Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Signs To Look For & What Parents Need To Know

World Autism Awareness Day falls on April 2nd and while we are all aware of what ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is, this is a complex disorder with many layers and individual differences. We asked Teresa Ling, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) therapist, to answer some commonly asked questions about ASD.

In simple terms, define autism spectrum disorder
(ASD)
?

ASD is a developmental disorder that emerges early in life. It is characterised by difficulties with social interaction skills, communication skills, repetitive behaviour, and/or restricted interests. According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), autism affects about 1 in 59 children in the United States (approximately 300,000 people in Malaysia live with ASD).

Are there ‘levels’ of autism and what are they?

There is no distinctive levels of autism, but before we continue, let’s talk about the diagnosis for autism. For a child to be diagnosed with ASD (or other mental disorders), professionals use
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
, which is created by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The current DSM-5 has grouped different conditions, such as Autism Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Asperger Syndrome under
a single umbrella of ASD
. On top of the re-categorisation of ASD, each individual with ASD may exhibit different levels of severity of impairments. For example, some may need significant support in daily living activities while others may need little to no support. Due to the individual differences in syndrome expression, Autism is known as a ‘Spectrum’ disorder and in that, every individual with ASD is unique.

What is the most common age at which the signs appear or become more obvious?

Generally, symptoms do not show until the child is about 18-24 months old. Studies suggest that at least 80%-90% of parents recognise some atypical behaviours by the age of 24 months. With that being said, studies have found subtle early signs that might be presented even before the age of 18 months. For example, some behaviour (e.g. eye contact, social smiling) shows a gradual decrease in frequency from 6-18 months. Approximately only 20% of parents report having concerns within the first 10 months.

Toddlers undergo rapid growth with regards to social interactions skills, pretend play skills, and verbal and non-verbal communication skills during their second year. This is also when ASD symptoms become more apparent with toddlers showing abnormalities and differences when compared to their typically developing peers, and this when parental concerns are triggered.

What are the signs to look out for in toddlers (pre-school age) with regards to ASD?

Early symptoms of ASD in infants/toddlers at risk:

Minimum, reduced or avoidance of eye contact (child doesn’t look at speaker’s eyes or may look away if speaker tries to make eye contact)

Limited social smiling

Reduced response to name (by 12 months of age)

Limited initiation of joint attention (doesn’t bring objects over to caregiver or attempt to show caregiver something interesting)

Minimum or no pointing to communicate needs and express interests (by 14 months of age)

Atypical preverbal vocalisations (may babble random sounds repeatedly)

Atypical object exploration (spinning a toy car or lining toy cars up)

Unusual visual inspection of objects (looks closely at car wheels)

Inflexible to minor changes (may be upset because the usual water bottle is replaced by a new one)

Atypical or limited use of nonverbal communication (doesn’t nod or shake the head)

Deficits in pretend play (by 18 months of age)

Repetitive motor movements (body rocking, arm waving, ears/hands flapping)

Minimum, or reduced response to adult social bids (may not be interested in other children or adults, does not react when spoken to by looking, smiling, speaking or babbling)

Limited response to another person’s distress (doesn’t understand other people’s feelings)

Atypical response to sensory stimulation like tickling, pain, light, sound, cold or warmth

What is the first thing a parent should do if they think there could be a possibility of their child exhibiting signs?

Consult with the professionals! Talk to your healthcare provider, your child’s paediatrician or developmental psychologist and get a proper assessment and diagnosis. Some may say “Your child will eventually learn how to speak, don’t worry”, or “Your child will respond to you soon, what’s the rush?”. There’s no harm seeking professional advice early on and I strongly encourage parents to do so regardless of what others say.

