Singapore’s
AUGUST 2015
passes to universal studios singaporeÂŽ!
Splurge or Save? Throw a big party on a small budget
Lest We Forget Making history lesson memorable for children
Y o u r L i f e s t yl e & P r a c t i c a l F a m i ly R e s o u r c e
Your trusted choice for clean drinking water
KIDS / trending
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/ on the cover model Kadyn Shen Art Direction Aris Lai & Geraldine Tan Photography Justin Loh Stylist Sharon Tan Makeup & Hairstyling Huimin Ng/PaletteInc
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Outfit Cavalier Kids & kookies and milk
Historic Images of Singapore
Shoes Dr. Martens
/ SG50 special Go down memory lane with 21these shots of our little red dot
Accordion The Children’s Showcase Location Boufé Boutique Café
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/ kids 14
Historic Images of Singapore
Go down memory lane with these shots of our little red dot
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History Is Boring… Not
trending
Who says history needs to be boring? Find Is outBoring… how to jazz History Notit up Who says history needs to be boring? Find out how to jazz it up
See what’s hot in the world of kids’ fashion
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sound familiar, mums?
Advice
Distinct traits that Singaporean 24
Find out more about eczema
mums canMums relate to 5 Things Local Can Relate To
/ learn 16
Distinct traits that make us uniquely Singaporean
We’ve Only Just Begun
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Things to consider when choosing a pre-school for the little ones
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/ health 58
Ways to make math fun for you and the kids
Teach your kids to take good care of their teeth
Smile For Life
Make Boring Math Fun
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Think Out Of The Box
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Let your children’s creative juices flow by encouraging curiosity
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The Child Who Gets Left Behind 2 JUNe 2015
What you can do if your child feels left out from his circle of friends
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So Long, Scar!
Ways to improve the appearance of your child’s scar
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Itching For A Cure?
Skin remedies to soothe sensitive skin
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/ party issue 26
The Playdate Party Kids!
Party picks to make your child look their best in any celebration
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Let’s Celebrate!
10 tips that will guarantee your celebration is remembered for all the right reasons
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Who To Call
Our directory on who to call for all your party needs
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Thumbs Up Party Planning
Plan the ultimate party, as advised by our experts
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Parties In Pinch
Budget parties can also be fun – here’s why
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Serve With Love
Wow your guests with these party-worthy serving cutleries
/ you 66
Trending
Household products that promise to make party clean-up a piece of cake
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Recommendations on getting a water dispenser for your home
Taking Care Of Yourself
Here’s how to be a happier parent
/ beauty 69
Right Now Reds
Celebrate SG50 with our favourite reds
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Sugar Rush
Dessert-themed nail art you should totally try out
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Code Red
Here’s how to incorporate red into your makeup looks
/ subscribe
50
Refer to page 77 for more details
/ promo Turn to page 61 to win tickets to Universal Studios Singapore®
/ in every issue 4 6
our Experts From the Team
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Feast Reviews Stockists Events Inspire
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win!
3 JUNe 2015
Advice
/ health 64
FE ST! 2015
singapore’s child fun fest 2015
Held on 4 and 5 July at OneKM Mall, Singapore’s Child Fun Fest 2015 began and ended on a high!
Just like previous years, the main highlight of the two-day event was the crowning of our Singapore’s Child Superstar! Dressed just like real-life superstars in retro outfits, the top 19 contestants of Singapore’s Child Superstar graced the runway with beaming confidence, while striking their best poses flawlessly. Other fringe activities included the musical performance by Magic Fiddler, I CAN READ® Page to Stage competitions, free hairstyling sessions at ZEN Beauty, and captivating Taekwondo performances by Taekwondonomics. Plus, everyone who purchased our July issue onsite received a complimentary goodie bag worth more than $50! The best part was when our top finalists from last year’s Singapore’s Child Superstar opened the show by walking the runway. All in all, we had a blast and we hope to see you again next year!
A big thank you to all sponsors for making this event a great
success!
Organiser & Official Magazine
Sponsor
Venue Sponsor
In Celebration With
Magic Fiddler entertaining the crowd
1, 2, 3...Say cheese!
Taekwondonomics showing off their moves
The children were thrilled by all the performances
Supporting Partners
Historic Images
of Singapore
credit www.thesmartlocal.com
Have you ever wondered how Singapore has changed over the years? Take a look at the photos below and see if you can recognise any of these.
