*Perform Various Activities
BANGKA BARAT -- Cultivating literacy in the era of digitalization has challenges that are not easy. Whereas literacy, apart from being a source of education, is also expected to be a means of developing knowledge.
It is undeniable that the rapid development of technology has made children more fluent in using various communication devices, including cell phones.
Excessive use of cell phones for children can interfere with child development. So that other interesting activities must balance the children's activities.
Understanding this problem, the Metallurgical Unit's Tin Employees Wives Association (IIKT) continues to foster a literacy culture through the Stannia House Reading Park (TBRS) located in Taman Peltim Permas, Muntok Metallurgical Unit Complex, West Bangka.
The Reading Garden of Stannia's House has been built since 2011, currently, its condition continues to adapt to the times. Not only as a reading garden but various other activities are also carried out at the Reading Garden of Stannia's House.
Chairperson of the Stania House Reading Park Umi Lidhianita (49) said TBRS is expected to help government programs educate the nation's children by generating passion for reading in children.
"The Stania House Reading Garden is expected to help the government's program to educate the nation's children. We also want to increase children's interest in reading. Through books they read, they gain knowledge," said Umi.
According to Umi TBRS is managed by IIKT which is fully supported by PT Timah Tbk starting from the procurement of books, TBRS operations, and various activities carried out.
To attract children's interest, they carried out several activities such as coloring competitions, cooking classes, English clubs, and storytelling competitions.
"To attract visitors to come to TBRS, we also give small prizes for visitors, which are judged on the attendance and work of visitors," he said.
TBRS visitors are not only kindergarten and elementary school students, but also junior and senior high school students.
One of the visitors to TBRS, Anin (5), a stania kindergarten student, admitted that she was happy to visit TBRS because there was a coloring competition.
"You come here often, you can read coloring books here and there are competitions," said the winner of the 2nd place in this coloring competition.
Likewise, Fafa (8) is a resident of Dusun Pait Jaya Belo Laut, even though the location of TBRS is far from their home. He is still happy to go to TBRS with his parents accompanied.
"Going to the Reading Park, your parents will pick you up. You feel at home here, you have friends, lots of children's books and it's close to the park," said a student of SD 22 Muntok.
Meanwhile, Lidia (46), a parent from Salsabila, a student of SD 6 Muntok, conveyed the many benefits of TBRS for her child.
"With the presence of a reading park like this. Children can facilitate and provide knowledge by reading books. Besides that, it eliminates the negative influence of cellphones. TBRS can develop children's world," he explained.
The presence of TBRS received appreciation from the Regional Library and Archives Service of West Bangka, Farouk Yuhansah.
He said the reading garden was a mini library, so his party worked together to improve children's literacy and develop a reading garden.
"In principle, we really support all literacy activities. Later, we will also assist in the development and management of this reading garden, so that friends in the reading park can gain knowledge of how to manage a reading park," he said. (**)
