Today’s Motherhood

Thinking of things to do and places to visit this holidays? Here are some events happening in Singapore Malls this Christmas Holidays.

Wishing you a very Mall Christmas!

Christmas Fantasy at Takshimaya Square
10 Nov - 26 Dec (Thu - Mon), 10.00am - 9.00pm

The holiday season brings plenty of fun for the little ones at Takashimaya Square. This Christmas, witness their glee when they get to meet and greet the Power Rangers Samurai, the characters from Angry Birds and the Winx Club. A special year-end treat not to be missed!

• Meet & Greet Sessions - Power Rangers Samurai
Come meet the Power Rangers Samurai, as they battle the dark forces of the Netherworld.
Thu 10 to Tue 15 Nov 2011
1pm, 4pm & 7pm daily

DBS Takashimaya Credit/Debit Cardmember exclusive meet and greet
Thu 10 Nov, 1pm

• Winx Club
Embark on a magical adventure with your favourite Winx fairies – Bloom, Flora and Stella!
Thu 17 Nov to Tue 22 Nov 2011 1pm, 4pm & 7pm daily

DBS Takashimaya Credit/Debit Cardmember exclusive meet and greet
Thu 17 Nov, 1pm

• Angry Birds
Squakw! Angry Birds are here! Be the 1st in Singapore to catch it live!
Fri 25 Nov to Sat 10 Dec 2011
1pm, 4pm & 7pm daily (No show on Mondays)

DBS Takashimaya Credit/Debit Cardmember exclusive meet and greet
Fri 25 Nov, 1pm

Recycling Fun at City Square Mall

In conjunction with Clean & Green Singapore, be part of our green movement by contributing your recyclable items and transform them into beautiful Christmas tree ornaments with students from Singapore Polytechnic!

• Christmas Eco-chantment
3 Dec, B1 Fountain Square, 11am to 8pm
Join SP students at the Christmas Ornament Workshop and create Christmas ornaments out of the collected recycled materials. There will also be an Eco Bazaar on 3 and 4 Dec.

• Pokémon Eco-Christmas Show & Photo-Taking Session @ City Square Mall
Nov 26, 2011 - Dec 04, 2011, Level 1 Atrium
Tuesday to Friday: 7pm
Saturday & Sunday: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm

To take a picture with the Pokémon characters, shoppers can redeem a photo-taking pass with $30 spent in a maximum of 3 combined same-day receipts at the Customer Service Counter on Level 2 one hour before each show. In this season of giving, City Square Mall will be handing out complimentary Pikachu headbands to the first 2,000 children present for the show, while stocks last.

United Square - The Little Big Club Christmas Carnival

Live Musical shows!

Meet and greet Barney & Friends
2 - 12 December 2011
Mon - Fri, 2 pm, 7 pm
Sat - Sun, 12.30pm, 3.30pm, 7pm

Meet and great Thomas and the Fat Controller
14 - 19 December 2011
Mon - Fri, 2 pm, 7 pm
Sat - Sun, 12.30pm, 3.30pm, 7pm

VivoCity

Roving Performances in November

Enliven your shopping experience and immerse in the magic of the holiday season in VivoCity with a series of delightful roving performance every weekend! Be sure to catch them for a memorable photo-taking opportunity!

• Christmas Characters
Every Saturday, 4pm and 7pm

• Pair Santa Claus with Santarina, and a Christmas tree mascot with a life-sized elephant mascot and you have a happening combination! Groove to the music as these 4 characters rove the mall with occasional stops to break into an entertaining and fun dance.

• Juggling Stilt Walkers on Tricycles
Every Sunday, 4pm and 7pm

• Jugglers, balloon sculptors and stilt walkers all rolled into one! Catch this colourful and talented duo as they make their way around Level 1 on their custom-made tricycles!

Singapore Flyer: Toys Come Alive
Nov 12, 2011 - Jan 01, 2012
Weekends only
6pm - 8pm
Bringing you joy and happiness this festive time of the year is Singapore Flyer, as it transforms into a fantasy Toyland, complete with toy soldiers, teddy bears, Gingerbread Man, marching nutcracker percussion & choir performances, Christmas jingles, bubbles and fairy lights. Your Christmas’ weekends are made even sweeter, as kids get to enjoy free popcorn, candy floss, a kids’ fun pack and goodies hamper, with every full-priced child flight ticket ($20.65) purchased over the ticketing counters.

