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decEMber 2015
“My baby menstruated at birth.”
Find out what ‘newborn situations’ stump new parents.
SPORT ON
COOL SHOES STYLISH AND SENSIBLE FOOTWEAR
baby / health
Welcome Baby!
What to expect DURING the first FEW DAYS.
C
ongratulations! Your little one is officially a neonate. One of the first tests that your baby undergoes is the APGAR Test to see how much of neonatal care is needed. As new parents, it is inevitable to feel uncertain and jittery even when the paediatrician or neonatal team didn’t highlight any medical issues. We speak with some parents to find out what ‘newborn situations’ stumped them and Dr Lim Kai Hung, Family Physician at LifeScan Medical Centre (formerly SMG Medical) explains.
“My baby has an alien-SHAPED head AFTER SUCTION CUP.” Myth: The doctor applied too much force. Fact: This is the result of birth trauma due to the use of suction cup for vacuum assisted delivery. Babies can develop a hematoma (bruise) due to the trauma involved which takes about one to two weeks to resolve.
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The APGAR Scoring System
This system is used as a method to quickly summarise the health of a newborn. A value of 0, 1, or 2 is assigned to each category that gives the baby its overall score out of 10. 8-10 Any score 8 or above suggests that the baby is doing well. 4-7 Any score less than 7 would require medical attention.
“Gosh! Why is baby so wrinkled?”
“My baby didn’t cry at birth!” Myth: You have a stubborn baby. Fact: Not all newborns cry at birth and gentle stimulation is usually required together with clearing of all secretions in the nose and mouth with suction to aid in the first breathing efforts.
Myth: They have been soaking in amniotic fluid for nine months.
“Why does my baby’s head seem disproportiOnate?”
Fact: In the womb, babies are covered with a white substance called vernix, a waxy material made up of shed skin cells and oil gland secretions that protects the skin until birth. Once born, the skin may dry up, crack and flake off in thin patches which may be particularly noticeable around the baby’s wrists and ankles, thus making it look wrinkled.
Fact: This is a normal physiological appearance of newborns and babies, where the head is the major contributor to their body height. As they grow older, this disproportion will decrease.
Myth: You have a smart baby because of the big brains.
Myth: The only way is to ‘sun’ your baby. Fact: Jaundice (yellow skin) is caused by increased levels of bilirubin (broken-down heme) in the blood. In most cases, it is due to the baby’s liver being immature, which results in reduced clearance of bilirubin in the blood or due to breastfeeding. Sunning the baby was an old method used to reduce jaundice. Doctors would usually measure jaundice levels in a baby periodically and generally babies would just require constant monitoring and adequate hydration. If the jaundice level is too high, your baby may need phototherapy. There may be other rarer but more dangerous conditions that can cause jaundice in the baby. Hence it is important to let a doctor follow up on your baby’s neonatal jaundice.
Sign
0
1
2
Appearance
Blue, pale
Body (pink), hands/feet (blue)
Pink
Pulse (heart rate)
Absent
Less than 100 per minute
More than 100 per minute
Grimace
No response
Some response
Grimace, sneeze, cough
Activity (muscle)
Flaccid
Some flexion
Good flexion of arms and legs
Respiration
Apneic
Weak, irregular, gasping breath
Regular
3 december 2015
text Shaistah Munawar
Jaundice
Two mummies we spoke to share with us their courageous birth stories on pre-mature labour and unexpected natural childbirth.
T
he birth of their two-day late baby boy was nothing like what Madeline anticipated it would be – it was both terrifying yet amazing at the same time.
“Oh my God, NO EPIDURAL? NO!!”
When the time comes, just grit your teeth and do what you need to do (i.e. PUSH!). Don't worry, more often than not, you won't be alone.”
“As with most pregnant mothers, I started to get impatient with the arrival of my baby the moment I reached the 37th week of pregnancy. On 27 December 2013, I woke up with strong menstruallike cramps that came in 15-minute waves. There was also a little bit of bleeding and my instincts told me that that day was going to be D-Day!” Upon arrival at the delivery suite, Madeline asked for the epidural right away as the pain was getting unbearable. “I was already experiencing very bad contractions every three minutes. I was looking forward to relaxing during the rest of the delivery after I was administered the epidural,” she says. UNPREDICTED
6 december 2015
However, things went the total opposite direction when the anaesthetist nurse failed to administer the epidural correctly even after many tries! “For some reason he could not find the right spot and when he finally did, I felt numbness only in my right leg! By
“There's really no way to be 100 percent prepared for birth.
– Madeline
then, my contractions were so intense that I was crying out in pain and praying to God that the epidural will work!” Madeline describes. To add on to the trauma, the poor mummy dilated so quickly to eight centimetres that there was no time to wait for the epidural. Immediately after, her doctor entered the room and suggested that the best thing to do is to break the water bag and expedite the process. “She said a bunch of
things about how it was good that the labour is progressing so quickly but all I could think about was, ‘Oh gosh, NO EPIDURAL!’ I was still half hoping that a miracle would happen and the epidural would work.” she adds. ALTERNATE MEASURES
Seeing her in this condition, the nurses then coaxed the mother-of-two into inhaling (entonox) gas and air to help with the contractions but to no avail. Madeline felt nothing
of the ‘high’ or ‘out of this world’ feeling that other mothers say they feel. At her last push, when she felt as though her skin was tearing apart, out came the head of her baby boy! “I heaved a sigh of relief that the worse was finally over! My baby was delivered safely.” Madeline Heng is a psychologist, mother of two and blogs at www.madpsychmum.com
text Shaistah Munawar
pregnancy / true stories
Labour, Interrupted
Labour Tips Read on what our mummies have to say! 01
Pack your delivery bag early because you'll never know when it is going to happen so it's good to be prepared. 02
“I gave birth at 27 weeks!”
