Dinosaurize Me! at Plaza Singapura this June Holidays!

It's the school holidays and dinosaur season! Okay wait, I don't mean our kids are dinosaurs...or maybe they are in their little unique way!

There are a couple of ongoing dinosaur events happening around us on this tiny little island, and if you have children interested in dinosaurs the way mine are, then you absolutely must check out DINOSAURIZE ME! at Plaza Singapura just because it's the best one yet! 

You cannot miss the gigantic Argentinosaurus the moment you step foot into Plaza Singapura, because it;s feet are huge enough to crush you, and it's goes up as tall as three floors high! There are many ongoing activities for children going on at the atrium, and I actually sneaked up to the third storey while my kids were immersed in their activities to take this picture!

Let me introduce to you this replica of the gigantic specie. He is the Argentiosaurus, and no prizes for guessing where he originated! He may look huge, but he is pretty harmless as he is a herbivore! How do I know all that? Well there are shows every weekend that teaches you about the facts of dinosaurs. For a twenty-something year old, I actually learnt a lot from the show, and came home relishing what I've learnt! Don't even mention my kids, dinosaurs are all they talk about now that they know more about these creatures!

Timings: Saturdays & Sundays, 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:30 pm

Also happening at the atrium are workshops for children, facilitated by the Science Centre who is in collaboration with Plaza Singapura for this event. Hence, you can be assured that all the workshops are done pretty well with good facilitation by the staff. Each workshop cost only $5, and the kids get to bring home the crafts they made, so it is pretty worth it if you ask me!

The first booth the kids tried out was the dinosaur fossil crafting booth, where children got to try out using clay and mold to make their own clay dinosaurs. I recommend doing this craft first because it takes around half an hour to dry up and harden, and once the kids are done with the other booths, it would be just nice to collect the ready made mold. This workshop is best suitable for preschoolers, as it is sensorial and easy to do for those tiny fingers. 

The second booth the boys tried out was a geological timeline activity, which involved a lot of cutting and pasting and is best suited for slightly older aged children since apart from the cutting and pasting, it would be better if they actually knew the dinosaur time zones. My boys knew nothing about the timeline of dinosaurs but enjoyed themselves nonetheless, because they enjoyed seeing it come to live when everything was done. It was like a hanging mobile, which we have now hung up in the boys' room. 

The last booth is a superbly interesting one. It is the Dino Stop Motion workshop. At this area, my kids were given a printed paper of dinosaurs to color, which they did. After which, they had to cut their individual dinosaurs out and place it on a given background to tell a story. The facilitators will then use the mommy's handphone to download an app called Stop motion, which they will use to record the storytelling process. This workshop was by far the coolest one, as kids got to use their imagination and story-telling skills to tell their own unique story!

This was my kid's story: All the dinosaurs moved away from the volcano except two of them who decided to play near the volcano, when it erupted and they got into a lot of trouble thereafter!

If that was not all, there is also a  fossil digging sand pit that kids can pretend play as a paleontologist, and dig to their hearts content! My kids spent the longest time here, and even made friends to construct the dinosaur after finding all the bones. Definitely can't go wrong with the messy play with these guys!

I highly recommend bringing your kids down to Plaza Singapura for this fun-filled Dinosaurize Me! event at the atrium because it is really that fun! My kids spent a total of close to four hours, in a mall, which is almost hard to believe because they hate malls, and would rather run wild outdoors. 

To find out more information on DINOSAURIZE ME, visit here!

There is just two more weekends left, as the dinosaurs leave us on the 14th June, so be there or be square!

When: 29 May to 14 June 2015
Where: Plaza Singapura, Level 1 Main Atrium

The boys could not get enough of dinosaurs, so we continued with some dinosaur activities at home, which I believe could go on for quite awhile!

Build a dinosaur with blocks

A dinosaur sensory bin

Dinosaur Mulberry Paint Art

And guess what, we did another stop motion animation, this time with dinosaur stickers!

Now, go have fun with dinosaurs already!! :)

Rise and Shine Carnival 2015, come and join in the fun!

My family loves sleeping in on weekends, because we usually have late suppers on Friday nights as a way to get all riled up for the weekend. Hence, breakfast is undeniably the last thing on our minds when we go to bed on Fridays. BUT, there is this one event that actually gets us even more excited than sleeping in, THE RISE AND SHINE CARNIVAL!

The Rise & Shine’s inaugural event is aimed to raise awareness on healthy development of children through good dietary and lifestyle habits after research findings show 1 in 3 children have unhealthy breakfast. The turnout for this event was a success that had broken the Singapore Book of Record for the largest breakfast picnic turnout in 2013 and we are rather proud to be part of such an event that promotes family togetherness and is recognized nationwide.

