Singapore's Child March 2015 Preview by Singapore's Child

singapore's

Your Lifestyle & Practical Family Resource

get your kids to go out

Whatever happened to “go outside and play”?

When Geeks Meet Nature

How to raise a science-minded child

Help, The Passion Is Gone!

get rid of dating guilt now that you have kids

take it Outside Head outdoors, have a beautiful day in the park, plant a garden and learn life lessons

’ it s our outdoor learning issue! pg24

mar 2015 Issue 160 $4.50 (Incl. GST)

Venue: OneKM Mall Date: 4 5 July 2015 Organiser & Official Magazine

Sponsor

Venue Sponsor

In Celebration With

T ! S E F 2015 ®

I CAN READ

“Page to Stage Competition” Sign your kids up for the I Can Read® Page to Stage Competition to help them speak better and excel in oral presentation! All participants will be invited to join a FREE three-hour workshop worth $128 by I Can Read® to learn useful creative writing and public speaking tips. Plus, stand a chance to win fantastic prizes worth more than $6,000! Registration closes on 8 May 2015. Participants will be required to go through several stages before the final competitions: • Workshops (for all participants)*: 27, 28 & 29 May 2015, Morning OR Afternoon Session • Auditions (for all participants)*: 3, 4 & 5 June 2015 Morning OR Afternoon Session • Final Workshops (for finalists only)*: 25 & 26 June 2015 Morning OR Afternoon Session • Final Competitions: 4 & 5 July 2015

Call

6445 3313 now for enquiries

*Participants are required to select either one session on these dates.

THEME?

In celebration of Singapore’s 50th birthday, share a favourite story of our beloved homeland with everyone!

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY / GROUP CATEGORY

SECTION I

Open to all Primary 1 & 2 Pupils

SECTION II

Open to all Primary 3 & 4 Pupils

NOTE: Each group must consist of three members; belonging to either one section only. Pupils who register for individual category can participate in group category, and vice versa.

HOW TO REGISTER? • Log on to http://m.pgtb.me/8xrs1X and fill up the online registration form, or • Email to contest@key-editions.com with subject title, I Can Read® Page to Stage Competition 2015 – Inidividual/Group for registration form(s).

WHAT’S THE THEME FOR THE FINAL COMPETITION?

RETRO!

Let’s go back to the 1950s & 1960s!

Register your child for the Singapore’s Child Superstar Competition and embark on a journey to fame! First 100 selected participants will receive a mystery gift worth more than $100 each. What’s more, parents of the Top 20 finalists will be invited to grace the runway with their little ones during the final competition, and three of the Best Dressed Parents will stand a chance to walk away with attractive prizes! Registration closes on 8 May 2015.

Open to children aged

3 to 9 years

HOW TO REGISTER? • Log on to http://m.pgtb.me/q81hXd to submit two recent photos of your child, including one face shot and one full-length shot and fill up the registration form.

• Submit two recent photos of your child, including one face shot and one full-length shot to contest@key-editions.com with subject title, Singapore’s Child Superstar Competition 2015 with the following details: Child’s Name / Birth Certificate Number / Age / Gender / Name of School / Parent’s Name / NRIC Number / Gender / Home Address / Contact Number / Email Address

Call 6445 3313 now for enquiries

Participants will be required to go through an audition before the final competition:

Audition: 23 May 2015 Final Competition: 5 July 2015

snips & snaps

New Kicks on the Block You can tell a person by their shoes and this is why we’re totally digging these fresh kicks. To commemorate its 120th anniversary, BATA has relaunched its iconic Bata Tennis shoes ($79, Actually at Orchardgateway, #03-18). Featuring

a distinctive rubber toe guard, the sneaker now comes in a variety of colours to suit your wants.

2 For some print action, check out Cath Kidston Paradise Fields in Indigo

x Gola Classic’s trainers ($169, Cath Kidston stores). Comfy and all

around pretty, the key prints include Mini Clouds, Patchwork Spot and Paradise Fields. Paradise Fields in Chalk

Be the centre of attention with the Dr. Martens x Adventure Time limited edition range ($109-$259, Dr. Martens stores).

Adventure Time is the funny modern fable that follows the explorations of best friends, Finn the human and Jake the shape shifting dog.

Flipping Out Don’t let it go just yet! The latest Havaianas Kids Slim Frozen collection ($29.90, Motherswork and Mothercare stores) is sure to make your little girl jump for joy. For the boys, the Havaianas Minions collection ($29.90, Motherswork and Mothercare stores)

is another thrilling one. Let your sons’ imagination run wild as they sink their feet into the butter-soft soles!

