Nurture Kids New Classes Opening Jul 2011
EQ is just as important as IQ.
How important is EQ? EQ pertains to your child’s social and emotional development, and is affected largely by factors such as their ability to deal with other people interpersonally, their moods and overall attitude, as well as how they look at themselves.
Nurture Kids’ EQ Enrichment Programme will help your children grow by leaps and bounds in their EQ. It is based on the award-winning Incredible Years Programme from the USA. In this one-year programme, your children will be honed in the 5 core competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management, and responsible decision-making.
Programmes are customised according to age (Little Seedling for 3-4 year olds, Little Sprout for 5-6 year olds, and Little Tree for 7-9 year olds). From making friends to anger management, to social problem-solving, to developing positive behaviour, your children will grow socially and emotionally to be well balanced, happy and confident individuals.
Empower your child for academic and lifelong success today!
New classes opening in July!
Current classes (More classes may open depending on demand, please enquire for details.)
Little Seedling
- Friday 4pm to 5.30pm NEW!!
- Saturday 9am to 10.30am
- Sunday 11am to 12.30pm
Little Sprout
- Thursday 9am to 10.30am
- Saturday 11am to 12.30pm NEW!!
- Saturday 1.30 to 3pm
Little Tree
- Saturday 11am to 12.30pm
- Saturday 3.30pm to 5pm
- Sunday 1.30pm to 3pm
Transition to Primary School Workshop
- 18th to 20th July (9am to 12pm)
Visit our website at www.nurturekids.com.sg for more information. Or contact us at enquiry@nurturekids.com.sg / 62884823.
Teaching Children Safety Awareness
Teaching your child basic safety concepts makes him more aware of his surroundings. It is also important for children to learn how they can be responsible for their own safety.
Crossing the Road
Road safety can be taught to children, at the age of three. Practice crossing the road together with your child and explain the danger signs they should look out for. Traffic lights might be a little more difficult to explain but you can start by playing up with the colors. Give them the idea of what a pedestrian lane is and always point out the significance of the side walk.
Not Talking to Strangers
When we were young, we were all taught to refrain from taking to strangers. It is normal for parents to warn their children about the dangers to talking to strangers. However, do be careful of how you warn your children as they might start to develop a fear to anyone or everyone, because they might think every stranger is dangerous and out to harm them. Explain to your children that there are strangers out there who are nice and appropriate to speak with as well. This way, children may be less anxious when building healthy relationship with new people.
Other tips
• Never restrict your child to activities that require adult supervision. Give them opportunities to enjoy free play where they can rediscover wonders of the natural world and enjoy good time with other children.
• Encourage independence at an early age. Teaching them to brush their teeth alone or doing their own chores such as putting their toys back will help to instill some independence.
• Allow children to take some risks, and do not always rush to ‘save’ them. Facing small challenges and overcoming them on their own will boost their confidence and self-concept.
• Communicate with your child. Talk to your child about his daily activities, his playmates and their parents. They can share stories about how the other children are treated at home. This way you can get an idea of what your child enjoys and what disappoints him.
iBaby: Too early For Junior To Be Tech-Savvy?
From as young as 2 years old, tiny tots in Singapore are getting a head-start in computer literacy via child-friendly games such as Pyramids of Giza or Toddler Teaser. By the time they hit primary school, many of them will have been exposed to the world of youtube, online gaming, and even social networking sites like Facebook and MSN chat.
On the other extreme, some parents restrict their children from watching television, and prohibit them from using the computer at all. Proponents of this approach assert that it is too early and dangerous to introduce kids to technology and the internet.
Yet, with a growing percentage of our young ones being introduced to cyberspace, is it a matter of jumping onto the bandwagon or bucking the trend?
We can’t answer that question for you, but here are some different aspects you should consider:
Point #1: There are a plethora of educational games, teaching aids and i-Phone apps out there, ideal for making learning fun! Phonetics, number crunching and a wealth of scientific facts are, quite literally, there at the tip of Junior’s finger tips – and don’t we all want to encourage our children to expand their minds?
Point #2: It prepares Junior for school. These days, most primary schools are well-equipped with computer labs, and schoolchildren are often expected to use the internet to do research for various projects.
Point #3: While Junior is building neural connections and improving hand-eye coordination, Dad and Mum get some time off, to do the housework, shop or just relax. As parents, we all can appreciate the value of some precious time-out.
Point #4: Educators and counsellors cite too much time online and lack of face-to-face interaction with their family and peers as a growing concern. Our children may master the mouse or stylus at the expense of developing real bonds and relationships with loved ones, which is a crucial aspect of early childhood development.
