Singapore's Child February 2015 Preview by Singapore's Child

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Your Lifestyle & Practical Family Resource

do you Have Stubborn Kids? Bring out their best and handle their worst

Get Your Little One Talking

Experts reveal their favourite language skills

where to go to next?

All Things

Sweet

Look pretty in pastel shades and get ready for some V-Day fun FEB 2015 Issue 159 $4.50 (Incl. GST)

We Want

Candy Wearing the pretty pale shades head-to-toe is refreshingly au courant. Check out how our models don macaron hues, and get sweetshopworthy outfit inspiration for your own juniors.

Photography Max Ng

Art Direction Geraldine Tan

Fashion assistant shaistah Munawar

Fashion Stylist Raja Jumira

Makeup & Hairstyling Venice Ng, using Make Up For Ever

Models Christan Ching (Red Carpet Invite, 9739 3673) & Rianne Hudson Lim

10 singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child | february 2015

(From left to right) On Rianne: Olivia dress, $58, Chateau de Sable; Floral headband, $11.90, Gingersnaps; Bracelet, $14.90 per set, Monsoon Children On Christan: Lime green striped shirt with bow, $102, Nicholas & Bears; Hugo pants, $44, Chateau de Sable; Belt, stylist’s own On the table: Large cake stand, $54.50, Tala Cook’s measuring cone, $24.50, Regency 3-tier cake stand, $85 & Afternoon tea set, $26.90, all from Metro Centrepoint; Mini & regular cupcakes, $17.90 for 12 & $34 for 12 respectively (customised cupcake options available), courtesy of Twelve Cupcakes; Thank You mix candies (225g jar), $9.90, Raspberry Lemonade candies (225g jar), $8.90 & Lychee Pillows candies (225g Jar), $8.90, courtesy of Sticky Decoration & set-up: Rosette’s Little Precious DIY kits, $249 each, courtesy of http://littleprecious.sg

singapore’s child february 2015

showcase bby

u For the h

SC loves this!

PlayStation 4, $639, authorised retailers

Carolina Herrera Spring/ Summer 2015 Men's Collection

Surprise!

Fossil Machine watch (FS5035), $379, Fossil boutiques

Make your beloved husband feel truly special with the delightful range of gifts. SteelSeries Siberia v3 Prism, $199, Challenger, Newstead Technologies & GamePro Shop

Bag, price unavailable, Fossil boutiques

16 singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child | february 2015

Longchamp Cavalier Collection grey backpack, $1,352, Longchamp boutiques

Jette Champagne / Wine Cooler CromarganÂŽ, polished, $199, WMF Concept Shops at leading departmental stores

Clutch, $49.90, Metro Centrepoint

Fantasy horse print cotton carré silk, $310, Gucci

For t he

Carolina Herrera Spring/ Summer 2015 Women's Collection

wifey

Roger Vivier T-Shirt Love Collection Miss Viv bag, $3,880, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, #02-12F

Sweet Gesture

Enjoy a romantic date together, but get her a gift she’ll love as much as she loves you. Esprit Valentine’s Day Collection 2015 watch, $245 (comes with a complimentary bracelet), selected Esprit stores & all authorised retailers

For something classic!

BONIA Maya leather backpack, $550, BONIA boutiques

High heel sandal, $1,530, Gucci

Colourella bangle, from $1,438, Goldheart Jewelry

Dress, $735, Carolina Herrera Cuir braided leather women’s belt, $750, Gucci

singapore’s child february 2015

grow

Focus On

Feelings

An ability to recognise and understand emotions can help your kid have better friendships, succeed in school, and even become closer with you. Boost your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EQ with these fun games. By Nancy Rones

