Old-time fun keeps new generation entertained

From L-R. Naufal Zaquan, 12, Muhd Fakhri 9, Nurqaseh 7, playing monopoliy at thier home during the CMCO. (Nov 18,2020). - AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: It is a return to traditional board games for her children as housewife Raja Mazia tries to keep them occupied at home – away from the tech gadgets – as the conditional movement control order (MCO) rolls on.

“Since the schools are closed, they are now doing online learning and revising on their own at home.

“With most of their time spent at home now, I have been keeping them occupied through board games and traditional games.

“I do not like the idea of them spending too much time on tablets, gadgets or their handphones.

“With board games, they can bond better with their siblings and not lose focus on their studies, ” said the 33-year-old when met at her flat in Taman Manggis here at Jalan Zainal Abidin.

Her three school-going children Farra Medina Tasneem, six, Muhammad Nawfal Hasif, nine, and Faria Dyana Haseena, 13, have been playing Reversi or congkak.

Reversi, also known as Othello is a classic board game where you get your opponent to turn over their counters to your colour.

Raja Mazia said if her children just glued themselves to the entertainment in their handphones, there would be no bonding between the siblings.

“As such, I always advise them to control their gadget use, especially this time when schools are closed.

“Before the conditional MCO, we bring them out to jog or cycle at Straits Quay but now that we are staying home more, these activities keep them engaged and occupied.”

Beauty parlour owner Jeenie Thai, 46, said her son Joash Lee, 15, kept himself occupied by painting and playing the drums to pass time during the conditional MCO.

Joash needs to spend at least the next three months at home as his school is a special needs school which will only reopen in March.

“We got him wood pieces to paint and ‘beautify’ using his creativity.

““We encourage him to engage in activities that require him to see, touch, sense and experience.

“This is better than leaving him to play with gadgets or tablets as these gadgets can make children lose focus, ” she said.