Last year, we were up just as the sun was up, and all happy to have a breakfast picnic with hundreds of other families at The Lawn. The Rise & Shine Carnival 2015 is the largest outdoor carnival in Singapore for children and families and the very first event that is breakfast picnic themed. Best part of all, is that there are plenty of activities for children and families to do throughout the carnival, and I promise you, your children is going to need a lot of coaxing when the event ends!

This year, the Rise and Shine carnival is back for the 3rd year, so you can expect three times more fun, more joy and definitely more bonding between families. It is also held at a much bigger area, the floating platform! While the carnival usually aims for morning activities, don't fret if you think you won't be able to lug the whole family out by the early morning, because activities are extended till 5pm this time around!

If you're wondering if you should go to this year's Rise and Shine carnival, here are some photos from last year's even that may help with your decision!

Buy your tickets online, and join us!

Look at how many of us are having breakfast together, its really fun!

Just one of the many activities that the children get to enjoy!

Everyone gets a "picnic basket'' of nutella goodness

Spreadddd and eatttttt

Believe me, nothing like having nutella goodness on a picnic with many other families!

This year's highlights include a special appearance by a Manchester United Legend! Some lucky kids might just score a chance to have a friendly soccer match with him! OKay I am a huge Manchester united fan, so this is definitely a plus point for me, remind me to get my boys dressed up in their jerseys for this!

Other highlights include a Special performance by Angry Birds, kiddy rides, face painting, bubbles party, and a lot of other sports related activities, which I am very excited for because children these days really need to get out there and moving to such fun!

More details about the event:
Venue: The Float @ Marina Bay 
Date: Saturday, 18 April 2015 
Time: 8am – 12pm (booth activities will continue to run till 5pm!
Kids have more time to try out games at each booth)
Ticket price: Free entry for kids below 12 years old. $20/ ticket. Each paying adult will receive a play coupons worth $40 and each family will receive a picnic mat free.

 Visit website for more details: www.riseandshine.com.sg/carnival2015

Enjoy a special promotion of 15% OFF when you key promotional code ITCHYFINGERS during your purchase! 

Also, a chance to get your hands on two pairs of tickets to join us at the Rise and Shine carnival 2015! Just answer a simple question with your email address under comments below, and like our page Itchyfingers Photography on facebook to qualify! Contest ends on 8 April 2015, good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Media Invite: Cbeebies live countdown to Christmas at Plaza Singapura

Every June and December, I can't help but look out for those mall shows that feature some of the children's favorite television characters live. After all, it is the school holidays and the children definitely deserve some ogling over their favorite characters LIVE instead of just watching them on television.

Now, one of our favorite tv kid channels is Cbeebies. Why? Because it is British, and also mainly because it has Mister Maker! I cannot think of anyone who does know or like that british arty farty mister, because he is so fun, so adorable and so so creative. A year ago, he came by to Singapore and we watched him at Plaza Singapura. The boys were stoked beyond belief when they saw him live, and this year we are lucky enough to catch him live again, only this time it's live via a special TV link, also at Plaza Singapura!

Apart from Mister Maker, other Cbeebies characters also appear, and you know what I like best? The flow of characters who appeared on stage caters to children of all ages! Never mind that you have an infant, because he is sure to recognize the good old Teletubbies!

You have a toddler that has grown out of the Teletubbies, and is also learning his numbers? Well then there is the Numtums that you can catch too! Best part, they sing some really catchy number songs that allow the children to sing along to and learn at the same time, If you happen to be spending at the mall that day, then a $30 receipt will get you an on stage pass to take some intimate photos with these characters too!

Finally, if you have a preschooler, than of course you have to catch Mister Maker himself! Hosting the show via the special TV Link. I do wished the TV link appearance was a little bigger though, so that everyone could see it. Because the crowd was overwhelming, and most of the kids were too short to actually focus on the screen. But well, still felt awesome to be there anyways. As long as the kids enjoy themselves, really! And we brought home Mister Maker for some inspirational creations too in the comfort of our home which I encourage you to do too, after watching the show. Grab some art supplies and get creative!

The Cbeebies Live! Countdown to Christmas will be having shows everyday from 21st November to 7 December (except Tuesdays)! Find out more details on the Plaza Singapura website if you're intending to go, and for their showtimes! With such mall shows, moms like us would not have to worry about keeping the children occupied this holidays!