Early diagnosis is important to help prevent and mitigate some of the symptoms of autism by undergoing early interventions. If you are on a waitlist to see a paediatrician, try out some online Level 1 screening tools, such as Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) or Early Screening of Autistic Traits (ESAT). These questionnaires are easy to understand and no training is needed to use them. At the very least, they will give you an idea about whether your child is at risk and eligible for more detailed assessments while you’re waiting to see a professional. It’s also a good idea to carefully observe your child’s behaviour and record any abnormalities so you can provide clear and comprehensive information needed by the professional later on.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB

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Malaysian Parents are Changing! Survey Revealed Pandemic Caused a Shift in Nutritional Choices

Following the outbreak, there have been growing concerns over child immune system development. In light of this, a nationwide survey revealed that Malaysian parents changed their nutritional choices to maintain the health of their family.

The #ImmunityMatters study comprised of more than 500 parents with children above one years old and was conducted by Mead Johnson Nutrition’s Enfagrow A+ Malaysia. Findings revealed that 82 per cent of parents believed that a child’s immunity could be nurtured overtime. In turn, 95 per cent of parents were focused on familiarising themselves with immunity boosting foods.

“This survey is part of our campaign #StrongerImmunityforASmarterTomorrow, in efforts to understand the concerns and behaviour of parents towards the role of nutrition in building immunity.

The company’s purpose is to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. Inspired by our purpose, we believe that it is important to educate parents on the benefits of proper nutrition influencing immunity in early years and beyond, so parents are able to make more informed decisions that will positively impact their child’s health and immunity,” said Dr Tan Choon Kiat, Medical Director of Mead Johnson Nutrition.

Results also uncovered other insights into the choices of parents amidst the current landscape. These included:

52 per cent of parents believed that their child’s nutrition could be improved;

94 per cent believed nutrition plays an important part of their child’s health;

42 per cent made a conscious decision to change their family’s food choices;

84 per cent of family shopping lists have shown that parents were looking into immunity-building foods to improve their natural defenses.

Milk remains an important factor in a child’s nutrition

Over 70 to 80 per cent of immune cells are found in our gut. Diet with the right nutrients can help modulate immune function, reduce the risk of infection and amplify the inflammatory responses when attacked by pathogen or viruses
1
.

When it came to choosing foods that parents believed were the best for an immunity boost, 54 per cent chose milk among the top five food choices in building strong immunity. From the survey, over 81% parents cited the importance of milk in their child’s overall nutrition and 63% of parents give their child milk at least three times a day – according to the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents 2013, children are encouraged to consume two to three servings of milk or dairy products daily.

Milk is one of the most important contribution in a child’s diet as it is a nutrient-dense food  provides energy, high-quality protein and micronutrients such as calcium magnesium, selenium, riboflavin, vitamin B12, as well as pantothenic acid
2
. Milk supplemented with ingredients such as MFGM, DHA, PDX- GOS and Yeast Beta Glucan works in synergy to help protect against infection.

Meanwhile, 88 per cent also gravitated to vegetable to boost their body’s health, followed by fruits (80 per cent), meat (55 per cent) and grains (42 per cent).

Key ingredients to modulate child immune system development

The process of building a child’s immunity begins with these key ingredients that has been scientifically demonstrated to activate and modulate the immune system, while reducing the risk of infections:

Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) is a nutrient rich component naturally present in our brain and studies have shown that MFGM play dual roles in supporting mental development and immune defense in the gut. Consumption of MFGM enriched milk by children above one (1) year old was found to have a protective effect against gastrointestinal infections, producing a significant decrease in days of fever symptoms and leading to improved behavioral regulation (EQ)
3
.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic (DHA) is found in our brain and fatty fish such as salmon. DHA helps modulates the function of the immune cell response to bacteria and viruses. Working together, DHA modulates a balanced and effective immune response to fight infections
4
.

Prebiotic dietary fibers such as PDX-GOS promotes good digestive health as it encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It has modulating properties to the immune system, demonstrating protection against infections
5
.

Research has shown that children that consume fortified milk containing DHA, PDX-GOS, Yeast Beta-Glucan was associated with fewer episodes and shorter duration of acute respiratory illnesses as well as less antibiotic use
6
.