21 august 2015
Before Singapore celebrates her 50th birthday this August, let’s take a trip back to our yester-years. Back to the days when people were using brick phones and there weren’t even any MRTs around for us to fuss about. It’s really quite amazing how far Singapore has come in such a short period of time. We’re one of the youngest cities in the world, yet we’re already making our presence known on the world stage. As we take a trip down memory lane together, you may find it hard to believe how much Singapore has achieved before even turning 50 years old!
history is
boring... not Here are some tips to making historylearning fun for your children! By Felicia Tan
I
I don’t know about you but history wasn’t exactly my favourite subject to study for back in my schooling days. And even in retrospect, I still shudder at the thought of the chunk-fulls of dry and hard facts that I had to memorise for my exams. Indeed, history may be a tedious subject to learn, well that is, unless you have a passion for it. However, having your children know about their roots and origins is absolutely necessary; for if they do not know where they come from, where can they go to? And that’s why the SC team had racked our brains long and hard to bring you a few tips to taking that first step into your children’s heritage discovery journey.
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Everyone loves a good story and your children are certainly no exception! While you might not have mighty adventures fighting dragons in the Wicked West, I am sure you have plenty of warmhearted tales about your family history that you could share with them. And to up the story-telling game, try dressing your children in a reporter’s suit and have them interview you or even your parents; their grandparents. Psst... We hear that the pioneers of our country have more stories in their pockets than the money in ours. (True story!)
22 august 2015
In fact, there are tons of age-appropriate literatures regarding our nation’s heritage for your young ones. SC recommends PlayTime with Ye Ye, which narrates a story of a grandfather sharing the history of Singapore with his grandson. With its light-hearted nuance and rhythmic prose, we reckon that it would definitely be a good addition to your child’s bookshelf!
The Playdate Party Kids! Fashion Inspiration Little kids are sweet as sweets; for everyone, they indeed are a treat. Here’s how you can make them look their very best, from trendy fashionable outfit to the most comfy yet chic.
26 JUNe 2015
Photography Justin Loh Art Direction Aris Lai & Geraldine Tan Stylist Sharon Tan assisted by Naomi Tham Hair & Makeup Huimin Ng / PaletteInc assisted by Phoebe Models Laura, Adela & Kadyn Shen Location Boufé Boutique Cafe
(From left to right) On Laura: Patterned jumpsuit, $85, BANGBANG Copenhagen (available at Gnome & Post); Ballet flats, model’s own On Adela: Dress with rocker hands, $120, Cavalier Vault (available at Gnome & Post); Red sneakers, $45.90, Converse On Kadyn: ‘Fine’ polkadot t-shirt, $35, kookies and milk (available at Monday’s Off); Black jogger pants, $39, kookies and milk available at Monday’s Off); Black boots, $119, Dr. Martens; Ladybug backpack, $55, The Children’s Showcase; Beanie, stylist’s own
27 JUNe 2015
let’s celebrate! Got big party plans? Before you go on a buying frenzy, consider our top 10 birthday party tips that will guarantee your celebration is remembered for all the right reasons. By Shaistah Munawar
36 august 2015
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etting ready to throw a party? Nerves wrecked from all the preparation stress? If that is the case, you are not alone. Venturing into the world of party planning can be quite daunting. What should you prepare? Should it be a sit-down affair or a buffet mixer? What kind of snacks should you serve? What should be in the goodie bags? Never fear! With a little forethought and preparation, you will wow your guests!
Theme When it comes to parties – be it for kids or adults – it is important to choose a theme. Setting a theme for a party makes it easier to plan the outfits, colours, décor, food, and sometimes even venue.
Venue This is the most important part of the party. Pick a place near to where the majority of the guests stay. After all, the perfect party is one that demands little travel. This way, they won’t have to travel a long distance. Another important key factor is time! Groups of friends and relatives are filled with conflicting schedules, so try to pick a day that is good for most of them. Usually Saturdays are the best day to have a party.
Invites In this day and age of social media and digital communication, physical hard copy invites are so out of fashion. Save up money by sending out Facebook invites and/or soft copy invites via WhatsApp! This way, it makes it easy for guests to RSVP to you, and you save on printing cost, too.
Decoration ideas for your child’s party
Pick these simple ideas to add a festive flair.
Planning a party requires funds. If you only want to spend $300 on the party, stick to that with no exceptions. Plan around your budget to ensure you don’t spend extra.
Food “For a kid’s party, I would recommend baked pasta, finger sandwiches (egg mayo, ham & cheese), fried chicken wings, mini-burgers, and cookies,” shares Chef Pang from Antoinette.
