Today’s Motherhood

Learning Resources has came out with this Word Building Phonics Activity Set which lays the foundation for learning to read and teaches the alphabet (uppercase and lowercase letters, vowels, consonants and sounds). This is suitable for age 6 years and above.

This activity set comes with:

• 96 colour-coded Reading rods that are interlocking and color-coded to help with letter sounds, spell words, and build sentences
• 18 double sided activity cards to help with phonics skills
  - 16 page booklet of activities and games for parents to play with your child
• Dry-erase board, marker, and eraser for children to write on
• Activity tray to display the Rods and activity guide

All this are packed in a handy Velcro-fastened case which is convenient for bringing out.

What I like about?

• Reading rods can only be linked from left to right which reinforce the direction of reading and writing
• Children learn best through hands-on experience and reading rods allows children to manipulate the printed rods to recognize letters and their sounds, spell words and build sentences
• The variety of colour-coded rods assists in recognising the function of letters or words and to differentiate between consonants, vowels and different parts of speech.
• The activity cards provided introduce phonics skills for building words. Short instructional tasks are included for parents to assist your child appropriately.
• The activity cards also comes in sequential order which parents can introduced the phonics skills in a progressive manner and cater to individual needs of your child.
• After learning the phonics skills, parents can use the activity guide provided to play games with their child to reinforce their learning in a fun and enjoyable way.
• The dry erase writing board is incorporated in the activity cards to integrate phonics skills for reading and writing.

Some ways that you can play with the reading rods:

Name Game

• The adult will guide the child to build his/her child name using Rods
• Next build words using the letters in the name as beginning letters. For e.g. MARY (Map, Apple, Red, Yolk)

“Go get me”

• The adult will ask the child to “Go get me…” a simple object that is in the room. But instead of saying the word, the adult can use the Rods to form the word and sounds out the word. Examples of the object might be, pen, bag, map, sock, hat, stick, brick, lid, cup, block, dish, lamp, drink, ring, mug or chip.

“What is it?”

• The adult pick a Rod and then describes the object beginning with that sound. The child then have to guess the word. For example, if the sound is “f”, the adult might say, “It swims in water, it has fins,” (fish), “It’s a number, it’s how many fingers you’ve got,” (five), “It’s on the end of your leg,” (foot). After guessing form the word with your child using the Rods.
• This game also works for the ending sound in a word. For example, if the adult chooses the end sound “ch”, the words might be “A place where you go to worship God,” (church), “What you do to a ball, when someone throws it to you,” (catch), “This gives you light when it’s dark,” (torch).

Word Building Phonics Activity Set is great for home or travel as it is conveniently packed and will provide hours of learning fun for children. Most importantly it helps to lay strong foundation for reading and writing which prepare your children for success in school. Children will also be able to build self esteem and encourage a life-long love for reading.

This Word Building Phonics Activity Set is available in Smart Alley.

Written by Yvonne Lee

Programmes at Leap Schoolhouse:

• BEC & Whiz Programme
• LEAP Tots
• LEAP Kids Programme
• Speech & Drama
• Ants on the Apple
• Literacy Through Stories
• Han Yu Pin Yin汉语拼音班
• Yue Du Le阅读乐
• Holiday Programme

Today’s Motherhood readers get to enjoy 40% discount off regular trial class fees and 5% off course fees (apply to 2nd term only). Please present this page for redemption

This offer is not valid with any other promotions. Discounts or voucher and is only applicable for first-time registrants.

Terms and Conditions Apply

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Mustard Seed will be starting a new two-hour Project Play! Programme for young children aged 18 – 36 months old in February 2011.

Project Play! is an integrated Early Literacy and Numeracy Programme developed especially for young children.

Age Group : 18-30 months / 31-36 months

Class Size : 6 or less

Class Duration : 2 hours

For additional information and/or to register your child for class, please call +654651060 or email info@mustardseed.sg

Sleepytots are cuddly soft toys designed with baby’s safety in mind. What’s so great about our baby comforters? They have hook and loop tabs on the paws so you can attach them to the cot bars in the early days, keeping them safely out of baby’s reach.

If you’ve been getting up in the night a few times to replace the dummy, or find your baby keeps losing her soother when you’re out and about, a Sleepytot Baby Comforter will make it easy for your baby to find the dummy, so it won’t get lost anymore! They make an ideal new baby gift too!

Sleepytots baby comforters are now available at www.diapers.com.sg. Order hotline: 6766 3888.

NiMe Shop would like to thank you for your support during their event on 23 January 2011.

