Have you ever experienced a weird dream? Like being inside a giant library that floats in the sky? Or flying with birds across soft, fluffy and cotton candy-like clouds?
Dreams can feel very real, even when they are very strange.
Dreams happen when we are sleeping. Even though our body is resting, our brain is still working. It stays busy like a little storyteller while we sleep.
Scientists think dreams happen because our brain is sorting things out. During the day, we see, hear and feel many things – school lessons, games, friends, even worries and happy moments. At night, our brain takes all these bits and pieces and mix them into dreams.
That is why dreams can be so weird! Your brain might take your school, your imagination and your favourite things and turn them into something new – like a pencil train flying through the sky or a talking owl teaching in a floating classroom.
Dreams can also show how we feel. If you are excited, scared or happy, your dreams might include those feelings in funny or strange ways.
Sometimes dreams are fun and make you laugh. Sometimes they are confusing. And sometimes they are so magical that you wish they would never end.
So the next time you close your eyes and fall asleep, remember this: your brain is working hard to create your dreams. It is making a special movie just for you while you rest.
Here are the first batch of letters from Starchild readers on the topic, My dream. We will run the second batch next week.
“In my most recent dream, I visited Belgium in Europe. It is known for its delectable chocolate, crispy French fries and fluffy waffles. Do you know that Belgium is also the birthplace of French fries? Belgium is also the cartoon capital, home to beloved comic book characters Tintin and the Smurfs. There is even an entire museum dedicated to Tintin which is called the Herge Museum.
“In my dream, I met Tintin, the investigative reporter who travels the world with his faithful dog, Snowy. I followed him on his travels around the world to solve mysteries, says Woon Yu Jiun, 12.
“I dream of flying through the clouds like a fairy, making friends with animals and filling the sky with music, happiness and magic,” says Roxanne Ng Yee Shuen, 12.
Nine-year-old Fendi Ng Yu Fei says in her weirdest dream, she remembers being in school but not seeing anyone in class. “I initially didn’t think too much of it. I thought they were late to school so I decided to sleep while waiting. After I woke up, I saw my classmates staring at me. Beside them stood the school chef. He was holding an ice cream container, but there was not a single scoop inside – only melted ice pooled at the bottom. They began walking slowly towards me, and that was when the dream ended. I think I was just overthinking things, but I can’t forget this strange dream, and I really don’t want to experience it again.”
“In my dream, I saw a portal in my room. When I stepped inside, I found that everything was made of candy. There was a giant ice cream cone and inside it were tiny candy creatures like living marshmallows, candy corn and sprinkles. After that, I saw another portal and decided to go through it. The next thing I knew, I had woken up in my bed. Maybe I was just hungry, but I really liked this dream,” says Edith Yap Yu Ting, eight.
ITEM: What are your hobbies? Do you like watching TV, swimming, reading books, cycling or playing games on your digital device? Tell us why you enjoy your hobby so much. Is it fun, relaxing, exciting, or does it help you learn new things or spend time with your family and friends?
Maybe you like reading because it takes you to magical worlds. Or maybe you enjoy swimming because it makes you feel strong and free. Or perhaps you love cycling because you can explore your neighbourhood and feel the wind on your face.
Why do you think hobbies are important for kids? Do they help you stay happy, healthy and active? Do they help you learn new skills or make new friends?
Email your contributions to lifestyle@thestar.com.my by June 19. Please put “STARCHILD: My hobby” 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.
Starchild: My dream drawings
Fendi Ng Yu Fei, 9
Roxanne Ng Yee Shuen, 12
Edith Yap Yu Ting, 8
Dhia Aqilia Kamarul Ariffin, 9
Woon Yu Jiun, 12
