Friday 10 December 2010

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Heritage Education: Teaching J the Singapore's National Anthem & the National Pledge in a fun way


When I thought of using the toy drum to solve the problem of J banging on the table/tray during meal time, it led to another idea. The toy drum is actually a fun way to introduce J to the Singapore National Anthem. The rythm of Singapore's National Anthem is very well-suited to the drum.

As a cross-cultural family, I have the responsibility of sharing with J his heritage from both sides. As with trilingualism language development, I believe in starting early with heritage education, and what best age to introduce it, than during toddlerhood?

When I was young, we learned the Singapore's National Anthem in school (but in a rather boring way though). J would not have the chance.

Learning heritage does not have to be boring. Teaching him the Singapore's National Anthem while beating the drum adds an element of fun. Reciting the Pledge is boring, but singing it out makes it more fun. I will start incorporate it into the bedtime lullaby and bedtime story-telling.

Now I just need to have the discipline to begin heritage education and follow through with it right here from home :-)... which is not easy...

Hopefully years from now, when he grows up and visits Singapore, he will recall with fondness mommy singing the Singapore's National Anthem and National Pledge in a cozy, "hyggelig" way as an integral part of his childhood.

Singapore - J's "Mother's-land".
The next project is to teach J the Danish National Anthem. It will also be a chance to teach myself :-)

Here is a video demonstration of the melody:


Here is the lyrics of the Singapore's National Anthem:

Majulah Singapura

Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura

Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura
The English translation:
Come, fellow Singaporeans
Let us progress towards happiness together
May our noble aspiration bring
Singapore success

Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore

Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore
The Singapore's Pledge:
We, the citizens of Singapore,
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society
based on justice and equality
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.


我们是新加坡公民,
誓愿不分种族、言语、宗教,
团结一致,
建设公正平等的民主社会,
并为实现国家之幸福、繁荣与进步,
共同努力
The Danish National Anthem:
Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand :
Det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark
og det er Frejas sal :
Der sad i fordums tid
de harniskklædte kæmper,
udhvilede fra strid :
Så drog de frem til fjenders mén,
nu hvile deres bene
bag højens bautasten :
Det land endnu er skønt,
thi blå sig søen bælter,
og løvet står så grønt :
Og ædle kvinder, skønne mø'r
og mænd og raske svende
bebo de danskes øer :
Hil drot og fædreland!
Hil hver en danneborger,
som virker, hvad han kan! :
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå

Literal translation of the Danish National Anthem:
There is a lovely country
it stands with broad beeches
near the salty eastern beach
It winds itself in hill, valley,
it is called old Denmark
and it is Freja's hall
There sat in former times,
the armour-suited warriors,
rested from conflict
Then they journeyed forwards to their enemies' injury,
now their bones are resting
behind the mound's menhir
That country is still lovely,
because the sea waves so blue frolic,
and the foliage stands so green
And noble women, beautiful maidens,
and men and brisk swains
inhabit the Danes' islands
Hail king and fatherland!
Hail every a Dane-citizen,
who works, what he can
Our old Denmark shall endure,
as long as the beech reflects
its top in the blue wave



http://home.pacific.net.sg/~linachoo/singapore3.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majulah_Singapura

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_National_Pledge

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_er_et_yndigt_land

http://www.gingerbreadmum.com/2014/08/singapore-national-day.html

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