I was at the Rise and Shine Expo, and my kids definitely came home being happier kids!

Sometimes I do not know why I subject myself to crazy crowds at fairs, but I am guessing it's because I have this deep love for shopping under one roof. This week at Suntec Convention Center, one of the biggest parenting and educational fair is happening! The Rise and Shine Expo has landed and it's a must-go! They have parenting seminars which you have to register for, and also trial classes for children that may just help you pick and choose what you need for that holiday program. I personally love the fair for all the bargains, and hands on fun that the children get to enjoy.

Parenting fairs have come a long way. Back then, it's really all about retailing. These days, it's about opportunities for children as organizers strive to plan for children to explore, play, and experience amidst their parents shopping. It's killing two birds with a single stone for me when my children enjoy themselves and I get to run my errands at the same time.

If you love fairs too, and have nothing up for the weekend, then do consider bringing your kids to meet-and-greet Sofia the first and Jake from the Neverland pirates at the Rise and Shine fair. Do keep a lookout for some really outstanding booths at the fair, like the Disney baby booth (I'll speak about that in a separate entry) which is crazily pretty and brings back my love for Disney altogether.

In any case, I think meeting Sofia and Jake is a good enough reason to bring your kids to the fair! They have eighty passes to give out and it is on a first come first serve basis, so make sure you get your lucky hands on them. :)

"Every Child is A Genius, all you gotta do is awake the genius in him!" A sharing session with Dr Thomas Armstrong.

As part of a Rise and Shine blogger, I was privileged enough to be invited to a Hi-Tea Session with Dr Thomas Armstrong during the SmartKids Asia Event at the Singapore Expo, Hall 5. This event was kindly brought together by S26, a milk formula brand that highly promotes nutritional values for a growing child.

Being in the early childhood field, I was very excited to meet and share with someone who had strong perspectives on multiple intelligences in Children. Multiple Intelligence is a theory brought about by Howard Gardner, an American developmental psychologist who believes very strongly that every child has eight intelligences that he is born to be equipped with. I personally am an advocate for every child being naturally smart in his own way, hence I was nodding in agreement to everything Dr Thomas Armstrong mentioned in his seminar yesterday.

Picture extracted from: http://www.getadministrate.com/blog/easily-assess-learning-styles-for-better-student-outcomes/

As you can see, children are born an all-rounder. They may excel in one area, but it is never exclusive to just one area of learning for them. "Every child is born a genius, but as he grows, this genius in him may be shut off due to many factors". - Dr Armstrong said at the seminar yesterday. How and why are children born a genius? Because all of them have the innate ability to learn without conforming, to explore and observe freely, and to express creatively. Think about it, each time a parent learns of a baby's milestone, we celebrate it yet when they reach a certain age, all this celebrating just ceases.

Each time a baby flips or rolls over, we celebrate it because he demonstrates physical ability! Now that's Body Smart (Kinethetic), yet when our child is older, we don't even batt an eyelid when he dances to music or learns certain physical moves from a book or the television on his own. Why? 

Each time a baby demonstrates being word smart and holds a book , we celebrate his eagerness to read. Yet as he grows older, we shove aside this WANT to read and drastically changes it into a NEED to read instead. And we do not even celebrate this moment, because it is "required" of him, a growing preschooler. Why?

Each time during meal time, we would gladly allow our baby to feel textures around us and eagerly share  the experience with him, "How does the grass feel?" We would even allow them to splash during their bath in the tub and gladly add bubbles to it. We would let them crawl under tables, and climb the table legs while we dine. But as he grows, we would scream at them to get off the mud, as their shoes will get dirty. Don't even dream of stepping on those rain puddles! No climbing that tree! Why?

Most parents should really dig deep down our conscience, as we start to see that the genius in our child is really shut off by our expectations of a child. How a preschooler should conform to behavioral and societal expectations, and ultimately ditch his desiring need to observe, explore and learn at his own capability.

Shared during Dr Armstrong's seminar session, he mentioned a couple of points that naturally kills the genius in our children, and possibly in ourselves during our growing years too.

• Home Miliation: Children born to this unfortunate circumstance are naturally born to stress, and vices that they may be exposed to (like drugs, alcohol etc). Also, included are children born with poverty. These creates a negative impact to their growing, and may hinder their learning purposes as they grow.
• Dystechia (School): You know how the world is fast growing into one that is competitive and academically inclined. You need to be book smart to survive kind of thing? Yeah, all that kills the genius in the child. How the child is brought up with the pressure to learn, provided with worksheets and tests at even a young age of five/six in Singapore! If a child is slower at grasping the idea of something and cannot catch up with his peers, then he shall be labelled as one with special needs when really, he is just learning at HIS own pace. 
• Medio-crity: Technology. That about sums up how children conform to things they are exposed to on the media - violence, stereotypical images, insipid language. Technology kills the creativity that children are born with. The media feeds them with idealogies that they should not be exposed to. Technology hinders children from being in a naturalistic environment, which leads to the underdevelopment of certain skills required of a growing child. 

