Singapore's Child July 2015 [Preview]

new look!

JuLY 2015 Homework Hacks Train your kids to do homework without arguing

Fat For Life?

Parents can do more to help fight childhood obesity

A staycation at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium

What’s Your Excuse?

Super fit mums share their body toning secrets

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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Terribly Tasty Temptations

Discover the dangers in the most popular kid-friendly foods

/ on the cover model Anwenn Art Direction Aris Lai

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Photography Justin Loh Stylist Naomi Tham Makeup & Hairstyling Ou Yu Hui Outfit Koin from The Children’s Showcase & Cotton On Kids Shoes Dr. Martens Accessories Ferm Living from The Children’s Showcase & k+m

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Super-Sized Kids

Save our kids from the epidemic of obesity

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/ kids 14

Fight Influenza

Stay up to date with the latest fashion trends and inspire your child’s wardrobe choices

/ learn 63

trending

Keep our children safe from respiratory infection

A Lifelong Journey Of Learning

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Highlights of some of the distinctive school programmes available

Style

Get inspired by our fitness fashion styles that would bring out the athletic vibe in the little ones

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Advice

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Experts share ways to deal with your child’s picky eating habits

/ health 24

Freshness Goodness

Tips to keeping and consuming milk fresh

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“Mummy, may I Have A Can Of Coke Please?”

Ditch those soft drinks and opt for healthy alternatives instead

6 JUNe 2015

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To Give Or Not To Give

The lowdown on children’s vitamins

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Homework Hacks

Ways to make the most out of your child’s after-school time

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Study Smart

Five tips on retaining more information in less time

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Wanted: Good Friends

Helping children learn positive friendship skills

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42 / you 54

trending

Fitness essentials to power up your workouts

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Advice

Our experts share fitness training and workout tips

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News, Tips & Trends

The latest skincare products

/ people 48

Rock Your Body

Super fit mums share their secrets

/ subscribe

/ health 40

Refer to pg75 for more details

Fire up your sex drive through food

Refer to pg79 to win a Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium Staycation & Dining Vouchers

The Better Sex Diet

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/ promo

Do You Have The Right Attitude?

/ in every issue

Avoid these exercise blunders if you want to lose weight

6 8 36 72 74 76 80

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Support The Girls

How to choose the perfect sports bra

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our Experts From the Team Feast Reviews Stockists Events Inspire

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6 Apps For A Healthier Life

Apps that we would pay for, even if they aren’t FOC

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Fitness Classes For The Family

sc loves this!

The family who exercises together, stays together

/ beauty 57

Tried & tested: Drink your way to good health with collagen

win!

Beat the heat with H2O!

This is why the DS-6 Mini Desktop/ Wall Mounted Water Dispenser with 4-stage filtration system from Wassertec is our trusted choice for clean drinking water.

7 JUNe 2015

Worth A Shot

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presenting the top

Arshaan Singh

Jayden Tan Jin Rui

Drew Codi Medrano

Jaymus Lee

Eshan Wildan bin Eddy

Koah Aloysius Ho

Isaac Tan

Muhammad Shirhan Ehan bin Mohamad Najib

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Jayden Lim Kai Wei

Ryqhel Hay

Join us for the crowning of Singapore’s Child Superstar on Sunday, 5 July, 4pm at OneKM Mall Main Atrium and show your support for all of our adorable finalists!

Three ‘Best Dressed Parents’ will also walk away with fantastic prizes.

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finalists of 2015!

Aadhya Anand

Camille Lesslar

Casabelle Tan

Kaeyla Goh Shuet Rou

Leah Rice

Melody teerachip

Rianne Hudson Lim

Roshnirhea Rajasegar

Tan Xiao Xuan Xelia

Xaviera Batrisya binte Norfian

Log on to our Facebook: Singapore’s Child for more photos

Singapore’s Child

SingaporesChild

It’s All About Seed Heritage

Deck your kids out in funky new threads from Seed Heritage, an iconic Australian kids’ fashion label, which has opened its first boutique at Parkway Parade.

Here’s what you can look forward to!

Set sail for summer The brand’s Summer 2015 Collection features plenty of whimsical prints on comfy, breezy pieces – think swing tank tops with pastel patterns for the girls, and anchor and wildlife motifs on classic tees for the boys. The summer collection also includes super-cute jelly sandals in an array of colours and styles – perfect for a day at the park or beach.

