Innholdsfortegnelse for Young Parents Pre-School Guide 2016 i Young Parents Pre-School Guide

Your child delights in the little things in life and expresses his or her joy in small, visible ways. For some kids, it may take a while to break out of their shyness, and learn to express themselves. One excellent way to help them overcome their shyness is through dance. Build Confidence According to Shawn and Gladys, founders of the Shawn & Gladys Dance Academy, an award-winning dance school, the benefits of dance are manifold, and include the overall development of a child’s mind and body. When children learn to dance, they develop their sense of confidence, which will continue to grow as they become more comfortable dancing in front of their peers. And as they become more confident and proficient, they will be at ease when performing in public.…

I was exhausted and overwhelmed after visiting ›ve centres in my search for a preschool. One was state-of-the-art and my favourite, but I couldn’t afford the premium fees. Another had changed hands repeatedly and the new owner clearly had his bottom line, rather than the children’s welfare, in mind. Yet another centre had licensed the curriculum of a famous branded school, but I wasn’t sure the programme would be as effective without the charismatic founder around. The one I eventually settled on was close to my parents’ home. It was small, but the founders and teachers seemed to have a lot of heart. My children loved being there and we kept in touch with the founders even after they graduated. So if it’s now your turn to choose a preschool…

Consider this: The median household income with at least one person working was $8,290 in 2014. But median childcare fees are $907, or about 11 per cent of that. The figures can overwhelm at first glance, but there are several government subsidies and grants you can tap on if your child is Singaporean: Basic subsidy If you work full-time, you receive $600 for infant care and $300 for childcare. Stay-at-home mums get $150; if you opt for half-day or flexible childcare programmes, your subsidy will be prorated. Additional subsidy You qualify if you’re a working mum with a gross monthly household income of $7,500 or less. The amount ranges from $200 to $540 for infant care, and $100 to $440 for childcare, depending on how much the breadwinners bring in.…

EXPENSIVE DOES NOT EQUAL QUALITY “The first preschool I enrolled my older son in was highly recommended by an acquaintance. I didn’t think to enquire about the curriculum, and since the fees were a pocket-busting $1,500 a month per child, I blindly assumed that it was an excellent school. “After more than a year – yes, it took me that long – I realised that my son wasn’t learning a whole lot. I transferred him to another school, but he struggled for a while as he had a lot of catching up to do. Had I reviewed his ›rst school’s curriculum to start with, he wouldn’t have been at such a disadvantage.” Collette de Souza, 37, stay-at-home mum with two kids aged nine and seven THEY WILL SETTLE IN “It’s…

Remember your ›rst day of work and how apprehensive you felt? You had to adjust to a new environment, new people, and new rules. Now imagine having to do that at 18 months old. No wonder starting preschool is such an overwhelming experience for many young kids – as well as their parents. The good news is, schools are there to help both of you with this big transition. One of the most important things you can do before your toddler starts school is to visit the centre beforehand. At Mindchamps Preschool, for instance, teachers arrange an orientation session for parent and child. They go through the centre’s routines and activities, and ›nd out about your kid’s routine at home, says Elaine Chia, its senior director of Education (Early Childhood).…

Speak well Never mind that he’s not even uttering his ›rst words yet – the ›rst year is crucial to building a strong language foundation. Babies process language structure and meaning long before they begin to speak, says Huang Ying, the head of Chengzhu Mandarin Centre. So, go ahead and respond to your infant’s coos and babbles with spoken words. “Although young infants can’t grasp the precise meaning of words, the speech and language parts of their brains are stimulated when we speak to them. The more language they hear, the more those parts of the brain will grow and develop.” By the time he can put words together, he would have already learnt the peculiarities of the languages you’ve spoken to him. “Children who are exposed to two languages…

