Innholdsfortegnelse for 2017 i Young Parents Pre-School Guide

Preschool provides him with the opportunity to make new friends and develop social skills. Choosing when to send your toddler to preschool can be one of your toughest decisions as a parent. Leave it too late, and he can become bored; start him too early, and he might end up stressed out. Here’s how to tell if he’s all set for the learning journey: He has lost interest in the toys and activities at home Your two-year-old is curious and inquiring, and it can be a struggle for you to provide that stimulation every day. His apparent drop in enthusiasm indicates he is ready for the wide range of new experiences available in preschool. He is socially independent Preschool provides him with the opportunity to make new friends and…

Lifestyle brand Ikea polled almost 30,000 parents, primary-schoolers and teens in 12 countries about play and family life. Its 2015 Play Report, which covered Asian countries like India, South Korea and China, revealed that Singapore parents and kids aren’t the only ones who don’t have enough time for play: 49% of parents feel guilty about not having enough time to play with their kids and feeling “too stressed to enjoy playing”. This was higher than the 45 per cent recorded in the 2009 Play Report. 25% of kids feel that their parents organise too many things for them to do outside school, especially in the Asian countries surveyed. 59% of parents think play is best when educational, especially those in Russia, China and India. This is an…

When you were a young child, you stopped in your tracks the minute your parents so much as looked disapprovingly at you. Yet your own five-year-old seems totally immune to punishments, and she seems to ignore all the consequences of her behaviour. Now is the time to stand back and carefully consider the way you use punishments as part of your discipline. Punishments are effective only when they are applied consistently. Decide on the rules for your child’s behaviour and stick to them no matter what she does. Consider what you expect of her in terms of her behaviour towards other children and adults. Explain these expectations to her, point that she mustn’t cross the lines you have set, and stick to your decision. Don’t give in to her, even…

While other parents clamour to give their little ones a head start in their ABCs and 123s, Poh Ying Bin is more concerned about whether his kids, aged two and four respectively, are getting their daily dose of running, jumping and climbing. “I’m pretty chill when it comes to their academic learning. At the moment, I’d rather my kids get plenty of opportunity to explore and work on their motor skills, balance and coordination,” says the 29-year-old dad, whose third child is due this month. Before you dismiss him as another New Age-y parent, consider this: Increasingly, child developmental studies have found that how confidently Junior moves, maintains his balance, throws and catches a ball or even tie his shoelaces, can predict how well he will learn in school later.…

Your four-year-old’s life doesn’t always go according to plan. Like the time you took him to buy a birthday present, but the toy that you promised him was sold out. Or perhaps you couldn’t take him to the zoo last week as you had hoped because you had a crisis at work. Disappointments can throw your child’s confidence, leaving him feeling low and dispirited. Here are ways to help him cope: INSTEAD OF SAYING “You are being silly and acting like a baby.” SAY THIS “I can see you are very disappointed by this.” WHY IT WORKS Take his feelings seriously, and resist the urge to trivialise his reaction. To you, the fact that you had to cancel his trip to the park today is no big deal because you…

Parents of kids in Primary 1 this year received a special activity book from the Ministry of Education last November. The 104-page hardcover book, which comes with sheets of stickers, has 10 tips and 50 suggested activities to help kids with the transition to a new school environment. It will also be given to parents whose kids will enter P1 next year. YP deputy editor Elisa Chia, whose elder child is now in P3, reviews the book: “Flipping through the illustrated pages quickly, I initially mistook this for a fun journal for the new pupils. But when I read it, I thought: ‘What a well-planned survival kit for the kids – and parents.’ “If I had been given this book two years ago, it would no doubt have helped to…

What are sensorial exercises and how do they benefit my child? Sensorial exercises aim to refine the senses pertaining to the discernment of size, length, weight, shape, texture, volume, temperature and smell, among others. By engaging his senses, a kid can retain information better. He also becomes more logical, aware and perceptive. Sensorial exercises involve the following: Dressing frames Remove the glass from a frame. Wrap or secure clothes around or on the frame with zippers, buttons or shoelaces, using a staple gun. Mystery bag Fill a bag with 20 small objects. These may include a short pencil, eraser, teaspoon, key, and others. Take the objects out of the bag one at a time, and place them on the table. When your kid has become familiar with these articles, they…

How can I raise a bilingual child? Being able to speak two languages is an advantage in an increasingly globalised society. Raising a kid who is bilingual is desirable, but can be challenging, especially if you are not bilingual yourself. Studies have found that children can pick up two languages easily from birth to the age of seven, when language acquisition occurs very fast. As such, the earlier your child exposed to additional languages, the better he learns. You can also incorporate the following: Books Reading is always one of the best ways to learn a language. Play an audio book and read together with Junior. Multimedia Music, videos and TV programmes can boost language development. Technology Browse your smartphone app store for games that encourage language development. These allow…

