Dec 31, 2011
Dec 29, 2011
Dec 3, 2011
Trees of the World Light-Up
For a tropical touch to the year-end celebrations, the Singapore Botanic Gardens serves up a visual feast with the much-anticipated Trees of the World Light-Up put together by the community to transform the Gardens into a magical wonderland.Delight in the spectacle of tropical trees adorned with an eye-popping array of ornaments and lighted up from 3 Dec 2011 - 1 Jan 2012. For an enchanting evening, be serenaded by performers at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage during the weekend of 3 & 4 Dec.Celebrating the beauty of nature, the Singapore Lyric Opera Children’s Choir (SLOCC) will perform during the launch of the Trees of the World Light-Up on 3 Dec at 7pm.Nov 19, 2011
Nov 14, 2011
Nov 12, 2011
Nov 8, 2011
Drama Sampler
Stimulate your child's creativity and imagination in a FREE Drama class!
More details on:
http://www.act3international.com.sg/eblast/sampleclass112011/eb_sampleclass.htm
More details on:
http://www.act3international.com.sg/eblast/sampleclass112011/eb_sampleclass.htm
Nov 7, 2011
Heritage Hop About
Explore Singapore! 2011
Heritage Hop About
21 Novemeber to 4 December (2011)
http://museums.com.sg/es11/
Heritage Hop About
21 Novemeber to 4 December (2011)
http://museums.com.sg/es11/
Oct 13, 2011
From 13 – 20 November, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre transforms into a lush landscape of orchids, from contemporary exotic hybrids to the most beautiful of traditional orchid breeds. Covering an estimated 12,000 sqm and featuring 68 exhibits from 23 countries spread over 6 continents, the World Orchid Show promises to be a feast for the senses with exhibitors competing for the coveted 20th WOC awards. World Orchid Show ticket holders will also have the privilege of an exclusive sneak preview of the brand new Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, ahead of its official opening in June 2012.
Sep 30, 2011
Controversial Children's Picture Books
The list author says: "Believe it or not, many classics of the picture book world have been seen as controversial and even been challenged in schools and censored! While not all of these titles are necessarily on the challenged list, they often can cause some raised eyebrows and sputterings in certain circles. ^_^ And yes, there's a lot of overtly challenged picture books that aren't on this list. I'm trying to pick things that folks might not have heard of or will be surprised by." (sic)
http://www.amazon.com/lm/R2CIX4GT87K99O/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_lm_14iHob0VYTZK1
http://www.amazon.com/lm/R2CIX4GT87K99O/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_lm_14iHob0VYTZK1
Sep 22, 2011
Sep 21, 2011
Sep 19, 2011
Sep 7, 2011
Aug 31, 2011
Sentosa Buskers Festival 2011 : 3 - 11 Sep
Sentosa Buskers Festival 2011 : 3 - 11 Sep
Date: 3 – 11 September 2011
Time: 4pm – 10pm daily
Venue: Merlion Plaza, Imbiah Terrace, Songs of the Sea Forecourt & Siloso Beach
Admission: Free * event*
Prevailing island admission and car park charges applyThe Sentosa Buskers Festival is back by popular demand. Play and bond with 12 international performers as they showcase their talents for the first time on Sentosa this September school break. With clowns, puppeteers and jugglers from more than five different countries, there’s bound to be something for everyone! Be prepared to be tickled and fascinated by their amazing stunts and curious antics. It's going to be a ball of fun for the whole family!
Date: 3 – 11 September 2011
Time: 4pm – 10pm daily
Venue: Merlion Plaza, Imbiah Terrace, Songs of the Sea Forecourt & Siloso Beach
Admission: Free * event*
Prevailing island admission and car park charges applyThe Sentosa Buskers Festival is back by popular demand. Play and bond with 12 international performers as they showcase their talents for the first time on Sentosa this September school break. With clowns, puppeteers and jugglers from more than five different countries, there’s bound to be something for everyone! Be prepared to be tickled and fascinated by their amazing stunts and curious antics. It's going to be a ball of fun for the whole family!
Mid Autumn Mass Lantern Walk
Light the wayRevel in the enchanting atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Mass Lantern Walk.
A highlight of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore, this delightful procession starts at the heart of Chinatown, loops around Eu Tong Sen and New Bridge Road, and ventures back to Chinatown where participants will be treated to spectacular performances.Join the crowd of families and friends carrying brightly lit lanterns under a moonlit sky, and be a part of a magical Mid-Autumn moment.
Date & Time
From 10 Sep 2011, Sat To
10 Sep 2011, Sat
DURATION/OPENING HOURS
7.30 – 10 pm
TICKETING DETAILS
Free
Free
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Starting Point: Open Field next to Outram MRT Exit E
Starting Point: Open Field next to Outram MRT Exit E
VENUE
Outram MRT Station
adapated from http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/apps/eventdetails.Mid-Autumn-Mass-Lantern-Walk.html
Aug 24, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Aug 18, 2011
Art Garden at the Singapore Art Museum
Happening from 3rd June to 30th Aug.
More details on www.singaporeartmuseum.sg/exhibitions/details.php?id=71 
Aug 17, 2011
top 10 children’s books writers
As kids, we all loved reading books. Books are the medium through which the thoughts of a child and his character can be molded. Therefore reading the correct kids’ books becomes very important. There are thousands and thousands of children’s books available in book stores and in libraries. It is a big task for parents to find the best book that can be a value addition for the child and can interest him as well. To make your task easier given below is a list of the top 10 children’s books writers. Be sure that your child will love reading their books.
