I was at Bedok Community Library last weekend with my family. Bringing along my 8-month old daughter with me to the 2nd floor, while my 4-year old was with my wife at the 3rd floor where the toddlers’ section is, I let alone my little girl on the floor while I browsed for the titles on the shelf in the Philosophy section. She was on her knees, happily ‘browsing’ at the titles on the lower shelves, at the same time ‘talking’ to herself in a language that perhaps only those of her age would be able to comprehend.
Browsing titles
It was not long after when I realized her baby talk was getting louder to the extent that it was causing much distraction to nearby readers, some even glancing a disgruntled face at her, then at me, perhaps because their rights as the users of the library were being trampled on by the noise. Hence, before she got further excited, I thought I better get her up to the 3rd floor to join her sister at the toddlers’ section. On the way to the stairs, I passed a notice on the wall stating that those children below 2 years of age are advised to be brought to the toddlers’ section at the 3rd floor. Oops… didn’t notice that.
Once at the toddlers’ section, the atmosphere was a bit livelier, the whole floor bustling with activities as the children were happily conversing with each other, some reading loudly the books in their hands, while some others were deeply engrossed with their own reading that they seem oblivious to what was happening around them. ‘Ok girl, you can talk as much and as loudly as you want now. No one will be unhappy here.’
But I was wrong… on the latter point that is. I was the one turning extremely unhappy with what I observed on that floor. The entire 3rd floor is supposed to be dedicated to the intellectual development of the young ones, as can be seen by the colourful and safe-for-use chairs and tables and the range of children’s books available for them to explore. It makes no sense then, for adults who have no reason at all to be there to be using these furnitures and taking up the space, hence depriving the young ones of the space they need for their own development. What I was extremely perturbed and disgusted with was to see a student, whom I supposed is from Meridian Junior College (from the shirt he was wearing) taking up a considerably large area where the toddlers are supposed to be.
Hardworking... or the brain not working?
Spreading out his study materials on a toddler table, bag and books around him, he seemed to be comfortable making use of the space that is rightfully NOT for him. Opposite him on his right (on the left of the picture), another grownup could be seen using a toddler chair for her laptop.
Based on this observation, I must say there is clearly a lack or total absence of love and respect for our little ones. It is a great injustice to the young when adults are allowed to be angry when their rights are being trampled on, while not giving a damn to the rights of the little ones. And to see it coming from a college student, I just wonder to what extent the education system has been successful all these years, to produce such unthinking, non-functioning, complete idiot ‘top brain’.
