To catch the attention of the young audience, Chen used bright colours, exciting images and simple words that rhyme.The book will be distributed by next month to over 500 pre-schools from PCF Sparkletots and My First Skool, reaching a total of over 28,000 children.Before the launch of the book, the pre-schoolers spent two weeks learning about Total Defence.
These lessons included an art contest, discussions of the concepts of Total Defence and role-playing.Ms Hamidah Juhan, 42, the lead centre principal, said:"It is important to implement these concepts and values that help in character building at a young age because their brains are like sponges at this stage."
Ms Tan Chiew Hoon, 28, a senior teacher at the centre, added that while the children might not understand some references, teachers can simplify the concepts through activities such as role-playing or storytelling. The response from the pre-schoolers to the book was positive, and they seemed to be excited to see what they had been learning come to life.
Chen said:"Seeing their excitement made me feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to do this."