Balloon Blowout Create a grand gesture with the most basic balloons. Choose one colour or several shades, blow up balloons, and attach to wall with double-sided tape.
Make A Piñata Stuffed with candy and treats, the piñata is meant to be smashed apart, spilling its contents into the hands of the children clustered around it at parties.
Décor Once you've chosen a theme, use a little creativity to set the scene. Get all the props you need from stores including Daiso, Dreams & Confetti, and Spotlight.
Dessert As advised by Chef Pang, choosing a selection of multiple desserts with different flavour profiles to cater to different palates is a good idea. “Chocolate- and strawberrybased desserts are always popular. If you have to narrow down your selection and for children’s parties, choose desserts that are bright and colourful. Kids love that,” he adds.
Entertainment Throw in games, ice-breakers, dancing, competition, music and even performances to make your party one heck of a celebration. Our favourite games include charades, and the-never-get-old musical chairs (just because they work for all ages!).
Activities
Guest List Floral Pom-Poms Dahlia-like bursts of colour hanging from the ceiling add charm to any party. Try making tissue paper pom-poms in the size and colour of your choice.
The ladies from Dreams & Confetti suggest not planning way too many activities or having a party that is too long. The reason? People, especially kids, can get really cranky, over-tired and sometimes bored. “Baking workshops such as bake and decorate cupcakes, cookies or marshmallow pops are great fun, and they get a delicious treat to bring home at the end of it. Setting up an art and craft station is also an easy way to keep the kids entertained,” they add.
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It is important to ascertain the number of guests to ensure that there is enough food to go around. Always find out ahead of time if any of the guests have dietary restrictions and the profile of the guests, such as if they are mostly children or adults, girls or boys. And if they have any favourite snacks you can include.
Budget
thumbs up
party planning what does it take to host a birthday party your child will remember for years to come? Let these experts help you out. By Shaistah Munawar
Planning a party is no easy feat, and when it comes to kids’ parties, the pressure is so much more. Why? Because our little princes and princesses always have a million and one requests for their celebration. With August being a month of celebration for SG50, we’ve asked these party people to share with us what goes into party planning and their idea of the perfect party.
For any celebration, there should be a centrepiece cake! - Chef Pang
42 august 2015
Pang Kok Keong Chef & Owner of Antoinette www.antoinette.com.sg Father of three
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f you were to ask Chef Pang what his idea of a perfect party is, this will be his answer: “For me, the perfect party must have a big spread of sweets! The sweets table usually attracts a lot of attention and sets the mood for the party. It should be made up of a good mix of small and big desserts. For any celebration, there should be a centrepiece cake!” And we can’t deny it. The main highlight of a party is its dessert, and no one knows dessert as well as Chef Pang. When asked about the range of desserts any party should have, the sweet tooth said, “The must-have desserts at a party are dark chocolate and strawberry-based desserts or cakes, cupcakes (if there are kids), macaroons, and desserts on sticks are always popular for both kids and adults.”
summer party loves
zest up your party with fruity twists.
The
life of a party is food. What are your top tips for parents who are planning parties for their children? Always remember that the focus should be on the child. Birthdays are once a year, so feel free to indulge them. Choose themes and food that they love and enjoy. Plan the parties with activities, such as having balloon sculptures, magicians, and group activities, such as cookie and cupcake decorating. Do ensure that the venue is large enough for the kids to run around freely.
Which of your cakes do you feel make the best birthday cake and why?
I’ve attended a party recently where it was like a carnival! There were lots of different activity stations for kids, including a bouncy castle and an inflatable wading pool. There was also a balloon sculpturer, storyteller and a magician. The carnival spread saw the dessert table filled with thematic cupcakes, cake pops, colourful cookies, and even popcorn and candyfloss machines. The kids had a ball! It made me want to be a kid again!
what are the latest trends for cakes? Lemon Meringue
Summer
For Antoinette, we find that we get a very wide variety of requests, very much based on personal preferences, and occasions. There isn’t a clear trend per se by customers. However, we create a new line of cake collection each year, based on what inspires me. One thing for sure is that fondant-covered cakes remain very popular for birthday cakes over the years.
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I feel the strawberry shortcake makes the best birthday cake, from the point view that it is the flavour profile best able to please all palates, both young and old. In my collection, we have at least 12 flavours at any one time, to be able to cater to different preferences.
Orangette
Tell us about the best party you’ve ever attended.
