Activities / The Noisiest Tree
The Noisiest Tree
Listen to 8 useful words and phrases in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil from the picture book, The Noisiest Tree. You can also find these phrases on the last page of the book.
Surprise family and friends by saying 'Hello!' and 'See you again!'
in 4 languages!
SPECIAL THANKS to 7-year-old Iden Lee Imran for creating this audio recording. Iden learned Mandarin in preschool, and speaks English and Malay at home. He has learned to say the everyday words in Tamil in this recording by listening to a Tamil-speaking friend. Don't be shy to try!
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Meet Our Neighbours
MEET OUR NEIGHBOURS
Did you know that more than 80 percent of Singaporeans live in public housing flats in residential blocks? Every neighbourhood is a multiracial community.
A BIT OF HISTORY
During the colonial days, the majority of the population in Singapore lived in overcrowded shophouses in the centre of the city or in kampongs, villages of wood-and-atap houses. During the election campaign for self-government in 1959, the People's Action Party promised to improve the physical living conditions of Singaporeans. After it was elected to parliament, it established the House and Development Board (HDB), to develop modern housing for the people.
The HDB began with building basic rental flats, but quickly moved to develop government-subsidised larger flats. By the mid-1970s, the overcrowding in the shophouses was solved and people living in kampongs were resettled into HDB flats.
Today more than 80 percent of Singaporeans live in public housing flats in well-planned housing estates that provide services for the everyday life of residents of all ages. Every housing estate is well served with public transport, including MRT, public schools, polyclinics, public library, social and recreational facilities, small shops and large shopping malls, hawker centres and 'wet markets' for fresh food. Every neighbourhood has its own children's playground - and exercise facilities for older citizens!
Look! Listen!
Little Mynah was at home in the tree, chirping with her feathered friends, Karim was trying to read.
BANG! BANG!
Sounds happy!!
NILA NILA NILA!
Sounds like trouble!
WHIRRR!
Sounds delicious!
TOO-ROO-OH
Sounds friendly!
If you understand who or what is making the noise, sometimes it’s no longer annoying or disturbing. You may even like the noise!
What noises do you like in your neighbourhood?
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