In an effort to promote family cohesiveness via fun and games, Singapore’s free-to-air family channel, Channel 8, has done up a short survey to get some feedback from all you lovely Mummies!
Please follow the link below if you would like to participate in the survey :)
At age 4 or 5, the brain already starts to show signs of asking questions. Parents get tired of all the why questions as children seek reasons for their observations. Children are also seen to be making decisions with the choices given to them and coming up with creative ideas to solve simple problems in their play.
It is important to recognise that adults can impart knowledge to children. However, in order for children to connect with newly acquired knowledge into meaningful experiences, they have to constantly question what they have learned.
But what kind of questions nurture this skill in young children? There are at least three main types of connecting questions. They are questions we have to ask ourselves when we try to think of novel ideas, making decisions, and thinking of reasons to explain our observations. These thinking processes relate to inventive and inquisitive thinking- processes that are vital for individual survival in a rapidly changing world.
Below is a set of sample questions that enhances creative thinking and risk taking.
What are some unusual uses for a brick? The usual knowledge we all have is a brick is used for building walls. But if we think about the properties of a brick and beyond its ‘normal’ uses, new connections form. Thinking of novel ideas produces many new connections for future thinking.
A sample question that encourages a curious mind is, why are coins usually round rather than some other shape? Here, we are looking for reasons to explain our observation. Looking for reasons is another good way of developing and extending the network of connections in our mind.
This third sample question helps children to make choices and develop a cautious, judging mindset. For example, what are some good and bad things about killing whales? Here we have to make a judgment about two different choices.
And finally, there is the 5 WsH (What, Where, Why, When, Who, & How) model of asking questions. This helps children to make new connections with observation made. For example, What is a pyramid? Where do we find them? Why were they built? When were they built? Who were they for? How did people lift the heavy stones so high? The child who doesn’t know how to ask any of these questions makes no new connections. But the child who asks these questions has made 5 new connections about a pyramid.
The ability to ask yourself questions is becoming urgent in the current “I” age. Children now spend much of their time away from school manipulating iPhones, and iPads. Electronic information is stimulating but it comes at such a speed that children have little time to question what they hear and see. The earlier we strengthen this ability in young, the more pliable their brains become.
By John Langrehr (Ph.D)
Media Press Conference, July 7, 2011
Nestlé’s latest product NAN® is specially made for pregnant and lactating mothers. Guests were invited to the swanky Ritz Carlton Hotel for a luncheon with Dr. Hania Szajewska, Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the Medical University of Warsaw, Dr. Marco Turini, Regional Medical Director for South East Asia and Pacific Rim for Nestle Nutrition and Mr. Heng Peng Kwang, Country Manager of Nestlé Nutrition.
A nutritional supplement for mothers, Nestle NAN® Mom & Me is armed with probiotics, folic acid, zinc, calcium and iron. Dr. Szajewska and Dr. Turini shared their expertise and medical findings of probiotics during the pregnancy and lactation period. In a nutshell, probiotics, which are live microorganisms, is beneficial to our health when taken in adequate amounts. Both speakers main take way was although having a well balance diet is crucial for pregnant and lactating mothers to receive adequate nutrients, sometimes this may not be enough. Therefore, a supplement may be required to support the additional nutrient needs.
Keep your eyes peeled when you go grocery shopping this October. Nestle NAN® Mom & Me will be available in October at local stores. 
In the past, once you have decided to be a stay-at-home mum, chances of returning to working life would be very slim. However, today, more mothers are planning to choose to return to work again. Some want to strike a work-life balance, a few seek future career prospects as children are now old enough to take care of themselves, while others want to contribute to the family income.
Whatever your reasons are for returning to work after a long hiatus, you might feel a bit lost. Going back to work after a long break can be both mentally and physically challenging. With rapid advancements economically and technologically, standards and qualifications are bound to rise as well. Thus, your field of expertise might be different from before. The job you once had might appear to be much more demanding now.
So, what can you do? Where can you go for help? It’s time to get your SENSE of direction back.
Other than being a champion to facilitate lifelong learning for lifelong employability, SENSE helps to ease the transition of going back to work. With the Back-to-Work Women Programme, you are not alone in your quest to re-enter the job market after many years of being a stay-at-home mom. SENSE holds regular seminars (call 6478 3100 to find out the next available date) where the “3S” approach (Step Out, Support and Skill) is shared with participants.
Why choose SENSE?
- Personalized one-to-one career coaching services
- Job-matching services and employment opportunity (including flexi-hour jobs)
- Training grant of up to 95%
- Wide range of courses (including WSQ courses accredited with WDA)
- Reliable training partners to empower participants with necessary qualification and skills to secure that new job!
To all those mothers out there who are keen to return back to work, but are still a little unsure, consider approaching SENSE. As long as you have the desire to return to working life, their Career Coaches with do their best to map out your training and career pathway, and assimilate you into your new job as smoothly as possible.
Contact SENSE:
Hotline : 6478 3100
Email : asksense@mendakisense.com.sg
Address : 1 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh S(319376)
Written by Yvonne & Michelle
Check out the following Great Deal Singapore
Highlights
To get this deal, visit Great Parenting Deals
The Fine Print
To get this deal, visit Great Parenting Deals
Check out the Singapore National Day Goodies at My Little Genius 2011!
From now till Aug 31 2011, all new sign-ups receive a FREE Colour Memory Kit and FREE Hospitalisation Insurance worth $109!
Bring your friend along and get an ADDITIONAL $46 off for both of you!
For more information, please call us at
6287 7637 (Hougang) or 6560 7050 (Jurong East),
or email us at enquiry@MyLittleGenius.com.sg.
