GIVE EMPHASIS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - MALAYSIAN PM'S WIFE ROSMAH

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Emphasis on early childhood education,
particularly under five years of age, is important as 80 per cent of mental
development of children occured at that age, the prime minister's wife said
Tuesday.


Rosmah Mansor said, quality early childhood education helped in a
child's growth and eventually spurred quality and balanced human capital
development.

"The learning techniques used to stimulate the mind of children through fun
learning atmosphere or through games can attract the interest of children under
five years," she said.

Rosmah was speaking at the breaking of fast with about 100 children of the
Malaysian Welfare and Medical Services Foundation at Prince Court Medical Centre
(PCMC) here Tuesday.

The presence of Sesame Street characters, Elmo and Cookie Monster, gave a
touch of splendour to the occasion.

Rosmah commended donors for contributing 200 tickets for the children of
Permata Negara to enable them to attend the 'When Elmo Grows Up' musical theatre
last week.

"I also urge PCMC to begin an initiative, in collaboration with Permata
Negara, to provide free periodic health care services to children at 400 Permata
Negara centres nationwide," she said.

At the function, PCMC donated RM11,000 (RM3,514) -- proceeds from the sale
of theatre
tickets -- to the foundation.

Rosmah also presented 'duit raya' to children of two orphange home under the
auspices of the foundation.

-- BERNAMA