Funan Digital Life Mall: X-ploring Tech Fun!
Nov 21, 2011 - Nov 27, 2011, 11am - 8pm
Free admission
Explore the fun in of technology with interactive exhibits, toy making, and an ‘electrifying’ time at our Science Shows! Catch a Segway ride too! Organised by Science Centre Singapore.

ION Orchard: Up Against The Wall! Art Workshops
Nov 30, 2011 - Dec 06, 2011
ION Art Gallery, Level 4, ION Orchard

Workshops:
Fantastic Creatures Workshop: 10am - 12pm
Monster Masks Workshop: 4.30pm - 6.30pm daily
$45 per child (includes open activities)

Open activities:
1pm - 1.45pm, 2pm - 2.45pm, 3pm - 3.45pm daily
For open activities only: $12 for 45 minutes

Watch Scott: 6.30pm - 8pm daily, Free Free admission

‘Up Against The Wall! – a visual adventure with Scott Walker’ presented by ACT 3 International, is a specially curated programme that invites children to be drawn into a world of artistic adventures through the eyes of Scott Walker, a UK-based cartoon artist. Suitable for children from aged 5 onwards, activities consist of scheduled workshops for up to 30 children guided by Scott; with two workshops a day over the seven day period, as well as open activities. Children will be dropped off and parents can return to view the artworks.

Congratulations to the winner of Bosch/Reckitt Benckiser and Today’s Motherhood Win Bosch ActiveWater Eco² - The World’s Most Economical Dishwasher Contest. She has won for herself a Bosch ActiveWater Eco² worth $2499, together with FINISH dishwashing products.

The name of the winner is:

1. Neo Chin Ming

*Winner will be notified by email/phone regarding the delivery and installation of the dishwasher.

** Terms and Conditions apply

The prizes are sponsored by Bosch and Finish Products

Mandarin Seed 芽芽学语

Age Group: N1 - K2 Levels | Class Size: Six or Less
Class Duration: 75 minutes
Class Frequency: Once / Twice Weekly
Dates: 21 Nov to 16 Dec 2011 (Sat Classes are now available)

Register Now and enjoy Trial Class at $15 ONLY for the holiday period 21 Nov to 16 Dec 2011. (Usual Price $35)! For Today’s Motherhood readers, quote “TMHMS” when registering for the trial. T&C apply

• Multi-sensory approach to recognise, read and write Chinese
• Interactive activities to learn rhymes, idioms, grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction
• Fun story-telling and reading games to develop listening, comprehension and reading skills
• Exciting brain-stimulation activities to build strong memory and creative thinking skills

For more, visit www.mustardseed.sg

T: 6465 1060
E: info@mustardseed.sg
A: 833 Bukit Timah Road #01-04 RoyalVille Singapore 279887

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What exactly is creativity? Is it the way one creates a masterpiece, or the invention of a new original product?

In a nut shell, creativity is the ability to generate original ideas, whether it is 100% original from one’s own mind, or from ideas that has been build and improved upon. It involves two processes: thinking and producing. Creativity is also about acting on your ideas; hence, one can be imaginative but not considered creative.

Besides art and music, creativity can also be manifested in many shapes and forms. Have your child said something to you that you would never have thought of? Or have you seen your child dramatizing stories on his own or play with imaginary friends? A child’s speech, or the way he or she plays also reflects their creative and imaginative minds. This freedom of thought and expansive imagination opens a whole new horizon to children.

Every child has an innate ability to imagine and be creative. It is with this believe that Kidabion aspires to unlock a child’s potential creative genius.

Kidabion Creative Genius Contest

Calling all parents with Singaporean children between 5 to 12 years of age! This is an excellent opportunity to expose your child to flex his creative juices - all he or she has to do is design a new Kidabion product packaging.

Attractive Prizes to be won!

A highly respected jury will choose the winner design, and the winning limited edition packaging will be available nationwide from March 2012 onwards. In addition, the three best ideas will be awarded with attractive prizes such as an iPad 2 or family passes for Universal Studios.

Submission for the ‘Creative Genius Contest’ is open until 31 of December 2011

Entry forms and more information are available at pharmacies nationwide and their website.

Do not be surprised that your child may even surpass your imagination. Let those creative juices flow!