It’s time to party Also in store is the brand’s new Seed Party Collection, which is specially designed for girls aged between one and 10 years. Here, you’ll find sparkly party dresses in polka dots and dreamy tulle, glittery ballet flats, metallic patterned leggings and more – practically the stuff of magical fairy tales!

One-Stop Fashion e-Shop

Get the latest trends delivered to your doorstep!

14 JUly 2015

ZALORA for kids

ALFIE is never boring

Asia’s online fashion destination has just added a whole new kids’ offering with ZALORA Marketplace Kids (http:// marketplace.zalora.sg/kids/). Get inspired by cute head-totoe outfits from popular children’s wear brands like Joules, Hush Puppies, Pediped and Le Petit Society! And while you’re at it, why not shop for yourself too?

Can’t get enough of online shopping? We are thrilled to have discovered an uber cool, comfy, playful, high quality label for the kids. ALFIE (www.alfieapparel.com), an Australian-based kids’ label, has a range of basics with a modern edge. Not only that, the baby fits it too. Another one-stop shop for kids aged two to 12, count us in!

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Cute Shoes Your Daughter Needs

The little ones are in for a delight with the newest “Mini Melissa” designs, available exclusively at MDREAMS boutiques. Here’s what we love from the series!

For The Brave & The Brazen CAVALIER (www.cavaliervault.com), the

product of funky Singaporean design team, continues to reconstruct casual classics with unexpected surprises. Check out its latest collection, called ‘What Saucery?’ which is inspired by the things we eat! Need a sartorial pick-me-up for your child? These head-turning options might be the answer – simply choose from these four eccentric pieces, namely the Cheeseburger tee ($75), the Milk top ($75), the Egg tee ($65), and the eponymous skirt ($95) that’s got a tomato and mustard squeeze bottle appliques on its pockets.

Pokémon Fans, Rejoice

its second edition, this time with the face of a duck; commonly known for waddling through water – as waterproof as Melissa shoes!

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The Mini Melissa Furadinha ($85) is topped

with a heart-shaped waffle applique that is sure to kick-start pastry cravings.

How sweet!

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The Mini Melissa IT ($95)

features 3D cat whiskers and comes in three colours – pink, yellow and black. Oh, and they’re suitable for both boys and girls too.

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The Mini Melissa Ultragirl Dog ($85) will definitely

appeal to canine lovers.

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15 JUly 2015

Is your son a hardcore Pokefan? A range of eight Pokémon UNIQLO t-shirts (UT) for boys, retailing at $14.90 each, is available at selected stores and online (www.uniqlo.com/sg/). What’s more, with every Pokémon UT purchased instore or every transaction inclusive of one or more Pokémon UT in the online store, customers will receive an exclusive Pokémon sticker set. This offer is valid while stocks last.

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The Mini Melissa Sugar Rain ($95) is back in

YOU / Beauty 16 JUNe 2015

dps 1boy 1girl Photography Justin Loh Makeup & Hairstyling Sarah Ee

Art Direction Aris Lai

Stylist Sharon Tan

Assisted by Naomi Tham

Models Maxine Tan & Samuel Chaplin (Red Carpet Invite, 9739 3673)

Location Vanda Boxing Club

(From left to right) On Maxine: Blue sequinned dress, $179.90, Guess Kids; Leopard print headband, $8.95, Seed Heritage; Everlast red gloves, courtesy of Vanda Boxing Club On Sam: Yellow windbreaker, $49.90, Zara Kids; Blue shorts, $26.90, Fox Kids & Baby; Everlast black gloves, courtesy of Vanda Boxing Club

17 JUNe 2015

YOU / Beauty

get the look 1

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1. Boy aviators, $15, Monsoon Kids 2.Tucker Flock Tuk Tuk graphic t-shirt, $19, Monsoon Kids 3. Printed backpack, $69.90, Zara Kids 4. Pro Style Elite training gloves, USD 39.99, Everlast 5. Pants, $69.90, Massimo Dutti 6. Star cap, $19.90, Zara Kids 7. Contrast padded vest, $45.90, Zara Kids 8. Mesh plimsolls, $55.90, Zara Kids

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Striped vest, $57.95, Seed Heritage; Orange t-shirt, $16.90, Fox Kids & Baby; Denim pants, $57.95, Seed Heritage; Red sneakers, $69.90, Converse; Flat cap, $19.90, Zara Kids; adidas red wrist wrap, courtesy of Vanda Boxing Club

Terribly Tasty

temptations We unearth some of the biggest dangers behind six of the most popular kid-friendly foods.