Point #5: There are several potential physical repercussions to spending too much time on the computer. Myopia ad obesity are affecting more of our young today, thanks to extended periods fixated on computer games and not enough time running around outdoors. What’s more, muscle strain issues, such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel, are becoming more commonplace too.
Point #6: Even young kids can develop online-addictions, and this is something the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) recognizes. While the NCPC has organized cyber wellness talks for primary school children that discuss topics like addictions and online security, parents need to be vigilant and proactive in being the primary gatekeepers and educators for their little ones, and being informed enough to take the necessary precautions.
When and how you introduce Junior to i-Anything is completely up to you, but there is no harm in waiting till the child goes to primary school, and even then, it’s prudent to always monitor your child’s usage and safety. Technology is great, but ultimately there’s no substitute for real human presence and experience.
By Dorothea Chow
Having A Holistic And Spiritual Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a mental, emotional, and physical. It can also be a spiritual or metaphysical experience. It is going through levels and trimesters that develop in each unique moment within each day. Feelings of uncertainty and fear are normal, and do not make your experience less ‘pure’ because all those emotions and thoughts can take you to place of personal balance and wellness.
Pregnancy is a natural experience, but can also be a surreal one, as adjustments are made to the changes in body and mind. A fast moving society easily influences feelings about giving birth and pregnancy, with extensive books and experts all sharing information about the prenatal woman. Some information can be helpful, while others can be limiting or fear invoking. The wisest and loving information about a holistic or spiritual pregnancy comes from the individual mother to be. After all, who know you better then you!
A holistic or spiritual pregnancy begins with self awareness and a true heart commitment to your personal reality. It requires a wealth of love, compassion, authenticity, forgiveness, and letting go. It is how you feel inside about yourself. How aware you are of your body and mind. It is also having the ability to investigate how personal beliefs and emotional patterns create a birthing experience. Creating such a pregnancy takes personal awareness in understanding the greatness of the universal connection to all things from within. It is something that is not attained by accident, nor something that can be purchased or forced. It is moving into unknown experiences and trusting in the process of life.
The best one can do is to explore, learn and trust. It begins with being honest about your feelings, emotions, trusting your intuitions, and nourishing yourself with peaceful and relaxation activities. Another big part of pregnancy is to go with flow, and let go of what your preconceived perceptions of what an ideal pregnancy should be like. Do not make a birth plan which needs extreme focus and rules. Pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you, and enjoy the beauty in creation. Most of all, remain open-hearted and minded, and encourage feelings of acceptance, love and kindness.
In a busy world, we sometimes forget the importance of reflection and slowing down. It is easy to slow down when life creates it for you with stressful events or intense surprises. These things make you rest and relax, but learning early on in pregnancy to trust intuitive information will make for a better prenatal and perinatal experience for you, your baby, and family.
Article by Kelly Meehan
Kids Network New Netball Classes 2011
KidzNet, developed by Netball Singapore, is a class where your child plays with smaller netballs & modified goalpost.
Kidznet focuses on basic netball skills - throwing, catching, pivoting, shooting, the different playing positions & rules of game.
Your child will also learn to work with different individuals and thus develop social skills.
Other Weekly Programmes Available:
“Play Pen” - 4 to 7 years old
“Fun Netball” - 10 to 12 years old
Find out more information:
Website: www.thekidsnetwork.com.sg
Email: fun@thekidsnetwork.com.sg
Contact: 9877 6715
Rocket Into Math And The Gruffalo DVD Deals
Introducing The Modern Father
A woman’s role today has drastically changed over the past decades, and this has affected a man’s role as well. This change also affects the way how men and women raise their children. 21st century fathers are no longer the sole breadwinner or head disciplinarian in the family, and may even come in different forms. They can either be single or married, working or a stay-home-dad, gay or straight, and an adoptive or step-parent.
One of the reasons behind this new ‘modernized’ role is due to the change of a woman’s economic role. As women became educated and were able to enter the work force, the family’s financial support was no longer solely dependent on fathers. This gave women more autonomy in the family.
Another reason is the change in care-giving roles. In the past, research was heavily focused on the role of mothers and their importance in nurturing their children. However, over the years, people are becoming more aware of the idea of a father’s role in a child’s life. Lastly, recent research shows that paternal love has equal influence and impact on a child as a mother’s love. Paternal love does not only help in children’s overall development, children who receive more love from their fathers are less likely to struggle with behavioral or substance abuse problems.