Health Booster Centrum® Kids Omega-3 Plus ($35, Guardian, Watsons, NTUC Unity Healthcare stores) is the first

Waterworks Say goodbye to the long and laborious three-step process of boiling, storing, and cooling water for drinking with the new 3M™ Hot, Cold and Room Temperature Filtered Water Dispenser (Promo price: $1,388, Selffix DIY stores). This all-in-one filtration and dispensing system enables a family to

enjoy up to eight litres of room temperature, cold and hot water at any time of the day. What’s more, the dispenser easily fills bottles as big as two litres and up to 25cm high – perfect for filling up sports bottles and children’s water bottles!

children’s fish oil with the scientific combination of Omega-3 plus Calcium and Vitamin D. It provides children an all-rounded support for a healthy brain and a strong body. Presented in a soft chewable capsule form, the new formula is packed in a great tasting strawberry flavour for children aged five years and older. Children can now happily enjoy the refreshing and nutritious treat without much fuss.

Lather Lovely Want a change in your bath and body care? This season, we’re loving the Heynature Chrysanthemum Creamy Body Wash and Body Lotion ($18.90 & $24.90 respectively, www.heynature.com.sg). Suitable for

both adults and children with sensitive and itching skin, the creamy body wash thoroughly cleanses impurities, while the lotion keeps it intensively moisturised. Alternatively, check out the limited edition Crabtree & Evelyn Spring Rain Collection ($68, Crabtree & Evelyn stores). A luxurious

deluxe duo, the series give you a splash of freshness and moisture all day.

singapore’s child march 2015

Exploring In The

Spring It’s time to get outdoors! We’ve sussed out some wardrobe staples to make getting dressed easier for mums and more comfortable for little girls.

resh air, exercise, and creative exploration are just a few of the benefits children can experience when they spend time outdoors. Encouraging children to be active while outdoors is important for their physical, cognitive, and social development. Which is why in this issue, we added some fun details for a playful photography session. With March being our outdoor learning issue, we decided to find a beautiful location to serve as the scene for our fashion spread. Enter Siloso Beach Resort, Sentosa – we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect backdrop for our photos. Despite the spectrum of trends and colour this season, we went extra bold for our shoot. Get ready for a primary palate of bright hues to saturate our pages. After an entire day spent styling, posing and snapping photos, we were all exhausted when we left the tranquil and rustic eco resort. But we couldn’t be more thrilled with the final product. We hope you’ll enjoy flipping through our fashion spread and that we might inspire you with ways to update your child’s wardrobe!

12 singapore’s child | march 2015

Lime green dress, $72.90, Gingersnaps; Headband, $10.90, Monsoon Children; Sandals, $59.90, Gingersnaps

Photography Max Ng

Art Direction Geraldine Tan

Fashion assistant shaistah Munawar

Fashion Stylist Raja Jumira

Makeup & Hairstyling Venice Ng, using Make Up For Ever

Model Phileine Huntjens (Red Carpet Invite, 9739 3673)

location siloso beach resort, sentosa

singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child march 2015

Outdoor learning issue

Loving The Great Outdoors Encourage your kids to get out and play and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll reap the rewards of active living. Nature offers plenty of healthy ways to explore the world and learn. by Agnes Goh

24 singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child | march 2015

hat if you don’t have any interesting hobbies that are fun for the whole family? Don’t be afraid to try something new. Do it for the kids and let this be your moment to break out of the mould. We figured if we raised two kids in Singapore and never got out in nature, we were not doing them justice in teaching them the finer things in life. So, we bought some walking shoes and a guide to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and started walking. Whether it’s hiking or something totally different, look for an activity the whole family can do, something that’s:

Age Appropriate Kids as young as three and four can join in all forms of recreation, and babies can be toted in a backpack. Just remember to go for versions of your favourite activities that your kids can enjoy. If you’re a distance swimmer, think kiddie pool when the family is coming along. If an activity is too advanced, the risks of boredom, irritability and injury are greater.

Scalable Look for activities that are enjoyable for those starting out, with room to grow more advanced – for instance, sports, music and art come to mind. We’re happy to complete short, easy hikes right now, while the kids take three steps to our one – knowing that someday, when everyone’s older and more experienced, we’ll still have lots of challenging terrain to cover.