By CARA WONG

Breakfast Cereals It’s easy to be fooled into thinking that breakfast cereals are a nutritious breakfast for kids to start the day with.

After all, advertisements often proclaim that so-and-so cereal is packed with vitamins and minerals, or that it has a high fibre content. But what they don’t advertise is that these cereals often have had sugar added to cater to children’s taste buds. In fact, a report by Environmental Working Group revealed that children’s cereals contained 40 per cent more sugar than adult’s cereals on average.

SC suggests…

30 JUly 2015

No kid needs a sugar rush early in the morning, so the best way to prevent that is to be discerning in your choice of cereals – anything that’s below four grams of sugar per serving is a safe bet.

Burgers Which kid doesn’t love a good old cheeseburger?

There’s a reason why the simple burger is listed on most kids’ menus, but it’s not always a good idea – especially if it’s made from processed red meat.

According to a famed study by the Harvard School of Public Health, one daily serving of processed red meat is associated with a 20 per cent increased risk of mortality. And while those statistics might be more relevant to the adults, kids should take heed too. After all, you won’t want them to acquire an unhealthy appetite for burgers.

SC suggests…

A healthier alternative would be to make the burgers from scratch yourself, swapping out the beef patties for a leaner cut of turkey.

Pizza

Fish and Chips Probably the only fish that kids will love to eat over and over again, fish and chips have been around since the 1800s. Served together with thick cut fries (or chips as the Brits call it), having one serving of fried fish a week is said to increase the risk of heart failure by almost 50 per cent. So, no, this dish is definitely not one that you want your kids to indulge in all the time.

SC suggests…

But when they do ask for it, try to get them to eat less of the batter, as it absorbs a lot of fat, and split the fries with them. A little bit can go a long way!

The traditional pizza has evolved far from its wholesome Italian roots and is now more closely associated with fast food.

And as with most fast foods, pizzas nowadays are often laden with preservatives and saturated fat. According to Pizza Hut’s factsheet, just one slice of their Meatlovers Pizza has six grams of saturated fat. That means a kid with a big appetite could easily exceed the daily recommended amount of 16 grams of saturated fat – as recommended by the American Heart Association – by consuming just three slices! (Because let’s face it, they aren’t going to stop at one!)

SC suggests…

So instead of getting them from fast food chains, put in some effort into making your own healthier pizzas.

They’ll definitely be a far better choice.

Spaghetti Bolognese This classic family-friendly dish is a mainstay of almost all kids’ menus. The good news is that the dish is usually a safe bet, nutritionwise. Plus, they must be a favourite recipe for most mums as it is quick and easy to make. The danger only kicks in when you purchase tomato sauce off the supermarket shelves.

Some brands of spaghetti sauce contain high levels of salt and added sugar, all bad news for an average adult, and definitely not something that you want to introduce to your kids.

SC suggests…

As a rule of thumb, salt intake should be reduced to less than five grams per day – as stated in the Health Promotion Board’s dietary guide – so be sure that your daily servings of spaghetti sauce are well below the levels.

the goodness in gardens!

Eat colourful foods for better health

• RED bell peppers have 2x the recommended amount of vitamin C. • Craving potatoes? Go PURPLE! Purple potatoes have a whopping 4x the amount of antioxidants as Russet potatoes.

31 JUly 2015

• All-mighty GREEN kale keeps skin clear, fights cancer, and helps your heart’s health.

sc loves this!

Munch Saladsmith

112 Robinson Rd, Robinson 112, #01-01, Singapore 068902

Fresh. Crispy. Healthy. At Munch Saladsmith & Rotisserie, you can be sure you are offered only the best.

Using only the freshest ingredients, Munch’s typical salads consist of unique flavours like tuna pasta, pear and feta, or sprouts and tangerines, which you can order in four different ways (Petit two for $7.90, regular threes for $9.90, massive fours for $11.90 or a wrap for $8). A mix of greens and proteins, there is no better way to getting your healthy balanced meal fix than in Munch.

eating clean with the numerous healthy eating cafÉs springing up all around, We round up a couple that are perfect for your hearty taste buds.

By juliette Lim 36 JUly 2015

According to the Ministry of Health, Singaporeans are increasingly becoming more health conscious

7/10

say their health is not as good as it was five years ago

49%

eat nutritious meals a few times a week

61.4%

eat too much fat

59.4%

exceed their recommended calorie intake

According to the 2010 National Nutrition Survey,

70%

of Singaporeans typically consume more calories than the recommended calorie intake

Skinny Salads

#01-03 100AM Shopping Mall, 100 Tras Street, Singapore 079027 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)

38 JUly 2015

If you are familiar with Skinny Pizza, then Skinny Salads should be no stranger to you.