A
fter going through three labours previously, Nisa thought that she pretty much had it together for the fourth one. After all, how different can labour be from pregnancy to pregnancy, right? Wrong! She first started having contractions at six months, and after admitting herself to KKH, the doctors gave her a jab to try to stop the contractions. “I was in shock that I had contractions this early! For my other pregnancies, I gave birth to my boys at almost full-term,” recalls Nisa. With her previous deliveries being natural, she was also worried that she may have to undergo a c-section this time round.
BABY NOT MOVING
A few weeks later when her pregnancy progressed into her seventh month, Nisa was worried sick when she did not feel the baby moving the entire day. That night, her husband brought her to the GP and to their shock, the doctor advised them to rush to the hospital immediately as she was already contracting! But, Nisa chose not to go to the hospital yet as she did not have any signs of labour pains. Once home, Nisa was surprised yet again with a heavy flow of blood while urinating. It was then she knew that it was time to go to the hospital.
“When I arrived at the hospital, my gynae did a check and told me that I’m already five centimetres dilated and that there is no
way he could stop labour,” says Nisa. Premature labour is scary to all mothers, and no matter how strong you think you are, you will always have the fear of ‘what if my baby doesn’t survive?’ and Nisa was no exception too. However, she knew that nothing could be done and prayed for the best. Nisa had a quick and easy delivery, and had the biggest surprise of her life when the gynae told her that she’s had a baby girl instead of a boy! Born at 1.7 kilograms, Nisa’s baby girl was not easy to take care. Being so tiny, she struggled with bathing and breastfeeding. But, she is thankful because unlike other babies who had to be kept in the incubator for days, and even months, her baby had to be in only for five hours.
03
Prepare the older siblings for the new addition that is coming! 04
Start lining up help for after birth way in advance.
Tell us a Story Do you have or know anyone with a remarkable birth story to share? Send us your stories at sc-ed@key-editions.com for a chance to be featured in the magazine.
7 december 2015
PREMATURE LABOUR
After the successful halt of the contractions, the doctors told her that she may deliver earlier and was instructed to strict bed rest.
Make sure you have a camera! Take as many pictures of the process before, during and after! One day, when all the hoo-ha is over, you'd want to look at all the photos!
baby / trending 01
02
Sexy Satchel A chic diaper bag, the Petunia Pickle Bottom Statement Satchel
($210, www.pupsikstudio.com) has dual handles and a removable cross-body strap as well as water-resistant lining and brushed metal hardware. To add on to the modern touch, the front pocket comes with a magnetic enclosure.
Showstopper If you want something a little fancy, check out the stunning Burberry House Check and Leather Baby Changing Bag ($2,195). Coming
with a practical roll-out changing mat, this beauty is equipped with multiple pouch pockets and full-length zipped compartments, enabling you to carry around all your essentials easily.
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Classic Chic The Kate Spade Classic Nylon Stevie Baby Bag ($690) boasts plenty of baby-friendly features such as the durable and wipeable material which makes cleaning spills a breeze. But it is the sweet details and stylish shape that make this bag a mum must-have, almost as cute as your little one!
diaper duty Win!
Stay in style with these bags that are mod enough to carry long after your baby outgrows diapers.
We have 3 pieces for giveaway! Stay tuned on our Facebook page.
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14 december 2015
Handy-Dandy Nappy bags don’t need to look boring. To the untrained eye, the Cath Kidston Button Spot Premium Double Pocket Nappy Bag ($289) is just a good-looking, cheerily printed and super spacious handbag. But the inside extras include a changing mat, bottle holder and plenty of handy pockets for all your baby gear.
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Comfy Carrier The Lässig Green Label Neckline in Denim Blue ($269, Motherswork) is made out of 100 percent recycled polyester and includes a large main compartment, zip pouch, a water-repellent wet pocket, and an insulated, removable bottle holder. What we like most about it is the stroller hooks it has, and the removable compartment for jars.
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Flower Power This Ju-Ju-Be Be Right Back Diaper Bag ($205,
www.pupsikstudio.com) features padded shoulder straps for comfortable carrying. This is the ultimate hybrid between a traditional fullfeatured ergonomic backpack and a fashionable bag with beautiful form and details.
ready, steady, baby! Unsure what to bag for the big day? Don’t sweat; we’ve got you (and the fam) covered!
For Mum:
04
All in One Talk about multi-duty! The Skip Hop Forma Backpack ($129, www.pupsikstudio.com) is a lightweight, spacious and compact bag with stylish quilted detailing! Featuring a spacious elasticised interior, mobile phone pocket, and insulated side bottle pockets, this bag even comes with an insulated cube for bottles.