Are there any unconventional ways you use to teach your kids? “I told my daughter that I didn’t want her to have irrational fears of the dark or any other kinds of superstitious thoughts of what she can’t see or doesn’t know. That is when you are a prisoner of your superstition. “So I told her to hide in a closet and turn the lights off. I said, ‘Okay, I am going to pretend that I am a monster’, and started clawing at the door, and she laughed and laughed. The point was to not have her think, ‘I don’t know what is there and I am afraid’ because it was dark, but ‘it is dark and the only thing that could be there is something I have already seen…

Your younger child looks up to her six-year-old brother and, as a result, copies everything he does. While you are delighted that they are so close to each other, you may be concerned that she has started to copy his bad habits, as well as his positive attributes. It’s time for you to teach your elder kid how to be a better role model. Before drawing his attention to the in›uence he has on his sister, make a point of emphasising how pleased you are with his behaviour towards his sibling and his friends. Tell him that you love how he is so loving, kind and caring towards others. Then chat about the way his sister admires him. He’ll be pleased to hear all those positive comments, especially when you…

You are delighted that your preschooler is so outgoing and con›dent, willing to chat with everyone he meets. This demonstrates his sociability and natural friendliness. Yet, lurking at the back of your mind is the knowledge that not everyone he meets will be benevolent towards him. The reality is that some adults could pose a potential danger. The challenge facing you is how to encourage him to be sensibly cautious about speaking with strangers, without making him totally paranoid and afraid. Part of the challenge is that you have raised him to respect adults, to listen to what they say and to follow instructions. That’s what makes your child so pleasant to be with when he is among them. But now you have to teach him that there are times…

Which is the best enrichment programme for your preschooler? You want to give her a solid foundation in learning, so she will excel once she enters primary school. Have a discussion with your husband about this issue. It’s important that both of you are on the same page. For example, he may ›nd that it’s too soon to send a three-year-old to an enrichment centre. He may also be worried about the expenses. If you have both agreed to take this step, here’s how you can identify what’s likely to be the right programme for your young child. Look beyond fads There are trends in education. Years ago, for instance, nobody thought about brain-training classes for two-year-olds, yet these are now quite common in many countries. A spike in popularity…

ENGLISH CHECK OUT Julia Gabriel Centre’s Let’s Read and Write programme. It develops your little one’s thematic vocabulary through selected texts and exposure to drama activities, reading, writing and conversation skills. Each weekly lesson lasts 1.5 hours and the course spans a year for K1 and K2. VISIT www.juliagabriel.com MATHS CHECK OUT the Maths Jumpers programme from Crestar Learning Centre, which uses games and materials to develop discipline and confidence in the subject. Lessons are one to 1.5 hours long, once a week, over the course of a year for each level of kindergarten. VISIT www.crestar.com.sg CHINESE CHECK OUT Molin Tutorial Centre’s Foundation Programme, which includes show- and-tell, role-play and mini concerts. The course teaches moral education and traditional Chinese values as well. There’s an optional intensive hanyu…

DAEKYO EYE LEVEL SINGAPORE PTE LTD Eye Level is an enrichment programme that originated in South Korea about 40 years ago and now has over 2.5 million students worldwide. At Eye Level Learning Centre, students follow a Self-Directed Learning (SDL) method and develop independent learning skills, while the instructors serve as mentors who guide students through their work by providing direction, support and encouragement. Our extensively well-trained and certified professional instructors design lesson plans based on each student’s progression and understanding of the materials. www.myeyelevel.com www.facebook.com/eyelevel.singapore CENTRAL EYE LEVEL @ ANG MO KIO Blk 114 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, #01-349, Singapore 560114 T 6452-0150 EYE LEVEL @ BOON KENG 34 Whampoa West, #01-35, Singapore 330034 T 8828-5235 EYE LEVEL @ CITY SQUARE MALL 180 Kitchener Road, #B2-02, Singapore 208539…

