Innholdsfortegnelse for March - April 2019 i Young Parents

Is my child normal? That’s a questions you’ll find yourself asking again and again as your little one grows. While comparisons are inevitable among parents, the pervasiveness of social media can sometimes warp your sense of perspective. Recently, a mummy told me that some of her friends panicked when they compared their tots to a local influencer’s kid. I’ve watched the boy’s videos and he’s obviously ahead of the curve developmentally, so I feel for those mums. That’s why in our Growing Up Issue, we asked the experts to guide you on the development milestones to look out for at each age (page 14) – and the red flags – as well as speech and language concerns (page 26). Remember that these are guidelines, and that kids develop at different…

We melted at the sight of this popsicle-shaped magnetic board for kids, which is made in South Korea. Available in four sherbet colours, it’s a delightful addition to any kids’ room, and a fun outlet for their creative energy, too. Momsboard magnetic board, $195 (single) or $249 (double), from www.toppingskids.com . Comes with magnetic accessories worth $59, including a penholder, words, clock, number and erasers. SHOPPING Don’t worry, be hoppy SHOPPING Fresh kicks…

LIFE INSURANCE Some parents feel that life insurance is unnecessary for kids since they do not have any income that needs replacing. But Daniel Lum of Aviva says that you can consider buying life insurance as a gift for your child when he is young and more insurable. At the same time, life insurance premiums increase with age, so your kid will reap the benefits of lower premiums in the long run. PLANS FOR SPECIFIC CHILDREN’S DISEASES These offer coverage against specific diseases, but they operate differently in that they typically pay out a lump sum upon diagnosis of those diseases. Some may even include reimbursement for hospitalisation expenses for the specific diseases, but the amount of cover is usually limited. These plans may be a good supplement, but they…

Early signs of autism can be detected from the age of one year by trained doctors and nurses, says Dr Wong Chui Mae, senior consultant at the Department of Child Development at KKH. CLASSIC EARLY WARNING SIGNS INCLUDE: • Poor eye contact or no response to name at any age. • By 12 months old: No babbling or cooing. No use of social gestures such as pointing, showing or waving. • By 18 months old: No single words. No shared enjoyment. No interest in other kids. • Any regression in language, words or social skills. • Unusual interests or responses, such as such as repeatedly opening, closing, spinning things, odd interests in drain holes or escalators. Kids with suspected autism will usually need to undergo a full developmental screening with a child development specialist, Dr…

ACADEMIE OF STARS  Its programme aims to give DSA preparatory students a portfolio of performing arts and audition experiences through active casting opportunities. They will also achieve relevant certifications from international examination boards for their skills. Classes run for 20 weeks per semester and cost $900 per month Visit www.academieofstars.com GIFTED & TALENTED EDUCATION  Its one-week DSA Expresso programme helps groom the subject talent in your Primary 5 or 6 child to facilitate his DSA application via the subject route. Costing $600, it covers English, maths and the DSA interview. Visit www.gifted-school.com J CARTER CENTRE  It focuses only on preparing Primary 5 and 6 students for DSA to Secondary 1 in an IP or SIS school. It offers a six-day or 12-day Accelerated DSA Preparation Course. Both cost $998 each.…

Assessment books can be helpful but you should select them carefully, says Gloria Goh of Mindchamps. “First, find out more about the syllabus and curriculum by attending related talks at school. Then, enquire about your child’s academic progress during parent-teacher conferences. “Helping your child with homework will also allow you to familiarise yourself with the material so that you can pick the right assessment books. “Remember, however, that your child should be working on quality questions and quality solutions, and not be focused on quantity.” Ask which areas he needs to focus on. For instance, does he need to work more on his English comprehension or composition? “Past-year exam papers are also excellent practice resources,” adds Christine Tang of Mindchamps. “The papers have gone through the schoolteachers’ vetting, are usually…

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.…

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…

Learning disabilities are intellectual disabilities – that is, they are linked to an overall cognitive impairment. People with learning disabilities have difficulty with everyday activities; they also tend to have an IQ of lower than 70. Learning disabilities can be mild, moderate, severe or profound. Learning difficulties are conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia, and kids with these conditions may have normal intellectual development or capabilities. There is no medicine or medical treatment to treat or improve learning difficulties.…

Jona Esquivel, senior speech-language pathologist at Headstart for Life, sees many children with speech or language delays that have limited or no verbal output. Sometimes, they come with pre-existing neurological conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Dyspraxia/ Apraxia, Global Developmental Delay or certain syndromes. Here, she lists common speech disorders in kids that you can look out for: • Difficulty in understanding instructions and answering simple questions. • An inability to verbally express their needs and wants. • Throwing tantrums when their wants are not immediately met. • The use of gestures – for example, they may gesture at an item and pull their hand away from it since they cannot verbally express what they want. • Independence – kids with speech or language disorders would rather do things themselves than ask an adult for…

Your kid can’t walk past the store without whining for another new toy. When you try to take the iPad away, he throws a fit. And, oh dear, did you just hear him mutter the “F” word?! You thought those days of toddler tantrums were over, only to find yourself dealing with bigger, badder behaviour. What happened along the way? Most behavioural patterns are shaped in the first seven years of a child’s life, explains Alfred Tan, chief executive officer of the Singapore Children’s Society. “Research has shown that the brain is malleable. It is never too late to teach a child to make changes in his behaviour and way of thinking.” “If your child is behaving badly, it could be due to gaps or shortcomings during this period of…