Nursing bras Loose, comfy clothes Slippers and socks Nipple cream Insurance, IC, birth plan Notepad Maternity pads Toiletries Makeup Prenatal vitamins Manicure tools Hand sanitiser iPad Hair ties Magazines Bath robe Comfortable underwear Breast pump
For dad: Lounge clothes Toiletries Chargers Camera Extra blanket Water bottle Snacks Laptop/iPad Cash Books Socks Comfy shoes Neck rest
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A cute onesie Receiving blankets Unscented baby wipes Mittens Pacifier Diapers Booties Nursing pillow Nail clipper Beanies Nappy cream
15 december 2015
Sweet Heart Part of the updated range, the Skip Hop Duo Signature Diaper Bag’s ($109, www.pupsikstudio.com) zippered main compartment is complemented by an additional total of 10 pockets! Better yet, the two mesh side pockets keep baby’s bottles within easy reach and the adjustable shoulder strap with slip-on shoulder pad makes it easy to grab and go.
For baby:
kids / trending COUNT ON ME
Kill two birds with one stone as they play and learn with the toys from LeapFrog. Make “yummy goodies” with the LeapFrog Number Lovin’ Oven
IT’S EASY WITH PEANUTS!
Make it playful and exciting with the optimistic and adventurous essence of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang. Having a dilemma on what to gift this year? Save yourself the headache with GAP’s latest collaboration, GapKids x Peanuts. In celebration of the 65th anniversary of the iconic comic strip and the upcoming holiday film, The Peanuts Movie, the GapKids x Peanuts collection features pieces with vintage and nostalgic illustrations from the comic that include the cool classics and new favourites. This limited edition collection is available at Gap Vivocity and GapKids United Square.
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JOY UNDER the CHRISTMAS TREE Dance and prance with new kicks from Pediped’s Fall/ Winter Collection. Not only has Pediped introduced new machine-washable styles for selected sandals and athletic shoes in this collection, new designs and colour combinations for popular styles like Leana are now available too. Pediped is available at Elly, Mums ‘n’ Babes and selected Mothercare stores.
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30 december 2015
Give your girl a festive look to celebrate the holiday season with a sweet and classic taste with the Naomi Black Originals in quilted and patent leather ($63.90).
2
Worry no more about dirty and stained shoes when your boy has the new machine-washable Force Blue Lime Flex ($95.90) on his feet.
($45.90) and build a doghouse with the LeapFrog Scout’s Build & Discover Tool Set ($39.90). Suitable for children aged two to five years, these LeapFrog sets allow your child to: • Use tools such as a hammer, ruler and wrench to build Scout a doghouse. • Enjoy the delightful singing of counting and vocabulary tunes as the “food” is being warmed up in the “oven”. Both LeapFrog sets are available at Hamleys, Toys ‘R’ Us and major department stores.
winter gear Dress up your kids as you travel to places with colder climate this school holiday.
1
Let kids simply be kids with UNIQLO’s Fall/Winter collection of comfortable winter wear that ranges from sporty to cleancut styles.
2
With key functions similar to the adult version, the UNIQLO Light Warm Padded Jacket and Parka ($59.90-$79.90) are made of insulation material developed with Toray industries that enhance warmth and lightness. What’s even better is that it retains performance even after frequent washing.
HAVE FUN AT TRICK EYE
Explore the world and visit fantasy lands all in one place at the Trick Eye Museum Singapore.
Take out the cookie cutters and rope in your kids! Worry no more about dirty clothes with the Bramley Sprig Kids Apron ($31) and Racing Cars Kids Apron ($26) from Cath Kidston as you bring in the young ones to help out in the kitchen. Fun-sized bags and accessories in prints to match those of mummy’s are also available, including picks for the boys.
SAVOUR THE GOODNESS There is a new treat on the block, and it’s a chocolate cupcake snack topped with rainbow sprinkles! TOP’ N TOP Cup Cake ($3.90, available in all major supermarkets) is also available in strawberry and vanilla flavours.
31 december 2015
After going through the first revamp, Trick Eye Museum Singapore is back with brand new art exhibits enhanced with interactive 4D concept, and six new themed zones titled ‘Mystery’, ‘ Excitement’, ‘Supernatural’, ‘ Fairytale’, ‘ Fantasy’ and ‘Trick World’. Bring your family, young and old, to experience the new installations and have a whale of a time this holiday. Tickets are priced at $25 - Adult, $20 - Child. Visit www.trickeye.com/singapore for more information.
READY, SET, BAKE!
Life of the
party
Set your style dial to fabulous this festive season with our chic and dapper party picks!
Photography Vicky Andhika Art Direction Geraldine Tan & Shaistah Munawar Stylist Sharon Tan assisted by Naomi Tham Hair and Makeup Adelene Siow (Paletteinc) using Kose Esprique Models Lara VirĂĄg PĂŠrez Mathis and Connor Channing (Red Carpet Invite Models & Talents Agency (9739 3673)
Teal tulle dress, $59, kookies + milk; Pink tasseled necklace, $14.90; Glitter maryjane heels, $69.90, both from Monsoon Accessorize (available at Metro); Gold bow socks, stylist’s own
Kids / learn
raising
successful kids
Fiona Walker tells Shaistah Munawar why emotional quotient (EQ) matters when it comes to bringing up a happy child.
A
s parents, we strive to raise our kids to be all-rounders, and this is why we should focus on developing both the EQ and IQ. According to Fiona, nurturing EQ teaches awareness of how others live – which may not be as comfortably or safely as you – as well as fostering kindness and responsibility. “The desire to see someone else’s condition improve; to know that others are happy, is a very positive and powerful consequence of acceptance and satisfaction with one’s own lot”, Fiona adds.
