Innholdsfortegnelse for January - February 2019 i Young Parents

Like the new Young Parents print edition? It’s not just a cosmetic design change, though. We’re constantly evolving to meet the needs of you, our dear readers, so here’s what to expect from YP this year: We’re just a swipe away As parents ourselves – with eight kids among us! – the YP team knows how busy you are. When you want answers now, turn to our website (www.youngparents.com.sg). This is where you’ll find our articles and videos on pregnancy and baby care, development, education and family life, as well as promotions and events. Sharing is caring The great thing about being a parent is how complete strangers suddenly become BFFs on social media because of their kids. Follow our Facebook, Instagram and Youtube accounts for the latest updates and…

“My kid has separation anxiety and can’t bear to leave my side when I drop her off at school.” “Starting a new preschool can be positioned as an exciting change rather than a fearful change,” says Coreen Soh, deputy general manager at The Little Skool-House International. “So, tell your child all about the positives of going to school, but also make sure that she’s prepared for the negatives. Identify various plus points about the school and show how these align with her interests. “To help with the transition from home to preschool, bring your child to the orientation session and allow her to participate in pre-enrolment activities.” “Kids are greatly influenced by their parents’ emotional state, so be calm when you drop her off.” Another way to minimise her anxiety…

DANCESPORT Edgefeld Primary School offers this combination of competitive standard ballroom and Latin American dancing. SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING At Methodist Girls’ School (Primary), your kid can take up this sport that is a blend of meticulously coordinated acrobatics, swimming and dance. IN-LINE SKATING Your kid will learn the basics of in-line skating, as well as a range of techniques and movements at Elias Park Primary School. NEEDLEWORK CLUB Pick up sewing skills, which can be applied in everyday life, at Zhangde Primary School. Some of the products students created have helped raise funds for charity organisations. YOUNG INVENTORS CLUB At Keming Primary School, your kid will develop skills in design thinking strategies, problem-solving, critical thinking and project presentations. COMICS CLUB Kids in Tao Nan School learn about tools and techniques in…

The first person of contact should be the child’s school counsellor, who typically has access to the reach (Response, Early intervention and Assessment in Community mental Health) teams led by IMH, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and with Social Service Organisations, says Dr Ong. OTHER HELPLINES • Tinkle Friend (for primary school students) Tel: 1800-2744-788 • Samaritans of Singapore Tel: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) • Institute of Mental Health’s mental health helpline Tel: 6389-2222…

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is something you'll become very familiar with when your kid enters preschool, as children there are especially prone to catching it. Young Parents finds out more about this hot-topic illness with help from the Ministry of Health’s (MOH’s) website and Professor Paul Anantharajah Tambyah, senior consultant infectious diseases physician at the National University Hospital. 1 What is HFMD? It is a common childhood viral infection caused by a group of intestinal viruses called enteroviruses. The most common culprit is the Coxsackie virus and, on rarer occasions, Enterovirus 71. While both adults and kids can be affected, young children – particularly those under the age of five – are more susceptible. 2 How does HFMD spread? The illness is transmitted through direct contact with the nasal…

EDUCATION Dr Cynthia Lim is a senior lecturer in the Early Childhood Education Programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. She has a 12-year-old son. Brian Caswell is the dean of Research and Program Development at Mindchamps. He has 15 grandchildren. Dawn Lim is the curriculum advisor at Star Learners. She has four children aged eight to 16. PSYCHOLOGY Dr Carol Balhetchet is a clinical psychologist with more than 20 years of experience in schools, the social services sector and the private sector. She is the author of Dr Delinquent: A Guide To Decoding The Teenage Years, and has three children in their 20s. PSYCHIATRY Dr Cornelia Chee is a psychiatrist and director in the Women’s Emotional Health Service at the National University Hospital. Her daughters are in their…