How do I teach my preschooler social skills? Most often than not, preschoolers are blissfully egocentric and very much self-centred. Since they are still building on their sense of self, the young ones should not be judged for their egocentrism. Although some may seem ready to make meaningful connections to the real world, they are still heavily dependent on their caretakers and are easily influenced by the actions and behaviour of the adults around them. Teach your child the following foundational social skills: Communication Talk to your child regularly on what is meaningful to him. Get down to his level and listen attentively to what he has to say. Ask open-ended questions to extend and deepen the conversation. Cooperation Choose games or tasks that require turn-taking. Give him a chance…

How do I teach Junior to be kind? Be a role model A child listens to the words adults say and observes how we act and react to different situations – then replicates this behaviour in his own social interactions. In preschool, a teacher demonstrates these compassionate acts, from comforting a child with separation anxiety on his first day at school to calmly talking to a kid who did something wrong. Help him nurture friendships Although egocentric by nature, a child is capable of building friendships. Through play, he learns to share, take turns, talk in a polite way, and help others. He learns to think about others and the consequences of his actions. Activities in the classroom allow him socialise with peers and are great opportunities to teach him…

How can I prep my child for Primary 1 Chinese? There are four milestones your child must hit as he transitions to primary school, in order for learning Chinese to become smooth and effective: LISTENING SKILLS The ability to focus and exercise patience while listening to others are important skills. By now, Junior must be able to understand the gist of a conversation. When reading children’s short stories, he should be able to understand not just the contents, but also emotions portrayed. He should also be able to distinguish different reading tones. Tip: Listen to Mandarin nursery rhymes and songs, and watch Mandarin educational and radio programmes. CONVERSATIONAL SKILLS By the end of preschool, your child should be able to converse and interact in Mandarin confidently with peers and teachers.…

How do I help my child improve her Chinese spelling ( ting xie) and memorisation ( mo xie) skills? Pay attention to the word structure when reading and recognising Chinese words. Most characters have radicals that can be divided into left and right, up and down, inside and outside. An example is the Chinese character for “jump”: “›”, which can be divided into left radical “›” and, on the right, “›”. By remembering radicals, children understand the meaning of a word. It helps them to better differentiate the right word. Note the order of strokes in writing. This goes from left to right, top to bottom, from outside to inside. Write as if you’re “entering the house and closing the door”. An example is the Chinese character for “sudden”: “›”,…

How can I teach my toddler to learn from failure? Parents usually see failure as something negative and will do their best to prevent their preschoolers from failing. However, failure might not be a bad thing, as it is an opportunity for a child to learn to be resilient. Consider these strategies: Encourage problem-solving skills When your preschooler feels that she cannot solve a problem and has failed – for instance, when she breaks a friend’s toy – do not “rescue” her immediately. Instead, ask questions such as: “How do you think your friend will feel? What can you do to change that? How can you solve the problem?" Guiding her to reflect on the issue takes time, but provides opportunities for her to solve it. It also helps her…

What are the best ways to boost my kid’s memory skills? Meaningless lists or rote memorisation are stressful methods, and can kill your child’s interest in learning. Instead, focus on training his brain with these recommendations: Flashcards serve as both pictorial and verbal reminders for the same information presented (based on the principles of dual-coding), so they enhance Junior’s ability to recognise new words easily. To maximise the benefits, you can introduce language rules, sentence constructions and others. Supplement storybooks with daily news As most storybooks targeted at preschoolers consist of basic words and simplified content, your child remembers only superficial concepts. To inculcate meaningful understanding, read about and discuss the development of current affairs with him so that he grasps the relevance of real-world events. Keeping the content open-ended…

At a preschool I visited, a kindergarten-age boy threw a tantrum during art class and the teacher didn’t know how to engage or distract him. In another part of the room, I saw a toddler chewing on a cotton bud, which he could have swallowed and choked on. Thankfully, the teacher who was giving us a school tour quickly took it away, but why did he have access to such a dangerous object in the first place, and why didn’t the three other teachers in the room spot it? So, if you’re searching for the perfect preschool for your little one, don’t just rely on word of mouth or marketing pitches. Make sure you visit schools on your shortlist at least once. Take your child along and don’t rush through…