1. Kevin Henkes:
is a successful illustrator and author of children’s books who has won the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Honor in these two fields. ‘Kitten’s First Full Moon’ was one of his most famous books ever written. He also writes for young – adult fiction and many of his stories are based on his own life experiences.
2. Patricia Polacco:
too is an illustrator and author of children’s books. The books contain beautiful culture, simple language and great illustrations making her books a must read for children and young kids. Some of her works are Chicken Sunday, Thank You, Mr. Falker and My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother; to name just a few.
3. Eric Carle:
most famous children’s book has been ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ which has been translated into almost 48 languages. His first story illustration was ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ which was a huge bestseller. The illustrations used by him were very different, normally made of hand – painted papers and converted into beautiful images. His books bring out his love of nature. His books are not only entertaining but also full of knowledge and learning.
4. Beatrix Potter:
created the famous Peter Rabbit character from the book ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’. She had to stay at home and learn music and fine art, while her brother was sent to school. Her collection of books includes The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, The Tale of Two Bad Mice and The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.
5. E.B. White:
author of children’s books was born in New York. He has written many novels for children which include some famous names as Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan. As guessed correctly many of his novels have been turned into big animation flicks that have done exceedingly well at the box – office.
6. Margaret Wise Brown:
was an American author of children’s books. She was born in New York and did her schooling in Connecticut. Her first book was ‘When the Wind Blew’. After came a series of books like ‘The Runaway Bunny’, ‘Little Island’, ‘Goodnight Moon’, etc. By the time she died she had written almost a hundred books. Many of them were printed after her death.
7. Maurice Sendak:
is an American writer and illustrator of children’s books. His famous book is ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ which was published in the year 1963. It was a book based on children’s fantasy. His other famous books are ‘In the Night Kitchen’ and ‘Outside, Over There’.
8. Shel Silverstein:
was not only an author of children’s books but was also a poet, song writer, musician, composer, cartoonist and screenwriter. His books have been translated into 20 languages and have been sold worldwide. He began by writing children’s poems. His most famous children’s book was ‘The Giving Tree’. He had his own quirky and laid back style of writing books for children. Some of his own favorites were ‘Uncle Shelby’s ABZ’ and ‘A Giraffe and a Half’ and ‘The Lion who Shot Back’.
9. Dr. Seuss:
complete name is Theodor Seuss Geisel. His wife encouraged him to write books for children. His most popular books include The Cat in the Hat and the book Horton Hears a Who. The second book has also been converted into an animated movie which received great reviews.
10. Chris Van Allsburg:
Van Allsburg is an American author and illustrator of books for children. His books are not the typical children books types. In fact through his books he tries to capture the negative aspects of human life. For example, in his book ‘The Wretched Stone’ he has tried to explain about the negative impact of watching television. Some of his other books based on similar ideas were ‘The Sweetest Fig’ and ‘The Mysteries of Harris Burdick’. Some of the other concepts that he uses in writing are dreams, environment and things with lives of their own as brought about in his book ‘Jumanji’. He also won a Caldecott Medal for this book. He won the same medal for yet another of his beautiful works ‘The Polar Express’. Both these books were converted into movies and both received great appreciation from their audiences.
These are some of the best authors for children’s books. Each author has his own style of writing and visualizing. These books cover a range of topics, from nature to animals to life and even dreams. The stories can be used a great deal of learning and can act as guides for your kids. As a parent you can always help your child learn a lot through reading books of such great writers rather than watching television all the time.
Adapted from http://top-10-list.org/2011/07/15/top-10-children%E2%80%99s-books-writers/
Jul 24, 2011
OKTO: Scent of the Night
Event: OKTO: Scent of the Night
Date: 30th July 2011 (Sat)
Time: 5pm to 7.30pm
Venue: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage (@ Singapore Botanic Gardens)
A showcase of different cultures and performances that includes dance, songs, instrumentation and even martial arts from different parts of the world.
More info on http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Date: 30th July 2011 (Sat)
Time: 5pm to 7.30pm
Venue: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage (@ Singapore Botanic Gardens)
A showcase of different cultures and performances that includes dance, songs, instrumentation and even martial arts from different parts of the world.
More info on http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Jul 22, 2011
Raise a Little Thinker Seminar
Date: 30th July 2011 (Saturday)Time: 12.45pm – 5.30pmVenue: Fairmont Singapore, Collyer Room Level 4, Raffles City Convention Centre, 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560
More details on http://www.abbott.com.sg/littlethinkerFee
Jul 8, 2011
May 29, 2011
International Museum Day Open House 2011
Bring your families to the following museums for free today:- Asian Civilisations Museum
- The Changi Museum
- Chinese Heritage Centre
- Infocomm Experience Centre (iExperience)
- Land Transport Gallery
- Memories at Old Ford Factory
- National Library Singapore
- National Museum of Singapore
- NUS Museum
- Peranakan Museum
- Reflections at Bukit Chandu
- Singapore Art Museum
- Singapore Sports Museum (YOG)
- Singapore Philatelic Museum
- The Intan
May 27, 2011
Ballet Under The Stars 2011
Date: 15 - 17 July 2011
Time: Gate opens at 5.00 PM; Performance starts at 7.30 PM
Venue: Fort Canning GreenTicketing: $25
Singapore Dance Theatre presentsBallet Under The Stars - An Evening with TchaikovskyExperience an evening of beauty as SDT brings back Singapore's favourite outdoor dance event Ballet Under The Stars. Tchaikovsky rules the stage, as SDT's dancers bring his music to life. Watch Allegro Brilliante and excerpts from Swan Lake, among others, with family and friends under Singapore's night skies! Featuring a guest appearance by Ballet Manila performing Arnis and Sayao Sa Pamlang.