Affordable Hobbies range in price and there are family activities that fit the range of family budgets. Though the gear available for serious hikers can run into serious money, getting started require little more than some track shoes (we bought ours on sale for around $50), a map and water bottles. Most of what we take on the trail are things that we already had lying around the house. Whatever activity you decide on, be sure it’s not beyond your means to keep doing it. Although we plan to add wakeboarding to our lives when the kids are older, we know we’ll need to increase the activities budget to do so.

Repeatable Some activities are events, such as trips to the circus, getaways to Disneyland, or even a local theme park. Hobbies aren’t like that. They’re activities you can fit into your schedule as often as once a week. Choosing something you can do regularly throughout the year has the potential to become a part of your family’s identity.

Make it fun Encouraging a four-year-old to keep going to the end of a 2-km hike can be a chore. But when they know there’s a root beer float waiting for them at the end of the trail, they’re more likely to embrace the challenge. And when their little legs get tired and they start begging for someone to carry them, try to divert their attention by singing songs or practising their alphabets (“Which letter does the word ‘apple’ start with?” and “How about the word ‘ball’?”). When the kids get older and a root beer float and the alphabet song no longer motivate, the promise of a parent-sponsored outing, which is doing something they’ve grown to love, may be enough to keep the otherwise disengaged teens involved in family life. It turns out that it is possible to learn something new and actually enjoy it. Doing it for the benefit of your kids, both now and in the future, is great motivation.

singapore’s child march 2015

Catch the wave

Here are some great styling methods for wavy hair that will enhance your waves. Long Hair

If your hair falls at or below your shoulders, wrap 1½-inch sections of your hair around a curling iron of the same width. After curling, flip head over and back, and then mist each section with light-hold hair spray. Shorter Hair

For hair that hits above your shoulders, wrap ½-inch-wide sections around a curling iron that’s an inch to 1¼ inches wide (if you use a bigger size, you won’t be able to get the separation that this look demands). Once the waves have cooled off, rake them out with your fingers. Heads Up

With the intense Singaporean heat beating down on us, there’s no more stylish shelter from the sun’s rays than with a wide brim floppy hat. Where can we get one for every day of the week? Sexy waves like Sofia Vergara’s is always in style.

Red-Eye Relief

Do your eyes get red and watery, making you look tired even when you manage to get a good night’s sleep? We share our best eye brightening tips! Apply eye drops that contain naphazoline

hydrochloride (an ingredient that relieves redness) along with your favourite concealer to hide the discolouration. Use a fleshtoned or white pencil to line the lower inner rim of your eyes in order to counteract any remaining pinkness. We like NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk ($9, Sephora).

Bring out the whites of your eyes. Go for eyeshadows in neutral colours like taupe or stone, or an icy shade that has bluish undertones. This is one time not to think pink, as it will only accentuate any redness. Try Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Shadow in 05 Bottoms Up ($19.90, selected Watsons stores).

50 singapore’s child | march 2015

Hat from H&M

bonus Avoid hat hair with some of Percy & Reed’s amazing No-Fuss Fabulousness Dry Shampoo ($13 for 50ml, Sephora)!

Wax Without Pain

Tips for making hair removal easier to bear. Wait until the hairs you are waxing are at least ¼-inch long. The process will be more effective and less painful. Exfoliate the areas you plan to wax in the shower to lift trapped hairs. This will help ensure that all the hairs come out in a single pull. Take painkiller half an hour before you start. It’ll kick in at just the right time.

beauty fix

Youthful Glow

The best complexion perfectors to even your skin tone and keep it glowing all year round.

neven skin tone, dark spots, blemishes – regardless of what you call it, hyperpigmentation is a major complexion killer. “Splotchy skin makes the skin look dull and is difficult to cover, so it might affect your self-confidence. And when you have pigmentation on your face, it seems like you are not in good health,” explains Dr Cheong Wai Kwong, dermatologist from Specialist Skin Clinic and Associates. Hence, an even, pigmentation-free complexion is very important for maintaining a youthful look.

Who is affected by Melasma?

We also recommend the Estée Lauder’s If you’re feeling lost in the sea of (often empty) promises, fear not! Dr Cheong shares that the best treatment comes in cream form, with a fixed triple combination that includes a lightening agent, a cortisone and a retinoid. But first, always start off by choosing the right wash and use a mild, granule-free cleanser each morning. Try EVERSOFT Skinz Youth Recall Hydra Clean Cleansing Foam for normal skin or EVERSOFT Skinz Youth Recall Deep Moist Rich Cleansing Foam for dry skin (from $11.20, major supermarkets).

