Media Feature: Talking Point – Lee Kuan Yew Commemoration Episode (March 2016)

When Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew passed away a year ago, I brought the kids to queue for six hours to pay our respects to him at the state funeral. It was a devastating and yet special moment for our family. I was grateful to be able to share the experience with my husband who became a nationalised Singaporean and my two Singaporean children who knew very little about Mr. Lee.

That moment, though emotional, was also a quiet lesson in history, legacy, and citizenship for our children. Little did I know that a year later, this reflection would lead to something even more meaningful for our son—a chance to speak publicly about Mr. Lee in a special Talking Point episode commemorating his first death anniversary.

This experience reminded me how public speaking is such an empowering life skill for children. It builds their confidence, sharpens their communication, and helps them discover their voice in a noisy world. Learning to express their thoughts clearly and courageously equips them not only for school but for life. And sometimes, when they’re given the chance, they rise in ways that surprise even us as parents.

Below is a snapshot of our filming experience:

Initially, my son was nervous about this public speaking experience. After we told him that our family will be onsite to support him during the filming, he was more reassured. From a young age, my son had picked up the skills to have eye contact when speaking with adults and be clear in articulating his thoughts. So, I was quite confident he will do well.

On the day of the shoot, we picked one of his favorite T-shirts to wear, so he will be comfortable. When we arrived at the location of the shoot – the playground at the Pinnacle, the camera crew were already there waiting for us.

The producer and cameraman were very nice and reassuring with Krysh. They explained that they will ask him questions, and he answers while looking at the producer.

I was very proud of the way my son handled himself throughout the interview. He was composed despite the noise of children being picked up during the afternoon dismissal at the kindergarten. He spoke and shared his thoughts clearly. I stepped away as I did not want my presence to affect his disposition.

I know he is our kid, but my husband and I were both impressed with the ease he spoke. We thought he did better than either of us at public speaking. His voice was clear and loud. At the last moment, the producer decided to interview me for the same episode as well. I was happy that I got to be a part of my son’s debut on TV.

I want to give a shout-out to the amazing crew (photographed above) who were so kind and efficient with us during the filming. Thank you Talking Point for this opportunity to be part of the special episode to commemorate the first year of Lee Kuan Yew’s passing. We are so grateful…

Have your children had opportunities to share their thoughts in public or speak about what matters to them? I’d love to hear your experiences—how do you encourage confidence and expression in your own family? Share them in the comments below.