“It’s I, it’s I, it’s I who builds community …”

As the lyrics of a children’s song suggests, every person can play a part in building the Singapore community and strengthening Singapore’s resilience as a nation. It is also important to know the stories of others who have paved the way before us, and to develop an appreciation for our heritage and roots.

Our country has overcome many odds to become the nation it is today, from occupation by Japanese in World War II to health crises like Sars in 2003.

Learning from this, we owe our relatively stable existence today thanks to the contributions of men and women in key institutions such as the military, and more crucially, to one another as fellow contributors to Total Defence.

Here is a list of ideas on how to teach your kids about Total Defence and pass down community-oriented values to them, through a variety of methods from cartoons to computer games!

Places to Visit

Labrador Nature Reserve

You may have taken the family to Sentosa with a side trip to Fort Siloso, but how about taking them to another fort without leaving the mainland? Labrador Nature Reserve, also known as Labrador Park, contains several historical war relics from World War II, such as remains of the old British Fort Pasir Panjang.

Other war relics include a machine gun post and a display of a six-inch quick firing cannon. Take a walk on this war history trail with your children, showing them that Singapore was not always immune from wars.

Click here for a guide on how to embark on your walking trail (pdf file).

Nearest MRT station: Labrador Park (Circle Line)

Changi Museum

War movies and war games often feature soldiers fighting the enemy, but leave out another group of war heroes – prisoners of war.

The Changi Museum serves as an important resource centre that can help future generations to better appreciate the sacrifices and inspirational stories of the resilient prisoners-of-war (POWs) during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore.

The museum showcases photographs and personal belongings of the POWs. There are storyboards displaying quotes from POWs and other war veterans too.

Click here for more information on the museum.

Nearest MRT stations: Tanah Merah, Tampines

Shows / Videos

N.E.mation! Video Clips

Now into its sixth run, the annual National Education animation competition is back again. This year’s theme is NS: From Fathers to Sons. Especially for fathers of sons, you can watch the videos together, see what national service (NS) means to the animators or ‘NEmators’, then share with your sons what your own NS experience was like.

You could also watch the top 10 clips of previous years’ competitions. For dads with kids interested in art and crafts, look out for videos showing students use paper crafts and sand art to express their notions on Total Defence.

‘Accidental Nation’

This show is Episode 2 of a three-part documentary series by Discovery Channel. It follows the political changes that took place in the mid-1950s and the threat of communism. Through the episode, viewers will learn about Singapore's relationship with and separation from Malaya, and the eventual formation of an independent government and nation.

The DVD is available for borrowing at many public libraries. Youtube also carries the Episode in four parts.

Books

A Defining Moment – How Singapore Beat SARS

The Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) crisis in 2003 is Singapore’s first major crisis as an independent nation and a good example of Total Defence being exercised. It tested the resolve of Singaporeans to overcome the crisis and their fears.

It also brought together different ministries and government agencies, private sector companies, community organisations and all Singaporeans in a coordinated effort to deal effectively with the challenges. This book tells some of their stories, including that of the first Sars patient in Singapore.

The book is available at many public libraries.

Divercity Singapore – A Cartoon History of Immigration

This book traces the contributions of immigrants, from Sri Tri Buana (or Sang Nila Utama) who named our island Singapura in the 14th century, to the ‘foreign talent’ of the 21st century. It helps readers to develop a sense of community and respect for people of other races and nationalities, while learning about Singapore’s history in a fun and imaginative way.

The cartoons are drawn by Morgan Chua; your children may find his artistic style familiar as some of his political cartoons appear in Social Studies and History worksheets in schools today. The book is available for borrowing at many public libraries.

Games

World of Temasek

World of Temasek is an online game which recreates life in the 14th century kingdom of Temasek. Launched in March last year, game developers collaborated with the National Heritage Board, archaeologists and historians to reconstruct ancient Temasek as accurately as possible.

Players get to travel back in time, create an avatar dressed in costumes of that time and live the life of a citizen of Temasek. They will have to trade with merchants, gather forest produce, fight off wild animals, climb aboard exotic ships and embark on quests, all in this virtual World of Temasek.

The game can be played online at http://www.worldoftemasek.com.

About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.

The concepts that help keep the nation safe are also meant to keep our families, neighborhoods and communities safe. Vigilance, education and cooperation are things that Dads can build in our families. Let's all do it together!

Still feeling defenceless? Talk about the theme of Total Defence here.