Skinny Salads is a fresh concept, which offers not only delectable salads but also grilled wraps and vitamin-packed juices to ensure that you get all the nutrients you need. With flavours like Fermented Cabbage & Yuzu ($11.50), Green Papaya & Snake Beans ($9.00) and wraps like Seared Tuna & Tapenade ($10.50), celebrity chef Philip Davenport of Toque 12 TV series makes certain you enjoy food adventures from both the West and East and at the same time, giving your body a healthy boost!

Support

the girls Get a better workout with the right sports bra that best suits your body.

By Shaistah Munawar

W

ith so many brands, styles, and features to choose from, finding the right sports bra can seem like a tricky task. But wearing the correct sports bra should be a vital part of your exercise routine because a wrong one could lead to every women’s nightmare – sagging.

Hold them In! According to Dr Joanna Scurr, scientist and leader of the Breast Health Research Group at the University of Portsmouth, when the breast is not supported correctly and there is tension on the ligaments and skin of the breast, it can result in strain. Over time, this may lead to a stretching of the breasts natural support, which could lead to permanent breast damage.

“With each running stride, breasts move not only up and down but also side to side and in and out, tracing a butterfly pattern.

Unsupported, the average A cup travels about an inch and a half in each direction, and a D cup bounces two to three inches,” she adds.

Moreover, in her latest study, it was found that breasts move as much during slow jogging as they do at maximum sprint speed. This is why she stresses that, “wearing a sports bra for slow jogging is just as important as it is when sprinting.”

The Size is Right Did you know that fitting a sports bra is a lot simpler than choosing a daily bra? This is because sports bras lack the under wiring you find in most bras and are based around your usual cup size. Here are three factors to consider when choosing a sports bra.

The average

lifespan

of a sports bra ranges between

9-15

months of regular wear

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Top Performers Here are seven of our favourite sports bras in the market!

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Support System • The idea of a sports bra is to compress you slightly, allowing you to move, jump and run without bouncing, so the sizes are the same as your standard bras, but the fit needs to be a lot closer fitting.

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• You should just about be able to get a finger under the supportive lower cuff of the bra, and it should be tight without cutting into your skin. The stretch will increase as the bra is used, so go tighter if in doubt.

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Determining Bra Type

win!

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win!

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√ Compression bras are best for A and B cups.

They compress the breasts against the chest wall to restrict movement. Compression bras come in two basic styles scoop-back styles work well for women during low- or mediumimpact activities while racerback styles are more supportive and are better for medium- and high-impact activities.

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Email your name, NRIC, contact number and home address to contest@keyeditions.com by 31 July 2015 to win a set of Triumph or Sloggi sports bra!

Low-impact sports bras, used for stretching or walking,

√ Encapsulation bras are best for D and DD cups.

They use individual cups to surround and support each breast separately. There is no compression in these bras.

Design •Look for separation that can provide a more flattering look, as well as features that allow adjustability.

• Many sports bras are adjustable over the back area and straps, but new designs are also adjustable on the front fastening between cups.

• The other option is to choose a sports bra that is designed without seams in order to avoid chaffing or irritation. This is particularly important for highimpact sports such as running and cycling.

Make it Last • Wash the bra in cold water with mild detergent. Avoid fabric softener and bleach.

• Dry it flat or line dry it. For the dryer, use the cold tumble cycle only.

• Replace the bra if the ends of the spandex fibers start showing or the fabric no longer snaps back into shape.

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1. H&M sports bra, price unavailable 2. Flow Y bra, $72, Lululemon 3. Nike Pro Classic padded diagonal stripe bra, $69, Nike stores 4. Triumph Triaction sports bra, $79.90, Triumph stores 5. H&M sports bra, $19.90 6. sloggi Love sports bra, $74.90, Triumph stores 7. Under Armour Eclipse bra, $59, Under Armour stores

√ Compression/ encapsulation bras are best for C and D cups.

These “combination” bras combine the above two methods into a supportive and comfortable style. These bras offer more support than compression alone.

are often cut like a crop-top and are generally made from a thinner material.

GEAR UP

Power up your workouts with these fitness essentials.

