, fun facts about space or animals, and how to work together with friends. They give us the tools we need to bloom, in school and in life.
But teachers don't just teach subjects. They also teach kindness, patience and courage. If we are feeling nervous, they cheer us on. If we make a mistake, they help us try again. If we are stuck, they find new ways to help us understand.
Lai Zhi Lin, 6
That's why Teachers Day is so special. It is our chance to say thank you for all the time, care and effort they give us.
Here are the second batch of letters from Starchild readers on the topic, Teachers Day.
Lai Zhi Lin, six, thinks her teachers are special and kind. 'I love my teacher because she plays with me.'
Angeline Chin Zi Ying, 6
Angeline Chin Zi Ying, six, enjoys active playtime with her teacher. 'You let us play with you. We get to throw balls around!'
Choong Vin Son, 6
Choong Vin Son, six, has grown to love arts and crafts, thanks to his teachers. 'We always have arts and crafts lessons together,' he says.
Lim Shan Ni, 6
'You teach me right from wrong. You play cards and reward me,' writes Lim Shan Ni, six.
ITEM: Fathers Day is a time to celebrate the special men in our lives – our dads, grandpas, uncles and anyone who cares for us like a father.
Colour me Do you enjoy going on adventures with your dad? Maybe he makes you laugh at his jokes or helps you with your schoolwork.
Tell us why your father or father figure is special. You can write a short letter, draw a picture of you doing something fun together or share a happy memory!
Email your contributions to lifestyle@thestar.com.my by June 6. Please put 'STARCHILD: Happy Fathers Day' in the subject line of your email.
Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Fan Bingbing posts rare pic with parents, 74YO dad goes viral for youthful looks
Chinese movie star Fan Bingbing (1st from right) with her mother Zhang Chuanmei and father Fan Tao. Photo: Fan Bingbing/Weibo Multiple celebrities took to social media on June 15 to celebrate Fathers Day, and Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing was among those who shared heartfelt tributes to their dads. The 43-year-old actress shared a rare glimpse of her family life on Weibo, posting two photos – one with her parents and another of her father blowing out the candle on his cake. 'Happy Fathers Day! Wishing all the dads at home a happy day! The best dad, strongest support!' she wrote in the caption. The photos quickly went viral, with fans marvelling at how incredibly youthful Fan's father looked despite being 74. Some were even stunned enough to mistake him for her 25-year-old brother Chengcheng, who's also an actor and a singer. Several netizens mistook Fan's father for her 25-year-old brother, singer-actor Fan Chengcheng. Photos: Fan Bingbing/Weibo, Fan Chengcheng/Weibo 'Chengcheng isn't the one in the second picture?' one netizen asked. 'He's over 70? If you told me he was in his 40s, I'd believe you. This family is so beautiful,' another commented. 'Dad is becoming younger and younger,' a third chimed in. Fan's father Fan Tao was once a pop singer who often performed in regional competitions. Her mother Zhang Chuanmei, 70, was a dancer and actress.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Dad sews his love with homemade Labubu
Compiled by GERARD GIMINO, and R. ARAVINTHAN A MAN in China's Jiangsu province warmed the hearts of Internet users for knitting a plushie resembling the Labubu doll for his daughter after the popular toy figure sold out, Sin Chew Daily reported. 'This is a one-of-a-kind Labubu doll. It represents a father's love for her daughter,' one Internet user wrote. The father's labour of love was shared by his daughter, who had documented the entire process on video and shared it on social media. According to her, the Labubu doll had sold out everywhere and she was unable to buy one from a PopMart store. After finding out about her disappointment, her father bought materials including cotton and faux fur, and started to knit the doll himself. The finished product resembled a grey Labubu doll with rainbow eyes. Many Internet users complimented his efforts, saying that it looked like the real thing. However, there were those who voiced concerns that this could be an infringement of intellectual property as it may be seen as an imitation of the original doll. > The daily also reported that Hong Kong superstar Aaron Kwok has confirmed that he will become a father again for a third time. However, he has not revealed the baby's gender. 'Whatever God has in store for me, I will accept it,' he said when reporters asked him about it on Fathers Day last Sunday. Kwok, who is known as one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Hong Kong, got married to Moka Fong in 2017. The couple have two daughters aged six and seven. Kwok's latest movie, My First of May, is about a father rediscovering love and connection with his estranged daughter. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Tragic tale of a loving dad