28 singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child | february 2015

icture this: You’re playing at the park with your kids when your three-year-old trips and falls on the cement. Before you can say, “Uh-oh,” your six-year-old has dropped their ball and swooped in to help. Isn’t it amazing how someone so small can have such a big heart? Of course, a few hours later, that same kid won’t stop whining about wanting to go to the playground – just when you’re in the middle of a computer crash, you’ve spilled half a carton of milk, and you’re clearly, unmistakably frustrated. How is it that your child can be so tuned in one minute but so clueless the next? A preschooler’s emotional smarts, their ability to recognise and have concern for someone else’s emotions, as well as to connect them with their own, are certainly still developing. By age four, many kids are able to read a situation and offer age-appropriate responses, such as comforting with a hug or a kiss. However, right up through the early school years, children still have a tendency to be self-centred – some kids more than others. This makes it tough for them to truly empathise with someone else. You can’t fast forward a normal child development, but just as you can boost your tot’s IQ, you can help cultivate their “emotional intelligence” (aka EQ). In fact, research has found that EQ improves a child’s friendships, family relationships, and classroom success. It may even create better behaviour overall, notes Mary C. Lamia, author of Understanding Myself: A Kid’s Guide to Intense Emotions and Strong Feelings. There are plenty of ways to experiment with emotions. But rather than just pointing to a picture of someone looking happy in a book, help your kid learn about emotions through experience, real or make-believe. To get started, try these fun EQ-boosting games.

The Seven Dwarves

The lesson: Understand the ways that different emotions and feelings can make us move, talk and interact. Set the scene: Remind your child of the story of Snow White – and how each dwarf was named after a characteristic. Then, each of you can pretend to be one of the dwarves (encourage your child to act like Happy, Bashful or Grumpy).

How to play: While in character, go about your regular routine. Suggest to your kid to ham it up by asking them things like, “How do you think Happy would act while he puts on his shoes?” After a few minutes, say “Hi-ho, hi-ho, now it’s time to choose another dwarf...” and each pick another role to play. After your child has tried out a few, reveal a fairy tale secret: The dwarves have cousins named Excited, Sad and Guilty – and then pretend that you’re the cousins too! Fishing For Feelings

The lesson: Different facial expressions go with different emotions. Set the scene: Take digital photos of family members expressing different emotions. Your husband might wear a surprised expression by opening his mouth in an ‘O’ and raising his eyebrows, while Grandma can make an angry face. Print about 10 photos, and then mount them on small pieces of cardboard. How to play: With your “playing cards” assembled, place them under a piece of blue or green cloth (aka the ocean). Next, ask your child to go fishing. Have them reach under to pull out a card, and then try to name the emotion that they “caught”. Once they get the hang of it, step things up a notch by having them act out the emotion on the card without naming it. Your job? Correctly guessing it! Once you get the answer, it’s your turn to “go fish”. Magical Mind Reading

The lesson: You can sense feelings. Set the scene: Go to the playground. During a break from the swings, sit and have a snack and observe all the emotions that others have around you. How to play: Point out to a kid in your vicinity (for example, a boy who’s laughing hysterically as he’s rocking on the spring horse), and ask your child to guess what he’s thinking. Look for opportunities to identify different feelings, such as that of the little girl who seems angry because she hasn’t been able to make it across the monkey bars after numerous tries, or the toddler who looks fearful about going down the slide. Get them to pay attention to non-verbal cues, such as facial expression, tone of voice, as well as posture and gestures. You can also ask your child to pick out a couple mums or dads, and describe what’s going on in their head too.

singapore’s child february 2015

family

Soup For

The Soul

Have some fun with the kids in the kitchen and get them helping to make soup, while learning more about the role of Chinese soup stock in Chinese cooking.

arents, grandparents, and youngsters cooking together in the kitchen, sharing family recipes and secrets passed from one generation to the next, is a lost art in many households. These days, it’s hard for busy parents even to take time out to teach their kids basic cooking techniques. It’s true that including the kids in cooking meals requires time, patience, and some extra clean-up, especially when the children are younger. But many experts think it is well worth the effort.

