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Sarawakian architects win ‘Langit’ architecture competition

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Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg presenting a plaque to Langit winner Jacinta Yii of Yii KE Architect, as HSL Managing Director Dato Yu Chee Hoe (middle) looks on. Her design collaborator for the contest, Alan Kueh, attended virtually.

KUCHING: An eco-friendly 18-storey mixed-use commercial building design clinched Langit‘s top prize for Sarawakian architects Jascinta Yii and Alan Kueh.

Practising in Kuching and Melbourne respectively, Yii and Kueh’s joint submission included public spaces, offices, apartments, plant nurseries — all designed with inter-generational living in mind.

Judges called the entry “impactful, providing high-density, yet adaptable multi-generational living and
working units”. It was also praised for promoting ideas of sustainable living with urban farming as a
feature.

Langit: Reaching for greater heights in design and living

Langit is Sarawak’s first ever national architecture contest. Hock Seng Lee, in collaboration with Next
Phase (HSL-NP), intends to build one of the winners. The project site is a compact 0.78acres at a strategic
location within Kuching’s central business district.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the results at HSL Tower here on
August 7.

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Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (middle) with HSL-NP directors (from left) Tony Yu, Simon Lau, Datuk Yu Chee Hoe and Yu Ji.

“The Sarawak Government enjoys a close relationship with architects. This is clear to see in our urban
planning, public parks and institutional buildings. In Sarawak, we know cities are made for people and the
people make good cities. We know that development plans must start from the human level,” Abang Johari said.

“My friends at HSL-NP codenamed this competition Langit because in Bahasa Sarawak, ‘Lang’ means
door, and in Malay, Langit is the sky. We want to reach for greater heights together. I hope Langit will be
the prototype of, not only a new building, but a new way of thinking about development.”

Different strengths, different messages


Second place went to Just Architecture, third place to MOA Architects, and two honourary mentions to UT
Moh Architect and Arkitek LH Wong. Their designs ranged from futuristic vertical farms to 39-storey
skyscrapers.

The third-place winner, MoA Architects, uniquely, is a twin tower designed using a plot-ratio system. This
planning method is similar to those used in regional megacities like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and
Bangkok.

The plot-ratio system allowed MOA Architects’ entry to have a large and meaningful public space at the
lower levels.

Cash prizes for the top five totalled RM200,000.

The judging process was anonymous. Jury members comprised Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Datuk Ezumi Harzani, PAM Sarawak immediate past chairman Ivy Jong, Veritas Architects director Lilian Tay, multi-award winner and conservationist Mike Boon, and developer HSL-NP representative Yu Ji.

HSL Langit winner Cloud Forest
Impactful, accessible: Yii and Kueh’s ‘Cloud Forest’ scheme showed the most well rounded solution to the criteria sought by Langit judges. Engaging and refreshing, the design was very relevant to future proofing in the new norm post Covid-19 pandemic, and encapsulated the ideas of sustainable living featuring the concept of urban farming and promoting occupants self-sufficiency with opportunity for public and community engagements at multiple levels.

Challenging convention in the heart of Kuching city

“Many of the design ideas challenge conventional expectations and demonstrated refreshing approaches
in place-making in the context of Kuching. A majority of the submissions displayed clear commitment to
social and environmental sustainability,” said Jong, who was jury chair.

“The shortlisted schemes pushed various aspects of design ideas thinking and juries were impressed by
the creativity, approach and thoughts demonstrated.”

In 2021, there have been just two architecture competitions in the whole of Malaysia. The first was for
design the facade of a train station between Johor and Singapore. That competition, which the Johor
Sultan was the patron, concluded in February.

Langit began in March. Participants comprised some of Malaysia’s best known firms, including TR Hamzah
& Yeang, Design Network Architects, Dr Tan LM and Form Zero — all winners of national design accolades.
HSL-NP is the project site land owner and and competition sponsor.