Femininity and masculinity is generally instilled in children early on in their pre-school years, to differentiate actions, behaviors and thoughts that are sociologically acceptable and biologically pre-determined based on their sexes. Below are some commonly asked questions regarding Gender Identity Disorder (GID).
1. What is Gender Identity Disorder?
Gender Identity Disorder is referred to by the American Psychiatric Association as cross-gender identification in children characterized by a discomfort with one’s own sex and may lead to same sex attraction in adolescence.
2. How is Gender Identity Disorder different from Transvestism?
Cross-dressing is evident in both disorders but transvestic fetishism does not identify with the other sex.
3. How do I know if my little boy is suffering from GID?
Boys with the disorder are usually constrained from engaging into competitive sports. They do not express interest in tumble and rough games. They enjoy girls as their playmates and they prefer to dress in girl’s clothes.
4. How do I know if my little girl is suffering from GID?
On the opposite, girls tend to be inclined to wearing boy’s clothes and want to look more masculine. They tend not to look forward to menstruation and they would rather want to grow up like a man. In contrast with bys with GID, girls with GID want to engage in tough and rough games.
5. Does GID affect both sexes?
Studies show that the disorder is more prevalent in males than in females.
6. How can I diagnose GID in my children?
Mental health professionals are people allowed to make diagnosis of such disorder. An analysis of personal history of the client aids in creating the conclusion. There is no need for a laboratory test unless it is required as part of the physical workup that causes the psychological disorder. People with GID complain generally about having to be born inside the wrong body.
7. Is there a treatment for gender identity disorder?
Yes, there is a treatment for GID. Physical therapy can disrupt the course of the disorder. The goal is to lessen the occurrences of transsexual behaviors Parents should be able to recognize the signs so that early interventions can be done. Through the help of a mental health professional, the treatment can lead to help children function according to their biological sex roles as much as possible.
Check out the following Great Deal Singapore
Highlights
To get this deal, visit Great Parenting Deals
The Fine Print
To get this deal, visit Great Parenting Deals
Blossom’s Parenting Workshop “Playtime For Good Manners - 2 to 3 Years Old”
Date : 23 Jul 2011 (Sat)
Time : 9.30am to 11.30am
Venue : Blossom Creative Centre, 8 Jalan Limau Purut Singapore 468182
Theme : Good Manners
Age group : 2 - 3 years
Group size : 5 to 10 parent-child pairs
Cost : Usual: $25 per pair
Exclusive price of $8 per pair just for Blossom’s guests (inclusive of craft materials!)
To register : Linn 6241 8829 or visit Playtime Parenting Workshop for 2-3 year olds
Caning might have been an effective method of discipline in the past. Many parents use this method of punishment as it was the way they were brought up and it works.
However, mums and dads today are more well-informed and educated. With parenting tips readily available at their fingertips, parents are aware of how corporal punishment can be harmful to children. Today, most parents would not away from the cane, or only use it as a last resort.
We were all caned by our parents, yet most of us turned out fine. Why is this so? Caning affects each child differently. Although it may prove to be effective in some situations, studies have shown that some children who were canned became violent. In these cases, these children were consistently punished physically – and this is what they were taught was right. We also need to know there is a fine line between caning for punishment and actual abuse.
There are two different schools of thoughts towards caning. When it is used properly and with appropriate follow up, caning is certainly not barbaric. If you are a parent who is still set on using the traditional rod, here are a few important pointers to remember.
Focus on your child’s behavior
Explain, and make sure your child understands, that they are being punished for a certain behavior or action that they took – right from wrong.
Do not focus on the self worth of the child, but the action they took.
Do not humiliate your child; this will destroy their self-esteem and worth.
Exercise restraint
The aim of the punishment is to teach your child right from wrong, and that there are consequences for wrong actions – NOT to harm them.
Restrain from hurting your child.
There is a grey area between abusing a child and punishing them with a cane – ensure you are punishing.
Do not punish on impulse, this defeats the purpose of caning a child and pushes on the line of abuse.
If you are set against caning your child as a disciplinary tool, there are other – softer – methods of punishment.
Stay consistent
Whatever parenting method you use, you must stay consistent!
Once you have set standards, you must reinforce these standards in order to instill them in your child’s head, along with building and keeping your credibility.
Present your child with choices
Give your child freedom to explore and make simple choices; there are many developmental advantages to this technique. (For example, “Would you like to wear a blue jacket or a green jacket to school?”)
When children feel respected, they are – typically – more motivated to behave and respect others
Understanding with patience
Children love to do things that get on your nerves; it’s not intentional, but inbred.
Patience is a virtue, but it would be in vain without any understanding. Find ways to cultivate both your patience and understanding.
Try to be more humorous and make mealtime fun. A good example is to have a competition to see who eats faster, or provide a reward of a favorite snack or cartoon if they finish in a timely manner.
Educate the consequences
Rather than yell or scream at your child, let them know the consequence of certain.
An example would be telling them that if they continue to kick the ball, inside the house, they might break the TV. If this happens, they can no longer watch their favorite programs.
Take away privileges or give rewards
When your child acts using their bad behavior, take away a particular privilege that they have. Alternatively, you can reward them when they have good behavior. (Both work well together.)
Children love rewards and will strive to behave if they know they will get something in return.
Prepare your child for transition
When a child is enjoying play or free time, they are easily frustrated when interrupted. Give them an advance warning before interrupting them.
For example, tell them they have 10 more minutes to play before dinner or bedtime. This helps them to prepare – mentally – for a break in their joyful activity.
Teach your child how to resolve conflicts
Teach and encourage your children to speak verbally about conflicts, dislikes, etc.
Teach, and encourage them to communicate verbally their feelings, what they are going through, what they are thinking, etc.
Whether you are for or against caning, there is no one perfect parenting way. All parents use a multitude of approaches with their children. Not only is each child different, but children will also react to each approach differently.
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