PAssion Card Privileges:
PAssion Card Members enjoy 15% off ticket price.
PAssion Card Members enjoy 15% off ticket price.
May 20, 2011
May 11, 2011
May Family Fun!!
May is gonna be a blast!
Despite bidding farewell to our biannual Singapore Biennale, we will be enjoying the return of the Singapore Arts Festival, as well as our annual International Museum Day Open House Day on 29th May!
Oh how I love staying in Singapore!!! There's always something for the family to see, do and talk about. Who says there is no Arts Scene and Arts Culture in Singapore?
Can't wait to bring J to visit the Kids Art Village.
We'll also be participating in some family fun at the popular Children's Season too.
Come join in the fun!!
Despite bidding farewell to our biannual Singapore Biennale, we will be enjoying the return of the Singapore Arts Festival, as well as our annual International Museum Day Open House Day on 29th May!
Oh how I love staying in Singapore!!! There's always something for the family to see, do and talk about. Who says there is no Arts Scene and Arts Culture in Singapore?
Can't wait to bring J to visit the Kids Art Village.
We'll also be participating in some family fun at the popular Children's Season too.
Come join in the fun!!
Apr 9, 2011
Child development in the first 7years and how to deal with boundaries and creative discipline during this age
Venue: 72 Elite Park Avenue
Time: 2 to 4pm
Participation fees: Members $20/ Non-members $30
Speaker: Ms Marjorie Thayer
Biography of Speaker: Ms Theyer has been working in Rudolf Steiner education since 1965 in all aspects both normal and curative. For the past 17years she has been the Advisor for the Federation of Rudolf Steiner schools in NZ. as well as a trainer, advisor and mentor in 7 Asian countries. This is her 5th visit to Singapore. More info on: http://waldorfsingapore.com/
Time: 2 to 4pm
Participation fees: Members $20/ Non-members $30
Speaker: Ms Marjorie Thayer
Biography of Speaker: Ms Theyer has been working in Rudolf Steiner education since 1965 in all aspects both normal and curative. For the past 17years she has been the Advisor for the Federation of Rudolf Steiner schools in NZ. as well as a trainer, advisor and mentor in 7 Asian countries. This is her 5th visit to Singapore. More info on: http://waldorfsingapore.com/
Singapore Biennale 2011
Family Day out @ Old Kallang Airport!
Free admission every Sunday since 3 Apr to 15 May! 10am t0 7pm. Enjoy free activities such as craft-making, engaging tours, etc. Be among the first 200 visitors to wear orange and pick up a free Singapore Biennale goodie bag!
For more info, check out: www.singaporebiennale.org/events.php Have fun! :)
Free admission every Sunday since 3 Apr to 15 May! 10am t0 7pm. Enjoy free activities such as craft-making, engaging tours, etc. Be among the first 200 visitors to wear orange and pick up a free Singapore Biennale goodie bag!
For more info, check out: www.singaporebiennale.org/events.php Have fun! :)
Mar 10, 2011
Mar 6, 2011
Waldorf Early Education Programme Open House 5th March 2011
My beautiful learning journey @ the Waldorf Open House.
Mar 2, 2011
Waldorf Open House
March 5, 2011 from 10 am to 1 pm
72 Elite Park Avenue
We will be offering food, games, story, bread making, craft items for sale and lots of LIGHT FILLED CONVERSATION!
See you soon!
Mar 1, 2011
Feb 16, 2011
Teaching Children About Art
I love the idea that there are no fix rules towards teaching children art. There is flexibility in its learning approaches. Through my eight years, I have noticed that children fall into five basic categories. This does not imply that the children express their view through one vessel. They don’t. They are simply stronger in their preferred vessel. The corresponding learning approaches can be used to play out their strength.
Those who love to draw, they tend to lean towards comics and manga etc. Their minds are filled with endless stories they are waiting to share.
Those who love to color, they tend to lean towards still-life composition better and water-colour paintings.
Those who love to paint, they tend to lean towards strong strokes and vibrant colours. Most time, they prefer not to draw rather they paint with a lot of improvisation for they pick forms and details through light and shadow.
Those who love to work with their hands, they create three-dimensional pieces from clay, wire, fabric and paper. Examples of end products would be a pot, a free from sculpture, a doll or an origami ornament.
Those who love to snap images, they tend to have a stronger eye for details and they pick up little things we (including myself) often miss.
For any child who is learning art, I strongly encourage him or her to learn to how paint first. The reasons are simple, besides being the easiest / fun medium to acquire a skill, painting improves
Hand-eye coordination: filling in shapes or direction of strokes.
Dexterity: application of weight and pressure to paint brush.
Judgement: paint and water ration at the tip of the brush.
Accepting and overcoming mistakes made on top of problem-solving are two plus points that are critical in art. Painting greatly reduces the need to erase, and this in turn, increases the child’s confidence and the I-can-do-it spirit. When a child realises his mistake, he could paint over the area after the surface of the paper is dried.
