As a parent, I often get anxious about preparing my child for the real world. There’s a limit to what they can learn in school and at home. And even when they’re not at school, children’s learning must go on. But isn’t it my responsibility too?
I was looking for somewhere other than school as a safe space for my child to learn. And that was when I discovered KidZania Kuala Lumpur.
First Visit to KidZania Kuala Lumpur
My child was only four years old when we started going to KidZania Kuala Lumpur. At the start, it was all about having fun and being entertained. My child finally got to pilot an AirAsia plane just like in the cartoons he used to watch and he became a hero by putting out fires as a fireman.
We came home from our first visit to KidZania Kuala Lumpur all happy and tired. But we were already planning our next trip as there were so many other roles my child had not experienced yet.
The Early Years: Real-Life Experience
By our second trip, my child had started to realise that these activities were not just stuff from his cartoons. These were real jobs that real people have in real life. The surroundings and the whole experience were realistic, and this enabled him to grasp what was going on right away.
He learned how responsible you have to be when you are at work. He discovered how when you are a pilot, you are responsible for the safety of your passengers, and when you are a police officer, you are responsible for keeping the peace in your local area.
7 Years Old and Up: Understanding the Importance of Jobs in the Community
As young as seven years old, my child quickly understood that there are all kinds of jobs in the world, and how each job plays a huge part in the community. Often, even adults forget this truth, but my child had understood this at an early age and placed value on all kinds of jobs.
As he performed as a milk processing operator at the Vitagen Milk Factory, he experienced firsthand how to produce the milk he drinks every night. This helped him to develop an appreciation for all kinds of jobs. For example, he understands he would not have slippers to wear without a slipper maker, and we would not have safe highways without a maintenance crew.
My child also realised the importance of working as a team as we went on further visits. He would make mistakes as an individual in some jobs, but he soon realised that it was always better to work as a team. For example, when he performed as a field investigator at a crime scene investigation, he quickly approached the forensic scientist to share the information he had so that they could solve the case faster.
Beyond Jobs: Expressions of Creativity
Every child is born with the capacity to be creative. So it should have come as no surprise that my child would be creative when he performed as an actor in the theatre setting, when he was a magician in the magic shop or when he was the announcer at a radio station.
However, seeing his creativity take flight filled my heart with pride. Little did I expect he would create all sorts of situations in his roles; making conversations with passengers as part of the cabin crew or asking random questions as a tourist in the tourist information centre.
It awed me that this tiny human of mine was his own person.
Taking Learning Home: Lessons from Being a Customer
KidZania Kuala Lumpur’s surroundings are so realistic that kids get to perform the role of a customer too – an experience with unexpected positive lessons! When my child played the role of a customer, I saw how careful he was when he interacted with the mobile shop seller, cashier and insurance agent.
He developed a level of patience and understanding which he brought back home in his interactions with me. He is more patient now when I am not able to cater to him immediately or when he can’t catch my attention right away. Being a good customer is as important as being a good worker, and I am happy he has learnt this in KidZania Kuala Lumpur.
Grasping the Value of Money: Earning, Not Spending
During our first KidZania Kuala Lumpur visit, my child was given 50 kidZos to spend within the KidZania Nation. Suffice to say, those 50 kidZos were spent really quickly.
My child was then given the chance to earn more kidZos while working at any of the establishments. And once he earned the kidZos by his own effort, he was more careful in spending it.
These days, he decides to save most of his kidZos in the Central Bank of KidZania, just like a mature adult. I tried my very best not to laugh when he was withdrawing his kidZos from the ATM – it was too cute!
Priceless for Parenting
Looking back, I am glad KidZania Kuala Lumpur has been the safe space my child needed – a place where he can make as many mistakes as he wants and learn valuable lessons. It had also been such a huge part of our family’s growth and learning experience.
Without KidZania Kuala Lumpur, it would have been harder for me to instill all these different values in my child. But perhaps the best part is he was able to learn it all by himself.
In collaboration with KidZania Kuala Lumpur, TheAsianParent Malaysia would like to offer our readers and subscribers a 25% discount on entry tickets on www.kidzania.com.my!
Promo Code: TAP025
Valid till 30 December 2019
KidZania Kuala Lumpur is an award-winning indoor family edutainment centre that offers interactive learning and role play experiences for kids.
The first of its kind in providing edutainment fun, KidZania Kuala Lumpur empowers and inspires kids to pursue their life’s dreams. It provides them an avenue to explore what it’s like to live and work in a real functioning city.
KidZania Kuala Lumpur’s kid-sized city experience is for kids aged between 4 and 14 years. It allows them to choose from over 100 job-related role-playing experiences spread across 60 city establishments. If you’re looking for kids activities Malaysia has to offer, you can’t go wrong with KidZania Kuala Lumpur!
Kids Activities Malaysia: Kidzania Kuala Lumpur Activities All Year Round
1. Variable Programme: Science & Space (25 May-16 June)
2. Variable Programme: History & Archeology (10-18 Aug)
3. Variable Programme: Be A Star (23 Nov-31 Dec)
Be sure to check out Kidzania Kuala Lumpur’s official website and Facebook page for more information on these exciting new variable programmes!
KidZania Kuala Lumpur Operating Hours:
Sunday to Friday
*Except during Malaysia school holidays, and National and Selangor public holidays.
One Session: 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Saturday, Malaysia school and public holiday: 10:00 am–7:00 pm
Monday
*Except during Malaysia school holidays, National and Selangor public and replacement holidays: Closed
Address
Curve NX, No. 18, Jalan PJU7/5,
Mutiara Damansara, 47810
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Website
www.facebook.com/KidZaniaKualaLumpur
KidZania Kuala Lumpur @KidZaniaKL
Youtube
https://youtube.com/KidZaniaKualaLumpur
CareLine
1 300 13 KIDZ (5439)
9.00 am–6.00 pm (Monday to Saturday)
Something for the Adults Too!
KidZania Kuala Lumpur, the city made for kids, has created a special programme where adults could partake in the role-playing activities in the city. Due to popular demand, After Hours was designed for those 16-years-old and above to experience KidZania in a whole different way.
After Hours is usually organised on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6pm-11pm. So do check out KidZania Kuala Lumpur official Facebook page for their 1st After Hours event!