Singapore's Child March 2016 [Preview]

check out page 5

natural play

reconnecting with nature check out fun and unstructured play

NATURE IN THE CITY

our GREEN SPACES

Fun FAMILY ACTIVITIES

march 2016

Joy After Cervical Cancer Find out about the birth of healthy baby after fertility-sparing surgery.

ECO-FRIENDLY BÉBÉ

Reduce carbon footprint Caring for baby and the environment

baby / advice

Did You Know?

Immunisations for Diphtheria and Measles are compulsory by Law in Singapore. The National Immunisation Registry (NIR) maintains the immunisation records for all Singapore residents aged 18 years and below. Parents can view their child’s immunisation records at the NIR website.

Visit www.nir.hpb.gov.sg for more information.

“Children are afraid when they do not know what to anticipate in a clinic visit. Through playtime with Rabbit Ray, they will understand.

Plus, Rabbit Ray is a good distraction during vaccination.”

2 march 2016

– Madam Lai Sheok Yen, mother of three.

Fear no jabs, baby!

Breeze through vaccinations with these tips

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trip to the doctor’s for vaccination may not just be a nightmare to the baby or young child. Parents too feel stressed up especially when their little ones act up once they see the needle. Even with the ‘3 in 1’or ‘5 in 1’ vaccination doses, your baby would have accumulated at least 10 jabs by the preschool. Want to make these trips a breeze? Here are some tips for you.

Less is more

Revealing too much before the visit will make them anxious and ‘worry up till the day of the (vaccination) appointment’ as explained in Dr Ari Brown’s Baby 411 series. Don’t give your child too many details prior to the office visit. “If you tell kids too much too soon, you will ruin their entire week and they will worry up until the day of the appointment,” explains Ari Brown, M.D., a parents advisor and author of the Baby 411 series.

Speak the truth

Do not underestimate your baby’s cognitive abilities as they know if you lie about the jab. Don’t tell them that it will not hurt as they will learn not to trust you.

Acknowledge their fear

Don’t brush off their fear and anxiety or tell your little one not to cry. Being angry and yelling at them will not help the situation.

PURR-FECT SMILES! Comfort with love

Soothe your child if your child is crying by smiling and assuring him. Then, you can squeeze his hand to encourage him or sing his favourite tune.

A comforting presence is most needed when your child is anxious.

Don’t intervene

It is only natural that you will wince in pain watching your baby cry or go hysterical. Let the doctor or nurses do their job and the last thing you want to do is to ‘rescue’ your child.

Be present in the room and keep eye contact with your child. Hold your child once it is all over and comfort him. Some doctors will give

Rope in help

Get Rabbit Ray, the jab buddy’s help! Social enterprise start-up, Joytingle has recently launched its flagship product, Rabbit Ray designed to educate and reduce children’s fear of needles. Rabbit Ray will replace children’s fear with understanding. The access to healthcare is important; coupled with education and positive experience, it will encourage children’s receptiveness to treatment.

“When children are involved in their care, it creates better outcomes,” says Esther Wang, Founder and CEO, Joytingle.

Bunny Help

Rabbit Ray, a friend to help explain medical procedures to children through play.

Phlebotomy – Blood Sampling Technique

Hello, Hello Kitty! The first NUK Hello Kitty Special Edition of soother, baby and learner bottles is simply enthralling, especially for fans both young and old with attractive shades and enchanting motifs.

a sweet or a treat to end the session on a good note.

Vaccination – Injection Demonstration

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Sweet Dreams Soother

This NUK Trendline Soother ($12.10 for a two-piece pack) is the perfect combination of function and aesthetics – a baglet designed to fit the jaw and an anatomically-shaped mouth shield that allows circulation and to ensure that the saliva can flow around better, and beautiful pink and lilac around the adorable motifs.

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Happy Baby Bottle

The NUK Premium Choice Bottle with endearing Hello Kitty design ($22.60, 150ml; $23.90, 300ml) is too adorable to pass up! Made of sturdy polypropylene. It comes with a NUK Premium Choice + Silicone Teat – tried and tested shape designed to fit the jaw with its soft zone and anti-colic air system to mimic breastfeeding. This is ‘purrfect’ – relaxed and natural bottle feeding option for mothers who would like to incorporate both bottle and breastfeeding. The NUK Hello Kitty Special Edition is available at major department and baby specialty stores.

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Anti-colic Learner Bottle

Intravenous – Saline IV demonstration

Visit www.rabbit-ray.joytingle.com for more information.

3 march 2015

Intravenous Plug – Chemotherapy Treatment

The NUK Premium Choice Learner Bottle ($26.40) will put a smile on your baby’s face with prints of Hello Kitty and her friends. The soft silicone spout is leak-proof and designed using the NUK Anti-colic Air System. Its handles are ergonomically-shaped and have non-slip soft studs making it easier for children from six months old to transit from bottle and breastfeeding with ease.

pregnancy / health

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DID YOU KNOW?

Your physical fitness will improve greatly with regular sessions of belly dancing.

3 sessions of 30-minute classes will bring significant physical improvements.

FAST BELLY DANCING

The increased speed and enhanced dance moves is known to be as vigorous as aerobics! According to Dr Carolle Jean-Murat, M.D., belly dancing can burn up to

300 calories per hour.

CAUTION

10 march 2016

Always seek professional medical advice before embarking on any form of prenatal exercise.

