OVER 30 Brickfields residents including young families gathered over the weekend for an event aimed at equipping parents with practical knowledge on child development and family well-being.
The half-day programme was held at the Tamil Methodist Church Kuala Lumpur (TMCKL), along Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad.
An expert-led forum was held in the morning, with an open-day session in the afternoon.
Organised by Brickfields Methodist Kindergarten with the support of TMCKL, the initiative sought to strengthen understanding of child development while recognising the crucial role parents and caregivers play at home.
The forum featured three speakers covering key aspects of child well-being and parenting.
Paediatric emergency medicine consultant Dr Shameera Navaratnam spoke on recognising warning signs and responding to emergencies involving children, including fever, seizures and choking.
Family medicine specialist Dr Anu Malar Narkunam highlighted developmental milestones and early signs of learning disabilities, stressing the importance of timely screening and intervention.
Counsellor and Safe Haven Counselling founder Jerusha Thomas addressed stress management and the importance of emotional well-being in family life.
Kindergarten principal Patricia Daniel Rajahser said the forum was a starting point for broader community engagement.
“Once the new community centre is ready, the kindergarten will move to the first floor, allowing us to offer a much better learning environment for the children,” she said.
The community centre is a three-storey building within the church premises.
Patricia said that since its establishment in 1970 to serve underprivileged families, the kindergarten has operated in a shared space with the church, with furniture packed away and set up again each week.
“We hope to serve this community not just through the kindergarten, but in a greater way.
“Brickfields is like a mini-Malaysia, with people of different backgrounds living side by side.
“If we come together and pool our resources, this community can become a national benchmark for unity and harmony,” she said, adding that the kindergarten hopes to collaborate with other agencies.
During the open day, parents met teachers, discussed their child’s progress and learned about the kindergarten’s pedagogical approach.