46 singapore’s child | february 2015

For one thing, cooking with your kids can help get them interested in trying healthy foods they might normally turn their noses up at. To begin, soup is a great choice if you’re trying to eat a little healthier, especially if you make it yourself. And since Chinese New Year is around the corner, there’s nothing like enjoying a hearty soup and home-made meals around the family dinner table. Making soup stock from scratch

Are you one of those do-it-yourself kind of person? You want to make that perfect pot of Chinese soup stock from scratch? Here are some

key ingredients that you can take note of when making soup stock from scratch. • C h i c k e n B r oth The curative power of chicken soup cuts across culinary cultures and here is why. The gelatine in the chicken bone broth protects and heals the lining of the digestive tract, which holds much of the body’s immune system and enables digestion of nutrients. Its glucosamine content helps repair damaged joints and reduces pain and inflammation, while gelatine and collagen are beneficial for hair, nails and skin.

• Dried Scallop Also known as “conpoy” (derived from its Cantonese pronunciation), its taste is rich in umami due to a high content of various free amino acids. This lends a distinctive flavour profile to gourmet Chinese cuisine, particularly soup broth. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it replenishes blood and strengthens the kidney and spleen. • D r i e d Octo p u s Dried octopus and dried cuttlefish lend a savoury depth and a hint of smokiness to Chinese soups, enhancing the taste of other soup ingredients in the cooking process. Rich in calcium, phosphorus and iron, dried octopus is known in TCM to tonify blood and promote tissue regeneration. • L otu s R o ot Rich in phytonutrients and dietary fibre, its iron and copper content boost red blood cell production and increase vitality, while high potassium levels improve circulation and cardiovascular health. It is also known in TCM for its strengthening properties and ability to stimulate appetites. • Pean ut Packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, it is reputed to nourish the stomach, moisten the lung and resolve phlegm, according to TCM. Peanut lends a rich and earthy flavour profile to soups. • R e d D at e A TCM favourite to build up the warm half of the yin-yang balance, it is known especially for its ability

to nourish blood and improve sallow complexions. In addition to the hint of sweetness it brings to balance savoury flavours in cuisine, ladies consume it for its restorative and beautifying properties. • W o l f b e r ry One of the most antioxidant-rich fruits around, the wolfberry is revered as a TCM superfood and is used in remedies to improve eye health, promote youthful skin, and strengthen the liver and kidneys. • C a r r ot Filled with beneficial phytonutrients and antioxidant properties, it is best known for its beta-carotene content. Beta-carotene not only gives carrot its glorious shade of orange, it is converted to Vitamin A in the body for healthy skin and mucous membranes, a strong immune system and good eye health and vision. • P otato Often considered a comfort food due to its creamy texture, the potato is rich in Vitamin B6 that is important for cell building, nervous system activity and cardiovascular protection. It even has TCM properties and helps to balance the stomach, remove toxicity and reduce swelling. • Onion Rich in sulphur compounds that give the onion its pungent aromas, these compounds aid in anti-clotting, connective tissue health and antiinflammation. Onion is also known as a “warm” food in TCM, as it helps to dispel “windcold” as well as promote digestion.

S o u p -M a k i n g S e c r et s

Learn these useful tips from the book “All About Soups” to ensure a great-tasting pot of nourishing soup!

Use lean meat and trim fat Lean meat holds its shape well during cooking and imparts better flavour to the soup. Trimming meat and bones of fat before cooking produces a soup that is less oily, so you can better enjoy the soup’s natural flavours.

Scald meat and bones with boiling water before cooking This helps to wash off blood, oil and dirt and ensures a clearer soup broth with a “clean” flavour profile.

Skim off foam and scum during cooking It is important to clarify the broth, as a good bowl of Chinese soup presents a clear broth that shows off the soup’s ingredients.