Also, receive training only from accredited dance trainers to prevent injuries. Communicate your needs and goals clearly. Stop your exercise regime immediately if you experience discomfort or bleeding and seek medical attention.

BÉBÉ BELLY DANCE Belly dancing your way to health and wellness

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elly dancing. Does it immediately conjure images of exotically dressed ladies moving sensually to hypnotic music? If you consider this as a frivolous or social activity, it is perhaps time to rethink and remove that label. First, it is actually a classical Middle Eastern dance – a rare exquisite dance form with different stylistic combination called Raks Sharki. And you can dress as modestly as you like because contrary to popular belief, the focus is not showing off your belly.

Secondly, you will be amazed by the health and wellness benefits it can bring about, especially for ladies. Its dynamic quality is a fine balance between torsodriven movements and gentle relaxed articulations (swaying) of the hips. In other words, this grooving is gentle and harmonising. If you want a little more excitement, you can increase the tempo with the varying percussive, fluid and even shimmies (small, fast, continuous shivers and hip vibrations).

TRY BELLY DANCING WITH tHESE PICKS WE FOUND SPECIALLY FOR YOU!

Healthier and Happier You with Goddess Motion

Goddess Motion (www. goddessmotion.com.sg) offers an extensive range of belly dancing at affordable prices and unlimited workout programme even for senior citizens aged 55 and above.

DANCE TO WELLNESS 01

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TONING THE BODY AND POSTURE

STRENGTHENING THE CORE MUSCLES

CALMS THE MIND AND RELIEVES STRESS

Belly dancing is an excellent way to firm and tone the muscles. Its rhythmic moves are less explosive compared to other sports. The waist, belly and torso movements will definitely help firm your abdominals and back. And as you lift your arms and position your legs, your arms, upper back, hips and thighs get the much neglected exercise too. Say good riddance to flabby ‘bye bye arms’!

Your core muscles not only hold your entire skeleton body in place but also help you in your daily functional moves; think your torso, pelvic and abdominal muscles. For women who are planning to start a family (or having another baby), start strengthening your core, specifically the transversus abdominis used during labour. Anyone who lacks core strength is likely to be predisposed to injury.

We all know that music calms the mind. With belly dancing, its repetitive swaying will allow you to literally sway your worries away. The graceful, circular and flowing movements can be considered as a form of dance-meditation that helps to clear the mind and induce a state of mental relaxation – a great way to alleviate stress, reduce anxiety and even help with a better sense of well-being for those with mild depression.

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INCREASE JOINT FLEXIBILITY

GREAT PRENATAL EXERCISE

PREPARATION FOR CHILDBIRTH

Belly dancing relaxes and lubricates the joints, and can be helpful in some cases of arthritis, particularly in the wrists and shoulders.

Beginners can start off by practising gentle movements and will benefit from these progressive conditioning moves. It has been found that sufferers of chronic back pain and stiff shoulders gained significant improvements after only weeks of dancing.

The gentle and less vigorous forms of belly dancing can help strengthen the core pelvic muscles needed for smooth delivery. This is also a relaxing exercise for mums-to-be and an excellent way to relieve backache that comes with increased baby bump weight. Additionally, the attention paid to the belly area while dancing also helps mothers to connect with their unborn child.

On top of the swaying, the natural hip tuck movements are similar to the ‘pelvic rocking’ taught during prenatal classes. This form of pelvic training is extremely useful for women who desire natural vaginal birth as it teaches how to move the pelvis that will facilitate childbirth – ‘assist with moving baby down the birth canal’ by training the mind to focus on the rhythmic timing of breathing.

“During pregnancy, pelvic rocking is useful to ease backache and to keep flexibility and movement in the back and spine. Pelvic rocking while sitting on a Swiss ball can be comfortable, and an easy way to feel the movement as the ball helps the movement to flow.”

The Pregnancy Centre

Private or Group Coaching with Bellydance Discovery

Learn traditional art with welltrained dancers at Bellydance Diva (www.bellydance.sg) who will not only educate you about belly dancing but also on how to improve your well-being through a dance style that fits you.

You can enjoy personalised one-to-one coaching classes at Bellydance Discovery (www.bellydance. com.sg) at your convenience and comfort of the dance studio. With the mission of helping people to become happier through safe dancing, you are in good hands with this dance instruction academy of professional trainers.

11 march 2016

Exude Grace from Within with Bellydance Diva

baby / grow

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things to note

Choose furniture that are adaptive; one that grows with your child to reduce minimal wastage.

Bébé’s going Eco-Friendly Caring for baby and the environment just got easier

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nce baby bump fever hits you, you are on your way to a skyrocketing experience of baby ‘assets’ accumulation – you buy almost every cute little thing you see and it doesn’t matter how many pieces of similar items you already have. Familiar?

This is typical of first-time mums who lack the experience of knowing what exactly to buy. It doesn’t help that most of baby’s bits and pieces are irresistibly adorable.

Before you head down the road to buying more baby stuff which may end up in the junkyard, perhaps a good way to start shopping is to choose items that are not only cute and functional but have longevity and are eco-friendly. All it takes is a bit more time to do your research and planning; thinking way ahead of what your child really needs at different developmental milestones.

Check out some of the picks we have for you.

18 march 2016

Remember, the whole idea is to reduce and purchase only the necessary and practical items needed by baby.

