October 30^th, 2009: Preschooler, Tan Yaann of Smart Reader Kids® Taman Bukit Subang walked away with RM 2500 cash prize, Tutorial Vouchers worth RM 200 by Smart Reader® Worldwide and a Yamaha Portable Keyboard worth RM 710 after being declared Kid of The Year 2009 in a competition organised by leading preschool education franchisor, Smart Reader® Worldwide.

The precocious five-year-old stole everyone’s hearts by doing a great role-play impersonation of a little girl lost in a supermarket. Her intonation and change of voice from that of mother to daughter was well-executed. The crying little girl and the searching mother sent a message home to all parents who were watching: never let your children out of your sight, especially in a public place!

The first runner-up was Muhammad Hazarul Izzdiyad from Smart Reader Kids^® Bukti Kuda, Klang. His prizes included RM 1,500 cash while the second runner-up was Sanjena Ananthan of Smart Reader Kids^® Taman Perling, Johor Bahru. Sanjena walked away with RM 1,000 cash prize. Consolation cash prizes were awarded to Fan Jiun Wye of Smart Reader Kids^® USJ 9 and Karlyssa Lana of Smart Reader Kids^® Desa Sri Hartamas. Each received RM 500 cash prize.

Smart Reader^® Worldwide, the exclusive franchisor of the largest chain of exclusive Child Enrichment Centres, Smart Reader Kids^®, holds this competition annually. It is aimed at providing a platform for the younger generation to express themselves creatively and innovatively, as well as to display their talents, intelligence and eloquent oratorical skills.

The Smart Reader Kids^® Kid of the Year is a competition for children with exceptional talents where they will be assessed on creativity and originality. Finalists underwent several challenges such as creative self-introduction, role play session, impromptu reading session, performance and interview.

Meanwhile, the Talent Search competition was aimed at showcasing the talents of preschoolers through singing and dancing. Two categories of children were judged, namely three to four-year age group and the five to six-year age group.

The champions in the three to four-year category was adjudged to be Smart Reader Kids® USJ 21, while in the five to six-year age group, the champions were Smart Reader Kids® Bandar Baru Uda, Johor Bahru.

The runner-up in the three to four-year category was Smart Reader Kids^® Taman Kinrara. In the five to six-year group, the first runner-up and second runner-up were Smart Reader Kids^® Putra Point, Bandar Baru Nilai, Negeri Sembilan and Smart Reader Kids^® Larkin Jaya, Johor Bahru respectively.

The prizes were given away by Chief Executive Officer of Smart Reader® Worldwide, Dr Richard Ong and Group Executive Director, Dr K H Wang. The judges, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Flying Drama Lecturer Dr Zainal Abdul Latiff, Yamaha Music (M) Sdn Bhd General Manager, Madam Lau Poh Liew and Kolej SRI^® Academic Head Dr Justin Xavier also joined in to give away the prizes to the Champion of Smart Reader Kids^® Kid of the Year 2009.

The winners walked away with trophies, medals, certificates, products, and goodie bags sponsored by Smart Reader^® Worldwide Sdn Bhd, Yamaha Music (M) Sdn Bhd, GlaxoSmithKline, Ambank Bhd, Alpha Specialist Centre, Focus Point Vision Care Group Sdn Bhd, Yuen Furniture Decoration Co, Insight Deco, Group of Painters, Planax Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd, Hup Soon Footwear Sdn Bhd, Vision Aim Marketing Sdn Bhd, Y&T Print, Sapptech Sdn Bhd, Ellen Loo & Co, Crossworld Consulting Sdn Bhd, Aquarium Marine Fresh Sdn Bhd, Pacific Office (M) Sdn Bhd and Computer Forms & Media Sdn Bhd.

Held in Kuala Lumpur, the Smart Reader^® Kid of the Year & Talent Search 2009 competitions saw 125 finalists taking home fabulous prizes for their achievements.

Below is a tabulation of the complete results.