Why is EQ so important when it comes to raising a child? Fiona: Regardless of individual views on how to bring up
How does emotional training as part of education help children? 42 december 2015
Fiona: When schools take a holistic approach to education,
nurturing emotional growth in their students either as a specific aspect of the curriculum or as part of the school’s culture can help students gain life skills that take them outside of the classroom and beyond school years. It helps to build skills and talents in a variety of fields and subjects, through observation, listening, heightened concentration, enjoyment and passion,
text Shaistah Munawar
children, which parent doesn’t want their child to grow up to be a balanced, happy individual? Encouraging your child in all areas of development – cognitive, physical and emotional – will go a long way in helping them succeed, build confidence and gain enjoyment from their own choices. EQ involves the ability to sense, understand and apply the power of emotions to good effect. It leads to higher self-esteem, the ability to empathise, self-regulate, self-motivate and achieve greater social awareness – qualities that are most likely to lead to individuals reaching their full potential.
The Balancing Act
all of which foster greater levels of imagination and creativity. Growing up can be stressful even at the best of times. One way or another we place a great deal of responsibility on young shoulders. Emotional awareness enables them to cope with stress and to face challenges.
Why has it become important for parents to know about emotional intelligence? Fiona: Creating an environment in which
our children feel at ease and confident to express their feelings, discuss ideas and share opinions is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. We live in a global society today. We communicate in very different ways to previous generations. If we want our children to be able to cope with the immense amount of information and pressures that are part of their reality growing up, then we need to help them become well rounded, balanced and selfassured. Nurturing emotional intelligence in your child will help them regulate their own emotions in healthy ways.
What are the implications when children do not openly share their feelings? Fiona: Much depends on a child’s
If a child seems to be lacking in their EQ development, what should a parent do? Fiona: There are many ways you can
help stimulate EQ in your child. • Encourage and praise your child for every effort and small progress they make. It is so important that your child feels loved unconditionally. • You may not necessarily agree with your child’s viewpoint but do acknowledge their opinions, ideas and especially their feelings. • Open them up to experiences that introduce them to different people, places and cultures, helping them understand that there is a world outside their own; simultaneously teaching your child the value of gratitude. • Role-model positive language and behaviour, yourself, as you demonstrate empathy towards your child with your own responses. If you feel that your child’s normal level of EQ has reduced, then there is likely to be a very specific reason for this and you need to seek out the trigger(s). Is he or she suddenly behaving in an aggressive way or becoming unusually frustrated? Does their energy appear contracted compared to usual? • Speak to your child’s teacher if you are worried about something at school or seek professional guidance if necessary or when you have particular concerns.
Meet our expert Fiona Walker
Principal of Schools / CEO, Julia Gabriel Education
Here’s how parents can balance it out when it comes to EQ and IQ 1 Provide opportunities for
your child to pursue activities, whether extracurricular in school, or enrichment programmes outside of school hours, that foster imagination and creativity, independent thinking and problem solving or that simply enable them to be silly and have fun! 2 Try activities that encourage
them to explore and express their ideas, thoughts and feelings: sports, music, drama or whatever they show an interest in. 3 Allow down time. Let them
watch their favourite cartoon on TV; read bedtime stories together; paint or cook together and don’t worry about them getting messy. Enjoy the bonding process – you can tidy up together afterwards. 4 Caring for a pet is also a great
way to help develop a child’s EQ and sense of responsibility. 5 Be an active listener even if
you have heard their idea and question a 100 times before! And perhaps most importantly, let your child always feel that the channels of communication are open. Talk with your child not at them.
43 december 2015
temperament as well as the environment in which they grow in, but studies have shown that children who have limited or no emotional intelligence are more likely to be introverted, have low self-esteem, lack self-confidence, struggle to cope with setbacks and demonstrate limited social skills. These behaviours are more likely to lead to self-criticism, lack of awareness about others, and anger and frustration when young. Of course, not all children who lack EQ will turn out like this – don’t worry! Self-discovery is a long, sometimes fraught and often emotionally charged process: a rite of passage for most youngsters as they develop and grow in understanding about the world around
them. But the more we encourage open discussion and positive communication within the family, paving the way for our children to feel safe and secure to express their feelings, the better.
Kids / health
got teething issues? Find out MORE about teething AND WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR CHILD.
M
any have the misconceptions that parents don’t need to spend too much effort to look after their child’s baby teeth as the adult set will replace them anyway. However, baby teeth are more important than you think. They serve as “space savers” for adult teeth. If decayed teeth are left untreated, not only will your child experience pain but also difficulty in chewing and eating. Badly decayed baby teeth can cause abscesses that may lead to infection and inflammation in other parts of the face as well. Worse, if baby teeth are damaged or destroyed by decay, they can’t help guide permanent teeth into their proper position which may result in crowded or crooked permanent teeth. We speak with Dr Terry Teo, Paediatric Dental Specialist at The Dental Studio, a Singapore Medical Group (SMG) clinic to find out how to tackle some of the dental questions and issues you have.
Why do some children have their first adult tooth coming in later? Teeth erupt at different speeds and timings in a child’s life. If the primary teeth were delayed in erupting, the permanent teeth eruption may also be similarly delayed, with the first adult tooth erupting only around age seven instead of age six.
58 december 2015
At around age six, adult or permanent teeth will erupt, signalling the onset of the mixed dentition. This is the period when baby teeth will exfoliate while adult teeth erupt till the age of 12 to 13. During this time, most children’s smiles may look “messy” or crowded.
