Innholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2019 i Young Parents

Kids in Singapore have never had it so good. From incredible play spaces – both indoor and outdoor – to unusual sports and urban farms, there’s always a reason to head out for a day of exploration and discovery. This Active Kids Issue is your resource guide to amazing activities for little ones. Find out where to sign up for mixed martial marts and ice-skating classes, try surfing and go-karting, go on an educational staycay, and plant padi at a vegetable farm. And don’t worry that it’s just “play”. Children actually learn best when they play, plus all those gross motor activities and the fresh air are really good for their health. So, keep your phones, be fully present for your kids, and you’ll make memories to cherish for years…

Dr Vidya Ramasamy, Specialist in Paediatric Medicine & Consultant at Raffles Children Centre doesn’t recommend that children use these products regularly. “Washing with soap and water is effective enough,” she says. “Sanitisers and antibacterial washes may cause skin irritation and therefore should only be used when soap or water isn’t available.” In addition, being too clean may weaken your kids’ immune systems, as antibacterial washes and sanitisers also kill the good bacteria that keep the disease-causing ones at bay. So, don’t worry too much about your children falling sick from not using these products. “It’s normal for children to develop common viral infections anyway,” says Dr Ramasamy. “This is how they build their immunity.”…

Besides being physically beneficial, playing sports helps your kids mentally, emotionally, and socially, says Paul Kuck, a medical exercise specialist and fitness coach, and founder of Fitness Tutor. • Sports builds teamwork, fosters a sense of belonging and encourages bonding between friends. • It builds a sense of accomplishment and develops their self-reliance, self-esteem and self-respect. • It also promotes emotional wellbeing because it helps them express feelings like joy, disappointment, sadness and anger. • Sporting activities enhance their analytical and other intellectual skills. • It teaches them how to solve problems and overcome challenges. • Being active keeps them away from unhealthy habits. • It nurtures determination. • Sporty kids learn how to win with grace and lose with dignity. • It helps them understand the value of setting goals and achieving them. • Playing sports teaches them the…

GRAND COPTHORNE WATERFRONT HOTEL Having mindless fun – like frolicking in the pool with your kids – is pure bliss on a staycation. But what if the kiasu parent in you wants the brood to learn something, as well? The Live Like a Local programme by Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel couldn’t be more perfect. It’s a half-day guided walk around the nearby Tiong Bahru, one of Singapore’s oldest housing estate, and conducted by licensed tourist guides, no less. Held every Saturday morning till Nov 31 this year, the tour is free for hotel guests, including locals on a staycay. You even get $5 each to have breakfast at the popular Tiong Bahru Market. “Must we really go?” my kids protested in unison during our stay at the hotel. They would…

If your staycay is from June 15 to 30, take your kids to the Children’s Festival by Gardens by the Bay, a 10-minute drive from the hotel. This year, the annual carnival is themed around Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 4. In Star Adventurer, your kids can race in self-driving cars in order to recharge Buzz Lightyear. There’s also Bo Peep’s Adventure, a fun obstacle course for children to test their speed, agility and endurance. Look out for the first-ever Toy Story 4 themed marble run track in Singapore. Happening twice every hour, you can gaze up to two of the Supertrees and follow the 1.5m-wide marble as it weaves around the towering structures and travels along the track that spans approximately 150m. Admission is free. Visit www.fb.com/ GBBChildrensFest.…

They do. “While a mother may feel guilty when she is unable to take care of her sick children due to work, for example, a father may face more guilt if he cannot bring food to the table,” says Dr Karen Pooh from KKH. That said, young parents in Singapore are gradually breaking away from gender stereotypes. “With more fathers being involved in the care of their children, men may similarly suffer from father’s guilt as they juggle family and work commitments,” Dr Pooh says.…

Each child featured on this page wins a Kindermusik with Love hamper. Worth $75, it contains a pair of Kindermusik egg shakers, Kindermusik zig zag blocks, a hardcover Kindermusik book, sensory ball, CD and $20 voucher. Visit www.kindermusikwithlovestudios.com.sg to find out more about its programmes. 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…