Going the extra mile to purchase additional furniture or accessories just to make your home look trendier doesn’t count.

text Juansa Arissa Cheng image credit deer industries

Start your ecoresponsible journey with these baby products that can help reduce or offset your carbon footprint.

ECO-FRIENDLY HEARTWARE

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Versatile and ‘kid-naptive’ furniture

High and Mighty Highchair Up!

($269, Deer Industries) This is practicality, ergonomics and aesthetic pleasure all combined into one. Highchair Up! is an ergonomic highchair that offers your child optimum comfort. Its contemporary design is easy to match with almost any interior and other colours include white, natural, grey wash and black.

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4-in-1

Transformer

Stokke Sleepi Bed

Chalk Mix Mint Green Cot

($1,599, Motherswork) The Stokke Sleepi’s narrow form gives your baby a sense of security whilst allowing you to wheel your baby around the house. It is designed to grow with your child and can be used from birth through to about 10 years of age using additional parts transforming from a cot into a bed, mini-sofa or two chairs.

($1,129, Deer Industries) Nostalgic meets modern and playful in this stylish design by Kidsmill. Functioning as a cot, the slatted base of the cot and the cot bed can be adjusted to three different heights. Your child will enjoy sleeping in this cot bed till toddlerhood. This charming cot is also available in classic white.

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EARTH-LOVING BABYCARE

Go Carbon-Neutral

Bio-degradable products

ATTITUDE’s Baby Diapers

($24.90, Lazada) If circumstances don’t allow usage of cloth diapers, these ATTITUDE baby diapers are the greenest alternative you can find next to the conventional disposable diapers, made using biodegradable materials.

They are just as effective, comfortable for baby, highly absorbent, fragrance-free and chlorine-free.

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Stay clean and safe BUDS Anti-Bac Toy and Surface Cleaner

($13.75, Big Little Me) Babies love to explore and play and now you can ensure your baby’s safety with this anti-bacterial toy and surface cleaner that is formulated with natural, mild and safe agents that leave no harmful residue.

Its natural anti-bacterial property comes from organic tea tree oil and natural fruit extract; very effective against harmful bacteria and nasty viruses.

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From Head to Toe ETL No. 7 ($40, E.T. Light) This formula is made with ECOCERT organic ingredients and with a pH 5.5, it is suitable for dry and sensitive skin, including newborns. It can also be used as a facial cleanser for adults as it gently cleanses impurities from the skin.

It soothes eczema condition and protects skin’s moisture barrier, leaving a smooth and hydrated feel.

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baby / trending

bÉbÉ gear With tons of new stuff in the market, it’s hard not to be spoilt for choice. This is why we’ve sussed out the essentials you need

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Put a Bib on It

A fan of Mr. Men and Little Miss?

Check out GAP’s newest collection which includes onesies, bibs and socks – all designed with signature bright colour and bold lines. At a price friendly of $15 a piece, these bibs are not only functional – they are stylish too!

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Plastic No More

Be blown away by the Pura Stainless Bottles ($39.90-$59.90, Kidzloft) – a 100 percent plastic-free feeding bottle! Crafted from safe, antibacterial, 304 stainless steel, these bottles are compatible with a wide range of nipples and easily converts to a sippy cup. We have 4 sets of PURA Bottle with Aqua silicone sleeve up for grabs!

Win! Check out our website for more details.

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Blend It Up The Beaba Onctuo Lump-

22 march 2016

Free Blender ($42.90, Motherswork) is one handy-dandy! It helps to facilitate the preparation of feeding bottles and prepares smooth, creamy milk in an ultra-fast manner.

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Just Keep Chewing

If your baby likes pacifiers, then the Philips Avent Free Flow Pacifiers ($14.90 a pair, Motherswork) will be their new best friend. Suitable for babies aged 0-6 months, these pacifiers help with the little one’s natural development.

Keep Calm

Providing the most reliable connection with crystal clear sound, temperature control, a soothing night light and lullabies for you and your baby, the Philips DECT SCD560/01 Baby Monitor ($169, Mothercare) delivers complete reassurance. With an automatically energy saving Smart ECO mode and a talk back feature, this is what every parent needs.

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Sweet Dreams

Did you know that musical mobiles are able to soothe your baby to sleep? The Lambs & Ivy Alpha Baby Musical Mobile ($99.90, Motherswork) safely fits all standard and most convertible cribs. It also contains a mobile arm and an optional wall mount assembly.

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Organic loving!

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Play Time Fun The Mothercare Safari Sit Me Up

Dress your baby up in eco-friendly fabrics!

Cosy ($88) is an innovative nest that grows up with your baby, providing a wonderful place to play during their first year. Suitable for use from birth, this nest becomes a cosy inflatable ring for newborns and a comfortable cushion support for older babies.

trendy tots

Super soft and snuggly, organic cotton is ideal for your baby’s soft and delicate skin. This is why we totally love ZARA Kids’ Organic Cotton Minis range ($15.90-$35.90)!

Available as a complete set with sweatshirts, tops, trousers, and even shoes, keeping your bub comfy from head-to-toe is easy!

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Pump Power The Unimom

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A Smooth Ride

Tired of lugging around bulky strollers? We’ve got the solution for you. The Baby Jogger City Mini Zip ($479, Mothercare and Motherswork) is a new lightweight compact stroller that is designed for quick trips, traveling and public transport (as you can pack it up in a backpack).