The Child Who Gets
left behind
It’s an awful thing to go through but, at some point or another, most kids go through the phase of being left out by their friends during playtime. Here’s how to deal with it. By Shaistah Munawar
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ummy, they don’t want to play with me!” shrieks my four-yearold nephew at the playground. When we asked the group of children playing football if he could play with them, the answer was a straight “No!” – simply because they just did not want to include him in. My poor little nephew was brought to tears as the feeling of being rejected was too hard for him to handle. We often give less attention to such issues because we’d think that it could just be a one-off situation. Even so, you’d still need to address it with your child to prevent negative thoughts from brewing in their mind.
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According to James Lehman, child behavioural therapist, the need to be part of a group for children is instinctual; it’s survival. “They want to fit in and be like everyone else because it gives them a sense of safety and security. So, when your child tells you they don’t fit in, they’re also saying, “I don’t feel safe,”” he explains.
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Kids who struggle When your children are getting picked on for not being good enough to join a certain clique or group of friends, do know that it’s excruciatingly painful for them. A mother whom we spoke with shares her daughter’s experience, where she felt hurt for not being invited to her classmate’s birthday party. “My daughter was taken aback when she realised that she was one of the few not invited for her classmate’s birthday party. It was worse when children in class started asking each other if they received the invitation. It took me a long time to make my girl understand that not being invited is no big deal – I mean we adults don’t get invited for every wedding and party too, so what’s there to be sad?” expressed Eileen. That’s the thing though – it is a big deal for them. “Children do not have the ability to ‘let it go’ on issues like these as compared to us adults. This is why some of my clients react and complain to the school or other parents immediately when their child is left out,” shares Nisa, a freelance family counsellor.
Dealing with it Here’s the real deal. “As parents, we need to understand that there is nothing you can do to make your child’s hurt go away instantaneously, so stop looking for the magic answer,” says Lehman. Instead, work around the situation to best deal with your child’s feelings. • Don’t overreact When your child is left out on purpose by others, you feel powerless as a parent. It frightens you, it makes you angry, but really, it’s a sense of powerlessness that you’re experiencing. You do everything you can to protect yourself in life, but when your child goes to school and gets hurt, you’re vulnerable too. “Many parents lose their objectivity when their child tells them they’re being excluded, picked on or bullied. The technique for the parent here is to go take five minutes and calm down, talk it through with others if you can, work it out, and most importantly, don’t overreact in front of your child,” advises Lehman.
• Use your own experience as an example We’re pretty sure you would have had a past experience where you must’ve felt the same way as your kid. Take this time to bring out that story of when you were left out by your peers. By sharing similar experiences, it gives your child the boost that he or she isn’t the only one who is facing this. Oh yes, share with your child how you got over it too. • Teach them to be strong Another skill to teach children is to read social situations, suggests Lehman. “For example, if there’s a group of children that doesn’t like your child or picks on them, your child needs to learn how to stay away from them and find others whom they get along with. Maybe they can take initiative to befriend other peers who are shy or having a hard time.” Parents need to be creative to think of ways on how they can teach their kids how to read expressions and pick up on social cues. • Find one friend first It’s a lot easier to start a relationship with one person than trying to fit into the group or clique, says Lehman. When you talk to your child, tell them to approach one child at a time. You can say, “How about if you start with trying to find one friend first? Is there anyone at school whom you might like to hang out with?” Suggest people they might not have considered as play buddy before; like the one who sits next to them or on the other side. Being excluded is part and parcel of life and may cause unhappiness. This is why we need to nurture our kids to be strong individuals with healthy selfesteem and not feel less worthy when left out with by seemingly “cooler” and more popular peers. Teach your kids the beauty of having a few close friends who like them for who they are and your child will never feel left out again.
57 august 2015
• Let your child talk it out When a child tries to talk to his or her parents about not fitting in, parents may unwittingly become less
warm or receptive. Or they may attempt to minimise the problem, and make it seem like it’s not that big of a deal. Nisa explains, “When parents react in this manner, you may be telling your child indirectly that you are not interested in talking about it.” She adds, “Let your child talk it out and don’t try to make the problem seem like it’s not important, because in the child’s life, it’s huge.”
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The perfect classic red with a cool undertone, Ruby Woo should be a staple in your makeup stash.