We are having COACH & KATE SPADE Sales Event on this Saturday 12th Feb 2011 at SUNTEC CONVENTION CENTRE Singapore. Price ranges from $79 onwards..

There are many new arrival which includes the LATEST COLLECTIONS and some collections which are not featured in the previous event at an ATTRACTIVE sale of up to 70% off.

Lots of New ARRIVALS are not listed on the website… SO… Do make yourself free on this Saturday and visit us for this great deal.

Come early to avoid disappointment !!

Event: Coach & Kate Spade Sale
Date: 12th Feb 2011 (Saturday)
Venue: Suntec Convention Centre, Level 2 Room 202
Time: 11am - 5pm

Note:
*Nets and Cash Payment
*Only Small Purse are allowed in the event (Bag Deposits are available at the Entrance)
*While Stock Last

Looking forward to see you at the SALE…

Yes! Sour Sally is an adorable and quirky girl who brings with her a range of U.S. Premium Non-Fat Yogurt to our shores!

This yummy Indonesian based yogurt brand has finally come to Singapore! What makes this yogurt stand out from the rest is its 0 percent fat content and 4 exciting flavors. Now you don’t have to feel guilty when having a snack treat!

If you like it natural, you could pick up the original flavor. In a romantic mood today? Try Pinklicious (strawberry). If you feel adventurous and want something new, Sour Sally’s Melon Mint will surely refresh your day and for all you traditionalist out there, green tea flavored yogurt is the way to go.

Kiasu Singaporeans like me could choose a mixture of flavors too; you can pick up the Twist (Original + Green Tea) or the colorful Candy Mix (Melon Mint + Pinklicious). My mum likes it fruity and chose the Candy Mix while I am in love with the Twist.

What delights me the most is the 24 toppings you get to pick from to complement the frozen yogurt! Apart from the classic selections (fruits, nuts and cereals), Sour Sally’s very own Mochi Mix and Sally’s Bubble create a totally new yogurt experience.

Mochi Mix adds a subtle chewy sensation to your yogurt and Sally’s bubble, which looks like a golden pearls, burst in your mouth with sweet irresistible mango flavored concentrate.

Sour Sally is located at Wisma Atria Singapore Basement 1, which comfortably seats 8. No doubt it is a pity that the space is quite limited but the good news is that more outlets will be opening in Singapore this year.

The setting of the store is bubbly and is personified by a girl named Sour Sally. This cheeky little girl can be spotted a mile away with her black and white striped stockings.

Check out an exclusive Sour Sally Promotion happening on Today’s Motherhood Facebook page this Friday (11/02/11) and stand a chance to win a cup of free yogurt! On top of that, you could also stand a chance to win Free Lifetime Membership cards in a Lucky Draw.

Join little Sally at www.mysoursally.com to discover the new amazing world of healthy yogurt treats.

P.S Sour Sally also sells cooling shaved ice and richly flavored smoothies!

Your Singaporean Yogurt Fan,
Raven

Chinese is the new ‘English’. It is the language everyone wants to learn. With China on its way to becoming one of the major powerhouses in the world, it is no surprise why so many people in the world today are learning to master the language. Singapore is not spared of this phenomenon either. With the current hype over bilingual education in Singapore, more parents are on the lookout for schools that provide strong bilingual programs for their little ones.

On 15th January, 2011, ChildFirst Pre-school organized a talk about bilingualism in children – When does it happen? How does it happen? And most importantly, what parents can do to help foster their child’s bilingual skills? Dr. Chua Chee Lay, a Professer at NTU-NIE,  gave a comprehensive talk about his topic. Below are some of main highlights of his talk.

Language learning between boys and girls
Did you recall how your daughter was able to speak more fluently and use more vocabulary in her speech, as compared to your son when they were the same age? Did you notice how your son struggled to learn Chinese or English, when your daughters manage to breeze through it? Do not fret. According to research and Dr. Chua, it is perfectly normal when your son is struggling to learn a language when he is 4 to 6 years old. This is because brain development differs between boys and girls. The brain which controls language development develops faster in girls than in boys.

Starting your child early
From a researcher’s point of view, the best age to start your child in learning a second language is from age 2 and above. Even though the Singapore education states it is not compulsory for children to learn Hanyu Piyin before Primary One (as it will be taught in Primary One), Dr. Chua encouraged parents to get their child to learn it before Primary One because a child’s “window of opportunity” occurs when he is 2 to 6 years old. He also stressed the importance of mastering Hanyu Pinyin. He describes how Hanyu Pinyin is like a ‘key’ to unlocking the Chinese codes. Once children have mastered the ‘key’, understanding and learning Chinese will be smoother and easier.