• Weighing at just 7.2kg and measuring 78cm x 27cm x 32cm when folded, this stroller is compact and perfect for travel.

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Gum Soother

Sore gums giving baby the blues? The Baby Einstein Caterpillar Cooling Water-Filled Teether ($9.90, Kidzloft) may be just the thing to soothe those aching gums! These soothers can be refrigerated but not frozen.

23 march 2016

• The best aspect about this new stroller is the new Travel bag ($89.95), which enables you to pack your stroller into a backpack for you to be hands-free.

Allegro Electric Breast Pump ($199, Mothercare) is a convenient, dual stage expression breast pump that works softly and naturally, resembling a baby’s suction. With Dual Stage Expression, the gadget mimics baby’s natural suction reflexes allowing for faster let down.

kids / trending

Summer Goodness

A blend of prints and colours create the newest Spring Summer 2016 CH Carolina Herrera children’s collection.

A combination of different fabrics, textures and prints are paired together in a bold and flattering way. Consisting of bright yellows, greens, and the classic CH red, the colour palette is softened by neutral shades such as navy and white. The mixture of both creates a lively and electrifying collection.

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For the Boys: The boys collection consists of jeans, shorts, t-shirts, polo shirts and knitwear that are perfect for play dates and other casual outings.

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For the Girls: The girls collection features playful dresses, flared skirts in a mixture of prints, flowers, checked patterns and stripes, resulting in a perfect combination.

Get Sporty

Dress your girl in this gear for some active fun.

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Exercising should be in every child’s life.

To motivate your girl to start her exercise regime, surprise her with essentials from the GapFit range by GapKids.

The first active wear range for children and teens aged four to 16-year-old, prices start from $30 for a tee up to $80 for a windbreaker. Available at GAP stores near you.

Let’s Kick It This season, style your boys in the stylish GEOX 2016 range! Featuring fabric slip-ons and laceups, these bad boys are light-weight and perfect both for work and play. Lively boys can opt for a sporty look, with sneakers that nod to the hightech world of adults and feature patterns and designs inspired by comic books and robots.

Adding to the detailing are the relief designs and light-up soles, as well as breathable fabrics such as mesh and multi-coloured sandals.

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OXELO Town 9 Easyfold Scooter, $279.90

Sporting Haven

Have you heard? We now have a sports megastore in Singapore!

New Kids On the Block

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Looking for places to shop for the kids?

Look no further as we’ve got two new spaces for you to check out!

Mama Kid & The Children’s Showcase @ Pedder On Scotts Pedder on Scotts presents two new exciting concepts – Mama Kid and The Children’s Showcase pop-up kiosks at Pedder on Scotts for the very first time! Mama Kid is a designer concept store dedicated to kids, with style options to bring out their playful personality and nurture creative selfexpression. On the other hand, The Children’s Showcase is a petite emporium for children carrying high-end brands from all over the world such as Danish design houses Maileg and Rice, Belgian toy company Egmond and French brand Deuz.

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Seed Heritage @ Wisma Atria The new (and third) Wisma Atria flagship store offers an unprecedented shopping experience with inspirational aesthetics and an enticing summer collection of clothing, accessories and toys.

Pamper Delicate Skin Want to give your child’s skin the boost it needs?

The five new complementary child-friendly skincare from C’est Moi includes a Gel Mask ($59.90), Eye Makeup Remover ($29.90), Facial Sheets ($9.90 for 10 pcs), Facial Mist ($29.90) and Foot Cream ($44.90) that have been formulated without harsh chemicals to give your child the professional skincare. We also love how the formulations are kept safe and allergy-free. Available at Metro Centrepoint L6, Metro Paragon L4, Hamleys (Plaza Singapura L3) and at www.cest-moi.com.

Selling over 95,000 innovative yet affordable items from over 50 different sports brands. With indoor testing zones and a 24-hour outdoor playground, Decathlon is set to make sports more accessible to all Singaporeans. What’s more, the 35,000 ft store provides 95,000 footwear, apparel and equipment products for men, women and kids from over 50 different sports, under the company’s 20 in-house brands.

Float Away Planning to indulge in water play with the kids this March holidays? Amp up your swimming adventure with floats from LetsFloatSg! An online float rental platform that curate the most uniquely designed pool inflatables, you and your kiddos are sure in for a fun-filled experience! Check out www.letsfloatsg.com for the full catalogue and to place your order!

WONDER-FLOATS SUMMER TIME! Dive right into the March holidays and make a splash with cool summer beachwear and gigantic floats!

Photography Justin Loh Art Direction Juansa Arissa Cheng and Geraldine Tan assisted by Hairin Rahman and Rachael Lim Stylist Sharon Tan assisted by Naomi Tham Hair and Makeup Gigi Sng Props LetsFloatSG Models Nyla, Tufaylah and Kaka

On models (from left to right): On Nyla Flamingo cap, $24.95, Seed Heritage; Bikini top (sold in set), $85, Ocean Paradise; Pink mini flare shorts, $33.90; Gingersnaps On Tufaylah Blossom hairband, $14.95; Flamingo sleeveless swimsuit, $34.95, both from Seed Heritage On Kaka Pink hairband, $11.90, Gingersnaps; Pineapple blue rash guard, $59, Frolik; Turquoise beach shorts, $34.90, Gingersnaps

Kids / learn

nurturing the love for nature six Ways to teach your child how to embrace the natural world around them

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s we become increasingly immersed in modernisation and dependent on technology, it has become ironic that an appreciation for our natural world no longer comes naturally; it has become something that needs to be inculcated and purposefully instilled. When was the last time you brought the family out for a nature walk? Did your children complain about the heat and how uncomfortable they were? Do your children appreciate time spent at the beach, or is the sand icky and does the heat make them ‘too sticky’? Do your children seem fearful of everything they see, and of new experiences?