YOU / beauty
1. Ruby Woo Retro Matte Lipstick ($29, MAC stores)
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2. NARS Exhibit A Blush ($50, TANGS)
Do not be fooled by how it looks in the pan! This blush injects a beautiful flush of colour to your complexion without making you look like a clown, we promise. 3. Burberry Nail Polish in Bright Coral Red ($30, TANGS)
This glossy red hue, with nourishing and highly-pigmented formula, is imbued with coral undertones for a sexy twist. 4. AMC Eyeliner Gel in 79 ($25, Inglot Singapore)
Creamy and pigmented, this smudge- and crease-proof gel works great as an eyeshadow base. Plus, it creates standout cat eyes!
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5. Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Vernis A Levres Pop Water in 202 Rouge Splash ($49, TANGS)
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This lip colour has long-wearing qualities of a stain, the shine of a lip gloss, and the hydration of a balm – what’s not to love?
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6. Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Liner in Bloody Angel ($18.90, Watsons)
We love how easy the formula glides onto the lids without any tugging, for a smouldering look. 7. Illamasqua Powder Eyeshadow in Daemon (USD$20, Illasmasqua)
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This powder makes it easy to rock the red trend without looking sore. 8. Benetint ($51, Sephora)
A cult classic, this rose-tinted cheek and lip stain gives you a gorgeous flush that is kiss-proof and smudge-proof.
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right now reds Celebrate the nation’s birthday by dolling yourself with our current favourite reds.
code red
If used correctly, red makes great looks for day and night wear. Find out how you can incorporate this sexy hue into your looks! By Shaistah Munawar
F
rom the Suffragettes and Marilyn Monroe to Rita Ora and Rihanna, red lipstick has been used by women for decades as a means of attracting attention. And now, it has been revealed that wearing rouge really does make women feel more confident. In psychological terms, red is associated with warmth, positive energy, and motivation. Studies also find that red is the colour that excites our emotions, as well as triggers feelings of strength, and ambition. Not only is it a huge confidence booster, but studies confirm that red lipstick is officially the sexiest colour. What’s more, red has also been used not just on the lips but also on the eyes, as seen on the runway and spring trends. You know it’s a big deal when a beauty trend from the fall runways starts to show up on celebrities in the spring. But that’s the beauty of beauty, you don’t have to wait until the trends become available to you next season; you can get the look any time.
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Who says that quick and easy makeup meant no colours? We know what you’re thinking: “Red on the eyes? I’m gonna look like I’m having sore eyes!”Relax, you won’t. The trick here is to use red correctly. Try using red on your eyelids or simply use it on your lips. For the eyeshadow look, we’re not suggesting for you to sweep red eyeshadow on your entire lid. Try using it on the outer corners only and blend away. To rock a bold red lip look, pair it up with a classic smokey eye. As long as you’re able to balance it out, you’re ready to roll!
AUGUST 2015 ISSUE 165
Dress up in your favourite red and white attire and present your copy of
Animal Planet
Best Toys
Did You Know?
PS‌ My Pals and Secrets Issue 4 at Plaza Singapura to redeem gifts.
Refer to page 16 for details.
AUGUST 2015
Publisher Foo Mei Siah Associate Publisher Kelen Koh Operations Manager Emmeline Lee EDITORIAL Deputy Editor Raja Jumira Writer Shaistah Munawar Contributors Alexander Van Herk, Felicia Tan, Juliette Lim, Scott Poh ART Creative Director Aris Lai Senior Designer Geraldine Tan Designer Chan Fei Ching ADVERTISING & MARKETING Associate Business Director Esmond Seah
Contents 2
Best Toys
3
Book Nook
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ONLINE & DIGITAL Deputy Manager Arissa Ha Senior Writer Venetia Sng Writer Chew Hui Ling For editorial matters, sc-ed@key-editions.com For advertising & marketing enquiries, enquiry@key-editions.com For subscription, subscription@key-editions.com Published by Key Editions Pte Ltd 20 Bedok South Road, Singapore 469277 Tel: 6445 3313 Fax: 6445 3373 Email: info@key-editions.com Business Registration No. 200005022G All materials printed within Singapore’s Child are Copyright 2007 © and protected under the Copyright Act. All rights reserved 2007.
MCI (P) 125/01/2015 Colour Separation & Printer: KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968 Tel: 6543 2222 Fax: 6545 3333 Distribution: Pansing Distribution Pte Ltd No portion of this publication may be reproduced in part or in whole by any means without the express and prior written permission of the Publisher and Copyright holder. Singapore’s Child will not be held responsible for any infringements of Copyright material in ar ticles submitted by contributors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of material for this publication, the Publisher is not liable in any way for errors, inaccuracies or omissions arising thereof and contained in the contents of the articles, advertisements, photographs or illustrations. All information published is correct at the time of printing. The views and opinions expressed in Singapore’s Child by writers and contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or the Publisher.
www.keyeditions.com
Our favourite reads this month!