Rip Curl blow up trucker cap, $24.90, Zalora

Sony SmartWatch 3, $298, Sony stores

Run to the Rhythm

Take your exercise regime a level up with the Sony Smart B-Trainer™ ($399, Sony stores), an all-in-one training device and application that literally motivates your exercise regime with its range of features, such as intelligent music playback based on heart rate monitoring, various training plans, and real time voice coaching. Developed with the modern runner in mind, the Smart B-Trainer™ comes in neckbandstyle housing, and is non-slip to provide you the freedom to run as you like.

What’s more, it consists of the SSEBTR1 headphone-integrated device that is packed with six types of sensors – heart rate, acceleration, GPS, compass, gyro and barometer – and measures, as well as records 11 types of running logs – heart rate, burned calories, distance, time, speed, pace, cadence, steps, stride, running route and elevation.

Training shorts, $49.90, H&M

sc loves this!

Nike t-shirt, $49, Zalora

Black Airtex holdall, $83, TopMan

Like Father, Like Son

54 JUly 2015

A father is every boy’s superhero. Be in matching attire with your little boy with the Taped Ringer T-Shirts ($59 & $89, Fred Perry stores). Sporty and cool, the t-shirts are designed in a range of retro-inspired colours and are always finished with the Laurel Wreath embroidery. But, this time round, the Venezuelan designer plays with contrast, asymmetrical lines and volume.

WORK IT OUT

Inject some colour and style to your daily exercise with these picks.

Track your Fitness

Three-pack hair bands, $2.90, H&M

Premium Superstar track jacket by Topshop for adidas Originals, $403, Topshop

Water bottle, price unavailable, H&M

Designed by Yves Behar, the UP2 by Jawbone ($179, major electronic stores) tracker fits discreetly into your life for continuous 24/7 wear. It features an incredibly low profile and stylish design with an anodised aluminium framework that gives it an elegant look and feel.

The tracker’s gentle vibrating motor can be set to wake you up at the most optimal point in your natural sleep cycle, or remind you to get up and move when you’ve been inactive for a certain amount of time. Use your UP2 band to set custom reminders that gently buzz you on the wrist.

Asian Flavour

Fitbit Flex, $129, Challenger

sc loves this!

Yoga tights, $49.90, H&M

55 JUly 2015

Vazee Rush, $149, leading sport stores

Jazz up your wardrobe with brands from around the region with SocietyA (http://society-a.com)! It features carefully-curated garments, shoes, bags and accessories from leading and up-and-coming Asian designers and labels such as Tibaeg, Grace Raiment and SPUR from Korea.

A Lifelong Journey

of learning 63 JUly 2015

More schools are now offering niches of excellence to enrich students’ educational experience. The Ministry of Education shares with us some highlights of the programmes available.

Northoaks Primary School

Anchor Green Primary School

www.northoakspri.moe.edu.sg

31 Anchorvale Dr, Singapore 544969 www.anchorgreenpri.moe.edu.sg

61 Sembawang Drive, Singapore 757622

The school places a strong focus on Character and Citizenship Education and the school’s core values are the bedrock of the Northoaks’ brand of education. From the core to non-core curriculum, values education is integrated into the teaching and learning in Northoaks Primary.

Check out!

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Young Artists Modules

The “Young Artists” Modules aim to expose students to the works of great artists and to intrigue their imagination through art. The modules enhance the learning experiences through the use of different ageappropriate art mediums and make learning meaningful and relevant. Students as young as those in Primary 1 are exposed to the works of Arcimboldo and the like, where they explore his style of painting fruits and create their own pieces of artwork. Meaningful discussions on the art pieces are planned for students to express themselves, which will lead to the development of artistic as well as social-emotional competencies.

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Sports Enrichment Programmes

64 JUly 2015

The school introduced the Sports Enrichment Programmes to imbue the school core values in students such as tenacity and respect. Through participation in sports such as in-line skating, Wushu and silat, students get to learn both the techniques of the sports and values such as perseverance, respect for others’ personal space, and teamwork.

The school’s mission is to Nurture Talents, Develop Character and Groom Leaders. The school believes that every student: • wants to learn when opportunities are given; • has the full potential to learn and develop; • learns better in a happy and nurturing environment; • can be taught good values and habits; and • can achieve all-round development.

Check out!

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Environmental Education

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Rich Learning Experiences

The school focuses on the holistic development of students through a culture of care, collaboration and innovation. It provides opportunities for learning and development in the aesthetics, cognitive, physical and social-emotional domains through ‘The AGPS Experience’, with a focus on Environmental Education (EE) as its Learning for Life Programme (LLP).