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Why should you teach your children to appreciate nature and the environment at an early age?

• An early nature education is important for a wellrounded development. As with most other lessons you try to instill in your child, teaching them when they’re

text Hairin Rahman

Children (and adults) who are in tune with nature have been shown to benefit in personal ways - but on a larger scale, developing an appreciation for nature in our children places investment in future conservation works to sustain our life here on Earth. We look at some ways children can be taught to appreciate nature and its wonders and how to encourage the spirit of conservation.

younger allows them time to develop a healthy lifelong attitude towards the appreciation of nature, and an inquiring mind. At a young age, they are also naturally more curious about the things around them and are more receptive to learning new concepts and ideas.

• Children also learn early on that respect for living things in general are important, and that each have their own importance and place in the whole fabric of existence. They can then develop a respect for relationships and the inter-dependence of the ecosystem and social relationships.

make mistakes, and experience the consequences of the choices they make. Little cuts and bruises could probably teach a whole lot more than your (incessant) nagging.

3 Be a good role model. Remember that your child looks up to you and would probably model your attitudes and behaviour, whether you are aware of it or not.

Demonstrate behaviour that is environment-conscious, and an attitude that you would like your children to emulate.

Make conservation a family motto. Set up rules in your home to protect the environment – teach your children to turn off the tap while shampooing or brushing their teeth, separate wastes and eventually recycle them, dispose of trash responsibly (e.g. flat-packing boxes and bulky items).

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• Let’s face it. We’ve done such a bad job in ensuring our planet’s sustainability that our children will perhaps sadly inherit an environmental mess as the situation is not looking very positive if we don’t start leveraging on the new technologies meant to reverse the situation. As they grow older, we want them to be part of a solution, not perpetuate the problem further.

6 Ways to develop a love for nature 1 Talk to children about the things they watch on television and read in books. Animals and nature are featured frequently in books and in children’s shows.

It would be a good idea to discuss the things they’ve seen and learnt, and introduce new and fascinating facts to them.

Focus on guiding and facilitating them through the experience, and less of the teaching. This also means that you might need to let go sometimes and let them 2

Introduce them to groups that engage in regular conservation activities like beach cleanups. Sometimes, the best way for them to learn is to see for themselves the kind of impact humans have on the environment, and to leverage on children’s natural empathy for the natural world to turn awareness into action.

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Set aside some time every month to spend at the park, nature reserves or the zoo! Singapore’s reputation as a garden city has been cemented even more Refer to strongly over the years with the development page 66 of more green areas around the island that for some you can enjoy with your family. suggestions.

Books

Projects for a Healthy Planet: Simple Environmental Experiments for Kids

by Shar Levine

Timmy & Tammy Discover Singapore’s Wildlife Wonders

by Hwee Goh

The Circle is an inspiring story about global-related themes, allowing you and your child to ponder about current issues, and empathise with the plight of others. ($14.98, www.armourpublishing.com)

Spend some time with your children while doing these simple activities that teach them the importance of respecting the environment! ($23.79, www.opentrolley.com.sg)

What better way to learn about our environment than to introduce the little wildlife that can be found on our little island? ($9.52, www.armourpublishing.com)

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The Circle

by Ken Spillman and Illustrated by Manjari Chakravarti

Kids / learn health

little hands, little pots Gardening with your children

Nothing beats watching your seedling sprout, grow and blossom! Plus, it helps your child to be inculcated with a sense of duty and ownership. A practical transitional test to teach and prepare your little one for future pet ownership, especially if he is asking for a pet and is unaware of the responsibilities involved. And you never know, your child may even develop this interest that may eventually be a wonderful hobby that the family can enjoy together.

5 Reasons why gardening makes a great activity.

You don’t need a plot of land to do some gardening. Even with land constraint, you can conjure up some magic with our HDB-friendly green For more tips, check tips and below are five reasons you out our should start gardening (even if you don’t website. have green fingers)!

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Common family goal Through gardening, you and your child can learn to set a common objective and work towards it. Remember, even if your plants (or crops) don’t grow well, don’t beat yourselves up as it is the journey that matters.

Bonding Through this common shared activity, it strengthens the bond you have and this becomes a collective family activity that everyone can recall with fondness in future.

Hone skills Children love to dig, shovel and bury stuff and these are all part of discovering and learning. Let him flex the muscles he doesn’t get to use in the classroom and hone his gross motor skills.

Increase curiosity When your little one is preparing the soil for gardening, he is bound to ask questions and demand for answers. Watch his curiosity grow and leverage on this to get him interested to read and do research (don’t be in a hurry to give the answers).

Develops appreciation Pocketgardening, Through Gardenyour child will soon learn about causeIf you preferthe a starter to and kick-start and-effect, cycle ofkitlife the your gardening check out Myman.