Movie Pick
Find out everything you want to know about Disney/Pixar’s latest film, Inside Out.
So Weird
We’ve pulled out a bunch of interesting idioms and the meanings behind them.
10
Cool Stuff
12
DIY
14
SG50 Special
16
Fun Guide
Business Manager Porter Christopher Andre Executive (Marketing) Lim Chin Yee, Marshall Ang
The best toys available in the market.
18
Dogs are more than a man’s best friend – here’s why.
Get ready these household items for some fun experiments!
Discover how some of these roads got their names.
Things to look forward to in August.
History Makers
Understand how these prominent figures made a mark in history.
20
Animal Planet
24
Did You Know?
26
Jalan Pisang
How well do you know the animal kingdom?
Facts you never knew about beer.
Try These
Have fun solving these brain teasers.
Goodman Road
A 1
Ju s t s ' It pressio n Ex n a variety Let’s explore ms and of gross idio hat people figure out w w hen they reall y mean use them.
Olivia’s sweating blood over her spelling test.
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Jingwen spent the day cleaning her room, and she told her mum at dinner that she was all pooped out.
What we’re thinking: Sounds like Jingwen has a really messy and stinky problem. She should probably stay in the bathroom until she’s better, right? What we’re thinking: Wow! Olivia sounds like she’s in big trouble. Is she OK? Is blood actually oozing from her body? In actuality: Of course not. ‘Sweating blood’ just means she’s really stressed out by the difficult test. It’s an expression you say when you’re stuck with a challenging thing to do. But what does sweating blood have to do with difficult tasks? It turns out that it comes from a fact that people have sweated blood when they were stressed out. No kidding!
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In actuality: Not quite. Jingwen is just tired, that’s all. Being ‘pooped out’ means you are exhausted and need some time to rest. Most people think we use this phrase because the word pooped sounds similar to the sound you might make when you are totally exhausted. Try it – inhale deeply whisper poooooop.
and
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George really wants to see the new movie that was advertised on TV the other day. “When I saw the trailers for Inside Out, I was foaming at the mouth!” he tells his friend, Jiahao, at recess. What we’re thinking: Did the trailers make George’s mouth foam? Is this boy turning into a wild dog or what? No, Jiahao doesn’t have to worry. In actuality: As George explains, “I just can’t wait to see the movie. It’s going to be awesome!” That’s all ‘foaming at the mouth’ means – that you’re super excited about something. Why do people say they’re foaming at the mouth when they just mean they’re really excited? It’s because dogs and other animals whose emotions are out of control sometimes do foam at the mouth, especially when they have an illness called rabies. So, if people tell you that they’re foaming at the mouth, don’t start looking for drool on their faces or assume that they have rabies!
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Ayden just ate a bowl of broccoli, and now he says he’s going to hurl.
What we’re thinking: Oh dear, Ayden is going to attack someone! In actuality: Ayden’s talking about vomit. Yes, this hurling is all about emptying the contents of your stomach. People usually hurl when they have a stomach illness, eat spoilt food, or take a ride in a rocking boat or a jostling car. It’s the body’s way of quickly getting rid of food that the stomach’s too upset to digest. Hurling is never fun, but just remember that everyone does it!
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Cool Stuff
s g o D zing
a m A h wit Jobs
Dogs are known as man’s best friend, but they can be much more than friends to humans. Every day, dogs carry out heroic acts for us, from serving those in need to lifesaving feats.
Lifesavers Saving lives is the most important job a dog can do! Lifesaver dogs are generally called search-and-rescue (SAR) dogs. All sorts of breeds of dogs are good at search-and-rescue jobs, but working dogs are often used because of their keen sniffing ability and their strength. Popular SAR dogs include Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Collies, and German Shepherds.
Large brain Sensitive nose Strong muscles
’ Collies Border nce makes tellige llent high in xce t hem e ogs. R SA d
High intelligence means trainability
BARRY THE ST. BERNARD A great St. Bernard dog named Barry lived at a monastery in a mountain pass between Switzerland and Italy between 1800 and 1812. He is famous for saving the lives of more than 40 people; many of them children.
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Protectors Protection dogs work for the police, the military, prisons, and private security firms. They are almost always big, powerful breeds. The most common breed used is the German Shepherd. Other protection dogs include Rottweilers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and Giant Schnauzers.
