Jakarta. The government has partnered with philanthropic organization Tanoto Foundation to nurture independence in children. 

A 2023 study by CS Mott Children’s Hospital from the University of Michigan Health showed that nurturing independence in kids could boost their confidence and problem-solving skills, among others. It is also good for the children’s mental health. 

Illustrated books can also help make children more self-reliant. This prompted Tanoto Foundation -- alongside the Children Protection Ministry and Education Ministry – to hold “The Journey to Independence #SiKecilBisa (Kids Can Do It’)" event that promoted the storybook “Bisa atau Tidak Ya?" (Is it possible or not?). The event took place at the Children Protection Ministry’s office in Jakarta on Thursday. 

This book tells the story of two siblings. Elementary school student Tora can do his daily tasks by himself and this inspires his sister Tania, a kindergartener, to try to do things on her own. 

Amurwani Dwi Lestariningsih, an assistant deputy at the Child Protection Ministry, said parents had a pivotal role in a child's growth because kids usually imitate the adults around them. 

"The book 'Bisa atau Tidak, Ya?' gives us an idea of ​​how children can behave independently. However, children still need parental guidance. Exemplary examples are important for children to form character from an early age and this book presents that," said Amurwani.

"We welcome the publication of the book "Bisa atau Tidak, Ya?" which supports the 2015 Law on child protection that states every child must have their rights guaranteed, fulfilled, and protected so that they can grow and develop and participate optimally in accordance with human dignity and dignity,"  Amurwani said. 

Komalasari, the director of early education at the Education Ministry, said that the storybook aligned with the government’s Merdeka Curriculum initiative that sought to create independent and competitive Indonesian children. It also aligns with one of the government’s Merdeka Belajar policies of promoting book reading to boost children’s literacy as well as a fun transition from early-age education to elementary schools, according to Komalasari. 

Head of Learning Environment Tanoto Foundation, Margaretha Ari Widowati, said that early age is a critical stage for children to learn and form various basic potentials, including self-dependence.

"There are still many assumptions that young children are not yet independent. In fact, nurturing self-dependence in children from an early age contributes to their self-confidence and resilience or fighting spirit, which are important for them when facing various challenges in their future," Ari said. 

Tanoto Foundation hopes that the “Bisa atau Tidak, Ya?” storybook can also improve children’s literacy aside from teaching them to be independent, according to Ari. 

Tanoto Foundation, an independent philanthropic organization in the field of education founded by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto in 1981, previously conducted a study with the School of Parenting at the end of 2023 regarding early childhood care practices.

The study showed that 51.2 percent of toddlers in Indonesia did not have storybooks, and 56.5 percent of parents had never read storybooks to their children.

"We wish to enrich the selection of illustrated storybooks and form meaningful interactions between parents and children through the process of reading together," Ari said. 

Tanoto Foundation along with the Child Protection Ministry has previously launched two books: one on the Covid-19 pandemic titled “Rubrik Unik Korona” (Special Reports on Corona) published in 2021 and “Saat Noni Datang” (When Noni Arrives) in 2022 which taught children about various emotions. 

The book "Bisa atau Tidak, Ya?" is available at Gramedia bookstores or can be downloaded for free via the Tanoto Foundation website https://www.tanotofoundation.org/id/.