Case Study: Using Paint to Create a Composition
Philip, aged 6, loves anything and everything about the ocean. He has a wealth of ideas and has a great eye for colour. His drawing was done fairly well for he was able to capture the shape and essence of the story he wants to convey. Each time he starts to fill in his colours, the composition would end up with dots, splashes or strokes of colours. There were two reasons why his works often turned out the way it did.
The scale of his drawings were small. It did not provide enough surface area for colours.
The lines within his drawing were not connected well. This mean that when he started to fill in the colours, he was not always able to associate to the subject.
To improve his pieces, we started to have him create his art on a larger piece of paper. We taped two sheets of drawing paper together. The fun part was when we taped the shorter sides together, we created a long or tall composition. This fueled his ideas even more!
Next, we provided him with a range of colours, always keeping black as the last shade to apply. We gave him a size ‘2′ round-tip paint brush and a size ‘4′ flat-tip paint brush. He would fill or stack shapes of colours. There will also be prompts, reminding him to connect the lines drawn. This proved to be helpful as slowly but surely, he began to understand the concept of time management and the nature of paint. He would wait for the surface to dry before applying another shade or he will consecutively paint two-three colours to create some form of texture.
To ensure the skill set will be applied throughout, we alternate two-three paintings or colouring project with one drawing project. A timeframe was set for each project. This meant he was able to return to work on the project for up to three sessions.
Contributed by Teacher Ranae’s Art Workshop
Feb 10, 2011
Teaching Baby Discipline
Teaching Baby Discipline
When is it time to start teaching your baby right from wrong?
Your baby is mobile, or nearly so! That’s exciting, but it’s also the beginning of a whole new level of trouble when it comes to making mischief. Hey, your baby isn’t deliberately trying to make messes, or risk his life and limbs (and yours…and the cat’s). He’s simply finding new ways and new opportunities to explore his environment (a sure sign of intelligence and security). While he once stayed put on his blanket, playing with his toys, he can now make his way into more dangerous territory. So what’s on the agenda these days, Mom? A baby-proofing upgrade and your first chance at teaching discipline.
Why Teach Discipline to a Baby?
At about ten months, your baby’s memory improves, making him more receptive to new learning. So where your choruses of “No!” and “Hot!” and “Dangerous!” once went in one cute little ear and out the other, he can now begin to recall your words, actions, and tone of voice from one day to the next. Introducing discipline at this stage helps you start to teach lessons about right versus wrong, caring and respect for others, self-control, and safety. True, these are pretty big concepts, and helping your baby learn them will take years, but that’s all part of growing up.
Dos and Don’ts of Teaching Discipline
Or, the rules for making rules:
Do tell and show your baby how much you love him. Remember, you’re correcting his behaviors, not him. Model politeness and respect (with him and everyone else!).
Don’t be too strict or rigid. If you set your standards too high, it’s hard for your little one to feel like he can succeed and to develop the self-control he needs to behave even when out of your sight.
But …Do be strict enough. Setting limits that are fair helps him feel loved and protected. If you’re overly permissive, he may get the sense that you don’t care what he does.Don’t let down your guard about safety. You might be teaching your baby that the stove is hot or the stairs are steep, but don’t count on him to avoid temptation.
Do take personality into account. Some babies require a firm tone of voice, while others respond better to a gentler one. Still others must be physically removed from a dangerous area before they get the message. And circumstances (a new sitter or an erupting tooth) matter too when it comes to getting your message across.
Don’t shame or criticize. Your baby isn’t trying to be cruel to the cat by pulling her tail; he’s just curious about what will happen when he does. Calling him a “bad boy” doesn’t help him learn to be kinder to kitty and can crush his developing self-confidence.
Do be consistent. Telling your baby not to climb up on a chair one day, then letting him do it the next is confusing. So is saying “don’t touch” without following up if (when!) he ignores your request. It takes a lot of patience and repetition to teach compliance.
Don’t always say no. A constant chorus of “no, no, no!” strips the word of its power, fast. Choose your battles; safety (of people and things) is most important. Try distractions and alternatives whenever you can (“This knife is too sharp for you, but you can stir with this big spoon”). Turn “don’ts” into “dos”: “This is how we pet a cat” instead of “Don’t pull Fluffy’s tail!”
Do catch him being good. Praise him for offering a toy to a peer or for “helping” you with a chore. Accentuating the positive is truly powerful!
Feb 1, 2011
Baby Brain Food
Baby Brain Food
During the first year of life, your child's brain grows rapidly.
The brain and nervous system continue to develop until about the age of three - and it's important to make sure your baby gets the nourishment he needs to develop to his fullest potential.
What your baby eats has a very profound impact in his brain development - and it is important that you, as a parent, are vigilant in ensuring that he gets enough of certain critical nutrients during his early years.
Breast milk really is best for your baby.
Breast milk has all the nutrients your baby needs - in just the right amounts. Other doctors go so far as to proclaim it as the ultimate brain food, citing studies that that show children who are breast-fed have as much as an 8-point IQ advantage compared to kids who are formula-fed. In addition to being a great resource of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and essential fats, breast milk also supplies your child with growth factors necessary for proper development.