The Eucerin Anti-Pigment Fluid ($53.90, leading pharmacies) contains dioic acid, which is proven to regulate the melanin production in the skin, allowing it to fight hyperpigmented areas, and to lighten dark spots and skin discolourations.

90%

of sufferers are women as it may be associated with hormonal changes

10-15% of sufferers are pregnant women

25%

of those using oral contraceptives may also suffer from Melasma

Cyberwhite HD Advanced Spot Correcting Lotion, which is spiked with an anti-

inflammatory root extract that neutralises irritation and minimises new spots. Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector Serum ($143 for 50ml, Clinique counters), on the other hand, promises

to tackle a myriad of skin woes, from sun damage to acne scars. It does this with Patent CL-302 Complex, including salicylic acid to boost exfoliation and the renewal of skin cells, as well as yeast extract, which helps break up pre-existing pigmentation spots and stop new ones from forming. This potent combination not only dulls dark spots but also evens out skin tone to give it a wonderful radiance. We think this is one of the best over-the-counter solution to life’s minor imperfections!

singapore’s child march 2015

family

Get Up And Run! Five easy routes to explore in and around Singapore. By Kelly Ng

fter a long day at work, running may be the last thing on your mind. However, it can actually be therapeutic. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly experienced less anxiety than non-exercisers do. What’s more, running is also a good way to explore fresh routes and make new friends. For parents who are corporate workers, we understand your constraints, so we have put together five running routes in the Central Business District and the suburban business hubs. No more excuses – it’s time to lace up and hit the road!

52 singapore’s child | march 2015

Singapore River 6.4km one way, 12.8km out and back

This trail takes you through historic landmarks and contemporary hangouts in Singapore. In the early mornings, you’ll appreciate the serenity when the river is quiet and traffic is thin. Or hit it in the evenings if you enjoy the city lights and night buzz. Check out: The heritage bridges along the Singapore River, characteristics shop houses and The Fullerton Hotel.

Keppel Bay 3km

Since the 13th century, the waterway had been used by ships travelling from the Straits of Malacca to the South China Sea. Today, Keppel Bay has been transformed into one of the most luxurious districts in Singapore – the grand yachts and waterfront housing that you’ll notice along the run is testament of that. Check out: The glorious views at sunset.

Mount Faber and Sentosa 10km

This one is for those who are up to the challenge (quite literally)! While you start out on a relatively flat route, the challenge comes when you have to scale Mount Faber all the way to the top. This will follow with a quick downhill, where you get to catch a much-needed breather. End off at the Sentosa Boardwalk and enjoy the night lights. Check out: Mount Faber makes a good place to break your run. And the best part about going for an evening run is that you get to enjoy the sunset.

Botanic Gardens and Tanglin 6.5km loop

The Botanic Gardens is quite a lively sight at dawn and dusk – you’ll notice people are out exercising and walking their dogs. Upon exiting the gardens, you will enter into a nice stretch along Tyersall Ave, flanked by tall trees and huge bungalows. Opt for this run if you’d like some nice and quiet time after a long day at work. Check out: The grand old Tembusu at Lawn E, between Ginger Garden and Palm Valley. Do you know that the same tree has been featured on the Singapore $5 currency note?

Marina Bay and the Gardens 3.5km to 11km loop

This one’s lined with its share of tropical greenery – from the prettily manicured Gardens by the Bay to treeflanked Kallang and Geylang rivers. You’d get some of the best views of the city skyline from the Marina Barrage, so you may wish to take your camera along. If you’re pressed for time, just a short loop around the Marina Bay will provide a much-needed breather from your mountain of paperwork. Check out: The Helix Bridge, Merlion Park and the Singapore Flyer.

Our Best Kicks!

If you’re already exercising, here’s how to add running to your routine. Start with run/walks. While it’s tempting to just go out and run as fast as you

can for as long as you can, you’ll ultimately run longer, feel stronger, and stay injury-free if you start by adding short bouts of running to your regular walks and gradually increasing the amount of time that you spend running.

Get the goods. You don’t need lots of fancy equipment to start running, but a

new pair of shoes are a non-negotiable. Worn-out shoes are a leading cause of injury, and often, wear and tear aren’t obvious to the naked eye. Go to a specialty running shop where you can get help finding a pair that offers the support and fit that your feet need.