Speak both languages at home
Dr. Chua also spoke of the importance of expanding children’s Chinese language through daily exposure and usage in their daily lives. He shares how he speaks to his daughter in Mandarin at home, while his wife speaks to her in English. He also reiterates the importance of sticking to the language, even if your children do not respond to you in the language you are speaking. Even though they may not reply in the language you are speaking, children still learn and acquire skills as they listen to you use the language.

He goes on to explain the importance of adult presence when a child is reading. He said, “Always be around when your child is reading.” When parents are around their children, children learn better as parents can guide and facilitate their reading skills, which also part of language learning.Language is not a life skill. You can experience language loss.”

One question raised from the audience was whether it was better to concentrate on English first, because it is easier to learn, as compared to Mandarin. Dr. Chua’s answer to this was it does not matter which language a child learns first. More importantly, it is the amount of time and focus spent on the language learning process. He said, “Don’t’ focus too much on one language for a prolonged period of time.”

Tips for parents
A point for parents to note is to not to fall into the trap of using English to define or explain new Chinese terms to their children. It may seem easier but this will not improve your child’s acquisition of the language. Instead, Dr. Chua recommends parents to use simple Chinese terms to explain or define new terms instead.

Some of the strategies he listed to encourage children to learn and use the language was the use of flash cards. Parents can even create their own big flash cards through Microsoft PowerPoint. Parents can use PowerPoint to create simple animations of short Chinese characters, idioms or phrases. Aesthetic presentation in such learning materials or tools is important because children are more attracted to colors and animations.

The general demographic of Singapore families today consist of dual-income families, where both parents work. With the increasing difficulties of juggling work and family life, the next best alternative is to ensure that your child receives a strong bilingual education in school. School is the second most important environment, as a child spends most of his time there besides his home.

ChildFirst Pre-school places a strong English and Chinese Immersion program. At ChildFirst, your child will be immersed in a Chinese language environment for more than 750 hours every year. Log on to their website, for more details.

About the speaker:
Professor Chua holds a Ph. D from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He is a writer, poet and academic. He is the author and editor of the books, Keeping My Mandarin Alive: Lee Kuan Yew’s Language Learning Experience and One People, One Language, Many Mother Tongues: Lee Kuan Yew: Transiting from Many Languages into English and Mother Tongue. Dr. Chua is also a Professor at National Technological University –National Institute of Education (NTU – NIE).

For more enquiries, you may reach Dr. Chua at his email.

By Michelle Ang

Congratulations to the winner of Infantino and Today’s Motherhood Win Evenflo Exersaucer Mega Splash. She has won herself an Evenflo Exersaucer Mega Splash Worth $319.

Below is the name of the lucky winner:

1. Katherine Tang

**Winner will be notified by email individually.

** Terms and Conditions apply

Note : Winner will have to collect the prize from Infantino Singapore office.

The above contest is proudly brought to you by Infantino and Today’s Motherhood

As a parent of a 2 year old boy, I used to wonder if the way I handle my baby is appropriate and whether it would hurt his little spine. Unknown to most parents, the birth process may have been a stressful/traumatic event for their child. Their necks could have been twisted and pulled by attending healthcare providers as they make their way out of the birth canal. While this may be inevitable for some, any form of twisting and pulling of their neck can be detrimental to their little spines.

In a study done by Dr Gutmann on 200 babies in 1990, 95% of babies have a misalignment in the first bone of their neck on the day of birth. A baby’s spine can also be subjected to stresses prior to being born as the baby may be in a less than ideal position in the mother’s uterus.

This is often the result of a pelvis (hip) that is twisted, which is common in most people. A twisted pelvis can happen to anyone and is often an accumulation of the impact of life events such as falls or chronic poor sitting postures, which could have happened as far back as childhood days. The twist in the pelvis can then cause constraints in the uterus, which houses the baby. Suffice to say, without such constraints in the uterus, labor can be easier and the baby can develop to the optimal potential.