What are the common dental issues? • Toothaches and Decay
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) – baby bottle caries or dental decay is the most
text Juansa Arissa Cheng
Why do some children have messy teeth?
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2
2
3
7
7
5
common dental disease in young children. ECC commonly presents as multiple brown or black cavities in your child’s teeth, and if left untreated can lead to painful toothaches.
5
10
10
9
9 6
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• Lack of Dental Care
ECC is a multi-factorial disease that arises from a unique combination of diet, oral hygiene and factors unique to every individual child. A Caries Risk Assessment (CRA) is essential to identify such factors such that prevention can be tailored specifically and realistically to suit a child’s needs. • Dental Trauma
A common dental problem in young children, dental trauma usually arises at around age two to three when a child learns to walk and run. Falls sustained may result in the child knocking their upper front teeth against a hard surface, resulting in a dental injury. Unfortunately, there is no prevention against dental trauma at such a young age as children cannot be prevented from exploring the world around them through touch and play.
What can parents do to ensure dental health for their children? Generally, good oral hygiene, restriction of dietary sugar intake from foods and drinks, and the use of a fluoride toothpaste is recommended as sensible prevention. However, due to concerns such as infants swallowing fluoride or low birth-weight children who are on high calorie diets, it is always advisable to have these prevention factors thoroughly discussed with a paediatric dentist.
hello baby teeth!
4 1
1
“My child is afraid of the dentist!”
tips What you can do:
At the toddlerhood stage, the goal is to help your child by gaining trust and cooperation so that you can incorporate dental care regime. The key for the first visit is to instill a positive dental attitude in both child and parent, and to set the tone that minimises fear for subsequent treatment visits and reviews.
√ Prepare them at home with books or apps explaining in a child-friendly way what to expect during the dental visit.
“My child has bad breath.”
What you can do:
You can start your child on a daily dental care regime that includes brushing of teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. Try your best to explain to your child why bacteria thrives on dental plaque and why the breath can turn foul when the food bits left between teeth begin to collect bacteria.
√ Together with the dentist, you can orientate your child to the dental setting by showing the dental chair and examination tools in a fun and nonthreatening way. √ The dentist will follow with an examination involving “counting teeth”. If your child is cooperative, the first visit can involve cleaning of the teeth with a dental brush and dental paste.
√ Avoid foods and drinks such as garlic, onions, and soda. √ Use a picture to show how not brushing your teeth regularly will lead to plaque build-up. √ Explain how poor oral hygiene can lead to bad breath when food particles left in the mouth can rot and start to smell. √ Arrange for dental checkups (twice a year) for regular cleanings.
dental care for the young ones Oral Botanica KIDS ($28, www.botanicaculture.com) is a liquid toothpaste, made out of 100 percent organic botanical oils to protect and to kill bacteria. It is a fluoride free toothpaste, contains no SLS, no glycerin, no sweetener and no artificial chemicals.
Jack N’ Jill Natural Toothpaste ($14.90, Motherswork) is an organic toothpaste rich in xylitol. It is fluoride free, sugar free, colour free, SLS free and contains no preservatives. And kids will love the five different natural flavours.
59 december 2015
Make teeth brushing enjoyable for children with GUM Crayola Squeeze-A-Color Toothpaste ($6.26, www.gumbrand.com). Each pack contains three tubes of coloured and flavoured toothpastes.
review
love thy self Give yourself a pat on the back! You survived anOther (parenting) year! December is a time to take stock and realign your priorities. Most importantly, a time to give thanks and recharge for the new year ahead.
Me Time
Reading is window to the world and introspective lens to the soul. Regardless of how hectic this month may be, find time to read and be inspired by the magic within the pages. Riding on the last SG50 wave, we curated the most inspiring and quirky local reads to end the Jubilee year.
FOR THE BIBLIOPHILE
68 december 2015
The Other Merlion and Friends Looking for a light-hearted intellectual read? Gwee Li Sui’s The Other Merlion and Friends ($18.60) offers not only perceptive observations of the Lion City but also intuitive perceptions of the social culture that will make you smile as you read the stanzas peppered with humour, sarcasm and bluntness. www.singapore.kinokuniya.com
Boundless Love The late Mrs. Lee Kuan Yew was a successful mother and career woman. Building and expanding the family’s law firm, Lee & Lee, and bringing up her children at the same time was not an easy task. Boundless Love ($200) is a book that showcases snippets of her life through a collection of her personal items. All proceeds from sale of the book will go to the Kampung Senang Charity and Education Foundation, to aid the elderly, sick, disadvantaged youths and Mother Earth. www.kampungsenang.org
Singapore Siu Dai 2 This is truly an upsized version of the SG Conversation! Singapore Siu Dai 2 ($13) by Felix Cheong is a compilation of sophisticated humour and entertaining illustrations by PMan reminding us of the hilarious antics of familiar characters that so resonate with the Singapore soul. www.ethosbooks.com.sg
FOR THE MOVIE BUFF
3 dec 2015
REMINISCE THE GOOD TIMES
Carrie Underwood Carrie Underwood’s fifth album Storyteller is a great mix of country and pop. From catchy Country Pop tracks such as ‘Clock Don’t Stop’ to heart warming country ballads of ‘Like I’ll Never Love You Again’, it is the album that will get you dancing and reminiscing the past at the same time. www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com
In the Heart of the Sea This action-packed dramatic adventure opens in the winter of 1820 with the New England whaling ship Essex being assaulted by a whale of mammoth size and will. The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick and In the Heart of the Sea, it reveals beyond the harrowing encounter but also the aftermath, where the surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade.