Dr Chong Jin Ho, a specialist in Paediatric Medicine and consultant at Raffles Children Centre, tells you how to protect your kid from common infectious diseases at public play areas. WHAT TYPES OF BACTERIA OR VIRUSES CAN BE FOUND IN INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS? Typical ones include the viruses that cause Hand, Foot and Mouth disease, cold sores, the common cold, influenza, conjunctivitis, molluscum (poxvirus), and gastroenteritis (like Rotavirus). Indoor play areas may also harbour parasites that can cause pinworm infestation, lice and scabies. HOW ARE THESE TRANSFERRED FROM PERSON TO PERSON? Viruses or bacteria may spread through respiratory droplets (from coughing or sneezing) or direct contact (from shaking hands with or touching another person). If your child touches a surface that has, say, faecal matter containing these pathogens, and then puts…

If your staycay doesn’t coincide with the hotel’s Live Like a Local programme, it’s still worth taking your kids to hunt down all three heritage murals in Tiong Bahru. Each has a different theme, featuring Singapore life from the 1970s to the ’80s. There is a typical home during the black-and-white days (74 Tiong Poh Road), a street hawker scene (73 Eng Watt Street) and a bird-singing corner (71 Seng Poh Road). Point out the retro details painted by street artist Yip Yew Chong, such as the black-and-white TV programme and Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Jit Poh (which evolved into Lianhe Zaobao).…

For many mums, guilt, self-doubt and motherhood often go hand-in-hand. Mum guilt is a feeling of doubt, anxiety and unhappiness when a mother perceives that she has fallen short of expectations in being a “perfect” parent, says Dr Karen Pooh, psychologist at the Department of Psychological Medicine at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH). A sense of inadequacy is usually the catalyst, she adds. Most women, Dr Pooh shares, feel the pressure to be perfect and look effortless while they are at it. Many mothers choose to portray the highlights of their parenthood on media and social media, and they rarely share their struggles with others on these platforms, she adds. This paints the image that motherhood is easy, which is far from the truth. “They expect to be ‘natural’…

ANDIE CHEN, 33, actor He’s one of the most sought-after stars in showbiz, but actor Andie Chen is known for more than just his acting chops these days. The father-of-two is celebrated as a caring husband to wife, Kate Pang, and doting dad to their bundles of joy: Aden, aged four, and Avery, two. What’s the hardest thing about being a dad? “Well, I’m not a big fan of baby poop, but I think sleep is the one that gets me the most – just not getting enough rest. “I think it’s getting better now, but before my kids turned two; I think that period is just [shakes head and mimics explosion]. The lack of sleep is the main thing that’s stopping us from having a third baby “Just those…

While there is now greater awareness on dyslexia, a learning difficulty that affects skills involved in reading and spelling, not much is known about Irlen syndrome. This vision processing disorder often goes undetected. One of the reasons is that the person who has it may not be aware that there is anything visually wrong with what she is reading on the page, shares Irlen diagnostician Janet Shion. In addition, the screening for the condition is not included in standard educational or medical tests, she adds. Janet shares more on this condition. HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM DYSLEXIA? Unlike dyslexia, which is a language-based disorder, Irlen syndrome is a perception processing disorder, which relates to how the brain processes visual information. Thus, phonics-based instructions will not help someone with Irlen syndrome…

What’s as memorable as a family staycation at the iconic Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore? A travel-sized Monopoly board game that you can take home afterwards and play with your little ones. This version includes tokens of the hotel’s lion and crown emblem, a suitcase, and a Formula One racing car, while properties include the National Gallery and Gardens by the Bay. Get it free when you book its Game Night package (turn to page 32 for our staycation review). Bespoke Monopoly Game by The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, $68, from the hotel’s gift shop, its Colony Bakery, or www.colonybakery.oddle.me.…

Make sure they are adequately hydrated It’s important for your children to be well hydrated, especially if they spend a lot of time in the sun. Dehydration is common among kids because most children don’t recognise the early signs of thirst and don’t drink enough water to begin with, says Pooja Vig, a certified functional medicine nutritionist at The Nutrition Clinic. Even slight dehydration can make them irritable, prone to fatigue, headaches and dry skin, as well as poor concentration and mental performance. “Water is essential for most physiological processes and also to rid the body of waste,” says Pooja. “Remind your kids to sip on water regularly throughout the day, more often if they’re outdoors in the sun. “Kids aged four to eight years need 1 to 1.5 litres…