A DANGEROUS JOB
Did You Know? National Dog Day is celebrated on August 26th annually.
The most dangerous job that a police patrol dog can do is called firearms support – tackling armed suspects or criminals. Firearms support dogs and their handlers always wear bulletproof vests to protect themselves.
A male German Shepherd can weigh up to 40kg.
Strong jaw for holding
ador A Labr akes er m Ret riev ellent an exc og. guide d
d Flas or
h!
W
Powerful muscles for running and jumping
feats: noteworthy or extraordinary acts or achievements, usually displaying boldness, or skill monastery: a house or place of residence occupied by a community of persons, especially monks, living in seclusion under religious vows breeds: a relatively homogenous group of animals within a species
Helper Dogs Humans can teach dogs to help them in lots of practical ways, but dogs can use their super sense – their incredible smelling ability – to help us in some unexpected ways too! Guide dogs help people who are blind or visually impaired. They help their owners walk around safely. Guide dogs are chosen for their calm temperament and ability to be trained for such a special job. The most popular breeds are Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and German Shepherds.
tackling: seizing, grasping, or an act of bringing down temperament: the combination of mental, physical, and emotional traits of a person
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ur o Y ! Eh her's
Let’s Celebrate Together
at f d n a gr ? t i s i road
Did you know that the roads in Singapore are named after our forefathers? Well, except for a few. Let us take a road trip down memory lane and look at the stories behind them. By Juliette Lim Kay Poh Road Long before your time, in the land of Singapore, the people who lived alongside this road used to consist of your typical aunties at the market who would poke their noses into everybody’s business and know every Tom, Dick and Harry’s affairs. No, we are just kidding! Kay Poh Road, contrary to its unfortunate resemblance, is actually named after Wee Kay Poh, a former apprentice at A.L Johnston & Company in the 19th Century. He later moved on to become the owner of the opium and liquor business.
Makepeace Road
Makepeace Road
If you ever encounter any squabbles or quarrels, please visit Makepeace road and all ties will be reconciled. Don’t we all wish it was that easy though? The truth is that some of our forefathers have very unique names. Walter Makepeace is the man responsible for Makepeace road. Born in England, Walter was the journalist and editor for the Singapore Free Press. He also co-edited the official history of Singapore, One Hundred Years of Singapore in 1919. Playing such an important role in the colonial history of Singapore, it is indubitable that a road will be named after him.
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Kay Poh Rd
Road of bananas
Goodman Road
Jalan Pisang
Since a long time ago, bananas have been intertwined deeply with the cultural and heritage of Singapore. I guess that is why the government chose to attribute some of our roads to them. Just behind Chun Tin Road, there is a series of connected roads with all types of bananas you can get. There is Lorong Pisang Asam (sour), Lorong Pisang Batu (stone), Lorong Pisang Emas (gold – oh I would want this), Lorong Pisang Hijau (green), Lorong Pisang Raja (king) and Lorong Pisang Udang (prawn). It is like a banana land! Well, I don’t know how Singaporeans feel about it, but I happen to know one creature that will be more than happy to live there. That’s right kids, it’s none other than the minions, of course!
d Flas or
h!
If you know of any grown-up ladies who are still single (it can be your aunties, tuition teachers, or even your next door neighbour’s daughter), they may wish to find their fairy-tale ending at this place… Nah, just joking! Regrettably, all the good men do not live here (or maybe they do?). In fact, Goodman Road was named after Aubrey Goodman, and the attractive thing is that he is indeed a good man. A Barbadian barrister and politician, Aubrey served as the Attorney-General of the Straits Settlements and a judge in Malaya, fighting for the rights of citizens. However, sadly, he passed away before he could take up his position as the Chief Justice in 1920.
W
Goodman Road
forefathers: a member of the past generations of one’s family or people; an ancestor opium: a reddish-brown heavy-scented addictive drug prepared from the juice of the opium poppy, used illicitly as a narcotic and occasionally in medicine indubitable: impossible to doubt; unquestionable barrister: a person called to the bar and entitled to practise as an advocate, particularly in the higher courts intertwined: connect or link (two or more things) closely
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Did You Know?
th is 5 t s u g Au l Internationa Beer Day!
