Caregivers can now borrow toys, story books, LEGO blocks and folder tasks (i.e., task or activity folders), among other resources from SPD@Bedok’s new resource library to engage their children at home.

This initiative was started by the Champion Caregivers Team, comprising caregivers and staff of SPD@Bedok, with the aim of maximising the use of teaching and learning materials by making them available to a larger number of caregivers to benefit more children. These materials would be handy in reinforcing play skills and during bonding time between the caregivers and children at home.

Together, caregivers and staff brainstormed ideas when designing and developing the library. They encouraged other caregivers, staff and a corporate partner to donate items for the library, while teachers also put their hands together to create some of the resources. After six months of hard work, the in-house resource library was launched on 6 August.

Caregivers and staff celebrated the significance of their collaboration with a mini ribbon cutting ceremony. Thereafter, the children and caregivers were invited to explore the library.

Since its opening, caregivers have given positive feedback on the library. “The board games are good as the siblings can play together,” said one parent, Mdm Wangchit Ueamporn.

“The folder tasks are very helpful in getting my son to sit down and do the activity at home independently,” said caregiver Mdm Farah. Folder tasks comprise tasks or activities that involve matching, counting, sequencing, patterning, categorising or use of numbers.

Just a little over a month since the opening, caregivers are already looking forward to the library stocking more folders of different levels of difficulty. “The resource library is very educational and has lots of variety. I think we can have more folder tasks and books so that we can train the older children to read. It is very encouraging to have such a library as it can help many children,” said caregiver, Mdm Ataiyah.

In addition to books and activity folders, caregivers borrowed toys for trial by their children before deciding whether to buy them.

The resource library is run by caregivers and is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, where the children and caregivers could visit before or after the intervention sessions and borrow any two items for a period of two weeks.