Coreen Soh of The Little Skool-House International shares her tips: LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH THEM Most preschools offer a number of platforms where parents and teachers can connect. These may be class-based or centre-based and allow for teachers and parents to work on shared goals together, discuss perspectives, seek support, and get to know each other better. AFFIRM THE TEACHERS’ EFFORTS Teachers do appreciate it when parents acknowledge their efforts, and it’s always good to show your care and concern for them. SHOW THAT YOU’RE INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD’S PRESCHOOL LIFE There are many ways to go about this – you could be a parent volunteer, respond to the teacher’s emails or notes, or simply have a chat with her during drop-off or pick-up. SHOW RESPECT…

What you should know about the Ministry of Education’s latest changes to the primary school assessment system. NO WEIGHTED ASSESSMENTS AND EXAMS FOR PRIMARY 1 AND 2 STUDENTS However, teachers will still use ungraded assessments such as projects, homework and quizzes to track students’ learning. MID-YEAR EXAMS WILL BE REMOVED FOR PRIMARY 3 AND 5 STUDENTS FROM 2020 OR 2021 The Ministry said in a statement that these are “transition years” where students are exposed to new subjects and/or higher content rigour and expectations. The aim is to provide adequate time and space for students to adjust to the increasing curriculum demands. REPORT BOOKS WILL NO LONGER STATE CERTAIN ACADEMIC INDICATORS This includes class and level positions. In Primary 1 and 2, teachers will use “qualitative descriptors” while marks will…

Tummy aches, nausea, headaches and sleepless nights – the list of mysterious symptoms went on. As each new school term approached, my cheerful, fun-loving daughter, Jubilee, would morph into a dour, anxious insomniac with vague health complaints. Sensitive by nature, she took more than a year to get used to preschool and another six months to ease into Primary 1 without bawling. Now 11, she has, thankfully, learnt to better handle emotions and stress. What do kids stress over, you might ask. School-related problems are often the main culprit. According to a study by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which polled over 500,000 students worldwide, Singapore students have higher levels of anxiety about their tests and grades than their peers in other countries. In fact, 80 per cent…

Eggs Brain benefits Egg yolks are an important source of choline, which is essential for brain and memory function, says Dr Han Wee Meng, head and senior principal dietician of the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. “Choline is a key component of cell membranes and this accounts for a high percentage of brain mass,” she explains. “It’s also essential in the formation of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which carries messages to and from nerves.” Cook it right As choline is sensitive to water and may be destroyed by cooking and food processing, you should avoid overcooking eggs, Dr Han says. (But, it’s important to remember that eating raw eggs isn’t safe, either). Other choline-rich foods include broccoli, beans, peanuts and bananas. Eggs contain choline, which…

EXPERIENCE Make sure the teacher’s experience matches your child’s needs. Have they worked with students who have similar needs as your child, and what did they do to solve them? “The tutor needs to be able to relate to the child effectively and there needs to be a good connection between both of them to successfully facilitate learning,” adds Ann. FULL TIME VS PART TIME Those who are working in the education environment on a full-time basis are more likely to be committed to their role as that’s their primary focus. Some tutors who teach part-time may not be able to prioritise their tutoring skills or remain up-to- date with education changes. KNOWLEDGE OF SYLLABUS Make sure the tutor is trained and up-to-date with the current trends to ensure your…

GIVE THEM ME-TIME Make sure yours has about an hour a day to decompress, says Freda Sutanto of Kaleidoscope Therapy Centre. But limit screen time to 20 minutes to avoid over-stimulation. “The rest of the time can be spent playing with friends or talking to family members, reading the books they want, or relaxing and having fun on their own. This will give their minds and bodies a break so they won’t feel so overwhelmed.” MAKE SURE THEY LIVE A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE A balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep and ample time for relaxation and fun, will go a long way towards helping your child manage their stress. “These habits do work and should form part of your child’s PSLE preparation journey,” says Joseph of Mindchamps. BE THEIR SAFE…