While most Singaporeans generally do not fall into the Home miliation category, we should be most ashamed that  a high percentage of our children do fall into the harmfulness of dystechia and medio-crity. A typical Singaporean child enters school at 3, starts doing worksheets by 4 (some even at 3!), and gets tested by 6 just as they enter primary school. I am in the field, I know that this is still happening in preschools around us and I will not deny that some parents are fond of it. In fact, there are children being sent for tuition at six years old just so that they can secure a good place in a good primary school. 

These grading and testings, this need to comply to educational needs in Singapore has got to stop. Because it is slowly and surely killing the child in being the child that he is born to be. I feel very strongly about this because without the understanding of parents, and the society, there is just so much that a preschool educator can do to help maintain a child's right to live in a free and expressive environment. Yes, a child does have his rights, just as all of us adults do. Give them their childhood back, it is irreversible this thing called time. How do we do we present our children with this immeasurable gift of growing? Dr Thomas Armstrong shares some very valid and easy ways to do our part:

Let Them Play!

• Let children have the freedom to choose. Grant them choices, and let them make decisions. 
• Provide for open-ended exploration. We should all increase the guiding, and lessen the instructing. 
• Let children be free from judgement. 
• Honoring every child's experiences and abilities.
• Believing in every child's genius. 
• Supporting children's nutrition.

That sounds relatively easy, yes? I am sure, as parents, all we want is for the best outcome for our children. And while this may not produce genius instincts instantly, we may just see how our child will grow up to be an individual that is confident, respectful and intellectual with years of encouragement and support coming from us. Every child is a genius, believe that and Believe in your child!

All this was shared in a very interesting and insightful sharing session with Dr Thomas Armstrong over at Table Manners, where bloggers were invited to have discussions and questions over a casual Hi-Tea. The place was cozy and casual enough for us to open up to Dr Armstrong our concerns over our children's learning requirements in a hurried city like Singapore and we definitely were reassured that letting our children purposefully play through their childhood is the right thing to do.

This event was very kindly brought together by S-26, which is a leading milk formula brand in Singapore. It contains up to 5 times more DHA, 40% more Lutein and 20% more Choline.

*Based on S-26 Promise GOLD and compared to previous formula. Children learn in multiple ways – seeing, thinking and doing and good nutrition helps support overall growth and development in these 3 key areas. Nutrition plays a huge role in our young children's development, even more so when we advocate higher thinking skills and multiple intelligence learning.

Dr Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the American Institute for Learning and Human Development, and an award-winning author and speaker who has been an educator for the past forty years. He is the author of fifteen books including Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, In Their Own Way, Awakening Your Child’s Natural Genius, 7 Kinds of Smart,The Myth of the A.D.D. Child and Awakening Genius in the Classroom. He has appeared on several national and international television and radio programs, including NBC’s ”The Today Show”, “CBS This Morning”, “CNN”, the “BBC” and “The Voice of America”. Articles featuring his work have appeared in The New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Investor’s Business Daily, Good Housekeeping, and hundreds of other newspapers and magazines around the country.Dr. Armstrong has given over 800 keynotes, workshop presentations, and lectures in 43 states in US and 20 countries in the past 26 years.

My Three Year Old Med School Grad, how your child can play "doctor" and make a difference to underprivileged children with the Light-A-Dream charity drive!

A couple of months ago, we were lucky enough to attend a special no-charge program Mount Elizabeth Novena had put together to allow children to explore the many departments that make up a hospital, as well as the many responsibilities doctors and nurses face in their daily jobs. Doctor For A Day was fully booked as slots were snapped up the speed of lightning. I mean, duh! It is not everyday we get to role play doctors and nurses in a real live environment with the guidance of real field doctors!

Typically, this was a program best suited for five years olds and above. But our little man who is only three was privileged enough to enjoy this program despite his very young age with the guide of his older "doctor peers". The children were put into groups of ten, and brought to roam and experience various department settings within the hospital. This were recreated into child-friendly and extremely safe and fun rooms for the children to explore with simple hands-on activities. Off my mind, I could remember these rooms:

General Practitioner Room was where children were given scrubs to put on and were introduced to a real doctor, who showed them the simple use of a stethoscope, thermometer, etc.