New Balance’s Fresh Foam Boracay ($169, New Balance stores & authorised retailers) promises an ultra-

soft fit, plush cushioning and a 4mm midsole offset from its one-piece foam design — ideal for road running. Lightweight support is the name of the game in the ASICS GT-2000 3 LiteShow ($189, ASICS stores & leading sports retail outlets). A reflective, open

Take breaks before you need to. Once you’re running, you may feel

comfortable enough to skip the walk breaks. But it’s important to take walk breaks before you feel like you need them. This will help fend off fatigue and prevent you from doing too much too soon. By taking walk breaks at the regular intervals that are scheduled for the day, you can ensure that you’ll finish each workout feeling strong.

mesh upper with an improved Heel Clutching System provides a secure fit that you can rely on day and night.

singapore’s child march 2015

recipes

No Meat? No Problem!

Vegetarians and meat-lovers alike will fall for these vegetabledriven dishes – all family-friendly, all flavourful and delish.

Pasta with Tomato & Hidden Vegetable Sauce (Serves 4) Ingredients

1 tsp olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 celery sticks, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 1 leek, chopped 2 peppers, deseeded and chopped 2 x 400g cans of chopped tomatoes with garlic 1 tbsp caster sugar 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 300g dried pasta Grated Parmesan cheese, to serve Rocket leaves, to serve

METHODS

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick saucepan and gently cook the onion, celery, carrots and leek until soft, for about 20 minutes. Add the peppers and cook for 10 minutes more, and then tip in the tomatoes, sugar and vinegar. Simmer for at least 20 minutes. • Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, blitz the sauce with a hand blender until smooth, season and return to the heat to keep warm while the pasta cooks. • Drain the pasta and toss through the sauce. Serve in bowls topped with grated Parmesan and rocket leaves, if you like.

60 singapore’s child | march 2015

Aubergine Lasagne (Serves 6) Ingredients

3 aubergines 3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced A few sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked 1 dried red chilli, crumbled 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 x 400g cans of plum tomatoes 1 splash balsamic vinegar 1 bunch fresh basil leaves, leaves picked and stalks chopped 150g Cheddar cheese, grated 2 handfuls Parmesan cheese, grated 6-8 fresh lasagne sheets

METHODS

• Preheat the oven to 200°C. Steam the whole aubergines over a pan of simmering water for 30 minutes, then scoop out the flesh and cut it up roughly. Slowly fry the aubergine, garlic, thyme and chilli in the olive oil for about 10 minutes. • Add the tins of tomatoes, chopping them up roughly with a wooden spoon, and then add the balsamic vinegar and most of the basil leaves. Bring to boil and simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened. • Spread a layer of aubergine sauce in a large, shallow dish. Sprinkle over some Cheddar and a handful of Parmesan, and then spread over a layer of lasagne sheets. Repeat once or twice more, until your dish is full. Finish with a final sprinkling of Parmesan, a scattering of basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. • Place in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and golden.

singapore’s child march 2015

Z o n D I e K KID

& B S 12 ELO W

MARCH 2015 ISSUE 160

He’s Leaving His World Behind

t the Check ou gs to do best thin th

this mon

Amazin g facts about o c

topus

Dream job for nature lovers

Z o n D I e K KID

& B S 12 ELO W

MARCH 2015 ISSUE 160

PREPARE FOR ALIEN INVASION!

WI SOAR

AGL THE E

GO OU T AND H AVE F UN

CHECK

OUT

YS ST TO

OOLE THE C

SCIENCE FACTOR

8 things to notice when you are on Mars

Mars is a smaller planet as compared to Earth, hence the gravity is about half of Earth. Everyone will weigh lighter on Mars than on Earth. Good news - this means no diet restriction is needed! It also means that you could leap or jump about two times higher on Mars.

1 About the writer Hi friends, meet Dr Scott Poh!

He's a scientist from Purdue University, which is located all the way at West Lafayette, Indiana, in the United States of America. Dr Scott is an expert in the fields of science education and he wants to introduce you to the wacky yet interesting things that scientists do. Aside from writing for KIDZone, Dr Scott is also busy looking for cures to treat inflammatory diseases. Now, everyone goesâ&#x20AC;Ś Wahhh! Isn't he amazing?

Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. However, they are less spherical in shape compared to Earth's moon. Because of their unusual shape, scientists suspect Phobos and Deimos may be visiting asteroids that happened to be captured within Mars' orbit.