It also has antibodies from your body which will help your baby's natural defenses against certain types of illnesses. A baby who is sick less often is better able to learn. Breast milk provides everything most babies need to build a healthy brain and grow properly for the first six to twelve months of life.
Give your child the smart kinds of fat.
Researchers found that higher levels of the fatty acids DHA and ARA help the development of the visual system in babies. These fatty acids also speed up transmission in the neurons, making for a faster brain. DHA is an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that makes up fully 25 percent of the total fat found in the brain. It's not produced by the body in significant amounts, but it can be obtained through food or supplements. Another important fatty acid for brain development is ARA (arachidonic acid.) ARA is the principal omega-6 fatty acid in the brain. Like DHA, ARA is essential for brain development and vision. It also plays an important role in immune function, blood clotting, and other important functions. Nursing mothers should take a supplement to make sure DHA and ARA levels are high, and once you introduce whole foods into your child's diet, encourage them to eat ARA and DHA-fortified food such as whole-grain products, eggs and cereal.
Your baby's food should be pumping iron.
Iron is essential for babies to produce hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying part of red blood cells). Too little can cause anemia, which can cause tiredness and lack of energy. Without adequate supplies of iron, your baby will form fewer neural connections, resulting in both mental and motor impairments. Deficiencies in this mineral also affect learning, memory and attention.
Be extra-vigilant about making sure that your baby's diet includes enough iron-rich food, along with the vitamin C to absorb them. After six months, a breast-fed baby should be given iron supplements in the form of ferrous sulfate or infant vitamin drops with iron. If your baby is around 4-6 months, you can add iron-enriched cereal to your baby's diet.
Iodine isn't only for cuts and grazes.
Iodine is a crucial nutrient in the synthesis of certain hormones which regulate metabolism, growth and brain development, and nursing mothers should especially be aware of their iodine intake. It's quite difficult to get enough iodine from food alone, so it's recommended that you take a daily supplement and enhance your diet with iodine-enriched food such as sea vegetables.
During the first year of life, your child's brain grows rapidly.
The brain and nervous system continue to develop until about the age of three - and it's important to make sure your baby gets the nourishment he needs to develop to his fullest potential.
What your baby eats has a very profound impact in his brain development - and it is important that you, as a parent, are vigilant in ensuring that he gets enough of certain critical nutrients during his early years.
Breast milk really is best for your baby.
Breast milk has all the nutrients your baby needs - in just the right amounts. Other doctors go so far as to proclaim it as the ultimate brain food, citing studies that that show children who are breast-fed have as much as an 8-point IQ advantage compared to kids who are formula-fed. In addition to being a great resource of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and essential fats, breast milk also supplies your child with growth factors necessary for proper development.
It also has antibodies from your body which will help your baby's natural defenses against certain types of illnesses. A baby who is sick less often is better able to learn. Breast milk provides everything most babies need to build a healthy brain and grow properly for the first six to twelve months of life.
Give your child the smart kinds of fat.
Researchers found that higher levels of the fatty acids DHA and ARA help the development of the visual system in babies. These fatty acids also speed up transmission in the neurons, making for a faster brain. DHA is an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that makes up fully 25 percent of the total fat found in the brain. It's not produced by the body in significant amounts, but it can be obtained through food or supplements. Another important fatty acid for brain development is ARA (arachidonic acid.) ARA is the principal omega-6 fatty acid in the brain. Like DHA, ARA is essential for brain development and vision. It also plays an important role in immune function, blood clotting, and other important functions. Nursing mothers should take a supplement to make sure DHA and ARA levels are high, and once you introduce whole foods into your child's diet, encourage them to eat ARA and DHA-fortified food such as whole-grain products, eggs and cereal.
Your baby's food should be pumping iron.
Iron is essential for babies to produce hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying part of red blood cells). Too little can cause anemia, which can cause tiredness and lack of energy. Without adequate supplies of iron, your baby will form fewer neural connections, resulting in both mental and motor impairments. Deficiencies in this mineral also affect learning, memory and attention.
Be extra-vigilant about making sure that your baby's diet includes enough iron-rich food, along with the vitamin C to absorb them. After six months, a breast-fed baby should be given iron supplements in the form of ferrous sulfate or infant vitamin drops with iron. If your baby is around 4-6 months, you can add iron-enriched cereal to your baby's diet.
Iodine isn't only for cuts and grazes.
Iodine is a crucial nutrient in the synthesis of certain hormones which regulate metabolism, growth and brain development, and nursing mothers should especially be aware of their iodine intake. It's quite difficult to get enough iodine from food alone, so it's recommended that you take a daily supplement and enhance your diet with iodine-enriched food such as sea vegetables.
Jan 28, 2011
Fur Lined Toilet Seats: Garden Planning, 101
Fur Lined Toilet Seats: Garden Planning, 101: "~Planning a garden with help from the little ones It may be hard to imagine planting a garden when there is snow on the ..."
Jan 24, 2011
Do You Worry About The Growth Of Your Child
This article is by Dr Vera Oh, SBCC Baby & Child Clinic – Growth and Endocrinology Clinic (Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre)
Many parents worry and have questions about the growth of their children so we asked our doctor for some answers:
What is normal growth?
Children grow very rapidly the first two years of life and during puberty. This is reflected by their rapid weight and height gain.