We cannot deny that first time parents usually do not have the best skills or knowledge when it comes to handling a baby. While we can do our best and be as cautious as we can while handling our baby, we may unknowingly add more stresses to their spine. The following are some tips that may be useful for parents to take care for their child’s spine:

1. When lifting your baby, always support the back and neck with your hands. Pick up your child by grasping the body under the arm.
2. Use an approved car seat that supports your child’s head and neck.
3. Avoid using a bouncer as this can cause unnecessary stress and even a fracture in their spine if your child’s spine is not properly developed.
4. Do not put your baby in a walker before he/she is ready to walk. This can subject their lower back to unnecessary stress and even cause a fracture when they are not ready for the force of gravity.
5. Do not throw your child up in the air as this can cause a whiplash injury to their fragile neck.
6. When changing diaper, refrain from lifting their legs and hips up too high as this bending action can introduce unhealthy stress into their spine and cause misalignments.
7. Provide your child a bed that is firm.
8. Make sure that your child has a well-balanced diet.
9. Inculcate good postural habits. Correct them when you see them slouch. Cultivate a healthy habit before it becomes difficult to correct.
10. And of course, schedule a regular spine check-up with a chiropractor to make sure that your child’s spine is developing properly and their ability to grow to their optimal potential is not stifled.

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at, or prior to birth, many well informed parents choose to have their newborn’s spine assessed by a chiropractor soon after birth. Many developmental milestones such as learning to hold up the head, sitting upright, crawling, and walking are all activities that can be affected by misalignments in the spine and are important times to have a child look at by a chiropractor.

Additionally, falls, sports injuries, heavy school bags and sitting all day in the classroom are all physical stresses to the growing child’s spine and nervous system.

It can be difficult for a parent to recognise when a child’s spine is not working correctly unless a child has an obvious problem. However, there are some signs which can indicate problems in their spines and these include limited head or neck movement to one side, uneven shoulders where one side is higher than the other, disturbed sleeping patterns and breastfeeding difficulties at a very young age.

Unknown to most parents, common childhood disorders can also be linked with spinal dysfunction and these include:

• Scoliosis
• Persistent sore throats and colds
• Recurring ear infections
• Bedwetting and/or constipation
• Colic/reflux
• Asthma
• ADHD
• Headaches
• Growing pains, etc

Unlike adults, babies are unable to express discomforts or stresses in the spines verbally. The most convenient way for them to do that is to cry. Regardless what a baby’s crying may mean, it may be a smart idea to bring your baby to a chiropractor to have his or her spine assessed. There is no better thing than to give them a good head start in life, isn’t it?

Dr Kelvin Ng is a Singaporean chiropractor who provides chiropractic care to patients of all ages, including babies, children and pregnant women. Dr Kelvin Ng received his training in USA and is a professional member of The Chiropractic Association (Singapore) and Internal Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

Contact Details

Family Health Chiropractic Clinic Pte Ltd

Website : www.familyhealthchirosingapore.com

Email : info@familyhealthchirosingapore.com

Address : 9 Penang Road #07-14 Park Mall Singapore 238459

Tel : 6336 7714

This article was first published in Today’s Motherhood Magazine Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 issue Page 30

Wooden Toys, Feel the Joy!

It is important to choose toys that will develop our children to their fullest potential and stretch their ability to learn creatively. Toys World features toys that foster children’s understanding of how things work. The innovative and quality toys are accredited by EN71 and ASTM safety and quality standards.

Building Skills and Children’s Zeal

Children working with simple construction tools develop the ability to measure, estimate, and make connections about how their actions influence the effect on a product. As they learn hand-eye coordination, focus and dexterity, a sense of achievement can be developed. “My First Toolbox” and “My Giant Workbench” can also provide opportunities for children to experience how it feels to be handy around the home. It’s not just about what we see them building outside, but recognizing and valuing how the child within is growing.

“Food Brings a Family Together”

Cooking is an essential part of our lives. Often, when we need to prepare dinner, we ask our children to stay out of the kitchen to protect them from hazards. However, with Gourmet Chef Cruisine, children can learn the basic skills involved in preparation and serving of food.

These velcro food allow children to practice the movements of slicing with a knife. When used together with the Gourmet Chef Cookware, children are able to be engaged in preparing a meal for the family. Role-playing is a crucial skill children need to learn to make sense of their world and daily experiences.

As children imitate us with the Gourmet set of toys, we have an opportunity to guide and teach them to enjoy the process of cooking. Through this connection, our relationship with children can be strengthened as we each gain a deeper understanding of one another.

For The Young Ones

Creative Peg Puzzle is a simple study toy with bright colours. Through manipulating the various pieces, children develop an understanding of cause and effect. This compact toy incorporates foundations in colours, patterns and logical thinking. Spend time interacting with your young child. Stimulate their senses and ability to make meaning of and appreciate the objects around them.

Visit http://www.toysworld.com.sg to explore and purchase the range of wooden toys available. Reward yourself and your child with quality you can trust.

This article was first published in Today’s Motherhood Magazine Oct/Nov 2010 issue Page 20