Innholdsfortegnelse for 2018 i Young Parents Pre-School Guide

Arts Kidz International Pre-school Its first campus was established in Tiong Bahru in 2008. In 2012, a second campus was opened in Bukit Timah. Arts Kidz International follows a “Creative Learning, Creative Child” framework, which aims to foster creative thinking and promote a love of learning. The school also provides a programme that balances academic essentials with specialist classes – by removing the need for countless enrichment programmes after school, time is freed up for parent-child bonding. The programme, run by trained specialist teachers, covers areas such as arts, Chinese speech and drama, violin, pianica, yoga and mindfulness, and music and movement. This year saw the launch of Arts Haus International. This early-years learning centre emphasises the study of technology through its proprietary S.M.A.R.T. Learning framework, which allows children to…

When you were growing up, complaints of “I’m bored!” were greeted with “Read a book!” or “Clean your room!”. That was about the extent of the solution provided. Your parents expected you to amuse yourself, and you did. Things are different now. Many parents feel that every moment should be spent doing something constructive, rather than just letting children be. Today’s kids have so much more to ward off boredom – shelves filled with books, countless toys and every entertainment gadget available to mankind – yet they still whine. Child experts believe that children don’t get bored unless they have been conditioned to require constant external stimulation and entertainment. You’re not helping Louise Favaro, head of Student Services at Chatsworth International School, agrees. “When a child expresses boredom to the…

The more friends she has, the more confident she’ll feel about expressing herself verbally in front of them. Encourage her to invite one or two classmates she likes to go over to your house after school. Your child is introverted and you are worried that she won’t speak up in primary school, where the teacher has a large class to attend to and therefore won’t have the time to mollycoddle her like her preschool teachers did. For example, she might be afraid to tell the teacher that she needs to go to the toilet, or to ask him to repeat his instructions. You know that an introverted child can easily get lost in the hubbub of the classroom. Here are eight tips to encourage her to be more outgoing: Don’t…

Your child keeps catching illnesses from other kids in school It’s worrying when your child falls sick frequently, but this is simply a part of growing up, says Dr Lim Hwee Ying, Senior Resident, Department of Neonatal & Developmental Medicine, Singapore General Hospital. Immunity strengthens when the body learns to fight germs, viruses and other organisms. In fact, having up to 10 bouts of viral infections a year is normal, Dr Lim assures. Nevertheless, it’s important to help Junior maintain a healthy immune system. So make sure that he eats plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables daily, gets adequate sleep every night, and enjoys regular physical activity. Dr Lim also suggests teaching him habits like washing his hands before and after meals and after using the toilet. Remind him to…

The early years of a child’s life, when he is between four and six years old, are the most exciting. Some parents call this the kindergarten years, or the “Why” phase, when your inquisitive little one will start to question any and every single thing he encounters. Instead of brushing his questions aside, why not engage him to discover the answers for himself? That’s the best way to learn. That is why at ISS International School, students are encouraged to explore new concepts and discover the world around them. In line with the Early Years Programme that follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) framework, the stage is set for student-centred learning through self-discovery. AN ESTABLISHED PROGRAMME The Early Years Programme revolves around three core principals, with the…

It’s the conversation most parents dread – telling their young ones how babies are made and explaining awkward and complex topics, like sexuality and intimacy. Before you proceed, take note of what the experts have to say. Is my child ready for a discussion about sex? According to Ho Shee Wai, a psychologist and director at The Counselling Place, the issue is not so much about whether your child is mature or old enough to know about sex, but more about whether you and your spouse are ready to have the discussion. “As parents, you should ask yourselves if you’re comfortable talking about sex with your child,” says Shee Wai. “You have to be willing to broach the subject. And when you do, you have to ensure that the information…

Determine the care service or programme your child needs Playgroup, infant care, childcare and kindergarten are the different types of care services and programmes available in Singapore. Playgroup is designed for children aged 18 to 30 months old, with sessions lasting from two to four hours. Elisabeth Lew, principal of Learning Vision Surbana One, says playgroup is a good choice if you’re looking for a short programme that allows your child to interact with other kids and help build his social skills. Playgroup is usually adult-accompanied, and the activities, facilitator-led. Infant care is suitable for children aged two to 18 months. Fiona McDonald, head of learning support at Chiltern House, says that centres offering infant care may offer half- or full-day programmes. These centres provide an environment and activities that…

Your kid can’t walk past the store without whining for another new toy. When you try to take the iPad away, he throws a fit. And, oh dear, did you just hear him mutter the “F” word?! You thought those days of toddler tantrums were over, only to find yourself dealing with bigger, badder behaviour. What happened along the way? Most behavioural patterns are shaped in the first seven years of a child’s life, explains Alfred Tan, chief executive officer of the Singapore Children’s Society. “If your child is behaving badly, it could be due to gaps or shortcomings during this period of growing up,” he says. As much as you loathe to hear this, the experts say the spoiling process probably started with you, the parent. Isn’t it so…

Many parents already know, at least vaguely, that too much screen time is bad for young kids’ development. What they may not realise is just how bad it is for little ones to be glued to the screens of TVs, smartphones or computers. In October last year, the authoritative American Academy of Pediatrics slashed its maximum recommended screen time for children aged two to five. The maximum recommended screen time went from two hours daily to one hour a day. It also recommended that parents watch “high quality programming” with their children during this hour and that children younger than 18 months get zero screen time (the previous recommendation was that children below two years old should not get any screen time). Some Singapore parents have already taken steps to…

You try to teach your children to be more organised, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Appealing to common sense yields no results, and using threats and bribes works for a while, before you’re back to square one and a messy home. Nathalie Ricaud, a professional organiser who founded Get Organised & Beyond – she also has a 12-year-old son – shares the most common mistakes parents make when they teach organisation skills to their kids. MISTAKE #1 Starting without a valid reason from her perspective Telling a kid “you must get organised” is not going to work even if you come up with very valid reasons to do so. She might agree to do something about the clutter or her lack of punctuality – if you’re lucky –…

Apple Pie Language Founded in 2003, this centre aims to cultivate an appreciation for the Chinese language from an early age. The centre offers a range of daily, weekly and specially customised classes throughout the year, for children aged three to eight years old. These include Chinese Theatre Enrichment, Drama for the Young, Fun with Phonics, Chinese Enrichment Programmes, and English Speech and Drama. Apple Pie Language also offers fun and exciting holiday camps that are conducted during the school holidays. The camps, which typically run for three or five days, give children the opportunity to express themselves through singing and dancing, and teach them new skills, like food craft and prop-making. VISIT www.applepie.com.sg Baby Sensory This early childhood programme was founded in the UK by Dr Lin Day,…