LAST August 26, I was invited by edamama, a new children’s online platform, to their first Family Expo at the SMX Convention Center. In my talk, titled “S.T.E.A.M. for 21st Century Learning,” I shared the many worries I had as a first-time parent 15 years ago, as well as the concerns of parents I encounter during my classes and talks.
To summarize, from birth to eight years old, most parents are concerned with what “building blocks” they need to ensure kids grow up ready and happy. From eight to 12 years old, many parents often ask how to equip children to deal with life, like developing grit and resiliency, as well as how to deal with anxiety, peer pressure and bullying.
And from 12 to 18 years of age, the parents I have interacted with would want to work on having a good relationship with their children, as well know how to equip their children in handling the effects of social media.
It made me remember my list of value goals before my kids were born, because I viewed that my future children’s emotional resiliency and strength as equal if not more important than academics. Below were my personal value goals that I had focused on for my children at each stage:
0-1: Warmth, love and tons of laughter with lots of hugs and kisses.
2-3: Discipline, early confidence through physical activities, attentiveness in listening, warmth and fun in reading.
4-5: Love for learning, valuing their books and play things, caring for siblings, self-expression and self-relaxation through art, respectful of and learning interaction with elders, empathy and feeling empowered to help in the family in their little way.
5-6: Family love through rituals, self-motivation to learn, valuing and being grateful for people’s hard work, enroll in sports.
This week, I am very glad to share “one solution” for learning discipline, respect, and determination, which is sports. I am glad that nutritious beverage brand MILO Philippines and the Department of Education (DepEd) celebrated the recent success of its inaugural MILO-DepEd Palarong Pambahay last June 28. The joint effort was the first-of-its-kind inter-sport, inter-school virtual competition held on a nationwide scale.
The two-day live broadcast saw more than 700 participating schools and featured over 2,000 aspiring student athletes who showcased their skills and competed with pride for themselves and their school in front of 1.5 million-plus online viewers.
“It is our great pleasure to partner with MILO Philippines for the first-ever MILO-DepEd Palarong Pambahay competition. Even though the pandemic has hindered most of our on-ground activities, our organization as well as coaches, teachers and parents have worked tremendously hard to make this event a reality. This is quite a milestone and integral proof that nothing can stop the Filipino champion spirit and our winning culture of bayanihan,” said Education Undersecretary Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq.
This groundbreaking online sports event opened doors for young athletes who showed their determination as they trained and competed from their homes, as well as their parent coaches who helped guide them along the way to overcome the many challenges of staying indoors.
The event was just the latest of many creative and innovative programs now available from MILO Philippines designed to provide kids with an outlet to stay physically active and teach them the important values learned from sports such as discipline, respect and determination.
“Taekwondo helps build my self-confidence so that I can attain success through hard-work and determination,” said Justin Apura, who hails from the University of San Agustin, Iloilo.
Apura won gold in Taekwondo and has been competing in local and international competitions since he was six years old.
As schools and sports venues start to open up again, let us all welcome back kids to continue their champion journeys.