The second room was the Accident and Emergency Room, where children were taught the real meaning of Emergency. How a mere fever would not constitute to a trip to the A&E, and how doctors in the A&E faced challenges in helping their patients be back on the recovery track. They also learnt how to do simple first aid like bandaging and using alcohol swipes for cleaning wounds and the appropriate manner of swiping. It was fun seeing how some played the role of a doctor, while others became patients. This was brilliant at letting the children understand and feel the different emotions at being a doctor and a patient.

The third room was the Nursing Room. Being a mother of two, I cannot be more delighted that the children got access to a nursery room, and experienced the function of a nursery room. They just made my job a little easier if we were to have a third child! Here, the children were introduced to infants, and how fragile these little beings were. Nurses taught them how to clean, powder and diaper change, and feed an infant. These kids even learnt how to swaddle an infant! Good lord, I learnt how to swaddle mine the day the nurse pushed my firstborn into my ward! Indeed, children these days are definitely more exposed. Mind you, the boys were not excused from this ward, and went on to take it like a man. Let's all hope this would make for more hands-on fathers in the future, yeah?

Room Four was the Operating Theatre Room! Here, the children were introduced to a very "sickly man" called Mr Smoke-A-Lot. He had an open lung with lots and lots of black sticky tar which the children had to perform "surgery" on by using tweezers and gauze to clean off. The doctor explained how smoking could cause such illnesses and some of the children continued to share what other illnesses could warrant a surgery or an operation so the children learn to take better care of their health.

These little doctors finally came to the last room or station, which was the graduating room. Here, the little ones would put on their prestigious white coats with badges that states their doctor vocations, and prepare for a graduation picture! It was that cute, everyone was excited for graduation, especially the parents! Our little ones have graduated from medical school!

The kids had a memorable experience, and even got to bring home souvenirs like a graduation certificate, a doctor badge, the graduating photo and a stethoscope! All in a day's work :) The doctors and nurses who participated in this initiative were approachable, friendly and amicable, definitely people we wish our children would model after in time to come. I love how this program helps children overcome their fears of doctors and hospitals by having a better understanding of how they work and the things they do. Doctor-For-A-Day was simply fun, educational, and a brilliant initiative by Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital!

Bummed that you missed out on Doctor-For-A-Day when it pioneered in July? Don't be!

Mount Elizabeth Novena has launched a 'Light a Dream' campaign for Christmas, with Doctor for A Day (Light a Dream) in support of their community project for underprivileged children. Registration is now open and this event is for children aged 5-10 years of age. Each slot goes for for $20, and you will get an interactive and educational journal for your kids! This paying fee will be utilized for a Christmas party as well as gifts for the underprivileged (Pathlight, Singapore Children Society, Children Cancer Society etc.), who would be coming for Doctor for A Day the following day. The cost would be factored into an Elves Christmas Workshop that will be conducted for these children, a "Doctor's Journal" which encourages them to eat healthy and other items. You can register for a spot here! I assure you that it is definitely a small price for an experience that will go a long way!

Did I mention it was our first time there, and the hospital is spanking new, and absolutely luxurious. The place is easily accessible via the train (Novena station) and is just minutes away from shopping malls to get things you need out of convenience. This Christmas, Mount Elizabeth Novena have set up a photo wall with LED lights featuring angel wings and stars which people can interact with the photo wall and take a picture. Post these photos on their Facebook wall, and YOU will be eligible to win a set of S.E.A Aquarium tickets (2 adults, 2 children). There are five sets up for grabs. The competition would be launched on 1st Dec, the 5 photos with the most Facebook likes will win the tickets.

Another way that you can contribute to the Light-A-Dream charity drive is with the Tree of Transformation-Gallery of Hope. The hospital got in touch with Pathlight, whom have kindly agreed to get their children to paint on 60 light cubes. These light cubes formed the Tree of Transformation in their lobby, as well as a gallery (Gallery of Hope) of the other art pieces that do not make up the Tree of Transformation. The design on the light cubes are also available as a downloadable template which people can fold into an actual gift box / christmas ornament. Each light cube is available for purchase by the public at www.lightadream.org. Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital commits a dollar-for-dollar donation for each sale of the light cube. If you are keen to find out more about 'Light a Dream', please kindly go to www.lightadream.org to find out more details.

We are big supporters of children with special needs and underprivileged children, and we definitely hope that we can garner enough awareness and support to make this initiative a roaring success!