Debate on President’s speech: Goh Pei Ming on changing mindsets to prepare children for the future

To prepare Singapore’s children for the future, they must be encouraged and enabled to develop in the right way, said Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming in parliament on Tuesday (Sep 23). He described this as helping them to “shift from (learning) what to think and do, to how to think and do”. That is so they can have the confidence and curiosity to navigate winds of change, develop critical thinking to discern right from wrong, possess grit to persevere when the going gets tough and the resilience to rise when they fall. Mr Goh said to achieve this, Singapore as a nation needs to change the way it raises its children; and that begins with changing mindsets, which can be the hardest thing to do. He believes the way to give children their best start in life is to make sure they have a proper childhood. This includes learning through play and having quality time with family and friends. He also reminded parents that children look to them to measure and define success.