Smart Soleh KD Open Day

This year marks Irtiza’s 2nd year as a pre-schooler under Smart Soleh KD. Together with brand new uniforms, he’s starting his foundation class in full this year, compared to last year when some lessons are considered optional (as he was still under 4 years of age).

Unfortunately, he started his new term by having chicken pox since last last Thursday. The symptoms were confirmed the next day by Dr Padmini of Dr. Altaf’s TTDI Child Clinic. Since then, we got him quarantined at home while he recuperates from the illness.

Smart Soleh KD held an open day last Saturday. Parents and child were invited to join the occasion (with fun games for kids, and a talk for the adults). As Irtiza was still sick, he was taken care of by wifey while I was away for the event.

One of the muallimahs handling the registration counter

I was greeted by one of the ‘muallimahs’ (or ‘teacher’ in Arabic) at the counter when I reached there at 11am. After the registration, I took a short walk to the nearby hall (It was almost empty, with most of the seats were still vacant of parents). The available parents as that time were mostly mommies. So, I put my chatterbox mode to a minimum while smiling awkwardly to everyone. Then, bit by bit the hall became full with adults.

The empty hall before the talk

The venue for the kids

The talk started with the opening speech and a dua recitation by the muallimahs, followed by explanation on rules and regulations by the principal. We were then introduced to the Smart Soleh founder. From what I can see, the founder is a passionate lady when it comes to childhood education. She narrated her background and experiences, on Smart Soleh, her aspirations, and the needed roles of parents in assisting the development of their child. 

 

Then she made a little phonics reading exercise together with the parents. It felt funny at first when the parents just followed suit in singing the sounds of the alphabets while the lady kept praising them for singing the ABCs correctly. Still, it was nonetheless beneficial to the parents and all of us learned a technique or two in teaching alphabet sounds to kids.

From left: A muallimah, the principal, and the Smart Soleh founder

The founder talked about the importance of education for children

Then there was the lucky draw session and won a cute hamper filled with things for Irtiza, wifey and me. We were then served lunch; boxes of chicken fried rice and refreshments. The principal, Pn Anum asked me to take more boxes back home but I settled for two (even though head kept saying “Take three…it’s free!”).

This is big medicine

Fried chicken rice with drinks+etc

I went back to the pre-school to inform Irtiza’s muallimah (the teacher of his cute-named Mango Class) on his current state. I was relieved to know that Irtiza won’t be missing the critical lessons as the foundation class will start in February. Before leaving the venue, a big bear crossed path with me (It was actually the Great Root Bear mascot that the organisers brought in to entertain the kids). Irtiza would really love that if he was around :(

Decorations at the pre-school

A very shy and polite bear

X marks the bear

All was not lost for Irtiza. He got excited after seeing me holding the hamper by the door and wanted to unwrap straightaway. What followed was a hamper massacre by the three of us.

The open day event was short but worthwhile. Insya allah the next one will be more meaningful…with added participation of wifey and Irtiza :)

Irtiza with the hamper