Weight changes:
• Loss of 5-10% of birth weight the first few days of life
• Week 1 - 2 : Regain birth weight
• 2 weeks - 3months : Gain 20 - 30g /day
• 3 - 6 months : Gain 20g /day
• 6 -12 months : Gain 12g /day
• 12 -18 months : Gain 8 g /day
Generally, children double their birth weight by 5-6 months of age and triple their birth weight by 1 year.
Height gained:
• 1st year: 25cm
• 2nd year: 12cm
• 3rd year onwards till puberty: 6 cm/y
• Growth spurt during puberty ( usually of about 2 years duration) :
Girls 6-11 cm/ y
Boys 7-12 cm/y
What are the factors that influence a child’s growth?
The growth of a child is influenced by genetics, general health, nutrition, hormones and his psychosocial environment.
How can I monitor my child’s progress?
To track a child’s growth, you can plot her weight and height in the charts available on herhealth booklet. Joining these points over time, you will see a curve form on the chart. This gives an the indication of how the child compares with her peers.
For example, if a girl’s weight falls on the 25th centile line, it means that she is heavier than 25% of normal girls her age and lighter than 75% of normal girls. Between the age of 6-18 months, a child’s position on the chart may move up or down these centile lines. This may be normal as long as there is continued weight gain (never weight loss) and the child is ingood health. After this age, most children should grow at a normal rate such that the growth curve appears parallel to the other lines on the chart i.e. their position remains constant relative to their peers.
When should I be concerned?
Children whose measurements fall under the 3rd centile may be completely healthy but should be assessed by their paediatrician to exclude any medical problems. This is especially so if they have chronic diarrhoea, vomiting, poor appetite or are not attaining normal milestones.
Another cause for concern is the child who is not gaining weight or height appropriately for age. She may start off at a higher centile and fall to a lower centile over time. This is reflected by a growth curve that cuts across the centile lines on the chart.
How can I optimize my child’s growth?
For a child to grow well, he needs a balanced diet. Chronic illnesses or hormone deficiencies need to be addressed and adequately treated. Last but not least, a loving and supportive home environment is important.
What does a growth assessment entail?
The doctor will ask many questions about the growth, general health, nutrition as well as the birth and development of your child. She will also take notes about family history and the heights of the parents and siblings. A thorough physical examination will be carried out. This includes looking at the weight, height measurements, pubertal stage and aims at detecting any relevant medical conditions.
Previous height and weight measurements of the child are useful in determining his growth rate. It is important to see if the child is keeping up with his peers and growing at a normal rate.
What kind of tests will my child need to undergo?
Depending on the findings in clinic, the doctor may recommend further tests which may include:
Bone age - This is an X-ray of the wrist and gives the doctor an indication of the skeletal maturity of your child. Some children may have bones younger or older than their chronological ages and this will have bearing on their height.
Karyotype - In the instance of short girls, the doctor may ask for an analysis of their chromosomes. This is to exclude a condition known as Turner syndrome. ( See below).
Growth hormone stimulation test - Random levels of growth hormone do not reflect the body’s true ability to produce growth hormone. In order to detect growth hormone deficiency, a growth hormone stimulation test is conducted. Not all patients require a growth hormone stimultation test and this is only carried out on after discussion with the doctor.
FAQ on Conditions Linked with Short Stature
What is Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)?
Children with GHD do not have normal production of growth hormone (GH). This is may be due to a developmental abnormality of the pituitary gland that is normally in charge of producing GH. In some children, the pituitary gland may have been destroyed by infection or tumours. In others, there is no structural abnormailty of the pituitary gland but it just fails to perform normally. Sometimes, GHD is associated with other hormone deficiencies as well.
Children with GHD fail to grow normally and do benefit from growth hormone treatment. This should however, first be assessed by and discussed with your doctor.
What is Turner syndrome?
This is a genetic condition that affects girls where there is a missing X chromosome. Girls generally have two copies of the X chromosomes in each of their cells. Turner syndrome occurs when there is only one X chromosome in some or all of the cells. Girls with Turner syndrome are short and may also have some other distinctive physical features. GH helps these girls grow better. Often, these girls also have problems of delayed puberty and require female hormone replacement.
I was told my child had Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) or was Small for Gestational Age ( SGA). What does this mean for him in the future?
Some babies grow suboptimally while in the womb. This may have been due to maternal health issues, a placenta that did not function well, the baby’s genes or other unknown factors. These children are small at birth compared to their peers of the same “incubation period”. For term babies, this is usually taken to be less than 2.5kg or less than 45cm on length. Most of these children, despite being born small, will catch up with their friends by 2-3 years of age. Those who do not catchup may benefit from GH treatment.
There is information that SGA children are at increased risk of high blood pressure, insulin resistance, lipid problems and metabolic syndrome in later adult life. These issues need to be discussed before a decision is made with regard growth and GH treatment.
What is Constitutional Delay of Growth and Development?
This is a term used to describe late-bloomers who enter puberty later than their peers. There is often a family history of similar pubertal delay in their parents and close relatives. As a result of their less mature skeletal system, they may appear shorter than their classmates initially. They start puberty late but may grow for a longer time and catch up with their peers. Because these are normal children, most of them will finish off within the normal height range as dictated by their genetic potential.
What is Idiopathic Short Stature?
Idiopathic is medical-ese for “unknown cause”. These are children who are very short but who appear to be healthy otherwise. They have normal hormone levels and are not GH deficient when tested. There is now evidence that some these children may have other genetic factors that contribute to their short stature. GH has been to shown to help improve the growth of some of these children.