childcare NORTH BRIGHTON MONTESSORI THE GRASSROOTS’ CLUB 190 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, #02-01 The Grassroots’ Club, Singapore 568046 T 6588-3883 E contact@brightonmontessori.com.sg www.brightonmontessori.com.sg NURTURESTARS PRESCHOOL NurtureStars Preschool is a joint collaboration between Kinderland and SAFRA. 60 Yishun Ave 4, SAFRA Yishun Country Club, #01-V1 Singapore 769027 T 6755-0859 E enquiry@nurturestars.sg www.nurturestars.sg ADORA GREEN Across the road from the tranquil Yishun Pond and Yishun Park, our centre at Adora Green welcomes infants and children from 2 months to 6 years old. 348A Yishun Ave 11, #01-557, Singapore 761348 T 6786-0066 E enquiries@smallwonder.com.sg www.smallwonder.com.sg NORTH-EAST CAMBERLEY PRE-SCHOOL Our children develop to his/her fullest potential and become confident and determined individuals who will excel as lifelong learners and global citizens in the 21st century. KOVAN 16 Flower Road, Singapore 549405 T 6383-5025…

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If your three-year-old has had an unsettled start to nursery, and still cries intensely and clings tightly to you when you leave her there each morning, she needs your help to deal with this separation anxiety. There are several reasons why she might be behaving this way, so observe her carefully and tailor your response accordingly. She’s worried about being alone Of course there are lots of other children there, too, but your kid might still worry about making new friends. So, when you drop her off at the nursery each morning, make sure that you literally hand her over to a staff member who will then lead her to at least one other child so that they can play together. That way, she has peer group company right from…

MANDARIN CLASS If you aren’t proficient in this language, consider signing up for these parent-accompanied classes. Their play-based activities such as songs, storytelling, games and crafts – conducted by native Mandarin teachers – provide an interactive and natural language environment. WHAT Playnest WHERE Chengzhu Mandarin Centre WHO Ninety-minute sessions held twice a week, for babies from six to 18 months old, and one adult. VISIT www.chengzhu.net WHAT Mandarin Babes WHERE Bibinogs WHO Weekly sessions lasting 75-minutes, for babies from nine to 18 months old, and one adult. VISIT www.bibinogs.com WHAT Yitong Mum & Kids Chinese Course WHERE Yuquan Language School WHO One-hour-long weekly sessions for toddlers from age one to three, and one adult. VISIT www.yuquan.com.sg…

Your little one can do so much for himself now, compared to when he was a toddler. He eats using cutlery, he attends to himself in the toilet, he knows how to say “please” and “thank you”, and he likes to chat with you about the events of his day. In fact, he seems so grown up now that you can easily forget he is a small child. But he is still a kid, and that means he doesn’t always behave responsibly – although plenty of adults fail to behave responsibly at times, too – because he remains impulsive and doesn’t always anticipate the consequences of his actions. Sometimes, he has avoidable accidents, like spilling juice over his party out›t because he was distracted while eating. And there are occasions…

Children today are less physically active than previous generations. There are a number of reasons for this. For one thing, traditional forms of play are less popular. Now, a four-year-old typically prefers sitting with her iPad than running in the park. Many families have given up the communal family meal and, instead, eat their dinner in front of the TV. And ›nally, grandparents lavish electronic items and games on their grandchildren, because they know the little ones prefer these items. That’s why you face an uphill struggle getting your preschooler out of her chair! To help you rescue your couch potato, follow these steps: Think of a target Rather than just bemoaning the fact that she gets too little exercise because she watches Youtube or plays with her apps so…

Wendy Tan Director • Baby Sensory How do I boost my toddler’s development? Here are some ideas to stimulate her language, social skills, creativity and problem solving skills, as well as help her develop good control of her body movements. Household chores offer a wealth of opportunity for sensory play. Matching socks, sweeping, dusting, setting the table, and pouring drinks encourage language development and social skills when kids model their behaviour after yours. Grace and courtesy A child-size tea set and play food are great materials for them to set out dishes, match the lids to pots and pretend to feed their teddy bears. This encourages sorting, stacking, nesting and social graces. They learn about size and space, which forms the foundation for math and spatial awareness. Hide and seek…

