Starchild: Malaysian children wish everyone a roaring New Year

Jodie Tan Li Juen, 12

Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, and this year, families will usher in the Year of the Tiger according to Chinese astrology.

During the Chinese New Year celebrations, the Chinese would usually have their reunion dinners on the eve of CNY, play with firecrackers, and wear new attire. Most children look forward to receiving red packets and spending time together as a family.

Recently, we asked Starchild readers to tell us about their Chinese New Year hopes and wishes. So let’s see what they had to say.

Sophia Chong Sze Lin, 9

“My uncle was injured in an accident in Japan recently so he will be on crutches for a few months. My Chinese New Year wish is for my uncle to recover soon,” says Sophia Chong Sze Lin, nine.

Samantha Chong Sze Mun, 7

Younger sibling Samantha Chong Sze Mun, seven, says: “Happy Chinese New Year to my cousins Tian Tian and Chjia Chjia in Melaka. I am going to wear a new cheongsam on CNY. I hope to see you soon.”

Mandy Tang, 5

Five-year-old Mandy Tang says: “Here’s wishing my parents, great grandparents, grandparents and family, teachers, friends and everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!”

Wong Jie Ern, 6

Six-year-old Wong Jie Ern says, “Chinese New Year is coming, but we will stay at home because of the pandemic. I’ll play puzzles with my family during the Chinese New Year holiday. I prefer to send a short text message to my friends and families. Wishing all of them good luck and good health in the Year of the Tiger. Happy Chinese New Year!”

Older sibling Wong Cheng Yang, eight, writes: “Even though we will not go out to visit our relatives and friends, I will send a Chinese New Year greeting card to them. I wish the new year brings everyone prosperity and good health. Happy Chinese New Year to my friends and families.”

Wong Cheng Yang, 8

Jodie Tan Li Juen, 12, writes, “May the Year of the Tiger bring you strength to overcome all obstacles that come in your way. May all your dreams come true and in the year ahead. Stay healthy and Happy Chinese New Year (Xīn nián kuài lè).”

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 9

“May your year be filled with an abundance of smiles and laughter. I wish all of us affluence in health and wealth too. Gong xi fa cai and wàn shì rú yì,” writes Jayden Tan Li Sheng, nine.

Wong Zhi Ying, 8

Wong Zhi Ying, eight, loves the Chinese New Year festival because she gets to wear new clothes, eat yummy traditional biscuits and receive many red angpow packets. “This year, I have sent a Chinese New Year card to my uncle in Taiwan. I wish him good health, lots of luck and happiness. Also, I wish my family and friends a very happy Chinese New Year.”

Loy Ru Shyuen, 5

“Happy Chinese New Year, everyone. Wishing all good health and happy always,” says Loy Ru Shyuen, five. – Compiled by Sheela Chandran

Elmyra Isabella Geh, 11

ITEM: Dental care is very important as we are endowed with only one set of permanent teeth to last a lifetime. Most people do not spend enough time cleaning their teeth, although dental experts recommend brushing our teeth for two to three minutes at least twice a day.

Do you know why we should take good care of our teeth and the outcome of bad dental habits? Or would you like to share some helpful tips about dental care? Don’t forget your drawing.

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by Feb 11. Please put “STARCHILD: “Dental Health” in the subject line of your email. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. 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.