Further Reading
The Magic Foundation, visit www.magicfoundation.org
The Hormone Foundation, visit www.hormone.org
Jan 20, 2011
Jan 19, 2011
Celebrating Chinese New Year In A Special Way
How to Make Chinese Lantern : Red Packet Fish Lantern
Step 1:
Spend time to learn how to make a chinese lantern for your kids.
There are many stories behind the beliefs that we know today.
Why are the twelve Zodiac animals arranged as they are today?
Blessings are exchanged as the younger generation (children and unmarried adults) bless their married siblings and relatives 恭喜发财, 万事如意, 年年有余, 身体健康 and many more.
Parents, relatives and married couples exchange oranges and return the blessing with 快高长大, 读书聪明 etc.
The year 2011 is the year of the Rabbit. There are still many Chinese traditions that build up positive values in children. Apart from the visiting of relatives and friends, and spending time together, Chinese New Year also signifies a new beginning.
A family often spring cleans the house to prepare for new wealth. During the first few days of Chinese New Year, some families do not sweep the floor or dispose of their trash as they don’t want to sweep away the luck and throw away good fortune.
I believe that the most important part of welcoming the New Year is the evening before. Often, my grandparents will come home with bags of good things to cook for steamboat dinner. This is a time when the whole family makes time to have dinner together, in the midst of busy schedules.
After steamboat, we will “捞鱼生” and speak of our hopes in the New Year. The elders say that the higher we lift our chopsticks as we “捞鱼生”, the more successful we will be. We just have lots of fun eating, and laughing together.
Tradition says that to wish their parents longevity, children can stay up past midnight on the eve of Chinese New Year. In the name of fun, we do it. What traditions do your family share during Chinese New Year?
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
As the name tells it, Chinese New Year marks the beginning of a new year for the Chinese. However, do we know and appreciate the significance behind the culture and traditions?
As we prepare for the celebrations, let us take the opportunity to have fun making “red packet” chinese lanterns!
As we prepare for the celebrations, let us take the opportunity to have fun making “red packet” chinese lanterns!
Spend time to learn how to make a chinese lantern for your kids.
There are many stories behind the beliefs that we know today.
Why are the twelve Zodiac animals arranged as they are today?
Legend says that in the past, the animals had a race. The first twelve animals who reached would have the chance to be part of the Zodiac.
When Cat heard about it, she was very excited. Cat shared the good news about the race with mouse. However, Mouse was afraid that he would not be able to be part of the first twelve animals to complete the race, so he tricked Cat into sleeping late.
The next day, Mouse woke up long before sunrise, and hurried to run the race. He was the first animal to reach, and is thus the first in the Zodiac. Animal by animal came. Even Pig managed to wake up early and reached in time to be the twelfth animal in the Zodiac.
When Cat awoke and realised that she did not have an opportunity to be part of the Zodiac, she was very angry with Mouse. And that’s why cats are always chasing mice.
When Cat awoke and realised that she did not have an opportunity to be part of the Zodiac, she was very angry with Mouse. And that’s why cats are always chasing mice.
And that’s how legend says the Chinese Zodiac was created.
During Chinese New Year, children wish their elders blessings, and offer them mandarin oranges (橙). This is an act of sincerity (诚心诚意).
Blessings are exchanged as the younger generation (children and unmarried adults) bless their married siblings and relatives 恭喜发财, 万事如意, 年年有余, 身体健康 and many more.
Parents, relatives and married couples exchange oranges and return the blessing with 快高长大, 读书聪明 etc.
The year 2011 is the year of the Rabbit. There are still many Chinese traditions that build up positive values in children. Apart from the visiting of relatives and friends, and spending time together, Chinese New Year also signifies a new beginning.
A family often spring cleans the house to prepare for new wealth. During the first few days of Chinese New Year, some families do not sweep the floor or dispose of their trash as they don’t want to sweep away the luck and throw away good fortune.
I believe that the most important part of welcoming the New Year is the evening before. Often, my grandparents will come home with bags of good things to cook for steamboat dinner. This is a time when the whole family makes time to have dinner together, in the midst of busy schedules.
After steamboat, we will “捞鱼生” and speak of our hopes in the New Year. The elders say that the higher we lift our chopsticks as we “捞鱼生”, the more successful we will be. We just have lots of fun eating, and laughing together.
Tradition says that to wish their parents longevity, children can stay up past midnight on the eve of Chinese New Year. In the name of fun, we do it. What traditions do your family share during Chinese New Year?
Jan 18, 2011
An Introduction to Infant Stimulation
So what is Infant Stimulation?
The definition is plain and simple: they are activities that arouse or stimulate your baby's sense of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Infant stimulation can help improve your baby's attention span, memory, curiosity, and nervous system development. In addition, stimulating your baby's senses will enable him to reach developmental milestones faster, as well as aid in the development of motor skills. Here are some things to keep in mind before embarking on the road to teaching your baby:
Your baby's immediate surroundings will have the greatest impact on his development.
Each and every thing your baby is exposed to is a wondrous thing to be explored fully with their eyes, ears, mouths, noses, and fingers. Simple items that you may take for granted represent a world of wonder for your curious child, as everything is something to new to investigate. Ensure that your child receives the appropriate stimulation during his first year of life, because this is the time when your baby's brain is growing the fastest that it ever will!
Interaction is better than observation.
