Latest news with #LearningPlayzone
Business Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
First UOB Learning Playzone teaches financial literacy to kids
[SINGAPORE] UOB has turned part of multidisciplinary children's art centre The Artground into a treasure trove of engaging activities centred on financial literacy, including a bumboat 'marketplace' where kids can pretend to be buyers and sellers. Dubbed the UOB Learning Playzone, the island-themed interactive space in Goodman Arts Centre aims to teach children financial skills such as budgeting through role-play and art. More than 50 kids aged four to six from social service agency Child at Street 11 and education group Global EduHub – as well as their teachers – got to experience the play zone at its launch on Apr 30. Noting that financial literacy is part of UOB's core competency, Leonard Tan, the bank's head of group corporate social responsibility, said: 'We want to be in a position to help communities – especially emerging ones or those from disadvantaged backgrounds – learn early about the value of money management practices.' At the play zone's bumboat marketplace, for instance, children are invited to role-play as store owners and shoppers. They can learn about the basics of trade by buying and selling staple foods such as fish, fruits and vegetables. Upon entry, each child is given a kit with a money stamp card and items based on the Singapore dollar. The card helps the kids track their earnings and expenses in UOB's Learning Playzone. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up There are also interactive displays on the evolution of money, along with tips on budgeting wisely – such as by saving money in the bank and setting aside funds for daily needs, leisure activities, education or charity donations. 'This kind of experience (gives) the children a more hands-on approach in learning how to budget and manage simple calculations,' said Natalie Seet, an English teacher at Child at Street 11. A separate play area showcases how the S$50 note incorporates two artworks by local artists. Here, kids can design their own island-themed currency using recycled materials. Nearly 20 UOB volunteers were at the play zone's launch to interact with the children. Denise Wong, one such volunteer and a group retail senior officer at the bank, called it a 'meaningful' experience. '(This initiative) allows me to contribute to the children's development and well-being in a fun and engaging way. At the same time, I get to give back to the community while exploring my creativity and self-expression together with them,' she said. Denise Wong (second row, centre) was among the UOB volunteers interacting with kids from Child at Street 11 at the bank's Learning Playzone. PHOTO: UOB In addition, the UOB Learning Playzone touches on all of the bank's focus areas for its giving-back efforts, said Tan. He added: 'The Artground is very strong in delivering art experiences. Because UOB is focused on art, children and education, we are trying to connect the dots and make sure that we... deliver the programmes in an artistic environment, but with the content of financial literacy.' He also noted that such initiatives foster creative thinking and problem-solving skills in children. The play zone is open until Oct 20 at The Artground. A valuable start The UOB Learning Playzone builds on the bank's other community-focused financial literacy efforts, such as its support for Fresh, a programme run by charity Children's Wishing Well. Twice a month, UOB volunteers bring groups of up to 15 kids – aged between seven and 12 – from lower-income families to a supermarket and teach them about budgeting and nutrition. Each child is paired with a volunteer and given S$50 for the shopping experience.
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Things to do with kids: New play space at The Artground, June holiday camps, Mother's Day cakes
The UOB Learning Playzone at The Artground has role-playing activities to help children grasp basic financial literacy concepts. PHOTOS: UOB Fun With Kids: New play space at The Artground, June holiday camps, Mother's Day cakes SINGAPORE – Make family time all the more special with these ideas and activities. The Artground's Lost Islands play space Embark on an imaginative journey at Lost Islands, the latest arts play space at The Artground at Goodman Arts Centre. The arts charity has partnered Indonesian artist Rachmi Dewi Pertama to create multi-sensory zones inspired by the rich folklore of Singapore and Indonesia. Engage your children with oversized folktale pages, discover hidden forest spots and tiptoe across a mythical dragon's back. Another highlight is a marketplace 'boat' at the UOB Learning Playzone. You can pretend to buy or sell fish, fruit and vegetables with your little ones, who will each get a card to track his or her financial activities. This fun zone, which runs until Oct 20, aims to help children grasp the basics of money management. They will also learn how money evolved from sea shells to coins, paper notes and digital payments today. Tickets to Lost Islands start at $5 a person, including babies, for a 75-minute session. Those with orange or blue Chas cards enjoy free entry. Book a time slot at Performing arts holiday camps in June Actress-director Selena Tan is offering performing arts workshops for kids during the June school holidays. PHOTO: DREAM ACADEMY Actress-director Selena Tan has organised performing arts camps for kids aged seven to 12 during the June school holidays. Explore four themed programmes under her theatre company Dream Academy's Performing Arts Club. Among them is a workshop for musical lovers who will learn to sing, dance and put together a show. In another course, children can have fun reinterpreting classic tales, such as Pinocchio, with a modern twist relevant to their lives . 'There is nothing I love more than giving children the space to explore their innate creativity,' says Tan , who had offered holiday courses in 2018 . 'There are no academic pressures to worry about, just an unbridled joy of self-expression, confidence boost through play and discovering that process is everything.' The fees for each five-day workshop at Dream Academy in Henderson Road is $450. Enjoy a 10 per cent discount when you sign up by May 10 at Cakes to celebrate Mother's Day Sales proceeds from the cake will be used to fund medical volunteers providing free surgical care to children and adults with facial deformities in Asia. PHOTO: SMILE ASIA Celebrate Mother's Day on May 11 by treating yourself or your loved ones to a Chocolate Orange Gateaux de Voyage cake from The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. With your purchase, you will also be contributing to a good cause. The hotel is raising funds for the Smile Asia charity and all sales proceeds from the cake will support medical volunteers in offering free corrective surgery for children and adults with cleft lips and palates, and other facial deformities. Each 500g cake costs $38 and comes with a carrier bag. Buy it from the hotel lobby between May 5 and 11 or order at least four cakes for delivery. Go to for details. Meanwhile, Swensen's fans, especially those who love its Sticky Chewy Chocolate Zer0 ice cream, are in for a treat this Mother's Day. The no-sugar-added flavour comes in the form of a cake with a chocolate crumble base, adorned with a red carnation icing decoration. Carnation Sticky Chewy Chocolate Zer0 Ice Cream Cake (left) is a new offering this Mother's Day. PHOTO: SWENSEN'S The ice cream cake also comes in the popular Strawrry flavour and is topped with a pink bloom icing. Each 500g cake costs $55. Order from Swensen's restaurants islandwide or online at Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