PREVENT INJURIES Warming up before any physical activity boosts blood circulation, loosens the joints and raises body temperature, which will help reduce the risk of muscle and tendon injury, says Joan Liew, a fitness trainer at The Fitness Factory. Get your kid to do about 10 to 15 minutes of light jogging, stretching or other gentle exercises. Stretching after a game or physical activity will ease muscle soreness and tightness, help with local blood flow and keep the muscles flexible and supple, Joan adds. BUILD CORE STRENGTH If your child’s muscles are still weak or inflexible, core exercises can help with strengthening and stretching them, says Paul Kuck, a medical exercise specialist and fitness coach, and founder of Fitness Tutor. “The core muscles comprise the abdominal and back muscles. Planking…

If you don’t have time to take the kids to a farm, try these activities suggested by the curriculum specialists from Star Learners childcare group. GO ON A TREASURE HUNT to evoke your child’s sensory engagement. For instance, ask your kid: “Can you find something yellow? How about something that is rough, or smooth? What gives off a pleasant smell?” TAKE A LISTENING WALK What sounds can you hear? Invite your child to illustrate what he hears. You can also support this activity with the book, The Listening Walk by Paul Showers, to provide context. CREATE A NEIGHBOURHOOD MAP Guide your child in observing his surroundings. Walk through the same path daily and guide him in observing the finer details. For instance, you could say: “I saw this tree yesterday,…

During your staycay, make sure to visit nearby museums for educational fun. NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE hosts its second annual Gallery Children’s Biennale 2019: Embracing Wonder (until Dec 29), which features 11 interactive artworks. ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM Immerse yourselves in Wonderland, which is billed as a unique exhibition that follows Alice in Wonderland’s journey through popular culture (until Sept 22). NATIONAL MUSEUM The annual Children’s Season event in June is a month-long line-up of fabulous, kid-friendly activities. There’s so much to do around the Civic District and Marina Bay area that you’ll be spolit for choice, but if you run out of ideas, just approach the concierge desk for recommendations.…

Dr Karen Pooh from KKH puts motherhood guilt into perspective. INSTAGRAM DOESN'T REPRESENT REALITY Remind yourself not to fall victim to others' highlight reels. BE KIND TO YOURSELF Self-care is not selfish; it is important to give yourself permission to rest. You will not be able to care for your loved ones if you pass out from exhaustion, Dr Pooh says. Practise self-compassion by taking time out to exercise, allowing trusted people to help out and forgiving yourself if you make mistakes. SOME SITUATIONS ARE NOT WITHIN YOUR CONTROL Remember you are not alone in your experiences. Address unhelpful beliefs – it is not possible for anyone to prevent negative event, like miscarriage and illness, and it is not your fault, she adds. WATCH FOR THE RED FLAGS Low mood,…

A baby turns your life upside down, so keep calm and follow these tips from British child psychologist Dr Richard C. Woolfson. GET INVOLVED You’re no different from every other new father, perhaps unsure of yourself and slightly intimidated by fatherhood. Embrace this new chapter in your life with confidence. SUPPORT YOUR WIFE You’re not the only one who is stressed, tired and anxious about managing the little one – your wife is just as strained, even if she keeps her feelings to herself. Be ready to support her with practical help and listen when she wants to share her worries with you (she may be looking for support rather than a solution). IT'S NO LONGER ABOUT YOU Your new baby is the centre of attention because she is dependent…

You may notice the following signs, says Irlen diagnostician Janet Shion: • sensitivity to fluorescent lighting and bright white background • inability to track lines and words especially on white background • inability to focus when reading printed text on white paper or working on a computer • perceiving words, numbers and lines to blur, move or even fade away • perceiving flashes or flickers of light on page • perceiving white spaces between words or numbers as being dominant • difficulty reading information from tables, charts, graphs or music notes. • inability to sustain reading, resulting in frequent headache. WHERE TO SEEK HELP? Visit www.irlen.com/ get-tested to perform a self-test. You can approach Singapore Irlen Dyslexia Clinic for Irlen syndrome screening once the self-test establishes that you may be affected by the condition.…