4 It takes 687 days to celebrate a new year, which is almost twice longer compared to Earth.

Mars has four seasons like Earth does, which means it also has winter, spring, summer and fall. This is due to the similarity in both planets' tilt of the rotation axis. The difference, however, is that each season in Mars lasts twice as long as that in Earth because it takes almost two Earth years for one Mars year.

Mars is also called â&#x20AC;&#x153;the red planetâ&#x20AC;? because of the high amount of iron (Fe) dust, which gives the surface its reddish colour. The iron dust comprises iron oxide, which is the same chemical composition of rust.

7 The rotation of Earth's metal fluid inner core is what gives Earth its magnetic field. This, in turn, protects the surface of our planet from harmful solar radiation. Because Mars' inner core appears to be lacking of metal fluid, there is no magnetic field on Mars. Sorry, no open suntanning allowed on Mars!

8 Mars has 24 hours in a day. Mars rotates at almost the same speed as the Earth, so a day on Mars is about as long as a day on Earth.

6 Due to a lighter gravity, Mars' atmosphere is thinner than Earth. It mostly comprises 95% carbon dioxide. The bad news is that you cannot breathe openly in Mars' atmosphere.

gravity - the force that attracts a body towards the centre of the earth, or towards any other physical body having mass spherical - shaped like a sphere; round asteroids - a small rocky body orbiting the sun radiation - the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles that cause ionization

STORY

: s r e p m u J Time

BRATTY S R O R E P M E

The story so far: Grace and John download a magical app on their iPad that allows them to travel back through time. The app is created by the Timekeeper, who needs their help to find five items scattered in different time periods. These items will help them free the Timekeeper, who has been imprisoned. When we last left them, the children had found four items. By Wong Maeli

“Hey Grace, why aren't you wearing your new spectacles?” John asked. Grace was reading a book at home. “Opps! I forgot,” Grace replied. “I guess I'm still not used to wearing spectacles.”

Without further ado, John launched the Time Jumpers app and pressed the “Bratty Emperors” button. A picture of a Tang dynasty palace appeared on the screen. There was another button in the middle of the screen that said “Take me there!” “Ready to go back to Ancient China?” John asked.

Grace went to the bedroom to get her spectacles. When she came back to the hall, John motioned her over quickly. “Come and read this, Grace. It's a message from the Timekeeper!” he said excitedly.

Grace adjusted the spectacles on her face. “Ready,” she said.

“Greeting Travellers! One more item to go! Travel to Ancient China and locate the Golden Scarab. Hurry! And good luck!”

John pressed the button and a bright light shone out from the iPad and filled the whole room. This was followed by a loud “whooshing” sound. Then the light slowly disappeared.

“What's a scarab?” Grace asked.

“18… 19… 20… here I come!” a voice called out.

“It's a small Egyptian ornament made in the shape of a beetle. It's supposed to bring good luck,” John replied.

Grace and John found themselves in the large courtyard of the palace. They were hiding behind some huge stairs. John peeped out from his hiding place. He saw a young boy, not much older than himself, dressed in golden silk clothes. He was running around the courtyard and pointing out children hiding in different hiding places.

“What's an item from Egypt doing in China?” Grace asked. “That's why we have to go get it,” John said. “Remember the Time Thieves? They're trying to mess up the past.”

“Found you!” the boy said gleefully as he pointed at another child hiding behind a large pot. But look as he might, he was not able to find Grace and John's hiding place. Several minutes passed and the boy's face was starting to turn red.

“Urgh, I think we better step out of this hiding place,” a voice directly behind Grace and John said. The twins spun around to see that there was another child hiding in the same hiding place as them. “Hi, my name is Kai. We better step out soon. The crown prince will be very angry if he cannot find us. We cannot show that we are better or smarter than he is. That is not our duty as companions. We must always let him win,” the boy said. “Huh?” Grace demanded. “What's the fun in that?” The boy looked confused. “We are not here to have fun. We are here so the crown prince will have fun.” The boy shook his head. “He is the crown prince so he does what he wants. Even when he does something wrong, he cannot be beaten as he is the crown prince. One of us will be beaten instead,” the boy said in resignation. Grace and John exchanged horrified glances, but they stepped out of their hiding place all the same. “I found you!” the crown prince cried aloud when he saw Grace, John and the other boy. “Your hiding places are all so easy to find. You are all such lousy hiders. This game is boring. I am so bored!!” The crown prince stamped his foot on the ground. At once, several servants hurriedly approached the crown prince. One carried a drink for him. Another one wiped the sweat on his face. Another one massaged his back.