Pocket relationshipproject, between nature and Garden a This will (www.easigarden.com) set him off in good steadfor when complete quick growing kit in that contains he develops understanding food seeds lettuce, spinach, sources(choice and theofhard workred needed to put radish caitable. xin). It is an eco-friendly food onorthe tote box with handles, packed with a lightweight soil-less growing medium and a mini-planter.

text JUANSA ARISSA CHENG

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ardening with your children is more than making a mess of the soil and pots in your garden. It is a great activity you can incorporate into your lifestyle, especially with the young curious minds at home. It not only helps you to reconnect with nature, but also help to reduce stress and restore calmness.

Practical herbs at your finger tips If you have limited space and want to utilise the minimal gardening space, grow practical plants such as herbs. The best and fastest way to get your child interested in growing his own potted plant or herb is to show him how it gets to be either on the plate or in his drink. While you are preparing the meal, get your little one to scurry off to harvest the herb – and watch him beam with pride and satisfaction to know that what he planted is used in a family meal!

Six easy herbs to grow and local drinks and dishes you can make with it

Basil

Spring Onion

Dill

Minced chicken basil

Garnishing for soup and fried rice

Seasoning for soup, stew and roasts

Oregano

Lemon Grass

Mint

Garnishing and flavor for pasta or pizza

Refreshing lemon grass tea

For wraps, rolls or salads

Sprouting Goodness If you have a small space and would still like to grow your own vegetables, it is possible! Yes, you can grow your own crops even in the confines of your apartment. With seeds and growing techniques carefully selected by Ban Lee Huat Seed, the Small Space Sprouts (www.smallspacesprouts.com) can produce yummy and fresh produce in urban conditions. Sprout some local greens that you can add to the dinner table.

Kang Kong

Mustard Greens

Red Amaranth

Small Pak Choi

This nutritious green is easy to grow! The baby leaves add zest to salads and larger (~10cm) leaves have a mild peppery taste when cooked.

This easy-to-grow green with red streaks (when young) can be used in salads while the mature leaves are great for stirfries, curries and soups.

One of the easiest to grow and most productive veggies in the tropics.

Small pak choi is a perfect mild flavoured addition to your next meal.

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This green leafy vegetable is a local favourite. It produces 10-15cm long leaves and grows well in hot and humid Singapore!

You / learn

nature in the city Appreciating our garden city

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he hustle and bustle of city life can sometimes get overwhelming and challenging especially when you’re juggling deadlines at work with family life. Take some time away with your family and get stripped down and technology free for a few hours at these nature spaces around our little sunny island, while learning more about the environment and conservation efforts.

The Southern Ridges

What to look out for: Kent Ridge Park: Did you know that Kent Ridge Park was the site of one of the battles forged in World War II? Located at Vigilante Drive, just off South Buona Vista Road, it is perfect for history buffs, fitness enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

HortPark: Gardeners’ Day Out happens on one Saturday every month (except in July and August) and offers gardening and lifestyle activities for the whole family, including a Gardeners’ Market, and art & craft activities for the kids.

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Henderson Waves: The beautifully-designed 274 metres Henderson Waves bridge connects Telok Blangah Hill Park and Mount Faber Park, and has alcoves for visitors to sit and appreciate the surrounding greenery and views. The bridge is also lit up from 7pm - 2am daily.

text Hairin Rahman photo credits national parks board

The Southern Ridges is 10km of interconnected paths and green spaces that comprises of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Kent Ridge Park, Labrador Nature Park and HortPark. It is a great place for a comfortable stroll, with gentle walkways and relaxing greenery, but if you’re up for a challenge, the Southern Ridges is also a great place for a challenging run, although you might be tempted to stop to take in the views.

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Gardens by the Bay Perfectly capturing the essence of Singapore’s goal to be a City in a garden, the Gardens are Singapore’s pride and joy, attracting both locals and tourists with its beautifully built feature attractions that rely on cutting edge technology, keeping sustainability and conservation in mind. Much planning and work was put in to ensure beautiful and engaging aesthetics, while also maintaining environmental responsibility.

What to look out for: The Supertree Grove: Hosting 12 out of 18 Supertrees, these tree- like vertical gardens are the most distinguishing feature of the Gardens. These amazing trees are covered with over 200 species and varieties of bromeliads, orchids, ferns and tropical flowering climbers. 11 of the Supertrees are also able to harvest solar energy. Don’t miss out on the dazzling display of light and sound at night! You could also walk the OCBC Skyway that connects two of the Supertrees.

Located at the Bukit Timah core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden is Asia’s first garden dedicated to children. Full of installations and fun activities, the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden aims to instil the love for nature in children up the age of 12, with the theme of ‘All Life on Earth Depends on Plants’.

What to look out for: Interactive and interesting features: Check out the Suspension Bridge, the Tree House, the Sensory Garden and the Melting Maze! Learn about the environment with these interactive features.

The garden expansion: The Children’s Garden will undergo a 2-hectare expansion that will be completed in 2018 to include older children up to 14 years of age.

Punggol Waterway Park: The park is built around four central theme: Nature Cove, Recreation Zone, Heritage Zone and Green Gallery. One of the four parks linked by the North Eastern Riverine Loop of the Park Connector Network, both visitors who live around the Punggol neighbourhood, or visitors residing in other parts of the island can enjoy the relaxing views at the park while sitting on the many benches, or by running or cycling.

What to look out for: The park is perfect in motivating exercise among residents, and also for quiet morning strolls to kick-start the day or to rejuvenate souls after a long day in school or at work. You could rent bicycles or skates at the nearest PCN pit-stop. Bird enthusiasts, rejoice! Keep an eye out for the many amazing birds there.