About Kidabion
Merck’s children’s supplement brand, Kidabion is one of the leading children supplement brands in Singapore. Its fruit flavoured chewy capsules in blackcurrant or orange flavour contain essential Omega-3 fatty acids, which may help maintain healthy brain function. Kidabion also contains vitamins A, C, D & E, which are beneficial to healthy growth, healthy skin and eyes while helping to maintain a healthy immune system. Kidabion is available at pharmacies nationwide.

About Merck
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of € 9.3 billion in 2010, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by more than 40,000 employees in 67 countries.

Many people look forward to the holidays as a time to spend with friends and family, sing their favorite holiday jingles or enjoy the delicious festive fare. For savvy shoppers, this time of year also offers a chance to take advantage of major discounts, whether you’re buying gifts for loved ones or yourself.

However, lured by the promise of getting the must-have toy of the season or the latest tech gadget at half the price, bargain hunters all too often fall for online scams to steal their personal and financial information. Although online shopping continues to be a popular and easy way for people to get their holiday shopping done, it can also open the door to scams from savvy cybercrooks.

According to Norton by Symantec, the leading online security company, holiday emails with taglines like, “You have received a Christmas Greeting Card!” and “Cash for the New Year” have already started appearing in people’s inboxes. Although the messages can seem harmless, they may contain viruses and worms that will damage your computer, or worse, send you to websites designed to steal your email and bank account information.

Cyber criminals tend to use holidays, festive seasons and popular events to lure unsuspecting users into their malicious traps. The recent Norton Cybercrime Report 2011 found that 80 percent of Singaporeans have been a victim of cybercrime in their lifetime.

Follow these tips to stay safe this holiday season:

1. Check your list twice – If you receive a suspicious email, whether it’s offering discounts that are too good to be true or is filled with grammatical errors, delete the message. It could be part of a scam to trick you into downloading a virus or giving away your personal information.

2. Find out which websites are “naughty” and “nice” - When conducting transactions online, make sure the website address contains “https” instead of “http,” which indicates an added layer of protection. Also, scan the entire web page for a trust mark, such as the VeriSign Trust Seal. These marks demonstrate that a trusted company has taken comprehensive measures to certify security, online business ethics and customer privacy standards.

3. Don’t let scams turn your festive holiday into the blues - Use trusted online security software, like Norton Internet Security 2012 or a mobile solution like Norton Mobile Security to make sure you’re protected against online threats and help ensure safe shopping, from home or on-the-go, this season.

For more information on how to stay safe online, please visit Norton’s website.

Giveaway Week 4 (14th November to 20th November 2011):
(by SmartKids Asia, the World’s LARGEST Educational Kids’ Fair)

This Week’s FREE GIVEAWAY – Pigeon Weaning Set, Worth $103.55

• Wet Tissue Package consists of 2 x Hand and Mouth Wet Tissues 60s + Anti-Bacterial Wet Tissues 60s + Anti-Mosquito Wet Tissues 12s
• Weaning Package consists of Bowl & Weaning Spoon Set + Mag Mag All-in-1 Training Cup System
• Home Baby Food Maker
• Disposable Baby Bibs 20pcs
• Liquid Cleanser 450ml

To Celebrate SmartKids Asia, the World’s LARGEST Educational Kids’ Fair coming to Singapore, they are having 30 Weeks of FREE GIVEAWAYS to their Facebook Fans!

Simply be a fan and tag the GiveAway photo here, and you could be one of the lucky winners!

Children grow up fast and outgrow most of their shoes quite quickly, so it’s essential for mummies to go shoe shopping for those fast growing feet. But what should mothers look out for when choosing shoes for their children? Is it the same as choosing shoes for adults?

What to look out for when choosing shoes for your children

The two most important things to note are comfort and fit. Shoes must be comfortable from the start and without a breaking-in period. If a shoe is uncomfortable for the child, do not expect it to become more comfortable after wearing for a period of time. It might be a sign that the pair of shoes is either poorly made, or not the right fit for your child’s feet.

Shoes also need to fit as well as possible. This means that there is enough wiggle room for toes in the shoes. Getting a pair of shoes that is slightly bigger is fine, as long as the heel does not slip as your child is walking. A shoe that’s too big will cause children to fall when walking in them.

Impacts of wearing the wrong fit

A lot of life-long foot problems can occur if your child wears the wrong shoes. Not only does it cause unnecessary pain and discomfort during use, it can result in foot ailments and deformities such as gnarled toes, spurs, strained ankles, bunions and calluses, and even neuromas (which is the swelling of nerves).