17 dec 2015 Before We Go A hilarious romantic comedy, Before We Go is the directorial debut of Chris Evans that follows the journey of two strangers stuck in New York City for the night. Starting as convenient acquaintances, the two soon grow into each other’s most trusted confidants when a night of unexpected adventure forces them to confront their fears and take control of their lives.
Concussion Look forward to Concussion, a thriller based on the incredibly true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr Bennet Omalu. Will Smith stars as the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu’s emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful – and beloved – institutions in the world. Also stars Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Stephen Moyer and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.
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Maroon 5 It has been more than a decade since the formation of the remarkable American pop rock band, Maroon 5 in 1994. Singles is a compilation album filled with 12 of the band’s greatest hits that will get you tapping your feet and grooving along with tunes such as ‘She Will Be Loved’, ‘Moves Like Jagger’ and ‘Sugar’. www.maroon5.com
14 JAN 2016
DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE 169
Present your report book with a copy of
Animal Planet
Did You Know?
Science Whizz
P/S‌ My Pals & Secrets Issue 4 at Plaza Singapura to redeem gifts.
Refer to page 16 for details.
DECEMBER 2015
Publisher Foo Mei Siah Associate Publisher Kelen Koh Operations Manager Emmeline Lee EDlTORlAL Deputy Editor Juansa Arissa Cheng
Contents
Writer Shaistah Munawar Contributors Dr Scott Poh, Hairin Rahman lan Jemiz, Loh Khee Meng, Rachael Lim, Rachel Yohannan ART Creative Director Aris Lai Senior Designer Geraldine Tan Designer Chan Fei Ching ADVERTlSlNG & MARKETlNG Associate Business Director Esmond Seah Business Manager Porter Christopher Andre Associate Business Manager Maggie Mok Executive (Marketing) Lim Chin Yee, Marshall Ang
2 4
Best Toys
The best toys available in the market.
Movie Picks
Check out the movies you can watch at the cinemas and at home.
6
ldeas Changing The World
8
Did You Know?
Check out The Nobel Prize fun facts.
Merry Christmas! Discover interesting Christmas trivia.
10
DlY
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Animal Planet
Make your own greeting cards this season.
Learn more about the wildlife we have in our backyard.
What’s Up?
ONLlNE & DlGlTAL Deputy Manager Arissa Ha
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Senior Writer Venetia Sng
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Fun Guide
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Cool Stuff
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Book Nook
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Say lt!
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.
MCl (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 articles 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
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Find out what’s happening at the Singapore Philatelic Museum.
Things to look forward to in December.
Join the oceanic journey with prehistoric sea monsters.
Our favourite reads this month!
Learn about homographs and their pronunciations.
Science Whizz
Find out why more about the chromosomes in our bodies.
Brain Teaser
Expand your mind with Dr Scott’s fun games.
Try These
Learn more about idioms related to body parts.
What's Up
Text by Rachael Lim
B
efore the advent of technological advancement and the lnternet, many generations before us relied on letters, telegram and faxes as forms of communication. What we call snail-mail today was actually part and parcel of life in the past. With that, it was a popular and trendy thing to have a pen pal whom you could write to, better still if yours was from overseas. There were even pen pal clubs then to facilitate the meeting of local and international pen pals! Bragging rights were given to those with overseas pen pals and soon another trend started – stamp collection – the more extensive your collection, the more impressive!
The original artwork of the first stamp to be issued by the Republic, in 1966.
of iniature pieces Stamps are m r fo es tage valu art that has pos ma de l. They can be h, letters to trave ls such as clot other materia nd a ! er p sh a a p c from volcani en coated with , metals and ev e Penny Black th , ld the wor in p m a st st fir The erforations. did not have p ” ity in a Garden amp of “Our C st l ca of lo t ed 1s se e Th ith the was affixed w issued in 2013 r planting. fo ra ra nd if lo G ca la u rt Po the
rforations) (missing pe s Series” r ro er ng << A printi 91 “National Monument the g 19 of the ps featurin eet of stam . sh nt mi ffoor Mosque Abdul Ga
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As slow as a snail Compared to instant messaging and electronic mails we use today, letters, telegram and faxes are as slow as a snail!
Stamps are actually known officially as postage stamps – small pieces of official paper that are purchased and pasted on the item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are printed on customised paper to denote the value of the paid postage service fee and the mail destination, which can be purchased at the postal company. ln Singapore, we have Singapore Post (SingPost) and other authorised vendors that sell stamps and other postal services. Other than for postal needs, stamps are also purchased by collectors who will not actually use them for postage.
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A 1982 First Day Cover of the “15th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting” stamp series that was autographed by the Foreign Ministers of the then five-member ASEAN (comprising Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand). The cover was donated by Professor Tommy Koh, Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large.