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Cloud Forest: Enter the almost magical and mysterious world covered by a strange, cold mist. The Cloud Forest, contains the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, located on a 35-metre mountain covered by lush vegetation. Explore the Cloud Forest by visiting the Crystal Mountain, to learn more about fossils and geology, take the Tree Top Walk trail for a bird’s eye view of the treetops, or visit the other parts of the 0.8 hectare Cloud Forest to learn more and come close to endangered plant species.

Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden

review

love thy self March is a month to remember that there’s a lot more than ‘I, me and myself’ – beyond ourselves and our family is the great global village that we are all a part of. We have some down-to-earth picks to get you thinking about this month’s highlight, Earth Hour.

Me Time

Everyone has got a story to tell; even yourself.

Imagine what it’s like to be able to know of all the stories that each and every individual has to say; what a marvelous and eye-opening experience it will be.

THEIR STORIES

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WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE ‘We are all the causes of our own effects…

That’s why I’ll never stop asking the question, “What do you know for sure?”’, wrote Oprah Winfrey. Although loads of changes have been made since she wrote those words, she still continues to offer profound and inspiring words of wisdom in her monthly O column. Organised by themes, What I Know For Sure ($25.95) is packed with insightful revelations from Oprah Winfrey, offering a rare and powerful glimpse into her mind. www.singapore.kinokuniya.com

GREEN TEA LIVING In Green Tea Living ($18.94), author Toshimi A. Kayaki shares priceless wise old Japanese ways to help yourself in terms of improving how you look and feel while helping the planet too. Practices of the “green tea life” includes carrying your own pair of chopsticks, wearing five-toe socks, eating salty plums, using rice water as floor wax, doing “eco-laundry,” and setting aside 10 percent for savings. www.bookdepository.com

LARGER THAN LIFE: CELEBRATING THE HUMAN SPIRIT Working together with Juleen Shaw, award-winning television actress and host, Belinda Lee, shares her heartwarming stories of individuals whom she met throughout her travels around the world. Join her as she recount the times on the road less trodden and unusual volunteer experiences that include rescuing street children and helping those suffering from the ravages of war.

Retails at $24.98. www.booksactuallyshop.com

Têteà-tête

Who wouldn’t love to have a little change when it comes to the lunch or dinner menu. So settle in for a welldeserved meal for two after you’ve sent the kids off for their March holiday programmes.

GUAN KITCHEN

LISTEN & RELAX

With a brand-new menu that features affordable and delectable zi char dishes of an interesting east-meets-west juxtaposition, savour the mouth-watering delights artfully plated in westerninspired style and served in a new-age, air-conditioned interior. On top of that, Guan Kitchen offers house specials daily and a collection of premium wines such as the Mandarin Duck Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand).

Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams is British rock band, Coldplay’s seventh studio album. Collaborating with producer Rik Simpson, Stargate and others such as Beyoncé, Noel Gallagher, Tove Lo, Khatia Buniatishvili and Merry Clayton, this album is surely something to “shuffle your feet” to, as said by frontman Chris Martin and something remarkably different in style and sound as compared to their previous hits. www.coldplay.com

Sc’s recommendation

• Chicken Soup with Chinese Yam Ishinabe (Half Chicken) – Heartwarming serving of chicken soup with Chinese yam in a Japanese hot pot ($25) • Homemade Preserved Radish Beancurd – Comforting mound of salty and fragrant radish atop a silky beancurd ($13.80) Guan Kitchen 225 River Valley Road, Singapore 238283 Tel: 6333 6003

SUNRISE BISTRO & BAR Up the love meter with an intriguing culinary experience with Sunrise Bistro & Bar, communal dining by the beach at Big Splash, East Coast. Entrees and signature dishes made with Asian ingredients will be cooked with the sous vide technique and other French cooking styles by the accomplished Chef Vincent Teng. A live band would also be playing three sets on Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm to 12 midnight. sc’s recommendation • Cereal Crusted Cod Fish – Cereal classic

braised in sesame oil and ginger shoyu broth ($28) • Grilled Tuna Collar – Marinated in mixed herbs, char-grilled and drizzled with wasabi shoyu ($28) • Black Swan – A signature cocktail concocted using the sous vide technique ($20) Sunrise Bistro & Bar 902 East Coast Parkway, #01-05 Big Splash BLK B, Singapore 449874 Tel: 6440 9090 www.sunrisebistrobar.com

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Enya Irish musician, Enya, is back with her eighth studio album, Dark Sky Island. Its “theme of journeys” that Enya describes is akin to “journeys to the island; through a length of a lifetime; throughout history; throughout emotions; and through journeys across great oceans”. One of the astoundingly great tunes is the exceptionally emotional song, ‘So I Could Find My Way’, which is dedicated to Nicky Ryan’s deceased mother which touches on the subject of separation. www.enya.com

MARCH 2016 ISSUE 172

AVAILABLE ON

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Did You Know?

What's Up

Pen down and show 5 green tips that you practise with your copy of

P/S‌ My Pals & Secrets Issue 4 at Plaza Singapura to redeem gifts.

Refer to page 16 for details.

TV Picks

TM & © 2016 Bagdasarian Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. © 2016 Viacom International inc.

NEW HAPPENINGS! Do you know what’s brewing on Nickelodeon?