Enrolling your little one in a childcare centre helps his well-being and development in a number of ways. It teaches him social skills, like sharing, resolving conflicts and listening to others’ viewpoints. It also helps him gain self-help skills, like feeding himself, getting dressed and taking care of his possessions, and assists with cognitive, physical and creative growth. Childcare centres are different from kindergartens in that they offer a full-day service, from 7am to 7pm. The latter offer three-to-four-hour programmes. Ruth Chia, senior manager of Programmes, Child Support Services, at NTUC First Campus Co-Operative, says the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has set criteria for childcare centre operators and issues licences to ensure they are met. These include staff qualifications, as well as the learning programme and environment, health, safety…

Share your concerns with the principal, and arrange for a regular progress update. You thought you could work with peace of mind, knowing that you’ve enrolled your toddler at a reputable childcare centre. Yet, you’re starting to have niggling doubts that the centre is not right for you or your young child. Look out for these telltale signs: He keeps crying Your little one has been attending childcare for more than six weeks, but he still cries when you leave him there each morning. You understand that he tears up frequently throughout the day, as well. While it is common for young children to show some degree of separation anxiety, this typically eases within six to eight weeks. He looks sluggish There are no tears when you drop him off,…

THE SANDBOX always keeps my children busy for hours. We add different supplementary elements to allow for different play ideas. Sometimes, it includes providing mini-animal toys, or sticks and branches. “MINI MAKER” SPACES are where we collect a range of used materials for children to play and make things. This involves toilet rolls, milk bottles and obscure things like buttons, old small fabric scraps, and old T-shirts cut into strips. As a family, we can play together to make and create things; with some fun tools such as fabric-cutting scissors and a hot-glue gun. Sometimes, we have more directed outcomes like making a birthday card. This can even become a larger play activity if we collect boxes of different sizes. PLAYING OUTDOORS in the park, collecting sticks and branches as…

Level up your kid’s motor skills with these fun and simple movement games, suggests Rebecca Goh-Quek, an education specialist from Kinderland Educare Services. CRAWL, BABY, CRAWL Good for Babies learning to crawl How to play: Stand some distance away and encourage your baby to crawl to you. Alternatively, start a game by crawling alongside Baby – she’s sure to join in! ROLL WITH IT Good for Toddlers How to play Have your little one imagine she is a rolling pin; get her to lie on her back with hands stretched above her head, or arms crossed in front of her chest. Roll over from back to front, then front to back. Once she gets a hang of it, encourage her to change the speed. A BALANCING ACT Good for Two-…

Deep scratches and cuts Deep cuts tend to bleed a lot, so first compress the wound with a clean towel to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding stops, wash the cut under running water for five to 10 minutes to get rid of dirt. Apply an antiseptic gel or cream and leave the wound to heal. “Observe the child to make sure the wound is healing, and see a doctor if there are any signs of infection such as increased swelling, redness, pus discharge or fever,” says Dr Lynette Wee, a paediatric senior resident from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. If it’s a huge open wound, compress it, but still seek emergency care immediately, says Dr Ratna Sridjaja, a paediatrician from Gleneagles Hospital. “Any open wound may mean the need…

How do I choose books for my kid? Choose those with colourful illustrations It’s important that your child develops reading strategies at a young age, as this will help her to manage more challenging texts as her reading skills progress. Pictures offer clues to the textual content so she finds it easier to deduce the meaning. They can also help her make predictions about the storyline. Pick titles that can be read many times Books read by you and your little one together can be experienced in various ways. Focus on punctuation during one reading, and decoding difficult words in the next. With younger learners, ask them about the pictures and get them to describe what they see. Cover a range of subjects Most children gravitate towards books that cover…

How do I get my child to be more independent? Encourage your child to become independent by delegating some simple chores at home. You’ll be surprised by what and how much he can do! Choose his own clothes and dress himself Allow him to decide what he’d like to wear for the day. Apart from independence and decision-making, it allows him to learn to coordinate his outfit. If your aspiring fashionista is ready, he can also dress himself. Pack his toys away Make this task a routine by turning it into a game: “Let’s see who is faster in packing up the toys!” After playing, allow him to put away his toys on his own. Help out in the kitchen Baking is a great opportunity to engage him. Get him…

How can I help my kid, who doesn’t like his teacher? Several reasons can result in a child’s refusal to attend preschool, including a dislike of a teacher. Instead of brushing aside his concerns, find out why. Here’s what you can do: Address the matter and speak with him calmly. Ask open-ended questions. Allow him to describe his experiences in school. Pay attention to his gaze, gestures and body language. This can help you ascertain if the claims are valid, and the degree of emotional stress that he is going through. Be careful not to inject ideas or answers. Once you have gathered the facts, make an appointment with the head of the preschool. Speak with her preferably in person, and share your concerns. Allow time for the head of…