“Away!” the crown prince growled petulantly. The servants scampered off. “You!” the crown prince said, pointing at Kai. The crown prince had a mischievous look on his face. “I want you to go into my father's royal treasury and bring out… a golden ball for me.” Kai's face went white. “The Emperor's royal treasury? Didn't he say we were not allowed to go in there?” Kai stuttered. “I am the crown prince and I get what I want!” the crown prince roared. Kai looked around hesitantly. All the other children were looking down at the floor. No doubt they were glad they had not been picked for this task. Kai took a step forward. “Wait!” John spoke up quickly. “Great crown prince, send me instead.” “What are you doing?” Grace hissed at John. “You're going to get in trouble with the Emperor!” “Trust me, I have a plan,” John whispered back to Grace. “I don't care!” the crown prince said, waving his hand. “Anyone can go! Just get me the golden ball!”

Answers: 1. (I) Top right; statues of kids jumping into the Singapore River. All the photos depict Sentosa's attractions, except the image on the top right. (II) C. A is the same as E when rotated, and B is the same as D. 2. 45; 13 x 4 = 52 x 7 = 45 3. C. It repeats the second flag with left and right reversed in the same way that the third flag repeats the first flag.

14 12

What number should replace the question mark?

A A

(II)

What comes next in the above sequence?

Patterns and Sequences

(I) Which picture is the odd one out?

Dr Scott wants to test your IQ! PUZZLES

CRAFTS

FLIGHT OF FANCY HERE FISHY, FISHY SOMETHIN

Clothes Peg Critters

G TO CRO

AK ABOUT

With a little imagination, you can turn them into animals with movable mouths! By Rachel Yohannan Photography Justin Loh

Who says clothes pegs can only be used for chores?

STEP 1

Create a frog using construction paper, and add details using a marker. Snip the frog in half. With the clothes peg on its side, glue each half of the frog to each prong of the peg.

Materials you need ✔ Clothes peg ✔ Construction paper ✔ Craft glue ✔ Marker ✔ Scissors

STEP 2

Again, using construction paper of a different colour, cut out the shape of the frogÔs tongue. Glue it on the underside of the bottom half of the frog. Once the glue has completely dried, have fun opening and closing the frogÔs mouth by squeezing the clothes peg. You can also try making other animals like fish!

READ

Good Reads

A book a day keeps the boring days away, so start reading!

1) SMART By Kim Slater

There's been a murder, but the police don't care. It was only a homeless old man after all. But Kieran cares. Kieran is different from most of the other children at his school. While he sometimes struggles to fit in because of his learning difficulties, his brain is capable of storing all kinds of facts, especially when they are related to CSI his favourite programme. Join Colin on his investigations that will lead him to all kinds of secrets!

Retails at $16.73 at major bookstores

2) The Treasure of Dead Man's Cove By George Ivanoff In this adventure book, readers make decisions during a stay at a seaside town, rumoured to have hidden treasure. Depending on what choices you make along the way, you could uncover the treasure, or be destined for doom stuck in a cave with a rising tide. This book will appeal to readers of a range of levels and interests, especially for boys aged nine to 12. For reluctant readers, the appeal of being able to complete the adventure fairly quickly will excite you, but of course, curiosity about where other choices may lead is likely to encourage further reading and re-reading.

Retails at major bookstores

3) Kung Pow Chicken: Let's Get Cracking! By Cyndi Marko Kung Pow Chicken is the superhero everyone has been waiting for! This entertaining story is about two crimefighting chickens who take on an evil old hen with a foul plan. She's feeding chickens cookies that cause their feathers to fall out so she can get rich selling them her hand-knitted sweaters. It takes some work, but the superheroes foil the fiendish fowl and save chicken city. Filled with easy-to-read text, feathered superheroes, jokes that will crack you up, and a mad storyline, this fun graphic novel will delight readers.

Retails at US$4.99 (approx. S$6.75) at major bookstores

4) The Book That Was Handed Down By Yixian Quek

Illustrated by Grace Duan Ying

A young girl, Ping, is unhappy that she always gets her elder brother's hand-me-downs, until she comes across a special book. When Ming sees his sister with the book, he remembers how much he loved it and starts reading it aloud. Ping is captivated, and together, they share the adventures held between the book's covers. Ping is so earnest and cross at the beginning, you can't help feeling for her - but once she gets beyond the superficial appearances, she finds her life is enriched both by the actual story in the book, and by the opportunity for her to connect with her brother. The simplicity of this book makes it immediately appealing to anyone!