Medical practitioners advocate parental interaction with children, as do we - the best way for your child to learn is not to leave him in the playpen; it's to hold him and play with him!
Instead of leaving your child in the crib with his toys, you can make his toys come alive for him - give it a voice and make it move. Your child will develop his capability for imagination as he takes his cues from youyou’re your experiences playing with him.
Your childs attentiveness is important.
In order for your baby to benefit from your stimulating interaction, he needs to be in themood for it your babys attentiveness is vital to successful stimulation. If your baby is sleepy perhaps from boredom, overstimulation, or just sheer exhaustion simply let your child rest and resume your activities when he is more receptive. Understand that when your baby is attentive, he makes a conscious effort to learn more about the world around him. Your baby devotes all of his energies to what you have to show him only when you have his full attention, so you must learn to maximize this limited time.
Aim for repetition, not habituation.
Again, again! Theres a reason children drive us crazy with their requests to do or hear the same thing over and over: children learn best through repetition.
With very young children, repetition is important because that's the way they learn best. Hearing something many times helps your child remember information for increasing periods of time. Young children (4 to 18 months) particularly need repetition more so than a 2 1/2-year-old, say to learn and remember new information.
Once your child has learned something, enjoy the repetitive process because he can anticipate what comes next. After many readings of a familiar book, your child may even remember it well enough to add the endings to most of the sentences. This accomplishment means that she can participate more actively in story time.
However, it is also important to stop the repetitive stimulation when your child begins to develop habituation. When your child gets habituated through repetition, your childs intellect is no longer excited by your stimulation, making your efforts to teach him useless. When you notice this happening, take this as a cue to make changes in your teaching style, perhaps by changing a toy or pausing your teaching schedule for a while.
Satisfying your babys curiosity will keep her wanting more.
Have you eaten a piece of candy and end up wanting another one? If so, then you are not unlike your baby - once he experiences something that he finds pleasure in, he will strive to learn more and more about it! You, as parents, can play a helpful part in feeding their thirst for knowledge, and you can do this by providing your baby with the opportunities to experience different stimuli to further pique his curiosity and make him want to learn more.
Till next time, happy teaching!
adapated from BrillKids Early Learning
The definition is plain and simple: they are activities that arouse or stimulate your baby's sense of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Infant stimulation can help improve your baby's attention span, memory, curiosity, and nervous system development. In addition, stimulating your baby's senses will enable him to reach developmental milestones faster, as well as aid in the development of motor skills. Here are some things to keep in mind before embarking on the road to teaching your baby:
Your baby's immediate surroundings will have the greatest impact on his development.
Each and every thing your baby is exposed to is a wondrous thing to be explored fully with their eyes, ears, mouths, noses, and fingers. Simple items that you may take for granted represent a world of wonder for your curious child, as everything is something to new to investigate. Ensure that your child receives the appropriate stimulation during his first year of life, because this is the time when your baby's brain is growing the fastest that it ever will!
Interaction is better than observation.
Medical practitioners advocate parental interaction with children, as do we - the best way for your child to learn is not to leave him in the playpen; it's to hold him and play with him!
Instead of leaving your child in the crib with his toys, you can make his toys come alive for him - give it a voice and make it move. Your child will develop his capability for imagination as he takes his cues from youyou’re your experiences playing with him.
Your childs attentiveness is important.
In order for your baby to benefit from your stimulating interaction, he needs to be in themood for it your babys attentiveness is vital to successful stimulation. If your baby is sleepy perhaps from boredom, overstimulation, or just sheer exhaustion simply let your child rest and resume your activities when he is more receptive. Understand that when your baby is attentive, he makes a conscious effort to learn more about the world around him. Your baby devotes all of his energies to what you have to show him only when you have his full attention, so you must learn to maximize this limited time.
Aim for repetition, not habituation.
Again, again! Theres a reason children drive us crazy with their requests to do or hear the same thing over and over: children learn best through repetition.
With very young children, repetition is important because that's the way they learn best. Hearing something many times helps your child remember information for increasing periods of time. Young children (4 to 18 months) particularly need repetition more so than a 2 1/2-year-old, say to learn and remember new information.
Once your child has learned something, enjoy the repetitive process because he can anticipate what comes next. After many readings of a familiar book, your child may even remember it well enough to add the endings to most of the sentences. This accomplishment means that she can participate more actively in story time.
However, it is also important to stop the repetitive stimulation when your child begins to develop habituation. When your child gets habituated through repetition, your childs intellect is no longer excited by your stimulation, making your efforts to teach him useless. When you notice this happening, take this as a cue to make changes in your teaching style, perhaps by changing a toy or pausing your teaching schedule for a while.
Satisfying your babys curiosity will keep her wanting more.
Have you eaten a piece of candy and end up wanting another one? If so, then you are not unlike your baby - once he experiences something that he finds pleasure in, he will strive to learn more and more about it! You, as parents, can play a helpful part in feeding their thirst for knowledge, and you can do this by providing your baby with the opportunities to experience different stimuli to further pique his curiosity and make him want to learn more.
Till next time, happy teaching!
adapated from BrillKids Early Learning
Jan 16, 2011
Lee Ann Womack - I Hope You Dance
Being a mum takes making good decisions to another level. A very good friend shared this meaningful song with me...
Thanks for injecting a huge morale booster of courage in me. *Love you Claudine!* hugs *
Jan 4, 2011
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