References:

1. Gombart, A. F., Pierre, A., & Maggini, S. (2020). A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System-Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection. Nutrients, 12(1), 236.
doi.org/10.3390/nu12010236

2. National Coordinating Committee on Food and Nutrition. Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents 2013. Retrieved from:
nutrition.moh.gov.my/wpcontent/uploads/penerbitan/buku/MDG_Children_adolescent_2014.pdf
.

3. Veereman-Wauters G et al. Milk fat globule membrane (INPULSE) enriched formula milk decreases febrile episodes and may improve behavioral regulation in young children. Nutrition. 2012;28:749-752. Retrieved from:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900711003741?via%
 3Dihub

4. Gutiérrez, S., Svahn, S. L., & Johansson, M. E. (2019). Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Immune Cells. International journal of molecular

5. Cerdo T, García-Santos JA, Bermúdez MG et al. The role of probiotics and prebiotics in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Nutrients 2019; 11:635.

6. Li F, Jin X, Liu B, Zhuang W, Scalabrin D. Follow-up Formula consumption in 3- to 4-Year-Olds and Respiratory Infections: An RCT. Pediatrics 2014;133:e1533- 1540. Retrieved from:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24843061

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Belly Bands for Pregnant Women that Help to Relieve Back Pain! These Are The 6 Best In The Market

During pregnancy, women typically experience many changes which may include sudden weight gain as a result of their developing baby. As the mother’s abdomen gets bigger, this can put the mother at risk for back pain and may affect their mental well-being.

Fortunately, nowadays, there are medications and tools that can help to reduce the feeling of stress, one of which being pregnancy bands. Maternity belly bands are worn to help provide support to the lower back and abdomen during pregnancy and can be very beneficial during the second and third trimesters.

Although all maternity belly bands have the same function, not all belly bands are of the same quality or provide the same amount of comfort.

There are actually many types of maternity belly bands on the market that differ in terms of materials, size, and type of wear.

However, there is no reason to fret as we’re here to help you make a choice by presenting you with some of the best options available in today’s market.

6 Best Maternity Belly Bands In Malaysia

#1 Mama’s Choice Postpartum Adjustable Corset

Why is this product great?

This pregnancy band is able to be worn during pregnancy and beyond. It can be shaped according to the wearer’s body type and can help to restore a slimmer body and maintain the correct posture. The elastic function feature of this corset enables comfort and yet is not too tight on the waist.

Features we like:

Suitable to use after childbirth

Posture-correcting

Exclusive Velcro Design

Material: 65% Polyester, 35% Elastic Fibre

 Mama's Choice Postpartum Adjustable Corset -
RM59.90
Editor's Choice
by

Mama's Choice
5
/5
shop now
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Promo code:
MAMATAP50
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#2 Lunavie Maternity Support Belt

Why is this product great?

This belt helps reduce pelvic pressure and improve blood circulation in the legs. It can also support the lower body and maintain proper body posture.

Additionally, the belt also provides immediate relief in the back and abdomen and provides maximum comfort throughout pregnancy. It can also double up as a band for the hips well after childbirth.

Features we like:

Double Comfort: Stretchable, Thin, Well-Ventilated

Prenatal Support: Helps to reduce stress during pregnancy

Postpartum Support: Suitable for postpartum use to re-tighten the pelvis

 Lunavie Maternity Support Belt
Buy From Shopee

#3 Mama’s Choice Activewear Maternity Leggings

Why is this product great?

Mama’s choice leggings are belly bands combined with tights for the comfort of pregnant ladies to enable them to do more activities.

This is as the product is designed to provide ample support for the mother’s abdomen and reduce pressure on the hips and abdomen.

Features we like:

Durable: Not easily stretched or damaged

Can be used after childbirth as a belt band

Made from 60% Cotton and 40% Polyester

Soft, thick and well-ventilated material

Makes legs appear slimmer

Free-size

 Mama’s Choice Activewear Maternity Leggings
Buy From Shopee

#4 Tally 589 Belly Band

Why is this product great?