A strong belief in teaching life skills, the school continues to expand and deepen ties with industry and community partners to provide rich learning experiences and opportunities for students to Aspire, Grow and Serve. Life skills with elements of EE and practical knowledge are brought to the classrooms through programmes such as Science Alive! and Science Challenge @ AGPS.

PREPARE FOR AWESOMENESS! DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition From 13 Jun ArtScience Museum™

Animal Planet

Best Toys

Fear Factor

Make a handmade token for your mum and present your copy of

PS… My Pals and Secrets Issue 4 at Plaza Singapura to redeem gifts.

Refer to page 3 for details.

JULY 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

Contents 2

Best Toys

3

Did You Know?

4

Designers Geraldine Tan, Chan Fei Ching ADVERTISING & MARKETING Associate Business Director Esmond Seah Executive (Marketing) Lim Chin Yee, Marshall Ang

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Our top picks of the latest toys around

Let’s celebrate Racial Harmony Day!

What’s Up

What you need to know about DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition at Marina Bay Sands

Science Whizz

Understanding the pull of gravity

Animal Planet

Learn about animals that are on the verge of extinction

ONLINE & DIGITAL Deputy Manager Arissa Ha

12

Learn Words

Senior Writer Venetia Sng

14

Book Nook

16

Fun Guide

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

18

Get tips on improving English

Check out these books

Things to look forward to in July

DIY

Interesting experiments using household items

20

Fear Factor

24

Cool Stuff

26

Freak-a-Zoid

30

Deadly and dangerous sports – are you up for the challenge?

Get to know about our amazing anatomy

Freaky facts about common foods

Try These

Stretch your mind with these fun activities and brain teasers

Science Whizz

Understanding

the Pull of

Gravity

By Dr. Scott Poh

Gravity attracts all things towards each other.

It works the same way everywhere, on all kinds of objects and sizes. The bigger an item is, and the closer you are to it, the stronger its gravitational pull is.

In the very beginning of the universe, after the Big Bang, gravity pulled atoms together to make stars and planets. Once the stars and planets had formed, gravity kept the planets in orbit around the stars, and moons orbiting around the planets.

On each planet that is large enough, gravity keeps an atmosphere around the planet. On Earth, gravity keeps the air around us (and everything else) from drifting off into space. Gravity also causes things to fall to the ground, and causes the ocean’s tides.

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What Goes Up Must Come Down Einstein proposed a new way of approaching gravity. One way of looking at gravity is not as an attraction force between two objects, such as how humans are attraction to earth. Instead, we can now say because of curvature space/time near a massive object such as earth, space is pushing humans towards the earth.

Any object with mass like the sun bends the space around it, so that other objects (like planets) that are moving in a straight line are also going around the sun. It may seem to us like the sun is pulling on the planet, but, in actuality, the sun is bending space.

Did

You Know?

Albert Einstein, a scientist, who lived in the 20th century thought that gravity occurred when space itself is curved or warped around a mass, such as a star/ sun or a planet. Hence, a star or a planet would cause a dip in space, so that any other object that came too near would be likely to fall into the dip.

Another way of thinking about gravity is to think that the star and the planet are exchanging tiny particles called gravitons, which help to pull the star and the planet together. It’s as if they were tossing tiny balls back and forth between them.

EARTH

MOON

FORCES OF GRAVITY

d Flas or

h!

PERSON

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However, if the planet gets further away from the star, more of the balls get dropped and lost, and so the gravity between them is weaker.

It’s likely that both of these ideas are at least partly right – maybe the gravitons bend space, or maybe bending space produces gravitons.

However, scientists are yet to detect gravitons.

orbit: the regularly repeated elliptical course of a celestial object or spacecraft about a star or planet warped: relating to or denoting (fictional or hypothetical) space travel by means of distorting space-time mass: a large body of matter with no definite shape graviton: a hypothetical quantum of gravitational energy, regarded as a particle detect: discover or identify the presence or existence of

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Animal Planet

Javan Rhinoceros The Javan rhinoceros has been around for more than 50 million years. Yet now, because of humans, it is on the verge of extinction. A Javan rhinoceros has no natural predators. This is because it is built like a tank with armour-like skin and a long 25cm horn.

LY L A C I CRITANGERED END

Even though it is 3.1 metres long and around 1.5 metres tall, and weighs between 900 and 2,300kg, the Javan rhinoceros can run up to 48km per hour. The Javan rhinoceros has a great sense of smell and hearing, but it cannot see very well. Be careful when getting too close!

ou K no w dY i ?