By one year old, says Dr Bien Lai of the National Dental Centre Singapore, which offers an Infant Oral Health Programme tailored for each infant to help prevent and manage oral health diseases, as well as foster good habits. This is because early stage tooth decay can be subtle and hard for parents to notice. “A delay in dental visits may result in rampant tooth decay, especially among kids with high caries risk. Regular dental reviews at an early age can help spot kids with high caries risk, and the dentist can address the risk factors and control any tooth decay,” Dr Lai says. Even if there is no sign of tooth decay, early dental checkups help your little one build rapport and trust with the dentist. This makes the…

IT'S VERY CONTAGIOUS “Family members have multiple contact and thus exposure. More exposure means more opportunities for the virus to transmit,” says Dr Leong Hoe Nam, infectious disease physician from Rophi Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. “A higher viral load is transmitted, resulting in more severe disease. This consideration is not unique to HFMD, but we see it in influenza, pertussis and chickenpox, too.” WATCH WHAT YOUR KID TOUCHES The virus is found in the infected child’s saliva. “So as the child speaks, the virus spreads,” he explains, adding that any surface that the infected child touches will also be exposed to the virus. BUT YOUR RISK IS LOW Your only consolation is that the risk of an adult getting infected with HFMD is a low 1 to 5…

You may use your Medisave to cover all vaccinations recommended in the NCIS, up to $400 per account per year, at Medisave-accredited health-care institutions, including private clinics. According to the Health Ministry, you may also use the Baby Bonus cash gift and/or savings in the Child Development Account (CDA) to pay for all vaccinations, including against pneumococcal disease, at Baby Bonus-approved medical institutions. These can be used to offset the bills for your other kids’ shots, as well. If your child is a Singapore citizen, these vaccines are free at the polyclinics: • BCG (tuberculosis) • MMR • Hib and IPV in the form of a 5-in-1 combination vaccine (together with vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) • Hepatitis B…

Each child featured on this page wins a My Gym trial class and romper worth $73. Designed for kids from three months to eight years old, My Gym offers structured weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, games, gymnastics, sports and more. Visit www.mygym.com.sg to find out more about its programmes and locations around Singapore. To take part in What A Cutie, hashtag #ypcutie when you post your child’s photo on Instagram. Make sure your account is public so we can see your photos. Terms and conditions apply.…

We were instinctively drawn to these silicone colouring mats, which feature adorable doodles by Jessica Tan, a Singaporean mummy whose doodling habit has turned into a homegrown business. Keep the iPad at home and bring these FDA-safe and washable mats along on your next outing – we’re certain that they’ll keep the kids happy and occupied for hours. Prices start from $17.90 for a mat without washable markers, from www.drawnbyjessica.com…

• ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO OPEN UP TO YOU “When you’re well-connected to your child in this way, she will automatically go to you if she has problems with her classmates," says Coreen Soh of The Little Skool-House International. As a parent, you will also be able to detect anomalies in her emotional well-being quickly.” • DON’T DISMISS HER COMPLAINTS This will make her feel helpless, says Dr Lim of Dr BL Lim Centre For Psychological Wellness. “And if you’re discussing the matter with your child’s teacher, allow your child to be present, so that she knows what actions are being taken to prevent the bullies from bothering her again and to reassure her that something is being done.” • MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD KNOWS WHEN TO WALK AWAY When…

While it is important for kids to learn to handle stress and face up to challenges, seek professional help if you notice significant changes in your child’s behaviour, says Dr Ong Say How, senior consultant and chief of the Department of Developmental Psychiatry at Institute of Mental Health (IMH). LOOK OUT FOR SIGNS OF STRESS: • Becomes more withdrawn • Loses interest in activities he used to enjoy • Becomes aggressive • Seems emotional, depressed, moody, irritable or scared most of the time • Loss of appetite • No longer sleeps well • Refuses to attend school or grades plummet for no apparent reason • Expresses abnormal and negative thoughts such as suicide…