IN conjunction with Fathers Day, an emotionally powerful and critically acclaimed Hong Kong film 'Papa' opened in Malaysian cinemas on June 12. This moving exploration of a father's unwavering love in the face of unthinkable tragedy, 'Papa' has won wide acclaim and recently swept three major awards at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards. Directed and written by Philip Yung, best known for the acclaimed 'Port of Call', the film stars award-winning actor Sean Lau Ching Wan in a career-defining role. At the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards, 'Papa' earned honours for Best Actor — Sean Lau, Best Supporting Actress — Jo Koo and Best New Performer — Dylan So. In a recent interview, Philip said that these accolades are a testament to the film's exceptional storytelling and emotionally resonant performances. "Sean delivers one of the most powerful portrayals of his career as a father struggling with guilt, grief and love following an unimaginable family tragedy," he said. "His heart-wrenching performance rightfully earned him his fourth Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor, solidifying his legacy as one of the finest actors in Hong Kong cinema." Philip said: "Jo's deeply moving role as the mother brings emotional depth to the film, and newcomer Dylan's remarkable debut as the tormented son earned him the Best New Performer award, marking the arrival of a promising new talent." Sean said the story is inspired by a real-life one that is terribly tragic, "but it's also one about a father's love and redemption 10 years in the making". He added that the crime that took place in Hong Kong in 2010 saw a teenage boy with schizophrenia killing two of his loved ones. "Yet the heart of the story is not the crime — it is the emotional journey of a father coping with the aftermath. "The film touches on themes of unconditional love, forgiveness and the strength of familial bonds, making it a deeply human and timely story." RAW Philip said 'Papa' is a raw, intimate and heartbreaking portrayal of a family torn apart, offering a cinematic experience that resonates long after the credits roll. The film is brought to Malaysia by Lotus Five Star Sdn Bhd and Five Star AV Sdn Bhd. CAFE 'Papa' tells the story of Nin (Sean), a cafe owner whose world is turned upside down when his son, Ming (Dylan), murders his own mother and sister. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Ming is sentenced to indefinite psychiatric imprisonment until he recovers. "Left alone, Nin leads a quiet, solitary life, burdened by memories of his lost family. And despite the pain, he continues visiting Ming twice a month," said Sean. DEVOTED Sean describes Nin as a devoted father. "Although I don't have children in real life, I approached the role by learning how to be a father through the character's journey, just like how people learn in real life — by going through experiences. "It was definitely a new kind of role for me, very emotionally grounded, and one that made me reflect a lot." HARD Sean said the whole film felt like one complete experience. "Personally, I liked the scenes where the family was happy together. After they leave, every scene becomes a challenge, expressing those emotions is not easy." Sean has worked mainly with Jo Koo in the past. "I was happy to finally act closely with her as a couple — a great experience. I think she did wonderfully." SUNNY Sean would love to film in Malaysia some day, as he loves the friendliness of the people, the good food and the sunny weather. "I've visited Malaysia many times for promotional events, but never for filming. "During those trips, time was short — just one day, then I'd go buy chicken wings!" PROPER Philip said he had never worked directly with Sean, but is happy to do so. "Sean usually does big commercial films, but this is a more grounded, realistic story — a new kind of performance for him." He added that filming began in early 2023 and post-production took about two months. "All of the scenes were shot in Hong Kong, with some real locations — like Tsuen Wan Park where the son turned himself in — kept for authenticity." DIFFICULT Philip described the murder scene as the most difficult one, as it was painful and gruesome. "We were all so worried about young actress Lainy Hung's mental well-being and safety — her eye was injured during filming. "The emotional and physical intensity was extremely high, thank God everything turned out perfectly." Philip started working on the script in 2011 for a year. "The only major change was the ending scene where the son returns home — a symbolic gift to the real father and son." TRANSITED Philip would love to film in Malaysia, and to date has only "transited through" the country. "I know that Malaysia is a major market for Hong Kong films, so I'm currently developing a script set in Malaysia and hope to film and meet audiences there soon," he said. For future films, Philip hopes to do some that are set in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