D Loss of habitat is a big reason why this Asian one-horned rhinoceros struggles to find food and mates.

Another reason the Javan rhinoceros is critically endangered is that poachers get paid a lot of money to kill the rhino for its horn.

Some people, especially in Asia, think the horn of the rhino has special medicinal powers.

Infection often sets in after poachers cut off a rhino’s horn.

10

ou K no w dY i ?

D Mountain gorillas can thrive if left alone in healthy, leafy forests.

Unfortunately, very few gorillas are left in the wild.

d Flas or

h!

Although huge and immensely powerful, mountain gorillas are peaceful, social animals. They spend most of their time sleeping, hunting for food, and socialising within the troop. However, males are extremely protective. The leader, called a silverback, will pound its chest or charge a stranger if it feels threatened.

W

Mountain Gorilla

ALLYD C I T I R C NGERE ENDA

Male mountain gorillas weigh 195kg on average and stand 1.5 metres tall. They are said to be 10 times stronger than a professional football player. A mountain gorilla needs about 39 sq km of land and forest in order to survive. But farming is crowding their habitats, forcing them to move to higher elevations where it is more difficult to find food.

Another reason mountain gorillas are on the verge of extinction is hunters. Hunters shoot gorillas for food, and poachers shoot them for trophies. Also, a virus deadly to mountain gorillas has ravaged them.

Some scientists say that the virus has killed up to 5,000 mountain gorillas. The mountain gorilla was not even known to science until 1902. However, just over 100 years later, there are fewer than 800 left.

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Shelf Help

Book Nook

The best new stories to inspire young minds.

Opal Plumstead

By Jacqueline Wilson Illustrated by Nick Sharratt

Opal Plumstead is a highly intelligent student who is planning to go to university. However, her father was sent to prison, so she has to work at the Fairy Glen sweet factory. Get a glimpse into her life as she overcame the many difficulties at work, fell in love, and landed herself into the darkness of World War One, which would change her life forever.

Retails at $13.90 at major bookstores

The Fabulous Foskett Family Circus

By John Yeoman

Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Have tons of fun with the Foskett family as they entertain you with their unique talents. There is Uncle Decimus on his scooter, fire-eating Uncle Phoenix, and cool acts such as eggs juggling, performing parrots and many more. Are you ready for an awesome circus time?

Retails at $13.90 at major bookstores

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A Geronimo Stilton Adventure: Thea Stilton and the Missing Myth Discover what happens when five squeaky friends go on a vacation to Greece only to find themselves in a situation, whereby the lead actor goes missing on the opening show!

This is a story on friendship, trust and loyalty, combined with a whole lot of mystery. This colourful yet exciting book is perfect for young readers.

Retails at US$7.99 (approx. S$10.75) at major bookstores

Hey kids, g a way we’re givin White now 5 sets of S n Dogs! ve e S and the r Dad to m Get Mu o apore’s Sing c hec k out book page e c Chil d Fa to win.

Dragons at Crumbling Castle

By Terry Pratchett

Snow White and the Seven Dogs

By Cari Meister

Oh no! The dragons have taken over the Crumbling Castle and it is a huge disaster. Luckily, there is one spare suit of armour, and a small boy called Ralph is willing to take it.

However, the dragons are so big and fearsome. Do you think Ralph can defeat them? There is only one way to find out!

Retails at $13.90 at major bookstores

Illustrated by Erica-Jane Waters

“Sheldon, Sheldon, who is the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen?”

– this book is based on the story of Snow White. We love how the author gives a modern twist to the classic fairytale.

Follow Snow White as she meets with seven furry friends who will save her from the clutches of her evil stepmother.

Retails at US$3.99 (approx. S$5.30) at major bookstores

George and the Unbreakable Code

By Lucy & Stephen Hawking

Join George and his best friend Annie as they go on an escapade into space. We love how the authors combine adventure with science facts, which increases our knowledge in an exciting way. If you love science and everything about the universe, you have got to read this book.

Retails at $13.90 at major bookstores

15

DIY

Kitchen Science

Ever wonder how you can make use of what’s inside your kitchen to conduct interesting experiments? Professor Alexander Van Herk from the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences, A*STAR, shares two simple and fun experiments that will blow your mind!

Materials needed: • 100g plain chocolate • Agar powder • Kitchen thermometer • Fruit juice • Kitchen scale • Measuring cup

Fruit Juic e Chocolate

STEP 3: Heat chocolate till melted.