Pace yourself Group lessons don’t always cater to every child in the class, which is why Brighton Montessori’s lesson plans are designed to give your little one control of her own progress. While working with Montessori materials, she’ll have one-to-one guidance from her teacher. During these sessions, her teacher will ensure that she has mastered the lesson’s concept before introducing a new one. As part of the primary school preparatory programme, K2 kids move into a formal classroom setting with group learning. They’ll also learn how to manage their own belongings and use money to pay for food during recess. Visit www.brightonmontessori.com.sg. Raising all-rounders At Camberley Pre-School, pupils start their mornings with both English and Chinese core curriculum lessons, followed by playtime in various play areas and learning corners. Those…

Which kid doesn’t love the playground and its varied range of slides, swings and climbing frames? Yet your little one’s excitement can quickly turn to tears if another child pushes him out of the way or hits him. You know you can’t ignore what happened. Some parents think the best way to defend their toddler is by reprimanding the little bully – and some prefer to speak with his folks as well. While the child’s parents could be sympathetic to your complaint or embarrassed by the bad behaviour, they could also be totally indifferent. So bear in mind that you could end up in an escalating battle of words (or worse) with them. That’s why you should think very carefully before embarking on such a course of action, however angry…

Bilingual babies may have better learning and memory skills than those exposed to only one language, a new Singapore study of six-month-old infants found. This is believed to be the first of its kind to look at the effects of bilingualism in infants at such a young age. Those brought up in an environment where two languages were spoken appeared to be quicker in absorbing information and get “bored” with familiar images faster, revealed the researchers, who tracked 114 babies. Half of the infants lived in an environment exposed to a second language – Chinese, Malay or Tamil – at least 25 per cent of the time. The monolingual babies had at least 90 per cent exposure to English. The study is a partnership between the Agency for Science, Technology,…

When Marion Tan heard her six-year-old son bossing their helper around, she was shocked. She had raised Joshua to be polite but, that afternoon, she heard a spoilt brat acting as if their helper was his personal handmaiden. “His shoes were muddy from playing in a ›eld, but instead of asking our helper nicely to help him clean them, he demanded that she drop whatever she was doing to wash the mud off,” says the 37-year-old sales executive. “I heard him say: ‘Stop cooking and clean my shoes. Make sure you get all the mud off’, but when our helper told him she was busy, he yelled: ‘Do it right now!’ “We don’t speak to our helper that way, so I don’t know where he learnt that from, and I…

As a parent, you want nothing but the best for your child, to give him the chance to try as many things as possible and to excel. The balancing act is being able to read his attitude towards the activity and to check your attitude towards both the activity and him. For example, he may be weak in maths. Instead of drilling him from morning to night, make up practice games to help him enjoy the subject and get used to working on it. Here are some other ways to motivate him without overdoing it: Use encouraging words and a positive tone of voice. Look for improvement instead of focusing on the lack of. Be specific when praising; notice the difference between “Well done!” versus “Well done in sorting those…

MY FIRST SKOOL T 6509-7887 F 6509-6323 At My First Skool, our aim is to nurture young children into happy, confident and resilient individuals. We believe that children with joyful early learning experiences will commit more of themselves to education and development – personal, social and academic – and so have a greater chance of maximising their potentials. Enrolment Hotline: 6509-7887 www.myfirstskool.com  • e-mail: info@myfirstskool.com NORTH * Blk 303 Canberra Road, #01-29, Singapore 750303 * Blk 331 Sembawang Close, #01-361, Singapore 750331 * Blk 507A Wellington Circle, #01-146, Singapore 751507 * Blk 347 Woodlands Avenue 3, #01-109, Singapore 730347 * Blk 406 Woodlands Street 41, #01-06, Singapore 730406 * Blk 678 Woodlands Avenue 6, #02-724, Singapore 730678 Blk 688C Woodlands Drive 75, #01-44, Singapore 733688 * Blk 742 Woodlands Circle,…