HSL’s current HQ is the first privately built Green Building Index certified office in Sarawak. Located at the
200-acre La Promenade, it is the only Sarawak development to win the trifecta of awards from developers,
landscapers and architects’ institutes.

For more info, visit langitkch.com, hsl.com.my or search #LangitKch and @hslcn on social media

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#KajoReviews Pixelberry’s Choices: Stories You Play

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For some light and interactive reading, Choices: Stories You Play by Pixelberry Studios offers up an addictive array of choose-your-adventure books.

At first glance, you may think that their book gallery features mostly Young Adult reading as there’s high school romances, and light fantasy stories like ‘The Elementalist’, but the steamy exclusive scenes in some of these stories are decidedly R-Rated.

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Choices may come off at first glance like YA lit, but there’s a genre for every mood.

If you’re more into mysteries or high-speed chases, you can opt for The Haunting of Braidwood Manor or The Heist: Monaco.

Meanwhile, if you’re missing some vampire fantasy, you can try out Blood Bound. For more more light adult reading that lean more towards Hallmark, you can try out Save the Date and Home for the Holidays. There’s something for every mood you’re in.

You can either play as a VIP member (you’ll get unlimited keys and 185 diamonds with your purchase) or you can play for free, and learn the art of patience and the true value of decision-making (especially when you use a bunch of diamonds you’ve been scrounging for on a dress which you could have saved for an exclusive scene instead).

VIP membership will also allow you access to books solely reserved for VIP members. On top of that, you will also get rewarded more diamonds at the end of the chapter compared to those who don’t opt for VIP membership.

How to play

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A cute outfit like this is going to make you wish you loaded up on diamonds.

You get to choose your character’s ethnicity, hair and outfit. Diamonds will help you purchase the more dynamic hairstyles and wardrobe, but you’ll still get by being a plain Jane.

You also get to choose your names, although I have been happy with the random names the game has provided. I personally liked the name Dr Casey Valentine for my character in ‘Open Heart’.

Some stories will also allow you to choose the appearance of the main love interest, making it even more interactive.

You need keys to open up chapters, and for those who are playing the games for free, your keys will typically regenerate after 2 or 3 hours, while diamonds help you open up exclusive scenes within those chapters which can help you deepen your relationship with that special someone or find out more of a character or event’s backstory.

You can Watch Ads or complete daily and one time challenges to score diamonds.

You can have several love interests going, and even though you have zoomed in one specific love interest or don’t choose the main love interest, the game will offer up an exclusive scene with another character. Sometimes there will be opportunities for threesomes, so spend your diamonds wisely.

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How to collect diamonds between chapters.

So far there are no terrible fallouts from not spending diamonds on exclusive scenes, but there are some events where a friend needs some proper counseling and you don’t have the diamonds to spend on an exclusive shoulder-to-cry-on scene. In those cases, you would just look like a jerk in real life.

Purchases are not necessarily limited to outfits and exclusive scenes, you can even purchase a pet or opt to live in a swankier place.

In others, like the vampire Blood Bound series, your selected outfit could impress an opponent or help you in a life-and-death situation.

Meanwhile, some stories like ‘The Crown and the Flame’ will challenge your patience and make you think that it wouldn’t hurt if you just purchased a few keys to find out what happens in the next chapter.

To download or not to download?

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What does your choice say about you? Bryce the surgeon from Open Heart.

What makes Choices addictive is that you feel the weight (and the satisfaction or regret) of your decisions. The artwork, from backdrops to character illustrations, are polished and immersive, allowing you a temporary getaway from the humdrum of daily life.

You will definitely feel the weight of your decisions and interaction with other characters in stories like ‘Courtesan of Rome’ where you play a Gallic princess bent on Julius Caesar’s downfall, making it a story that’s hard to put down.

Meanwhile, the cover for Open Heart may look cheesy at first glance, but if you like Grey’s Anatomy’s earlier seasons, you will enjoy the storyline.

