Dear Parents and Teachers,
You have an important role to play in the telling of the Singapore Story. Throughout the book Playtime with Ye Ye, Ye Ye is enacting Singapore’s milestones. Each page is an opportunity for you to share a memory about these milestones of Singapore from your perspective.
As you read Playtime with Ye Ye aloud to your child, please recall your personal stories in relation to these milestones. You can also share contributions from the Singapore Memory Project Portal. Some of them are described here :
Ye Ye comes to Singapore by boat. Modern Singaporeans are descended from Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians who started coming to Singapore around 1870 to find work. They travelled here by boat. As Mr Jayapragasan remembers, his father came to Singapore from India, hoping to build a better life for his family back in India. Luckily for Mr Jaya’s father, he landed a job as a docksman at Sembawang Shipyard. “My father was an autocratic and regimental man. At around 6.30 in the evening from afar we could spot him walking home. All of us would rush to pretend to study. We took turns every day to keep a look-out for his return,” Mr Jaya recalled merrily.
Ye Ye plays the er hu after a hard day’s work. These immigrants brought their cultures and traditions with them. The Chinese played Chinese orchestra instruments and celebrated Chinese New Year. The Malays introduced batik painting and observed Hari Raya. The Indians brought the lovely festival of lights, Deepavali. What were the interesting cultural experiences that you have experienced? Share these with your child!
Ye Ye defends Singapore. In 1942, Japan invaded and conquered Singapore. Many Singaporeans fought valiantly to defend our country. The Japanese Occupation lasted from 1942 to 1945. The Japanese surrendered in 1945. As Mr Tan Suan Phang recalls, he was eight years old when the Japanese invaded Singapore. The younger ones had to disguise the adults as old people so that the Japanese would not target them. “However, I was too young to be frightened and even followed after the Japanese until the adults shouted, ‘Don’t follow!’” Mr Tan said.
Ye Ye sews the Singapore flag. On 9 August 1965, Singapore declared independence and became a nation. Julia Tan remembers the first NDP in 1966 vividly. She received biscuits and sweets and enjoyed a public holiday on 9 August for the first time by watching the National Day Parade on television.
Ye Ye builds a new nation. After Singapore’s independence, the government and citizens worked hard. Affordable apartments were constructed by Housing Development Board (HDB). Roads and public transport ensured that people travelled to work and home safely. What was the memory of your first home? Your child would surely be keen to hear more from you!
Boy Boy and Ye Ye make new history. Singapore is now a developed country. It continues to make new history with the first ever Night Race in the international Formula One World Championship in 2008. Many other international events are held in Singapore annually. Talk to your child about them.
Of course, Singapore’s story is much, much more than this! Playtime with Ye Ye introduces young children to their country in a fun and easy manner through the sharing of personal stories and memories. Please visit https://playtimewithyeye.wordpress.com for more ideas on how to share Singapore stories with your children and students.
You can also share your memories with the Singapore Memory Project! You can utilise oral recordings, essays, photos and videos and share them on:
singaporememory.sg; SG Memory iOS App and irememberSG on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest.