In-depth reporting on Malaysia and the region.
Picky eating peaks between ages one and five and is usually normal childhood behaviour. Parents can encourage healthier eating habits through early food exposure, but should watch for signs of nutritional deficiency or poor growth.
Malaysia's childcare industry must move beyond basic food and hygiene to embrace children's rights and holistic development, according to the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri emphasises that registering children with disabilities as OKU unlocks access to comprehensive government assistance, from early intervention to lifetime employment support.
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While recent parliamentary figures highlighted 93,000 autistic children among registered disabilities, experts warn this masks a far deeper crisis: over 850,000 disabled children remain unregistered and underserved, with systemic gaps in early intervention, specialist access, and equitable support.
Comprehensive research demonstrates that parents' excessive smartphone use weakens emotional bonds with children, creating insecure attachment patterns that persist into adulthood and affect relationship-building abilities.