BRAND NEW EPISODES From 7 to 11 March Showtime: 6.30pm

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Alvin, Simon and Theodore are back for more fun and adventures in this week long special. Find out what mischief The Chipmunks are up to this March, and see how Dave who looks after them and writes songs for their band, survives their growing pains.

Let's Learn

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WORD EVOLUTION Learn more about how words and languages change.

Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans The Anglo-Saxons and Vikings brought Germanic to Britain, and the Normans brought Roman influences.

Norman French

The English language is used by more people than any other languages today and it has the largest vocabulary.

It is also used as an international language in many countries such as Britain, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, India and parts of Africa. Did you know that English actually evolved from two other language families – Germanic (German and Dutch) and Romance (Italian and French)? It has developed slowly over hundreds of years to become what it is today!

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Latin and Classical Greek

Influenced words used in justice and culture.

Influenced words used in religion, science and medicine.

Old English The English language began its transformation 1500 years ago when Anglo-Saxons from Germany and Scandinavia settled in Britain. What they spoke became developed into what we call Old English and this formed the core of the 60,000 words we speak everyday now.

The Normans, who conquered England in 1066, had an enormous influence on the English Language, adding 50,000 words.

Here are some examples of words in Old English and modern English Old English

Modern English

cat(t)(e)

cat

gocga

dog

drinc(a)

drink

etan

eat

fyr

fire

foda

food

hund

hound

treow

tree

wul(l)

wool

Fashionable words Some words hardly changed while others have come and gone according to trends, just like fashion. Even today, new words are added every year – depending on culture, popularity and convenience.

ning with Mea tified ted to r o f s ke drink mar fruit ed and . d o t r o s w er gn ple It ref ol, desi ng peo New ’s h u p o o o c y l eone p a som al to Alco e g p n i ap al f ste r act o hone. is/he e h T es h animal ) iP c e l u k p d c i re ce nd (Ap lep redu who eat a App rson on of m order to e p ti A . n pact ump an alf, i itari cons cts by h ental im m e D u m prod environ ’s e on

TRULY A WORLD LANGUAGE

Europe

Japan

North America China Asia Africa

Central & South America

Australia

Words from Greece Words from Polynesia Taboo: from tabu (meaning forbidden) Tattoo: from tatou (meaning markings) Words from China Kowtow: from k’o t’ou; ke tou (literally means ‘knock, head’ to express how one’s head touches the ground for a full bow as a sign of respect) Tycoon: from tái kun (meaning great prince)

Words from Central America

Alphabet: from alpha and beta (the first two letters of the Greek alphabet)

Barbecue: from barbacoa (meaning framework of sticks in wood)

Helicopter: from helix (meaning spiral) and pteron (meaning wings)

Chocolate: from chocólatl (meaning a mixture containing chocolate in Aztec)

Words from India

Words from Africa

Jungle: from jangla (meaning desert or forest in Hindi)

Chimpanzee: chimpanzé (meaning ape in Kongo)

Khaki: from khak (meaning dust)

Voodoo: Ewe for religious witchcraft

Words from Japan Kimono: a long Japanese robe with sleeves Rickshaw: from jinrik’sha (meaning person-power-vehicle in Japanese)

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DO YOU KNOW YOUR

TRADITIONAL GAMES? Get to know what your parents used to play when they were younger.

ZERO-POINT

What do you if you have a lot of rubber bands lying around the house? Why, you make a game out of it, of course! Colourful rubber bands can be tied together to form a long rope that you have to jump over. You need a minimum of three players to play; two to hold the ends of the rubber band rope, and one to jump. When the rope is held below waist level, no part of the body is allowed to touch it, but above waist level, all you have to do is get across without using your hands. That’s when the game gets interesting and you see skilfull players making fantastic jumps to get across!

FIVE STONES

This is the most recognisable traditional game due to the characteristic five small triangular cloth bags that are used. These bags are usually brightly coloured or in pretty designs and people liked collecting them as much as they liked playing with them! People also used to sew their own cloth bags to make them unique, or even used stones to play the game.

Players are supposed to go through a set of eight steps of increasing difficulty; tossing an increasing number of cloth bags in each step and catching them.

GOLI / MARBLES

Goli, or marbles, as it is called in English, is a game particularly popular with boys in the eighties. In a test of accuracy and focus, players would stand behind a line drawn several meters away from a circle drawn around marbles on the ground. Players would then have to knock marbles belonging to other players out of the circle. If they manage to do so, they can keep the marbles!

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CHAPTEH

Chapteh is a game that require you to balance on one foot while trying to keep a feathered object, also called a capteh, in the air by kicking it up with the foot, much like trying to juggle a soccer ball. If you have not tried it, it’s not as easy as it sounds! When you play it in a group, the person who kicks it up the most number of times, or the person who keeps it in the air for the longest amount of time is the winner. This game has been around for a really long time and in other culture and countries, and it is still played today.

Professional competitions are even held!

KUTI KUTI

Kuti Kuti is a fun game which makes use of small plastic tokens, which are usually brightly coloured objects that come in many different shapes such as animals or everyday items.

The main aim of the game is simple; all you have to do is to try to land your token on top of your opponent’s token by flipping it with your finger. If you manage to do that, you get to keep your opponent’s token. It’s really simple, but really fun to play! If kids didn’t have the kuti kuti tokens, they also used other items they could find, such as flag erasers, rubber bands or bottle caps!

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