A common ailment that plagues most people is gnarled toes caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes. In more serious cases, balance is affected and pain is experienced when walking long distance, as the toes are not as strong as they should be.

Bad footwear can also cause hygiene problems like fungal infections, athlete’s foot and excess perspiration. Many foot deformities are caused before the age of 4 years old, when the bones in the feet are the softest. Pressures from shoes can deform children’s feet without them feeling the slightest pain.

What is an ideal pair of shoes for children?

An ideal pair should combine the following qualities: comfort, flexibility and durability. All of these qualities will help ensure that a child’s gait develops naturally.

Shoes made of leather or canvas and other breathable materials are ideal because they tend to leave feet cooler and dryer, especially in warmer climes like Singapore. This helps to prevent discomfort, blisters and sweat to trapped. More importantly, such materials mold easily to a child’s feet, allowing for a better fit. Avoid shoes made of plastic or synthetic materials. Shoes that are uncomfortable force a child to change their natural stride.

A good pair of shoes should be able to flex according to a child’s stride, and bend near the toe box. A pair that is too flexible and can be twisted all round does not provide enough support for a child’s feet.

An ideal pair should be able to withstand active kids’ usage and its soles should not wear out easily. Soles should also be sturdy enough to protect the feet, but still flexible enough to bend naturally with the foot. Quality materials will ensure that the shoes last longer and can withstand heavy use. Leather shoes holds up very well, and stitching often lasts longer than glue.

Advice for parents when shoe shopping for the ideal shoes

A good pair of shoes should combine all the benefits and qualities mentioned earlier, comfort, durability and flexibility.

First and foremost, you should always shop for shoes with your child around. Every shoe fits differently, so it’s important that a child tries on each pair before buying it. It also helps that you understand your child’s feet. Are they wide? Do they perspire easily? What materials seem to trigger the perspiration more easily so?

Always let your child try on shoes while standing up, as this is when the length and width of the feet are spread to its fullest. Most people have feet of different size, so you should always buy to fit the larger foot.

When trying on a pair of shoes, ensure that there is adequate space between the end of the child’s toes and the end of the shoes. You can check by pressing your finger into the toe area, and find where the big toe ends. The space between the big toe and the end of the shoe toe should be should be about three quarter of an inch wide. Also ensure that there is adequate space between the sides of the shoes and the sides of your child’s feet, and that they are not squeezed inside the shoes.

There are four things to note when looking at the shoes’ construction:
- The sides of the heel counter should be stiff, and does not collapse easily.
- The shoe should be flexible near the toe box according to your child’s gait and should not twist in the middle.
- Insoles should also be cushioned to absorb the shocks and pressures of each stride on hard surfaces.
- Soles should be textured to prevent your child from tripping, and sturdy enough to protect from shock injury.

This article is contributed by pediped®

From its inception, pediped® has designed footwear to promote healthy foot development. This is why pediped® shoes were among the first children’s footwear to be awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for promoting healthy foot development. It has also recently been endorsed by the Harvard Medical School and Children’s Hospital Boston. A footwear company that cares about the health and well being of your child’s growing feet, pediped® protects your child’s feet all the way from crawling, to those first steps, and to childhood.

Hasbro, a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time entertainment products and services, has created a private, password protected online community of about 300 moms who are willing to serve as “consumer consultants” and share their wishes, needs, and candid opinions.

We currently have 15 open slots for Moms in Singapore. If you are selected to join this community, we ask that you login and contribute your thoughts (via surveys, discussions, chats, etc.) an average of 5-15 minutes per week at whatever time is convenient for you.

In addition to providing your feedback and building relationships with other members from around the globe, you will receive monthly rewards in exchange for your participation. Your responses will be kept completely confidential and used only to determine your eligibility for membership. They will not be sold, shared, or used for any other purpose.

Please visit the following link to see if you qualify:

https://www.brandinvitation.com/wix/p0545872.aspx?said=TYM253F&csid=TM1111ref&pcid=TM

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Joli Petite 1000 fans giveaway is up! Join in the sweepstake now and stand a stand to be one of the lucky 10 winners! Invite friends & share for more chances! :)

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Ends 1 Dec 2011

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Looking for a 2hr Sports programme this Nov/Dec holiday?

Check out www.sportskids.com.sg for more information.

Programme specially designed for children age 5 to 7.

Enrolment is on the first-come-first-served basis.

Tel: 9299 8032 | Email: enquiry@sportskids.com.sg