Since the Ministry of Education stopped releasing the names of top PSLE scorers, no one is sure which are the best primary schools here based on academic performance. But that hasn’t stopped some websites from getting creative with their own rankings. For instance, some are ranked according to the awards received. Other lists are compiled based on number of vacancies leftover during the registration phases. As a preschool educator, Phyllis Ramasamy has had the chance to see how lessons are conducted in various primary schools. She feels that while every school has its “pros and cons”, better schools generally have practices in place that positively impact the child’s learning. “The activities in these (brand-name) schools would be of higher intellectual ability and they are selective about their teachers hired, too,”…

FAILS A PAPER “It’s important to emphasise that failing one exam is just that. And just because he failed, it doesn’t mean he’s a failure. “Remind him that the mark of success is the ability to learn from the failure and do better at the next opportunity,” says Dr Lim Boon Leng of Dr BL Lim Centre For Psychological Wellness. DOES MUCH WORSE THAN YOU KNOW HE CAN DO Emphasise effort over results, Dr Lim says. That way, you can praise your child for putting in the effort regardless of the result. The next step is to discuss why and where he did poorly, and to discuss how he can improve. If he didn’t put in much effort, it’s okay to voice your disappointment, but tell him that you expect…

According to Dr Low Kah Tzay, a paediatrician at Pediatric Doctor by Anson International Paediatric & Child Development Clinic, child development is divided into four aspects: GROSS MOVEMENT such as walking, jumping and running. FINE MOVEMENT such as holding a spoon or a pen and handling buttons and zips. LANGUAGE Being able to say words or form sentences. SOCIAL Knowing how to interact and socially adapt, knowing when to be silent, and being able to pay attention, take turns and share. “Global development is when there’s a delay in all these four areas,” Dr Low says. “It signifies a serious medical condition and should be assessed to work out whether it is static or progressive.” Treatment may include dealing with any underlying medical conditions, speech therapy for language, physiotherapy for…

ADHD comprises inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity, although not all the time. 3-6 YEARS OLD Symptoms can appear during the preschool years and even continue into adulthood. The stereotype of children with ADHD is that they are always moving, impulsive and hyperactive, but some don’t have such symptoms – they’re only inattentive. ADHD appears to be more commonly diagnosed in boys than girls. YEARS OLD The average age a child is diagnosed with ADHD. Kids aged five to seven are hard to diagnose as they’re more impulsive and distractible. Symptoms of ADHD can be mistaken for emotional or disciplinary problems or missed entirely in quiet, well-behaved children, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Kids with ADHD don’t always lack focus. They might focus so hard and so long on a video…

Margaret Shaikh had always known that her younger son was different from other kids. While his peers were learning their ABCs at age three, Manoah had already figured out how to read most words in the newspaper fluently. Now aged 10, he also has an exceptional memory and learns fast. But along with those signs of giftedness came the terrible temper tantrums and meltdowns. As a baby, Manoah cried inconsolably every day. When he entered his toddler and preschool years, the uncontrollable meltdowns turned violent. The biting, hitting, head banging and rages left his parents physically and emotionally drained – and at the receiving end of unkind comments and judging stares from people around them. “Children with ASD can learn… but they see the world differently and learn in more…

If your kid is a champion runner and skilled in art, you can apply for both talent areas in the DSA programme. He can choose up to three schools and three talent areas in his DSA-Sec application. Here’s how it works: SCENARIO 1 Your kid applies to three schools with the same talent area. SCENARIO 2 Your kid applies to two schools with two talent areas. SCENARIO 3 Your kid applies to one school with two talent areas. If your child only wishes to apply to one school, he can apply to two talent areas from that school and leave the third choice blank.…

“UPSTAIRS BRAIN” TANTRUM is one in which the child makes a conscious choice to act up,” according to Dawn Lim, curriculum advisor at Star Learners childcare group. Such tantrums call for firm boundaries, outlining appropriate and inappropriate behaviour. For example, when your kid is rude, calmly reply him: “I don’t like the way you are speaking to me. If you continue saying such hurtful words, I will need to cancel your play date.” Then, follow through with the consequences. By clearly defining healthy boundaries, he learns the consequences of inappropriate behaviour, and to control his impulses and practise respectful communication, Dawn adds. “DOWNSTAIRS BRAIN” TANTRUM is one where your kid is so upset that he is incapable of logic and reason. In such cases, first calm him in a nurturing…

A warm welcome Worried that Junior will accidently scald himself with hot water when he’s showering? Give yourself peace of mind with Ariston’s instant water heaters, which come with constant temperature technology and an anti-scalding feature. And they’re energy saving – PSB-certified, no less – so you’ll shave 16.4 per cent or more off your electricity bill. Some models, such as the RT33 (pictured, $329 before installation) and ST33 ($299), even come with user-friendly touchscreen panels and can save up to three temperature preferences.Visit www.ariston.com/sg. BUILD & ROLE-PLAY Has your family watched The Lego Movie 2? Now reimagine iconic scenes from the film with the themed building sets from Lego. Our favourite has to be the epic 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg set, where characters including Emmet and Lucy can hang…