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A printing plate of the 1999 stamp that features the first President of Singapore, Inche Yusof bin Ishak. The plate was engraved by Swedish master engraver, Czeslaw Slania. The late Slania is reputed to be the most prolific of all stamp-engravers, with over 1,000 stamps to his name.
advent: a coming into place, view, or being; arrival perforations: a hole, or one of a series of holes, bored or punched through something, as those between individual postage stamps of a sheet to facilitate separation
A First Day Cover dated 9 August 1969, bearing the “150th Anniversary of the Founding of Singapore” stamp issue, that was addressed to then Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
portulaca grandiflora: a flowering plant in the family Portulacaceae, native to Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay and often cultivated in gardens denote: to be a mark or sign of; indicate
The Singapore Journey: 50 Years Through Stamps Singapore stamps document the growth of the nation. Find out more about the journey through 50 years of Singapore’s progress with specially selected stamps, philatelic materials and rare original stamp artworks! Let these treasures tell you the story of Singapore in a way only they can. Tickets are sold at $6 – Adult, $4 – Child (three to 12 years old) from now to 31 July 2016. Free admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. Visit www.spm.org.sg for more details.
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Cool Stuff
Massive, Mighty, Mysterious
SEA MONSTERS Learn to recognise prehistoric sea monsters before you head over to the Monsters of the Sea showcase at the Science Centre Singapore!
At Monsters of the Sea, Singapore’s largest animatronics showcase of pre-historic sea monsters, you can experience an ocean-themed journey with life-sized animatronics displays that mimic the movement and behaviour of 14 prehistoric marine creatures. Let’s learn about some of them!
When was it alive? 372 to 359 million years ago (Late Devonian period) How big was it? Up to 10m in length How heavy was it? 2,000kg
Dunkleosteous The Dunkleosteous (meaning “Dunkle’s bones”) might not have true teeth but it is a super predator that is capable of killing almost anything with the razor-like and self-sharpening bony plates in its jaws! lts head and thorax were covered by armour plates while the rest of its body had small or no scales.
Ophthalmosaurus lf not for its rows of sharp, tiny teeth, the Ophthalmoraurus would look pretty innocent because of its big eyes! This “Eye Lizard” possibly had the largest eyes (22cm in diameter) in proportion to its body length. lts larger eyes allowed it to see better in low light conditions as it dove deeper into the ocean for deep-water hunting or nocturnal activity.
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When was it alive? 72 to 66 million years ago (Late Cretaceous period) How big was it? Up to 18m in length
Purussaurus Judging from the massive jaws of the Purussaurus, you might be able to tell that it is super strong and you’re right! lt actually has the strongest jaw bite amongst four-footed animals and is a super predator! lt ate up to 40kg of food daily, ranging from large to very large vertebrates. The teeth of the Purussaurus is curved backwards and slightly inwards, making it ideal for smashing and piercing.
How heavy was it? 5,000kg
Elasmosaurus When was it alive? 83 to 72 million years ago (Late Cretaceous period) How big was it? 14 metres in length
Text by Hairin Rahman
How heavy was it? Unknown
Can you guess why the Elasmosaurus is known as the “Ribbon Lizard”? lf you guessed that it got its name from its very long neck, you’re right! lt has more than 72 cervical vertebrae that allowed its head to move with greater flexibility and control. lts long and thin teeth, when clamped together, are intermeshed so that it can grip fish, which are then swallowed whole.
When was it alive? 168 to 145 million years ago (Middle to late Jurassic period) How big was it? Up to 6m in length How heavy was it? 3,000kg
Monsters of the Sea Exhibition will be held at the Science Centre Singapore, Annex Hall from now till 28 February 2016.
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Say It!
HOMOGRAPHS Heard the word wrongly? Confused? Have you been confused by how words are spelled the same but have different meanings and sometimes different pronunciations?
Duck (noun) \duhk\
1. lt can refer to any the web-footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae. They usually have broad flat bill, short legs, and depressed body. Wild ducks can fly while domesticated breeds are less able to fly due to their heavier body weight, as they are fed and bred for their meat. 2. ln informal term for someone with weird characteristics. Many people think that the busker who likes to dress in oversized exaggerated clothes is a queer duck.
Duck (verb) \duhk\
3. To stoop or bend suddenly; bob. He shouted, “Duck!” to warn James to stoop low and take cover to avoid being hit by the water bomb. 4. To avoid or evade. The movie star tried to duck the reporter’s questions by pretending to be ill and unable to complete the interview session.
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Mop (noun) \mŏp\
1. A household cleaning item made of absorbent material attached to long handle used for cleaning floors. He cleaned the house floor with a mop.
Mop (verb) \mŏp\
2. The act of cleaning.
He helps his mum to mop the floor every day.
Mope (verb) \mōp\
3. To be dejected and miserable. There is no use moping now that things have happened and the consequences could have been worse. 4. To wander around listlessly and aimlessly due to unhappiness or boredom. You should find a holiday job instead of moping around at home and complaining of boredom.
Bow (noun) \bō\
Bow (adjective) \bou\
2. A weapon for shooting arrows, typically made of a curved piece of wood whose ends are joined by a tightly pulled string.
Bow out (phrasal verb) \bou\
She is an excellent marksman. She won the lnternal Archery Championship fifth time in a row with her bow and arrow skills.
1. A large and heavy animal that have thick hair and sharp claws and can stand on two legs like a person. During our camping trip, we saw a sun bear.
Bear (verb) \be(ə)r\
Past tense: bore 2. Endure a situation, an event, an ordeal or difficulty. She bore the family’s burden stoically and never once complained about her hardship. 3. Give birth to (a child). Grandmother bore eight children as it was common during her time to have big families.
4. To remove oneself; withdraw. She decided to bow out of the competition after knowing that her best friend was her competitor.