Control the level of boiling carefully Use the slow-cooking or doubleboiling method to ensure that you do not overcook soups. Controlling the level of heat and boiling will enable the ingredients to release their flavours fully, while retaining their shape and texture for a full soup-drinking experience.

singapore’s child february 2015

recipes

The Comfort Of

Cooking

Let’s put together a comforting Asian dinner at home with these recipes – they’re a fantastic choice for busy weeknights!

Stir-Fried Beef & Broccoli Ingredients 3 tbsp cornstarch 10 tbsp water ½ tsp garlic powder 450g boneless round steak, cut into thin 3-inch strips 2 tbsp vegetable oil 4 cups broccoli florets 1 small onion, cut into wedges 1/3 cup soy sauce 2 tbsp brown sugar 5cm ginger, peeled and sliced

METHODS • In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp water and garlic powder until smooth. Add beef and toss. • In a large skillet over medium high heat, stir-fry beef in 1 tbsp oil until beef reaches desired doneness. Remove and keep warm. • Stir-fry broccoli, onion and ginger in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes. Return beef to skillet. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, and remaining cornstarch and water, and then stir for 2 minutes to combine the ingredients well. • As soon as the sauce thickens, dish out and serve immediately.

58 singapore’s child | february 2015

Kung Pao Chicken Ingredients 1½ boneless & skinless chicken breast (or 3 boneless & skinless chicken drumsticks) 3 tbsp roasted peanuts 8-12 dried red chillies, deseeded and cut into halves 3 tbsp cooking oil 5 slices peeled fresh ginger 2 cloves garlic, sliced diagonally 1 stalk scallion, chopped

For the marinade: 1 2 1 1

tbsp cornstarch tsp soy sauce tbsp Shaoxing wine tsp oil

For the sauce: 1½ tbsp light soy sauce 1 tsp dark soy sauce 1 tsp sugar ¼ tsp black vinegar 2 tbsp water 1 tsp cornstarch

METHODS • Cut the chicken meat into small cubes, rinse in water, pat dry with paper towels and marinate with the ingredients above for 30 minutes. • Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. • Heat up a wok with 1 tbsp cooking oil and stir-fry the marinated chicken until they are 70% cooked. Dish out and set aside. • Clean the wok and add in the remaining 2 tbsp of cooking oil until it smokes. Add in the ginger and garlic slices and do a quick stir before adding in the dried red chillies. • Stir fry the dried red chillies until aromatic, and then add in the chicken meat. Do a quick stir before adding in the roasted peanuts and continue to stir a few times. • Add in the sauce and stir continuously until the chicken meat is nicely coated with the sauce. Add in the scallions and stir evenly. Dish out and serve hot with steamed white rice.

singapore’s child february 2015

Z o n D I e K KID

& B S 12 ELO W

FEBRUARY 2015 ISSUE 159

e in An adventur e Ancient Rom

Get bug ged by

bugs

d Fun an fts a easy cr

Living in a perfec t planet

WHAT'S NEW

STYLE MY PONY

What’s more fun than a magical, fashionable pony? A pony you can “grow” hair for! This Play-Doh My Little Pony Rainbow Dash Style Salon Playset includes a pony extruder that looks like Rainbow Dash and six colours of Play-Doh modelling compound. You can make a rainbow braid for her and cut it off with the scissors, and make all kinds of fun decorations! Retails at $24.90 at Toys’ R’Us and major department stores

ALL NEW WEEK ON

DISNEY JUNIOR Celebrate the Lunar New Year with brand new episodes of your favourite Disney Junior series such as Hi-5, Henry Hugglemonster, Doc McStuffins, Sheriff Callie’s Wild West and Sofia the First. The year of the goat promises to be off to a great start for us! The episodes will be aired from 16 to 20 February at 9am (Encore same date at 12.30pm and 7pm)

GET INTO THE ACTION Combine and convert for some awesome Transformers action! The Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Deluxe Class Figure Assortment transforms fast to jet mode from robot mode whenever it is needed. But he can also become an arm or a leg when the battle calls for you to build a truly hardcore Superion warrior. Whatever mode your figure is in, he’s going to bring maximum carnage to the fight.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