Dangers of drinking beer Alcohol is a drug and you can become addicted to it. It has an ability to change the way your mind and your body work. Do you know that even one glass of beer can slow your reactions and confuse your thinking? This means that anything that requires concentration and coordination, such as driving, is dangerous when you’ve had a drink. Alcohol also changes the way you act. It can make you let go of the feelings that keep you from doing things you know are risky or dangerous. Alcohol can affect your health. The more you drink, the more damage it does. You can get alcohol poisoning if you drink too much. As the level of alcohol in your blood rises, the chemicals in your body can cause vomiting or seizures, or you may pass out.
W hy
History History
Beer Day originally started in 2007 in Beer Day started 2007 in America tooriginally celebrate andinrecognise America to celebrate and recognise the efforts of those responsiblethe for efforts of those responsible for brewing brewing and serving beer, and and serving beer, and to celebrate by todrinking celebrate by drinking a variety a variety of beers around theof beers around theareworld. Participants world. Participants encouraged to buy each other beer as gift on this day. are encouraged toabuy each other beer as a gift on this day.
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it's risky
for kids to drink alcohol • It can make you sick (you can throw up, or pass out). • It can hurt your ability to make good decisions. • It can make you do things that are embarrassing. • It can cause memory loss and skin to break out. • It can slur your speech and give you bad breath. • It can get you into trouble (with parents or the police). • It can be addictive. This means you might start needing alcohol to feel good.
melted barley
First, is mixed with hot water, creating the “mash”, a mushy oatmeal-like substance. Next, a sugary liquid called wort (pronounced as wert) is drained off.
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hops
The come after that. The hops are boiled with the wort to add bitterness, flavour and aroma. Hops are the flower of a vine, which is a member of the marijuana family. (But you can’t smoke hops, so don’t try!)
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1
W
ri w bee s made Ho
brewing: making (beer) by soaking, boiling, and fermentation slur: speak (words) indistinctly so that the sounds run into one another wort: the sweet infusion of ground malt or other grain before fermentation, used to produce beer and distilled malt liquors ferment: (Of a substance) undergo the process involved in the making of beers, wines, and spirits, in which sugars are converted to ethyl alcohol
yeast
3
Next, is mixed with the hopped wort and left to ferment. The yeast converts sugar into ethanol and carbon dioxide. Ethanol is what gets you drunk – not everyone likes being drunk. CO2 adds bubbles to the beer – everyone likes bubbles.
Most beer falls into two categories.
Ales
When the yeast ferments at higher temperatures and stays at the surface, it produces an ale. Super toasty yeast sits at the top.
Lagers
When it ferments at a lower temperature and does not float at the surface, it produces a lager. Not-so-toasty yeast floats around.
Remember! Never hitch a ride from someone who has been drinking!
Lastly, it sits and ferments for a few weeks until it’s put into a bottle, keg, or water balloon. Then, voila! A beer is born.
Fun Facts 1. Beer is the second most popular beverage in the world, next to tea. 2. A beer lover is called a cerevisaphile.
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Try These
What are you feeling today? Answers: 1. worried 2. happy 3. angry 4. exhausted 5. amused
Fill in the blanks with the correct words listed below.
1
2
My mum is because she lost her job.
The boy is because he won a prize at school.
3
4
scared worried angry exhausted happy amused
5
Quiet
Body s Idiom There are many famous idioms that include the human body to describe situations or feelings. Complete the idioms.
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My dad has just finished work. He is
My sister is because she heard a joke.
1. When something is too difficult to understand, one says, “It just went over my .” 2. When one sympathises with a person, one says, “My goes out to you.” 3. When one senses something about a person or a place, one says, “I have a feeling. This will be good.” 4. When one feels nervous, one says, “I have butterflies in my .” Answers: 1. head 2. heart 3. gut 4. stomach
My neighbour is because my music is too loud.
Happy Birthday! These fun birthday facts are exciting to read and even more interesting to share with all your friends.
Cake d y a d Bir t h ndered how aton
in o ver w came you e ay cakes om the e v a H fr hd ame e bir t wher In fac t, it c y made a e? The pic tur t Greeks. aped cake n ancie l round sh fered of tifu beau ndles and n o a o c with , the M f y her. is m e t is Ar o sat ess, t d d o G
More people are
born o
OCTOBER 5nTH than any oth er
day of the ye ar.
ugust • A •
RE has MO s bir thday y than an onth! other m When your age and date of birth are the same, the day is special, and it is known as the GOLDEN BIRTHDAY. For example, my 12th birthday was the Golden Birthday for me as my birthday was on 12 August 2003.
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Februa ry has t he
LE A S amou n bir thd t of ays!
T
May 22nd is the LE A ST com day for bir th mon days (besides Febr uary 29th, which is a le ap year).