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Bear (noun) \be(ə)r\
3. A nautical term used to describe the front section of a ship or boat. The bow of the boat starting to dip due to a hole right at the tip of it.
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1. A knot tied with two loops and two loose ends, used especially for tying shoelaces and decorative ribbons. She loves to tie her hair back in a bow.
domesticated: tamed and kept on a farm or as a pet at home busker: a person with a license to entertain in a public place for donations archery: is the practice or skill of using a bow to thrust or propel arrows forward at a target sun bear: The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is a bear found in tropical forest habitats of Southeast Asia stoically: description referring to calmness and mental strength in the face of adversity
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Science Whizz
By Dr Scott Poh
CHROMOSOMES
All living organisms on Earth have chromosomes. Find out more about the tiny structures we all have inside our bodies.
WHAT ARE CHROMOSOMES? The word “chromosome” originated from the Greek words “chroma”, meaning color, and “soma”, meaning body. Chromosomes are tiny structures inside cells made from DNA, RNA, and protein. The information inside chromosomes acts like a recipe that tells cells how to function and replicate. Every form of life has its own unique set of instructions, including you. Your chromosomes describe what eye colour you have, how tall you are, and whether you’re a boy or a girl. lnside the Cell Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of every cell. Different forms of life have a different number of chromosomes in each cell. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes totaling to 46 chromosomes in each cell. Can we see them? Typically we can’t see chromosomes with the naked eye. They are so small and thin that we can’t see them even with a powerful microscope. However, when a cell gets ready to divide, the chromosomes wind themselves up and become tightly packed. Then, with a high powered microscope, scientists can see chromosomes. They are usually in pairs and look like short little worms.
What do they look like? When a cell is not dividing, the chromosome is in its chromatin form. ln this form, it is a very thin and long strand. When the cell begins to divide, that strand replicates itself and winds up into shorter tubes. Before the splitting, the two tubes are pinched together at a point called the centromere. The shorter arms of the tubes are called the “p arms” and the longer arms are called the “q arms”.
q arm
Centromere p arm
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Different Chromosomes Different chromosomes carry different types of information. For example, one chromosome may contain information on eye color and height while another chromosome may determine blood type. Genes Within each chromosome are specific sections of DNA called genes. Each gene contains the code or recipe to make a specific protein. These proteins determine how we grow and what traits we inherit from our parents. The gene is sometimes called a unit of heredity.
Chromosomes in Different Animals Different organisms have different numbers of chromosomes: a horse has 64, a rabbit 44, and a fruit fly has 8.
Allele Human Chromosomes As we mentioned, humans have 23 different pairs of chromosomes with a total of 46 chromosomes. We all get 23 chromosomes from our mother and 23 from our father. Scientists number these pairs from 1 to 22 and then an extra pair called the “X/Y” pair. The X/Y pair determines if you are a boy or a girl. Girls have two X chromosomes called the XX, while boys have an X and a Y chromosome called the XY.
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FUN FACTS!
Some animals have lots of chromosomes, but much of the DNA is blank. This blank DNA is called “junk DNA.”
Humans have about
30,000 genes in their 46 chromosomes.
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Nearly every cell in your body carries a complete set of chromosomes.
Some chromosomes are longer than others because they contain more DNA.
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When we talk about a gene we are referring to a section of DNA. One example of this would be the gene that determines the color of your hair. When we talk about the specific sequence of a gene (like the sequence that gives you black hair versus the sequence that gives you blonde hair), this is called an allele. So everyone has a gene that determines their hair color, only blondes have the allele that makes the hair blonde.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule carrying genetic orders used in the formation, growth, functioning and reproduction of all known living things RNA: Ribonucleic acid is a polymeric molecule used in various biological functions in coding, decoding, regulating, and expression of genes Naked Eye: also known as the bare eye, it is the practice of looking at something without the help of a magnifying or optical device, such as a microscope or telescope
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Brain Teaser
Expand Your Mind
Dr Scott is here again to help you stretch your mind with these fun brain teasers. Are you game for it?
PERFECT FIT
NUMBER FIT
Look at the piece of puzzle below (Figure 1) and answer the question that follows.
Look at the number diagrams (Figure 2 and 3) below and answer the question that follows.
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Figure 1 Question 1: Which of the following pieces, when fitted to the above piece, will form a perfect square?
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Figure 2
4 Figure 3
(a)
(b)
(c)
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Figure 4 Question 2: What number should replace the question mark in Figure 4?
(d) 26
(e)
Answers: (1) b (2) 14; 142 = 196 ln Figure 2, 841 is achieved with 292. ln Figure 3, 324 is achieved with 182.
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ANIMAL WORD HUNT! See if you can solve the crossword puzzle! 4
5
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1
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7
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Answers: Down 1. Elephant 2. Panda 3. Skunk 4. Penguin
Across 5. Rhinoceros 6. Lion 7. Porcupine 8. Flamingo
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Down 1. The e sleeps two to three hours per day and spends the rest of the time eating. 2. The p takes 40 seconds to peel and eat a bamboo stick. 3. The s releases oily and smelly substances whenever it feels threatened. 4. The p can swim at approximately 24 to 32 kilometres per hour and hold its breath for 20 minutes.
Across 5. R cover themselves with mud to protect themselves from insects and suffering from a sunburn. 6. The l is a carnivore that hunts and preys mostly on antelopes, zebras and wildebeest. 7. The p 30,000 sharp spines. 8. The f
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s body is covered with up to stands on one leg when resting.
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