REOPENS

Retails at $31.90 at Toys’ R’Us and major department stores (Other figures sold separately)

Are you an adrenaline-junkie roller coaster fanatic? We have good news for you! The popular Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cyclon roller coaster at the Universal Studios Singapore (USS) is targeted to reopen in early 2015, featuring all-new, two-seater ride vehicles and a smoother ride experience. The newly designed vehicles will give you a more intimate and personal ride experience, and will enhance the feeling of speed and thrill the ride already offers. Can’t you tell that this project proves to be so irresistibly exciting to roller coaster fans like us? We’re only hoping that USS will announce the launch date soon!

INSIDE INSIGHT

Join Shaun, Bitzer and the Flock on their hilarious, action-packed, big screen adventure as they make plans to rescue the missing Farmer.

SHEEP ON THE LOOSE Shaun is a clever, mischievous sheep who lives with his flock on Mossy Bottom Farm, under the nominal supervision of The Farmer, and Bitzer, a well-meaning but ineffectual sheepdog. Despite Shaun's best efforts, life on the farm has got into a bit of a rut.

So when Shaun decides to take the day off and have some fun, he gets a little more action than he bargained for. A mix up with the Farmer, a caravan and a very steep hill lead them all to the Big City, and it's up to Shaun and the Flock to return everyone safely to the green grass of home.

Ever wondere d how do Sha un and the Flock survive the big city? The flock all dress up in fu ll human outfits in order to su rvive in the city. T hey're all dre ssed differently. L ittle Timmy is literally a bac kpack.

Meet some of our favourite characters SHAUN

THE FARMER

TRUMPER

Shaun's a sheep with a heart of gold but his love of mischief can sometimes lead the Flock into trouble! He's smart, inquisitive and always on the look-out for adventure, and in his first movie outing, Shaun gets excitement by the bucket-load! No matter what life throws at him, Shaun has a solution, thinking on his feet to get his pals out of trouble. With his boundless energy and sunny nature, Shaun's a true friend and real hero in the movie.

Poor Farmer thinks he's got it all under control down at Mossy Bottom Farm. As he potters around the fields, with his faithful dog Bitzer by his side, Farmer's completely blind to the mischief going on right under his nose! A man of simple tastes who likes the quiet life, Farmer enjoys nothing more than a cup of tea in front of the TV after a hard day of farming. But he's about to see his quiet life turned upside down - quite literally!

An animal warden who despises animals, Trumper is the movie's bad guy - a power-crazed villain who rules the city's animal shelter with an iron grip. With his high-tech equipment and all-seeing eyes, nothing escapes Trumper's attention, so when an unruly band of farm animals appears on his radar, the hunt is on!

SLIP

BITZER

She may not be the prettiest pooch on the block, but Slip is simply adorable. With her goofy teeth and gentle nature, Slip only has to bat her long eyelashes to make a new friend, and it's not long before Shaun falls under her spell.

Always sensible and a stickler for the rules, Bitzer usually does a good job of keeping Shaun in check. Torn between his job as faithful companion to The Farmer and role of - big brother - to Shaun, Bitzer always tries to do the best for everyone.

IN THEATRES 19 FEB 2015

ÂŠ2014 Aardman Animations Limited and Studiocanal S.A.

TIMMY The smallest member of the Flock, Timmy always has a smile on his face and loves to tag along with his hero Shaun. Wherever Shaun goes, Timmy follows, even if that means getting into the odd scrape or two. Never seen without his orange teddy, Timmy might be teeny but he's bright as button.

ANIMAL PLANET

b d y e g g u B

Bugs

Welcome to the wonderful world of bugs and insects!