STEP 1: Pour some agar powder into fruit juice and heat solution till boiling point.

STEP 2: Take 20g of the boiled solution, and cool it till about 50 degrees Celsius.

STEP 5: Pour the mixture into small cupcake holders, and store them in the fridge till completely cooled, and enjoy!

STEP 4:

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Mix the 20g of agar solution into melted chocolate.

The Science Behind It The baking soda creates carbon dioxide, and hence the fizz!

Materials needed: • 1 spoon of baking soda • 1 spoon of Icing sugar • 1½ spoons of citric acid • A small pinch of vanilla powder • An even smaller pinch of edible powdered tint • 1 cup water

Fizzy Drink STEP 2:

P 1: S TE

Pour baking soda, citric acid, vanilla powder, icing sugar, and edible tint into a container.

ST

EP 4:

Pour water into glass, and drink!

Note: All experiments should be conducted under an adult’s supervision.

Mix everything in till there are no lumps.

STEP 3:

Put two or three spoons of powdered mixture into cup.

Be a Changemaker of Science Celebrating dynamism of science, engineering, technology and biomedicine, the Singapore Science Festival 2015, happening from 10 July to 2 August, aims to give recognition to those who have enabled transformation in Singapore through science over the last 50 years. Experience the wonders of Science through highlights such as Animals in the Pink, Brain Fest, and Science Buskers Festival. Check out www.sciencefest.sg for more info!

19

Try These

mes nex t What number co ? in this sequence

2

9

3

12

6

4

2

1

0

16

??

Which set of symbols should replace the question marks?

1

Can you a letters in rrange the follow in to the co rrec t wor g (Hint: The ds? se are na mes of MRT stat ions)

WNOT ONEN NE AV

Expand Your Mind Dr. Scott wants you to stretch your mind with these fun brain teasers.

?

?

?

?

?

?

B C D

30

Answers: 1) NEWTON, NOVENA 2) 20 (16+4); add 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4 3) D. Take a look at each pair of symbols from the top row to bottom row, and you notice that they are swapped around.

A

Freaky Food Facts We gathered some peculiar facts about common foods. All the foods mentioned are safe to consume, but these facts may lead you to think twice or even thrice before you eat it.

Honey Did you know that honey is made from a combination of nectar and bee vomit? Bees use their digestive systems to process the nectar by swallowing and regurgitating it several times before finally depositing it into the honeycomb for evaporation and storage. While this sounds gross, it helps remove some of the water and natural yeasts present in the nectar, which could otherwise cause the sugars to ferment. Ripe honey is shelf stable and never spoils.

Ranch Dressing One of the most universally loved dressing, Ranch dressing contains titanium dioxide, which is used to make it appear whiter.

The same ingredient is used in sunscreen and paint for the same effect.

Vanilla Ice Cream Read the label of a vanilla ice-cream pint and you’re bound to see ‘castoreum’ as one of the ingredients listed. However, what they don’t tell you is that castoreum is the urine from a beaver. While not considered to be harmful, knowing that there’s beaver pee in our ice cream is enough for us to feel sick.

Fruit-Flavoured Snacks Don’t we all love a good gummy bear that tastes just like oranges? Here’s the bizarre fact: Gummy bears and fruit-flavoured snacks are created with Carnauba wax, which happens to also be a key ingredient in car wax that produces a brilliant shine. The wax comes from the leaves of the carnauba palm trees found in Brazil. The leaves are beaten to loosen the wax, and the wax is then refined, bleached and sold.

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“Natural” Colouring If you read over the ingredients for your favourite red-coloured yoghurt, you’ll find “natural colour” listed among them. Yet, this natural colouring may not come from the natural source you were thinking of. In fact, red food dye comes from the dried bodies of female cochineal insects. These insects are found primarily in South America and Mexico, and have been used for thousands of years to dye fabrics; however, it’s now used primarily in both food and cosmetics.

t ' n d i ID ! t a h T w o n K out t he b a s t c fa

, w Wo

You think 70,000 thoughts a day.

ing od y. b n a m hu

Surpris

You lose about 80 to 100 hairs every day!

Your thumb is the same length as your nose.

You use 20 muscles when you smile.

Your nose and ears never ever stop growing.

Every person has a unique tongue print.

Fingernails grow three times faster than toenails, and the nails on the hand you write with grow the fastest of all.

The length of your foot is the same as the distance between your wrist and the inside of your elbow. Go on and measure it!