The Nanny Affair and Save the Date’s steamy scenes were definitely worth a read-through. (Isn’t that why people download Choices in the first place?)

Blood Bound’s writing, especially the dialogue feels underdeveloped and cheesy by comparison, and your character will say things that make you look like a fly in a hurricane. But I still feel compelled to go through books 1 to 3.

What’s the verdict? Choices: Stories You Play is a definite download.

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There’s more reading under the VIP section.

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#KajoPicks: 5 YouTube channels for people who hate working out

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Do you have an ever-revolving resolutions list that includes ‘exercise’ on it? Have you ditched a workout routine because you don’t have the stamina or the mental strength?

If you have come to accept that you will never have the staying power to work up to a 6-pack, that’s where YouTube comes in.

It seems you’re not the only one who hates the gym or working out in public. There’s tons of exercise channels you can follow which include ‘quiet’, ‘low-impact’ or even ‘knee-friendly’, which is how I found the ones in this list. They are perfect for the uncoordinated, the rusty and the sedentary.

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Image by Ryan McGuire from Pixabay

For those who hate working out, the YouTube channels listed below, ranked from easy to more intense (they might include high-knees!) may be your gateway to a more active lifestyle.

1. Pahla B Fitness

“Welcome to my home” is the name of one of Pahla Bowers’ warmup moves, which sums up the warmth you’ll be getting when you start following this Functional Fitness Specialist and Boston-qualifying marathon runner.

Always cheerful, never judgmental, Pahla gives out tons of advice during her workouts, and some that stand out to me are that consistence is key; gentle exercise is more important to achieving your fitness goals in the long-term; and (unfortunately) good nutrition still matters when it comes to weight loss.

Sounds common sense, but when you’ve been absorbing body-fitness magazines or beating yourself up for never being consistent with exercise, her advice feels like a gentle release. Like her exercises.

This lady is at the top of my list because her target audience is 50 year olds. For that reason, she will highlight during her videos that you won’t have to get down on the floor and that there will be no jumping. Her discussions throughout her workout will educate you a more about the importance of healthy habit-building and be comforting for women who are moving into their menopausal years.

Watch the channel here.

2. JessicaSmithTV

Only Jessica Smith of this fitness channel can entice sedentary, exercise-averse people to try out HIIT. You’ll hear her say “Do what works for you” a lot throughout her videos, because her emphasis is on getting viewers to enjoy exercise.

Another fitness instructor who emphasises on movement and consistency more than back-breaking intensity, she has more than 450 exercise videos across a wide range of exercise disciplines like pilates, yoga, cardio, kickboxing, dance, barre workouts, or (my favourite) knee-friendly exercises on her channel. You will have so many videos to choose from that will suit your mood or overall fitness.

If you’re feeling depressed or under the weather, her 1-Mile Walk and Talk series is just a walking workout video where she discusses certain themes and topics like stress-relieving tips and self-care. It’s like going on a walk with a friend within the comfort of your home.

Oh, and a mention of JessicaSmithTV isn’t complete without mentioning her French bulldog, Peanut. Think of him as your spirit animal as he occasionally takes naps or plays with a toy while he waits for Jessica to finish up her routine.

Watch the channel here.

3. HASfit (Heart and Soul Fitness)

When you join HASfit, you will be working out with Coach Kozak and his wife Claudia in a combination of bodyweight and dumbbell exercises. Coach Kozak performs the more advanced versions of the exercises while Claudia does the modified ones, perfect for noobs, beginners and everybody in between.

If you’re recovering from an injury, limited mobility or are an elderly person, they even have a playlist which incorporates chair exercises.

If you’re expecting a bun in the oven, you can try out Claudia’s Prenatal workouts (make sure you check with your doctor first).

Meanwhile, if you’re somebody who just can’t stand the repetition of exercise routines, they even have a playlist for beginners and people who get bored easily.

