Undagi and Arfi Teach Fortune Nursery School Students Singing
“Who wants to go up to the mountain?” asked Arbania Fitriany, Human Capital Development Manager of Fortune PR. The question from Arfi, Arbania’s nickname, was immediately answered by a loud cry of the kids who stood up raising their hands. “Let’s go up to the mountain together with Mom, teachers, and friends, ok!” Arfi invited excitedly while guiding the children to form a line of train and sing the song Kereta Api.
Arfi and the children aged 3-5 years did not really go up to the mountain. School holiday is over. But, who says that the children’s spirit of holiday is also ended?
Following up their holiday enthusiasm, FORU held a singing class in Sanggar Fortune Nursery School with a special theme of holiday, on Thursday, June 20, 2013. In the singing class, Arfi did not perform alone. Undagi Rushdy as the General Affairs Manager of FORU was also there to teach the children to sing. In the class, they introduced themselves as Bapak and Ibu Bantal. “Back then, there was a couple who was very good at singing. Their names are Bapak and Ibu Kasur (mattress). Well, to make it easier to remember, you can just call us Bapak and Ibu Bantal (pillow), ok! ” said Undagi alias Bapak Bantal in the introductory session.
Undagi’s strategy was apparently quite successful. Throughout the class that lasted for about 60 minutes, the children seemed to really get ‘sticky’ with their two new teachers. When the song Naik-Naik ke Puncak Gunung was hummed, the kids immediately sang along without having to be asked!
Although most children were brave enough to sing aloud, still there were some who looked shy. But, Undagi and Arfi did not desperate. They had brought a variety of children’s books as an inducement. “Yesterday, when I told my kids that I would teach in singing class in the Nursery School, they were very happy. They immediately prepared some books to give to the kids in the Nursery School,” said Undagi, laughing.
Just like Undagi, Arfi also successfully stole the hearts of the children. Arfi ingeniously spiced up the singing class with holiday stories and simple movements that were easy to follow by the children. “Well, in a mountain we see beautiful scenery. Hey! There are butterflies. Let’s become butterflies. Here is how, follow me, “said Arfi while sitting cross-legged and moving her legs imitating the flap of butterfly wings.”While becoming butterflies, let’s sing, ok. Butterfly… Fly, fly, fly… Fly away, fly away… Fly, fly, fly .., “said Arfi who was directly followed by the children.
Besides imitating butterflies, Arfi also invited the children to imitate a tree blown by the wind, a bridge formation, to the hero pose. “The movements I taught to the children are actually yoga for kids. The movements have a lot of benefits, one of which can improve children’s concentration when studying. Therefore, it is a very good exercise to be taught in the morning before the class starts,” said Arfi.
The cheerfulness of Fortune Nursery School students that morning was more complete when Undagi was asked by Arfi to sing the song Terajana. The class was even more excited because Undagi’s twisted Malayan accent managed to make the children dance happily. Even they applauded and attracted the attention of mothers and nannies waiting outside the classroom! “I am very happy to sing and I love children. So, I immediately agreed when asked to teach the singing class in Fortune Nursery School, “said Undagi.”Seeing the spirit of the children made me more excited in the morning,” he added.
Rina, one of the Nursery School students who danced most cheerfully, got a gift of books from Arfi and Undagi. After that, the fun singing class was closed with a song Kereta Api. All the children lined up to form a train. While Arfi played the role as head of the locomotive at the front, Undagi and Corporate Communications team of FORU became a ‘tunnel’.
Sarwadi as the Head of Fortune Nursery School expressed his gratitude to Undagi and Arfi who participated in classroom teaching on that day. “I’m always happy when FORU people come here. Children here are immediately excited seeing new people. The material taught is also diverse and creative. We and the mothers here are so happy and entertained as well, “he said.”I’m sure the lesson will make the children more confident, cheerful, and able to perform in public,” he concluded.