Retails at $9.50 at www.thetreehouse.sg

5) Fairies Stick-O-Rama By Susan Mayes Illustrated by Lauren Ellis Little girls will enjoy bringing the fairy tale scenes to life in this delightful sticker book. Scenes in this beautifully illustrated book include playing hide-and-seek, tea parties, the butterfly race and the fairy queen's ball. With over 250 stickers to complete the scenes, this book will bring hours of fun, and encourage children's imagination to create your own stories. Perfect for keeping you occupied too!

We're giving away 5 copies of the Fairies Stick-O-Rama book. Get Mum or Dad to check out Singapore's Child Facebook page to win!

Retails at US$6.99 (approx. S$9.40) at major bookstores

6) Dragon's Egg By Caz Goodwin

Illustrated by Low Joo Hong

When a young bespectacled girl espies a rather large purple egg underneath some bark in East Coast Park, she wonders what's inside. Wanting to ensure the safe passage of its contents, she takes the egg home. Mum, Dad and Gran are too busy to notice the cumbersome egg, so the little girl takes it into her room and nestles it in a box with a rug. Not long after that, a baby dragon emerges from the shell, complete with magical, pink, swirling smoke. What to do with a wee dragon baby who tries desperately to fly but can't because its wings are too tiny? The little girl and her teddy knows the perfect solution.

Retails at $9.62 at major bookstores

IN SG

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! G N I V O M

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See if the local museum has a brochure of historical walks in your neighbourhood. Go out and explore together. We suggest heading to Tiong Bahru, one of the trendy districts that add to Singapore's charm and character. Have a meal with the family at the market, followed by a short walk around the area. There are informative heritage markers along the streets for you to learn more about Singapore's first housing estate.

Walk to the library on a sunny afternoon. Looking for an interactive library that is as fun as taking a stroll in the park? Visit Woodlands Regional Library! With an Enchanted Tree and Window to the World display to get curious kids excited about reading, plus an entire children's level that has been designed like a park, this library really goes above and beyond for us. There's even a catalogue for kids (Kids Cat), so we can search for our own books.

Dig into gardening! Plant a garden and get everyone to help out with their own special section. There are various DIY starter kits in the market that your parents can buy off the shelf. For example, the ready-made kits from The Plant Story at HortPark come complete with plants and instructions!

Take a Frisbee or a soccer ball, and head out to the park for a picnic. Or play catch-meif-you-can! It may be nothing fancy, perhaps a little outing to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, but there are big open fields for us to run around and have some outdoor fun.

Get a bicycle carrier (and helmets for everyone) so the whole family can go for a ride together. Our favourite cycling trail is on Pulau Ubin. The uneven terrain can make cycling here a little challenging for beginners, but the different trails and the vastness of the place make it a great place to explore with the family. Pulau Ubin is a 15-minute boat ride from Changi Point ferry terminal.

On a windy day, go to an open field at Woodlands Drive 17 (opposite Christ Church Secondary School), and fly a kite. There's plenty of space and no trees to trap your kite!

Go to the playground and climb and play swing. Alternatively, get Mum or Dad to bring you to one of Singapore's oldest playgrounds - an iconic dragon-shaped structure atop a sand pit at Block 28 Toa Payoh Lorong 6. You get to experience what it was like playing on a sand-based playground, just like your parents did in their younger days. Turn off the television and go for a walk around the neighbourhood, such as the Katong/Joo Chiat area. You may be surprised by what you can find in that corner you may have forgotten about. Be mesmerised by the beautiful and ancient looking shophouses along East Coast Road. While you're there, don't forget to visit Chin Mee Chin Confectionary, one of the last remaining Hainanese coffee shops. Get transported back in time, to an era where life in Singapore used to be much simpler, and have a cup of Milo and kaya buns on us!

Take a moonlight or flashlight walk in the evening with your family. Go stargazing. We recommend taking a stroll along the Henderson Waves, the highest pedestrian bridge of striking wave-like architecture that connects Mount Faber and the Telok Blangah Parks. You can also try viewing some heavenly bodies at the Science Centre Observatory on Friday nights. Get your parents to check the website for the latest updates on the stargazing sessions.