Whatever your level, if you’ve been consistent with exercise so far, you can redo these routines and challenge yourself by following Coach Kozak instead.

Watch the channel here.

4. Bodyfit by Amy

Speaking of buns in the oven, I first found Bodyfit by Amy while I was looking for postnatal workouts to help recover from the weakness, aches and pains you never expect if you’ve only learnt about pregnancy and childbirth from TV (hello lower back pains and diastasis recti). She even has videos to help strengthen muscles you’ll need as you cope with carrying around a newborn.

But if you’re getting ready for your wedding, you can follow her Wedding Workout series instead.

Outside of the pre- and postnatal workout videos, her pace in her other videos are still easy to follow and really focus on form. She has beginner and low-impact workouts, and for those who are looking for a step up, you can follow her kettlebell workouts and TRX workouts.

Watch the channel here.

5. Melissa Bender

Melissa Bender’s slogan on her website is ‘Fitness should be Free’ and she is totally generous with her workout programmes, starting with her #BFBODYFIT 6-month home workout programme.

If you want to start smaller, she has 30 day fitness challenges. If you’re still intimidated, she has a Low Impact Workout playlist which promises no jumping. (Check out where her grey and white cat Gambit makes appearances.)

For those recovering from childbirth and looking to get into fighting fit form, Melissa Bender has a 6-week Postnatal programme, which is still challenging for people who don’t jog or do interval training on a regular basis, so you might have to work up to this programme.

Watch the channel here.

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Suasana on 18: Fine dining with a view

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Suasana on 18, just as the word ‘suasana’ (or ‘atmosphere’ in Malay) suggests, is all about the ambience.

Located on the 18th floor of the Riverside Majestic Hotel Astana Wing, Suasana on 18 is intimate, classy (there’ll be live jazz music as you eat) and you will get a floor-to-ceiling panoramic view of the Kuching Waterfront and the Sarawak River.

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Enjoy the view of the Musical Fountain and the DUN Building lit up at night from Suasana on 18.

For those who may have been initially sceptical about the musical fountain (like I was), catching the light and water show in the evening as you enjoy your meal with a significant other, friends or even business partner, adds a certain magic to your fine dining experience.

With this relaxing and elegant backdrop in mind, just go all the way and order one of their two Western set meals; you won’t regret it. A modest 3-course meal – entrée, mains and dessert – you will get to pick and choose from two options for each course.

Revisiting the classics, with a twist

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Mibrasa Grilled Salmon with Miso Glaze.

The dishes for the most part are classic fine dining dishes, enhanced with a delicate balance between Eastern and Western flavours, as you will see in entrees like the Honey Soy Grilled Blue Mackerel and mains like the Mibrasa Grilled Salmon with Miso Glaze.

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Honey Soy Grilled Blue Mackerel.

The blue mackerel appetizer will appeal to those with a Sarawakian palate as it is an upscale version of the home favourite – sardines in tomato sauce. The blue mackerel in this case, however, has a firm, silky texture and a delicate fishy aftertaste, enhanced by the combination of poached egg, tomato vinaigrette and a slight spiciness from the paprika. The crispy barbecued cracker is a great addition to this dish as it breaks up all of these soft textures and flavours.

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Homemade Smoked Beef Pastrami.

For those who like a little more oomph in their entrée, they can pick the Homemade Smoked Beef Pastrami. With rolls of slow-smoked beef brisket resting on top of brioche toast and drizzles of mustard mayo, this elegant dish has the comfort food feel of a traditional sandwich. Definitely worth a try.

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Pan-seared duck confit.

The Pan Seared Duck Confit (pronounced cone-FEE) was so tender and tantalising that it may win over people who don’t necessarily go for duck. The duck leg was moist, fall-off-the-bone, and had a beautifully thin, crispy crust.

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Mibrasa Grilled Tenderloin Beef.

Another traditional fine-dining dish on the menu was the Mibrasa Grilled Tenderloin beef. Grilled delicately so that the juices are sealed inside, the beef was tender and flavourful, enhanced by the black pepper jus.