Assassin Bugs

Assassin bugs got their creepy name because they silently hide and wait to attack other insects that pass by. Then, they kill them with a dagger-like weapon! Stabbed in the dark

Assassin bugs hunt at night, under the cover of darkness. They stab flies, beetles and other prey with their long proboscis. Then, they suck out their victims’ blood or insides! Assassin bugs mostly hunt other insects. Some feed on the blood of birds and other animals, including humans. Sometimes, they even eat each other!

Kissing bugs

In Central and South America, some types of assassin bugs are known as kissing bugs. They got this name because they often bite people near the mouth while they are sleeping. Yucks!

Beastly bloodsucker

The assassin bug is fast. It feels its victim with its long, thin antennae, and then swiftly stabs with its sharp proboscis. This proboscis injects the unlucky prey with a deadly poison. This paralyses the insect and stops it moving. The poison also turns the insect’s insides into liquid. The assassin bug can also use its proboscis to suck up this soupy substance. When the assassin bug has sucked its victim dry, it folds the proboscis under its head… and waits to strike again!

Fearsome Fact

Some assassin bugs pluck spiders’ webs to make them think a fly is trapped. They then eat the spiders when they get close!

Hovering Hunters

Dragonflies are the helicopters of the bug world! They can dart through the sky at up to 48km an hour, swerving swiftly, stopping suddenly and hovering in mid-air. Spotting lunch

Dragonflies move fast and perform acrobatics in the sky because they hunt other flying insects. At the top of their long, thin bodies are two eyes so big that they cover most of the head. These huge eyes help a dragonfly to spot other insects from as far as six metres away.

Watery beginnings

Dragonflies start life underwater. Larvae hatch from eggs and swim around eating tadpoles and underwater insects. After several years, the larvae crawl out of the water and become adults.

Eye spy

Humans have two eyes, but dragonflies have the equivalent of 30,000! Dragonflies have two compound eyes. Each eye is made up of thousands of tiny facets. Each facet collects light and sends messages to the brain. Each facet points a slightly different way, so dragonflies can see in all directions at the same time. Compound eyes wrap around a dragonflyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head, so it can watch insects fly overhead.

Fearsome Fact

Dragonflies have six legs (like all insects), but they only use them to perch on plants. They cannot walk!

SCIENCE FACTOR

The Perfect Planet

At last, we have found the Perfect Planet. That’s where we stay. After all, Earth is unique in its ability to maintain life. We all call Earth home. Of all the planets and other bodies in the solar system, Earth is the only place that supports life. That makes our planet one of a kind! Earth’s many features work together to make life possible. Our planet has many different ecosystems that are home to a huge variety of plants and animals. These ecosystems are located on landforms, such as high mountains and deep caves. Each ecosystem has exactly the right conditions for the living things found there. Earth is also filled with other special features. Our planet has weather that changes all the time. Plants make the

oxygen that all living things need for survival. And the never-ending water cycle keeps life going. Earth is just one part of our solar system. But it is a spectacular planet in the universe. In space, our home planet spins around and around. While on Earth, life goes on above and below the surface.

Sun

Did Y ou Kn

Earth tr aroun avels 940 millio d the nk Su 30km n at a spe m ed of per se cond.

ow?

n nd the Su Earth’s path arou

Moving around

bour h ig e n e c arth’s Spa st to see E

The Earth has been spinning since it was born. Our planet moves around the Sun, pulled by the star’s gravity. It takes about 365 days, or one year, for Earth to orbit the Sun once.

’s easie At night, it Moon is a hbour. The ig e n t s e s 4,400km clo k about 38 c ro s s le fe s the dry, li ravity keep g ’s h rt a E also away. t the Moon u B y. b e s Moon clo n’s gravity . The Moo h rt a E ts c e aff

This orbit plays a part in Earth’s seasons. Earth’s tilt also plays a role. The Earth is tipped 23½ degrees on its axis. Scientists think that long ago, something hit Earth and pushed it over. So now, as the planet orbits the Sun, the part of Earth tilted toward the heat experiences summer. The half tipped away has winter.

s and rth’s ocean pulls on Ea . sing tides lakes, cau

The Earth doesn’t just orbit the Sun. It also spins on its axis. As the Earth spins, one side of the planet faces the Sun and has daylight. The other side faces away from the Sun and has night. One rotation of the Earth takes 24 hours, or one full day.