How can I help my shy three-year-old become more confident? It is too early to determine if your little one’s shyness will persist. Various factors can attribute to her reserved nature, such as unfamiliar people, or an innate personality that requires more time to warm up to people. One way to help her overcome shyness is to provide sufficient space and time so she becomes familiar and comfortable with the setting and people. Encourage her each time she makes an effort to leave her comfort zone. Before she encounters the unfamiliar situation, talk to her about it and prepare her for what is to be expected. Together, identify possible measures that can be adopted when certain emotions are triggered. Assure her that you are with her and will be within…

How do I boost my kid’s leadership qualities? Leadership is a mindset. It is built upon self-awareness, an understanding of the needs of others and an ability to think, plan, strategise and execute. These are processes suited to the mature mind, but you can still give your little one a good start. Focus on developing a “theory of mind”. It refers to the ability to understand that others think differently from you – and that they see, feel and experience things in their own way. Understanding and empathising with others is one of the hardest things for a child to learn, and it is only through a variety of social interactions that the patterns of “other behaviour” begin to register. Help your young one develop a theory of mind by…

How does exposure to technology affect my toddler’s development, and how much is too much? Our kids are living in the digital era where technology proliferates. As such, it is important to use technology appropriately to support early learning and development. In a young child, brain development is stimulated through human touch and interaction, which promotes attachment and bonding. Introducing electronic devices to your kid can result in reduced human touch and interaction and, hence, relationship development. Studies have shown that long hours of screen time can affect physical growth and cause health issues. Research has revealed that when a child stares at a screen, his mind and senses become disengaged from the environment. He misses out on meaningful interaction with his parents and siblings. Although some apps can be…

How do I teach my child to be a critical thinker? Provide your little one with plenty of opportunities for play. Whether it’s rolling two marbles down a chute to see which travels faster, or observing what happens when you mix cornstarch with water to make “goop”, these are crucial to improving critical thinking. Ask her open-ended questions rather than give answers to questions, for example: “What do you think is happening?” or “Why is this changing?” Respect her responses, whether or not they are correct. Try saying: “That’s interesting. Why do you think so?” This way, she learns to form her own hypotheses. Offer enough information so that she doesn’t get frustrated, but not too much that you end up solving the problem for her. To further encourage her…

A SUBSIDIARY OF G8 EDUCATION LTD 350 Orchard Road, Shaw House #13-05, Singapore 238868 T 6235-8820 F 6235-7782 E marketing@g8education.edu.sg www.g8education.edu.sg G8 Education Singapore owns a range of recognised pre-school brands namely Cherie Hearts, Bright Juniors, and Our Juniors’ Schoolhouse. We provide a full spectrum of quality services for Infant Care, Playgroup, Nursery, and Kindergarten. Each Brand boasts its own Curriculum crafted by our in-house Curriculum Specialists. Together with a wide array of enrichment programmes, parents can be assured of a holistic and progressive education that nurtures their little ones in an early learning environment that is fun, friendly, safe, stimulating and conducive to growth. Tel: 6235-8820 • www.g8education.edu.sg BRIGHT JUNIORS   www.brightjuniors.com.sg NORTH @ BISHAN Block 140 Bishan Street 12, #01-484, Singapore 570140 T 6353-1712 M 9838-1859 E bishan@brightjuniors.com.sg…

You know that a tablet is an essential part of your child’s learning, but you are so fed up with him being glued to it from morning till night. You’d much rather get him interested in those old-fashioned basics like books, board games and construction bricks. Yet the minute you suggest such alternatives, he complains they are boring. Try these 10 ways to break his digital addiction: Recognise the positives Your preschooler learns a great deal through the use of digital media, both at school and at home. Or course, there are less-important uses of digital devices that are not part of his education, but iPads, laptops and computers are central aids to his understanding. Clarify your concerns What exactly troubles you about his addiction? For example, maybe you are…

Your little one overreacts every time she encounters a trivial problem – for example, she becomes hysterical when she spills a cup of water in her bedroom, she cries when she can’t find her matching sock, and she flares up the second her younger brother touches one of her toys. She needs your help to build up her problem-solving skills. Here’s how to do it: THE SKILL A positive attitude WHY IT MATTERS If your child approaches issues with a positive attitude, she is more likely to remain calm and find a satisfactory solution. ENCOURAGE IT Explain that she’ll be able to sort problems out more easily when she believes that she has the ability to solve them. Instead of letting herself feel sad, she should force herself to smile…