To all the fathers out there, do not undermine your role and think you have less influence in your child’s life, as compared to your wife. Always remember, you play a crucial role in your child’s life as well.
For more information on fatherhood, check out Dads for Life website, http://dadsforlife.sg/
Written by Michelle Ang
Phonics Workshop For Parents And Teachers Aug 2011
Synthetic phonics is based on the principle that you can teach a child to decode and spell words effortlessly using the skills of blending and segmenting without memorising or guessing- freeing them to focus their mental energy on comprehending what they are reading. Once you’re trained in it, it’s not difficult to teach.
Workshop: Develop Early Literacy Skills through Explicit and Systematic Phonics Instruction
Dates: 6, 13, & 20 August 2011 (18 hours)
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Venue: EdVenture Showroom
Fee: Non-member: S$420 | Member: S$380
Closing Date: 29 July 2011
Limited seats available. Registration is based on first-come-first-serve basis upon receipt of payment.
For enquiries, please call 6345 2324. For more information, visit Edventure Books Workshops
Early Bird Special: Sign up with payment before 22 July’11 and receive a free set of Grapheme Cards (worth S$16.90) upon successful registration.
Speaker Profile: Dr Alice Tang (EdD)
Alice’s involvement in Singapore’s preschool arena spans more than a decade. She is an active teacher trainer specialising in the implementation, modes of assessment and management of preschool literacy programmes. Alice has a Doctor of Education from The University of Western Australia. Alice also holds both a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Management from RMIT University and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College.
Cheer Up Your Crying Baby
Have you experienced your baby crying non-stop, even after feeding or changing his diaper? Sometimes babies cry not because of hunger or pain, but simply because they want to be cheered up or to gain their parents’ attention. Here are some tips you can try to cheer your baby:
• Take the baby outside. Like adults, babies also need a breathing space. Taking him outside will divert his attention from the things that made him cry. Make sure that the external environment is not too hot or cold.
• Take a joy ride. Take the car and buckle up, with your baby near you. The view of the surroundings might help to soothe your baby’s mood. It is also a great way to get fresh air that may not be available outside your homes.
• Turn on the radio. Play a happy music and dance together with your baby. Swing your baby around gently and the movement will tickle him.
• The power of praise. Mention how your baby is doing great alone n the crib. Also try to emphasize how admirable he was as he plays with his toys.
• Do the classic Peek-a-Boo! This might be an old trick but it works. You can hide behind furniture or use a blanket to cover yourself up. Show up with a sound you can create that is not too scary or too dull.
• Gently blow raspberries into the baby’s palm or tummy. The gentle air can tickle and the sound can blend well with his smile as he tries to imitate it.
• Blow bubbles. Babies are amazed with floating bubbles in the air and derive great pleasure from popping them.
• Make funny faces. Babies love attention. Pretending to sneeze or to bump your head with a funny face will surely make him giggle.
My Child Is A Bully
Besides doing well academically in school, parents would hope for their children to be socially adept and well liked by their peers as well. But what happens when parents find out their child is a bully in school?
It is important for parents to address this issue and find out why their children are exhibiting such behaviors. It is often due to feelings of insecurity which triggers children to behaving aggressively or undermine others. It could also be due to modeling the behavior of other peers, to be accepted into a particular social group. The home environment is also another influencing factor in how they behave in school, as they role model behaviors seen at home in school.
Let your child know and understand bullying is not an accepted social behavior. Communicate with your child, and let him or her know that you are there to help. Here are some steps to guide you in helping your child:
• Take the bullying incidents seriously. This lets your child know that such acts will not be tolerated. Establish rules about such acts of behaviors and stick to them.
• Instill respect and kindness. Let your child know that it is wrong to ridicule others, because they are different.
• Encourage and explain to your child the need to appreciate individual differences and respect them for who they are. Find opportunities for your child to interact with people who may ‘appear’ different from them. For example, volunteer at a home with people with special needs.
• Use positive reinforcement. Praise and compliment on their good actions.
• Be involved in your child’s social life. Know what kind of friends he or she plays with and the activities they do.
• Talk to his teachers and friends to keep updated on what has been going on in the classroom, and how your child is responding.
• Set a good example. Show your child you and your spouse is also capable of respecting others despite their differences. Be mindful on how you talk to and about people, and when handling conflicts and problems.
You are your child’s first and most influential role model. His or her behaviors come from what they see at home. Create a home which exemplifies values of love, kindness, and respect. A last important note to remember, such antics and behaviors are not permanent. Take stride in teaching your children and do not be disheartened; have faith in yourself and your child.
Loading ...