In line with the International Year of Peace, I spoke of the importance and ways of peace to the children of Nativity Church Children's Centre during a catechism lesson.

The respective class teachers followed up each day with songs, prayers and activities.

One day a parent shared with Michelle, the nursery teacher, how her child Tammy stopped both she and her husband from quarrelling.  It seemed that in the midst of their heated arguments, Tammy had turned to her parents and asked them to make up with a sign of peace.  Tammy reminded them that if they did not make peace with each other, they would not have peace within themselves.

Both parents stopped in amazement.  They could not believe what they heard.  Her mother never imagined that her 5-year old could utter such strong remarks at witnessing their disharmony.

Tammy's mother asked her where she learnt that and was told that she learnt it from the Kindergarten.

Tammy told her mother that peace began with oneself and that there must be no quarrel or fight with each other for the sake of world peace.  She proudly showed her mother two fingers - a symbol of peace that she would do to  her classmates whenever someone picked on another.

Both parents were pleased to know that Tammy learnt good values from her school.  Her words of wisdom taught both parents to disagree amicably between themselves.  Tammy has also reminded the parents that they are role models of what it means to live in harmony at home.

Sr Florence Teo
Nativity Church Children's Centre