Like the other mains, this dish was served with a beautiful array of sides like pan-seared king oyster mushroom, potatoes praline, glazed French beans, and semi-dried cherry tomato flowers.

Have a sweet tooth?

Suasana on 18’s desserts were made for Instagram. Whether you choose the Chocolate Delice or the Vanilla Crème Brulee, both desserts are winners for the senses.

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Vanilla Creme Brulee

Visually the crème brulee was striking and bold as it sat on a magenta streak of raspberry sorbet. One of the best dishes on the menu; the crème brulee was rich and creamy, a flavour tamed with the burnt sugar on top, begging you to savour it slowly.

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Chocolate delice with raspberry sorbet.

Another dessert to savour was the chocolate delice served with raspberry sorbet. Lovely to look at, the dark chocolate flavour and silky texture with the citrusy raspberry sorbet makes this dish luxurious and delightful to eat. Truly a great dessert to end your 3-course meal and enjoy with a coffee. 

Planning a special occassion?

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The price range for these Western sets (RM120-RM150 nett per person) combined with the view from the 18th floor makes Suasana on 18 perfect for any special occassion or ice-breaker with a business client.

Open from 11am to 2pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm except Mondays, call 082-532-222 ext 5006 to make a reservation.

Bon Appetit!

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5 inspiring looks from the Alta Moda Sarawak runway

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Fashion has come a long way in Sarawak. With Alta Moda Sarawak, we could be looking at Kuching becoming a fashion hub over the next few years as the three-day fashion show which ran from March 7-9 at the Old DUN Building showcased the best Sarawak designers had to offer when it came to creativity, passion and an eye for beauty.

What separates Sarawak fashion designers from the rest of the world is their commitment to showcasing Sarawak’s heritage, whether it’s in fabric print or clothing designs. Here are some key looks which rocked the AMS runway!

  1. Go tribal with ethnic print
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Nothing says ‘Sarawak’ more than Orang Ulu tree of life patterns, bunga terung motifs and the Melanau terindak designs. Borneonative, Lentera Astana, Latip’s Collections, Najla Shoes cleverly combined these patterns with modern styles, giving these traditional motifs a fresh and unique look as well as celebrating Sarawak’s unique culture and heritage.   

2. Tropicana

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One of the most fashionable ways to deal with the tropical heat is in a light flowy dress or a kaftan. Langkawi Hub, Kaftan by IndiaX Tanoti, Anannasa by Sher Lo and Sab2 by Sabrina Bujang made loose-flowing gowns and shifts fashionable and timeless with their cheerful patterns and bright colours.

3. Mix up your fabrics and colours!

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Have fun with your eclectic wardrobe – mix stripes with floral patterns, brocade with chiffon! Tom Abang Saufi, Anna Sue and Melor by Melinda Omar layered their beautiful and contrasting fabrics together, creating elegant outfits perfect for high-tea with friends or a Saturday afternoon out.

4. Embrace your uber-feminine self!

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Von Jolly Couture, Paul Carling and Erwan Asbor celebrated the feminine body with their elegant, form-fitting gowns. True to the fashion house’s style, Von Jolly Couture combined traditional motifs in their contemporary, head-turning gowns while Paul Carling’s designs celebrated the female form with its form flattering gowns and sexy slits. Erwan Asbor’s collection created drama and flair with its form-fitting, mermaid gowns.

5. Update your kebayas

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Tom Abang Saufi’s updated kebaya designs referenced the simple kimono, creating a lighter more casual look for one of Malaysia’s iconic traditional outfits. Teamed with obi-style belts, punchy fabric prints and a loose-fitting style, these kebayas look elegant yet relaxed at the same time.

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KajoPicks: 8 Educational YouTube Channels for Children

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New parents swear that they will never let smartphones and TVs babysit their kids, but it’s hard to not resort to YouTube to entertain your children.