Moon

Earth Axis

axis

Moon’s

round path a

Earth

ecosystems - a group of animals and plants that work together with their surroundings gravity - a force that pulls objects together orbit - the path an object follows as it goes around a star axis - an imaginary line that runs through the middle of the planet tides - the constant change in sea level

CRAFTS

Festive Poppers Pop into the Lunar New Year with a bang!

By Michelle Lim Photography Justin Loh

1 Materials you need: . Coloured wrapping papers . Markers . Scissors . Toilet paper roll . Confetti (Optional) . Ribbons . Scotch tape

Cut the toilet paper roll in half. (Adult supervision needed)

2 Draw out designs of your choice using different coloured markers to cover the entire wrapping paper.

Wrap the rolls with wrapping paper and secure with scotch tape.

Fill the rolls with confetti and candy. Try not to stuff it too full or it will be difficult for the contents to pop out.

5 Finally, tie the ends with ribbon to seal everything inside.

Owl

By Michelle Lim Photography Justin Loh

Always L

ve You

This Valentine’s Day, surprise Mum and Dad with these cute little treat bags!

1 Materials you need: . Coloured papers of choice . Pens . Toilet paper roll . Scissors . Brown paper bag . Glue

3 Once you’re done, use a scissors to cut out the shapes. (Adult supervision needed)

2 Fold the bag in half and cut a triangle shape, as shown above.

4 For a more personalised touch, write a note on a smaller piece of coloured paper.

Next, use the pens to trace out the shapes needed for the owl’s face.

5 Finally, assemble and paste the cut-out shapes and your message on the bag.

IDEAS

WAYS

TO PLAY THIS

FEBRUARY Tell a story

and have a grown-up write it down. Add some illustrations, too!

How tall of a block tower can you build?

How many blocks can you stack in one minute?

Paint some card stock

or watercolour paper (with brushes or fingers). When dry, cut the paper into postcards and send notes to friends and family.

Paint with unusual tools. Here are some ideas to get you started: tree branch, toy cars, toothbrush, kitchen sponge, bath scrubbie or cookie cutters.

Have a living room picnic!

Try batting balloons

around the room using your head, elbows, knees, or nose.

Can you bat a balloon back and forth with a fly-swatter?

Make structures with toothpicks and marshmallows.

Make a singlecolour collage.

Gather yarn, paper, buttons, crayons, paint and anything else you can find that is your special colour. Grab some glue and start creating!

Do a sink and float experiment.

Set up a stuffed animal zoo or vet office.

Make signs, tickets, prescriptions and feeding schedules. Lead zoo tours or treat your patients with bandages, medicine (poms poms work great), and love!

Voca prescriptions – instructions written by a medical practitioner that authorises a patient to be issued with a medicine or treatment

Pow b er

illustrations – pictures illustrating a book, newspaper, etc. collage – a piece of art made by sticking various different materials such as photographs and pieces of paper or fabric on to a backing

PUZZLES

JUMBLED WORDS

Unscramble the words and fill in the missing letters. ytar fo trnesgtsoehe

wifroeksr

____ __ ____________

_________

alcirlgyahp

rogdna cdnea

___________

fireworks

ON DRAG ORSE DOG R H X O R E EMP EY O BIT RAB MONK TER ROOS PIG E SNAK RAT P SHEE R E TIG

n Find the words in the grid. Words ca . go across, downwards and diagonally

Answers: tray of togetherness

CHINESE ZODIAC

______ _____

calligraphy

dragon dance

Colour the following picture.