As parents, we want to make sure our children are exposed to digital technology the right way. As with everything, technology has its pros and cons: On one hand, technology can serve as educational tools to aid in our child’s learning and growth, bringing along new meanings to play and entertainment. Conversely, screen time, if not limited or monitored, can have an impact on a child’s mental development and relationship with others.
Supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Digital for Life movement was launched by President Halimah in February 2021 with the aim to enrich the lives of citizens with digital, while galvanising the community to empower everyone to embrace digital learning as a lifelong pursuit. Since its launch, many including partners from the private, public and people sectors have stepped forward to help the digitally vulnerable.
To excite more Singaporeans to be part of the movement, the inaugural Digital for Life Festival will be held from 21 to 29 May. Over the 9 days, Festival participants can get to learn new digital skills, explore and tinker with technology as well as be exposed to opportunities to play a part and help the less abled. The Festival will be at 2 key locations, Suntec Convention Centre (21-22 May) and [email protected] (28-29 May), while there will be more than 50 pop-ups island wide, as well as online sessions for those who prefer to participate in the comfort of their own homes.
The Festival promises a chock-full of hands-on activities, workshops, guided tours and webinars created for people of all ages and digital knowledge. Remember to register your slots early for various activities before heading down as some of these activities require pre-registration and have limited slots!
What better way to teach your child on adopting the right digital skills and wellness habits through hands-on play? We at theAsianparent have curated some activities suitable for you and your children! Continue reading to find out more below!
Lego Doom the Gloom
LEGO Doom the Gloom is an interactive experience that enables our kids to join Captain Safety and his hero squad to defeat the gloom! The gloom comes from how we treat each other, or from proper meanies and scammers. The activity is specially designed for children aged 6 to 12 years to help them learn and understand gloom-busting skills through fun interactive videos and mini-games.
Every parent-child pair can get to walk away with an exclusive LEGO gift, while stocks last!
Details:
Suntec Main Hall | 21 and 22 May | 10:00AM - 7:00PM
[email protected] Main Hall | 28 and 29 May | 10:00AM - 6:00PM
*Registration is required to participate.
Introduction to Block Coding by Science Centre
Give your child the heads up to pick up coding and computational thinking skills as learning how to code at a young age can truly set them up for a lifetime of success.
Organised by the Science Centre Singapore, children will be incubated as the STEM sectors’ next leaders. Workshop is open to all children who are interested in learning the basics of block coding, to enthuse them on the wonders of robotics and science and equip them with problem-solving and design-thinking skills.
Details:
Suntec Main Hall | 21 and 22 May | 12:30PM - 5:30PM
[email protected] Function Hall #1 | 28 and 29 May | 3:00PM - 6:30PM
*Pre-registration is required.
Looking for webinars for your teenager? Fret not, we’ve got it covered too!
Managing Screen Time while having FUN-mily Time together
Attend this webinar with your loved ones as you learn strategies and acquire tips to make screen time management fun and easy. Take away exciting rewards when you win games and challenges, aha! moments when you identify your own parenting style and finally get that peace of mind as you get more familiar with the digital world your family members live in.
Details:
Webinar | 23 May | 7:00PM - 8:30PM
*Pre-registration is required.
They are watching YOU! Parents, be Positive Digital Role Models!
Ever heard of “monkey see monkey do”? Learn how to be positive digital role models to your little ones at home because they are always watching you! We highly recommend parents to join this online webinar to understand more about positive habits and learn if your personal digital habits are setting a good example for your child. Do you know if your child understands the difference between cyberbullying or just some friendly teasing? Parents in the modern world are not only expected to find answers to such questions and protect your loved ones online but also to help them build a positive relationship with technology, develop self-control, and have fun along the way.
We encourage you to join this session and enhance your cyber wellness with your loved ones to discover your personal digital habits and how your child perceives it and even get a chance to win some exciting rewards too!
Details:
Webinar | 24 May | 7:00 PM– 8:30PM
*Pre-registration is required.
Hatch Aspirations Seminar
This seminar is for parents, educators, social workers who work closely with youths and help you navigate this space with the youths you are working with, equipping you with skills to help your youths pave out their options and career possibilities from the demands and trends of the digital industry.
Details:
Webinar | 23 May | 9:30PM – 11:30PM
[email protected] L1 Atrium | 28 May | 3:30PM - 5:30PM & 5:30PM - 7:30PM
*Pre-registration is required.
Coding with Roblox by Saturday Kids
For the older kids (for ages 9 to 14), this one is definitely a treat! In case you haven’t heard, Roblox is an online platform and game creation system. Its popularity increased most especially during the lockdown, where more kids are able to create and play games in this virtual environment. To make most of this seminar, make sure to have Roblox Studio installed on your PC. It would also be fun and encouraging for them to have you by their side as they learn how to create their own games!
Details:
Webinar Session 1: 24 May | 3:30PM – 5:30PM (30 pax)
Webinar Session 2: 27 May | 3:30PM – 5:30PM (30 pax)
*Pre-registration is required.
Sign up for your favourite activity to secure a spot! Visit https://digitalforlife.gov.sg/ to check out other activities happening during the festival.