Most studies and guidelines prohibit babies from 0-2 years of age from having any screen time, and 2-5 year olds 1 hour of screen time per 24 hours with an emphasis on good quality entertainment and supervision.

With emphasis on good quality, here’s KajoMag’s list of top 8 (tried and tested) educational YouTube channels for children and parents can enjoy together.

1. Super Simple Songs

Super Simple Songs is the easiest children’s channel to get into. Its songs are tuneful and catchy while its animation and live puppet sequences are attractive and easy for your children to follow. Even parents will find themselves waking up in the morning to these songs playing in their heads.

This educational Youtube channel features nursery rhymes, teaches ABCs and numbers, colours and shapes, singing games, personal hygiene, basic social skills and original songs.

Watch the video here.

2. ABCKidTV-Nursery Rhymes

This channel features both 2D and 3D animations.

While its 2D animations feature mostly nursery rhymes and educational songs on colours, shapes and even nutrition, their 3D videos build on this with a wider variety of themes which include social and emotional skills, family relationships and original songs.

Watch the video here.

3. Dave and Ava – Nursery Rhymes and Baby Songs

Follow Dave and Ava to their lush home on the farm as they act out various nursery rhymes, teach the alphabet and  numbers with the help of their parents and the various animal characters.

A totally Ukrainian product from its idea, plot, direction, team of 3D animators, composers, voice actors and financing, the 3D animation is so good you can even see the fur on Dave and Ava’s animal costumes.

Watch the video here.

4. PinkFong! Kids’ Songs & Stories

While “Baby Shark Dance” remains this channel’s most viewed video (1 billion views!), its other videos are worth watching too.

Besides catchy dance and action numbers like “Penguin Dance”, your kids can learn about trucks and excavators in “Car Songs”, names of dinosaurs in “Dinosaurs A to Z”, the planets in “Planet Songs”, and how their body works in songs like “Digestion – Where does my food go?”.

This channel is ambitious and doesn’t shy away from long words or scientific concepts, so take your time and explore their playlists for something new to learn everyday.

Watch the video here.

5. ChuChu TV Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

This is another ambitious channel with plenty of nursery rhymes and educational material for children to sing and dance to.

This India-based production also builds on the classic nursery rhymes by injecting moral values in songs like “Jack and Jill” or “Baa Baa Black Sheep”. You can also consider this the Bollywood version of children’s songs as the dance moves and music have an upbeat South Asian flavour, making it even more addictive to follow.

Watch the video here.

6. Little Baby Bum

You can follow Mia and her family along with various animal characters like Baa Baa the Sheep (who wears an astronaut suit) through the various nursery rhymes and educational songs.

Sung by a child, this collection of traditional and original nursery rhymes is soothing for the ears and the eyes.

Watch the video here.

7. LooLooKids

LooLooKids also offers a wide variety of nursery rhymes and educational songs with great 3D animation, but the high-pitched singing in some songs like “Johny Johny Yes Papa” can be a bit grating on the nerves after a while.

Watch the video here.

8. Baby Joy Joy

Upbeat and cheerful, this educational Youtube channel updates the traditional nursery rhyme with modern dance beats. Besides nursery rhymes, they also feature kids songs and stories.

Watch the video here.

Honourable mentions:

Paul Dinning

Dinning’s “Videos for Cats To Watch” were the first videos I played for my child. They are not music videos at all, but videos of the wildlife – mostly birds – around this YouTuber’s home in Cornwall, England.

Shot in high-definition, watching the various birds coming to feed on the seeds Dinning left out is calming and pleasurable. Totally safe for children and the workplace too; you can even leave it on and just listen to it for background music as you do your paperwork.

OCB Relax Music

Short for “One Conscious Breath”, OCB Relax Music offers a collection of relaxing music perfect for meditation, relaxation or just as soothing background music. Parents will feel especially uplifted with this channel’s special playlist for children.

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