Do you: • Hover around your child, repeatedly giving instructions or checking on him? • Tell your not-so-little one to be brave in school again and again? • Tear up or sob openly in front of him when saying goodbye at the school gate? If you said yes to any of the above, you might have unwittingly projected your anxiety onto him, says clinical psychologist Matilda Chew from Think Psychological Services. “Children often look to their parents for cues on how to respond to new situations and environments,” she explains. “When you behave in an anxious manner, your child will learn that he, too, needs to feel anxious or fearful. This can hinder him from exploring his new school and people with confidence.” The bottom line: Remain calm, reassuring and…

How do I nurture creativity in my toddler? Creativity is important to a child’s health and happiness. In addition to artistic and musical expression, creativity also helps to boost his development in science, mathematics, as well as social and emotional intelligence. A creative child grows to become more adaptable to change, making him better at solving problems. Your kid learns creativity best during playtime. This is because he feels most relaxed, which improves his ability and propensity to learn. Here are ways to make playtime more meaningful: Give time Allow him to enjoy unstructured, imaginative and pretend play. Get him to direct the playtime – you can dress up and have a conversation through mini figurines, model farms and houses, or kitchens and tea sets. Build a space Set up…

How do I uncover my child’s talents? Observe and listen to her. It is also important to speak to her teachers for feedback. What are your child’s natural abilities, and how does she perform in these areas? Does she spend time on these activities on her own accord? For example, if she spends time doodling and drawing, and her pictures are very detailed compared to those of her peers, she may have a gift for art. Instead of imposing your expectations on her, allow her to explore her interest freely. Expose her to different learning experiences while observing her development. Here are some ways you can help reinforce her confidence: Create a conducive environment and support her with proper resources. Encourage her to have fun. Celebrate her efforts – don’t…

How does dance help my kid’s development? Preschoolers learn more readily through having fun, particularly if these activities encourage hands-on learning or physical movements. One good example is creative dance. Dance helps improve your child’s physical development and coordination. It involves a wide range of movements, allowing her to quickly develop better control of large muscles with practice. She will gain flexibility, physical strength and stamina, muscle tone, and good posture. This raises confidence and self-esteem, both essential traits for primary school. Dance also enhances her social awareness. As lessons are conducted in a group, she gets to interact and cooperate with others. By learning to work within a group dynamic such as “waiting for your turn”, she becomes more considerate of others and the way she interacts with them.…

How can I raise a child who’s truthful yet tactful? Parents play a vital role as a model of honesty. The key here is to teach your young one to resolve situations without having to lie. Often, a child lies to protect herself against unpleasant consequences. But while a kindergartener can better hide the truth, maintaining the lies may still be difficult. She might be struggling with following through with rules – for example, getting homework done before watching TV. Help her by guiding her regularly through these rules. Give encouraging feedback – point out when she’s being honest. At this age, your child is a keen observer, so your message becomes undermined if she sees you being dishonest. As your child’s social cognition develops, she will begin to understand…

How does a bilingual preschool help my kid master two languages? Children are wonderful at learning languages, thanks to an innate ability known as language acquisition device, according to psychologist Lev Vygotsky. When a language is spoken naturally and within the correct context, children can make sense of it quickly. On the other hand, if a kid is made to pay attention to words that are abstract and meaningless, he will become stressed and learning will not happen. And if the artificial setting makes him feel uncomfortable using Mandarin, he may even refuse to speak it at all. The key to success in learning two languages is to create a natural setting, where you can spend meaningful moments with your child through sharing stories, reading books and having fun speaking…

How do I teach my kid English, maths and science through everyday activities? To a child, the world is an amazing place, filled with activities for discovery and learning. Here are some everyday opportunities to help him develop language and literacy, numeracy, and an understanding of our world. Grocery shopping Before heading to the supermarket, make a list with him of what to buy. If he is not ready to write, ask him to draw the items and write down the quantity. At the supermarket, get him to look for the items. Count along as he picks them out with your help. Meal time Before eating, ask your little one to lay the table. Name the cutlery and utensils, and count the number of pieces needed. Whenever appropriate, let him…

How can I help my husband to bond better with my child? Fathers encourage competition, independence and achievement. A father’s influence on a child starts as early as birth. A kid with a more-involved dad is more likely to be emotionally secure, confident, sociable and better at problem-solving. There are many ways your husband can get involved in the little one’s early years. At home, he can establish a routine for specific activities. For example, he can set aside time to read with your toddler. The ability to read, after all, is a critical skill for a child’s success. He can also participate in activities organised by your child’s school. Attending parent-teacher conferences enables him to keep up with your kid’s development and progress in school. A little goes a…