The first meal of the day is important as it helps kids stay alert and fuels them until their mid-morning snack or lunchtime. Bonnie Rogers, a functional medicine health coach at The Nutrition Clinic, offers healthy ideas that are also quick to put together. PROTEIN SMOOTHIES These are great for kids to drink on the go. Blend protein powder with fresh or frozen fruit and almond milk. Buy high quality protein powder without added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavours or colours. HARDBOILED EGGS Boil a few eggs the night before and store them in the fridge. Your kids can munch on them on their way to school. HOMEMADE GRANOLA Add nuts and seeds and serve with unsweetened yogurt. UNSWEETENED YOGURT Serve with berries or nuts and seeds. HOMEMADE BREAKFAST BARS…

BRITISH COUNCIL Primary schoolers will benefit from its engaging English classes, which help them excel in examinations. It also offers courses for preschoolers and secondary school kids. Visit www.britishcouncil.sg CHENGZHU MANDARIN CENTRE develops your child’s ability to speak, read and write confidently in Mandarin, thanks to a full immersion environment. It caters to babies as young as six months old, through to kids in upper primary. Visit www.chengzhu.edu.sg MINDCHAMPS Developed by international early childhood literacy experts, its Reading & Writing programme helps your child to love reading and master the craft of writing. Suitable for kids aged three to 10. Visit www.mindchamps.org/mrw…

NO MORE T-SCORE Your kid’s scores will not be benchmarked against his peers. Marks will be converted according to the new scoring bands of Achievement Level AL1 to AL8. THE LOWER THE SCORE, THE BETTER Your kid needs to score at least 90 marks in all four subjects to give him the best PSLE score of four, which is similar to the O-level system where the lower the score, the better. CHOICE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL MATTERS If two kids have the same PSLE score and have chosen the same school, the one who has put it down as a first choice will get priority over the one who has listed it as a second choice. You can choose up to six schools. EXPRESS STREAM CUT-OFF Pupils will need to get…

Although most milk teeth will eventually drop and be replaced by adult teeth over the ages of seven to 13, they are still essential to your child’s health and well being. Not only do milk teeth give your child a pretty smile, they are important for function (biting and chewing), speech, growth and development of adult teeth, says Dr Bien Lai of the National Dental Centre Singapore. “If the child has severe tooth decay at two years old, it is unlikely that she can wait for all the milk teeth to drop without any dental treatment,” she adds. “It is important to have good oral health from young so that your child will not suffer from tooth pain and infection, and the good habits can carry on to adulthood.”…

Are vaccines safe? Why did my child develop a fever after a shot? Vaccines work by stimulating a child’s immunity to produce antibodies against certain infectious diseases, so she can fight them if she comes into contact with them, explains Dr Flordeliza Yong, deputy director of School Health Service at the Health Promotion Board. In Singapore, vaccines are assessed to be safe for use by the Health Sciences Authority. Minor side effects, such as a low-grade fever and soreness at the injection site, are possible reactions to some shots. But serious allergic reactions, such breathing difficulty, wheezing, hives, a fast heartbeat or dizziness, are “extremely rare”, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, your child is more likely to be seriously injured by a vaccine-preventable disease such as…

Sliced fish mee sua soup Serves 2 Ingredients • 300g fish steak (bone-in) • 100g minced pork • Cooking oil • 5 to 6 slices old ginger • 4 cilantro (Chinese parsley) root stalks • 1 tbsp black peppercorns, smashed • 2 tbsp dried ikan bilis (in gauze bag) • 800ml to 1 litre water • 1 large tomato, sliced into 8 wedges • Mee sua for two, parboiled Marinade for pork • ½ tsp soy sauce • ½ tsp sesame oil • ¼ tsp pepper • ½ tsp corn flour Seasoning • ½ tsp salt • ½ tsp sugar • 1 tsp dried sole fish powder Garnish • Cilantro leaves • Fried shallots Method 1 Fillet the fish and keep the bones for stock. Cut the fillet into smaller pieces. Set aside. 2 Mix the marinade ingredients into the pork meat and set aside. 3 Parboil the fish…