The Tally 589 Belly Band is a belt-type pregnancy corset that comes with a velcro strap. This belt helps to reduce motion sickness through improving stability.

Features we like:

Soft Cotton Material: Comfortable and not itchy

Adjustable Size according to one’s gestational age

 Tally 589 Belly Band
Buy From Shopee

#5 OPPO Maternity Belt 4062

Why is this product great?

The OPPO Maternity Belt is designed to assist with supporting the abdomen and correcting body posture. In addition, this product relieves stress on the body by encouraging proper body position and movement.

It does this by gently lifting the abdomen so that other parts of the body are not burdened.

Features we like:

Soft Cushion: Ensures maximum comfort for the abdomen

Thick and soft material: 50% Polyurethane, 25% Nylon, 25% Cotton

 OPPO Maternity Belt 4062
Buy From Shopee

#6 Mamaway Ergonomic Maternity Support Belt

Why is this product great?

The Mamaway Maternity Support Belt can help to reduce maternal back and pelvic pain during pregnancy as well as help improve blood circulation and relieve bladder discomfort.

This maternity abdominal support belt is also a medical grade prescription product recommended by Australian obstetricians, health professionals and physiotherapists around the world.

Features we like:

Made of soft premium velcro material

Stretchable: Can be used every trimester

Thin: Not visible under clothing

 Mamaway Ergonomic Maternity Support Belt
Buy From Shopee

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website

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Read more:
 Maternity Bras That Make Breastfeeding A Comfortable Process

Read more:
 Best Prenatal Vitamins For Pregnant Women


Waldorf Education: A comprehensive guide for parents

Like parenting styles, there are many education “styles” too, to choose from. One learning system you might want to know more about is Waldorf Education, which focuses on the holistic education of a child. In this article, we introduce this pedagogy to you, as well as discuss Waldorf Education pros and cons, and more.

What is Waldorf education?

History

Before discussing Waldorf education pros and cons, here’s a bit of history first.

Waldorf schools were founded by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian educator. Steiner designed his own educational system as he was against the traditional German educational system at the start of the 20th century.

Back then, the German education system revolved around teachers and prioritised teaching students reading, writing, maths, German history, and religion. Furthermore, only a few students were exclusively granted further education after
Volksschule,
or 8-year elementary school.

Steiner firmly disagreed with this method of teaching. Instead, he wanted to create an educational system that could nurture a child on a holistic level.

Steiner purposely steered clear of focussing on intellect only. He built his school taking into account the acceptance of all children, co-education between boys and girls, and to last for 12 years.

In addition, he also suggested for teachers to remain the highest authority in schools. This practice has continued since the first Waldorf school opened in 1919.

Definition

Waldorf schools offers age-appropriate education that is based on experiential learning. It is also coupled with meticulous attention to academic quality and is designed based on human development to provide a growing child what they need.

Unlike traditional education, Waldorf schools combine all forms of subjects from preschool level to High school, to better the student’s learning experience. Ultimately, Waldorf education seeks to nurture an attitude of lifelong learning in all students, thereby giving them the ability to mature and master their unique abilities.

In Waldorf schools, art subjects such as music, dance and writing aren’t memorised and evaluated by testing.

Rather, they are experienced, helping Waldorf students develop their intellect, emotional intelligence, physical and spiritual qualities so that they grow up to become helpful, confident adults that are able to navigate through the world.

Waldorf education pros and cons: One of the pros is that it fosters enthusiasm in the arts, not just focussing on science, math or the humanities. | Image Source: Stock Photos

Waldorf teachers are committed to instill a burning passion for each student. By doing so, external rewards – such as academic rankings from competitive exams and testing- aren’t needed. Instead, the reward is better inspired learning and and individual drive to learn more.

Waldorf education also instills independence in each individual while being open to everyone. It sustains liberty in education while also acting on administration on its own in all Waldorf schools.

Characteristics of Waldorf education

Different Waldorf schools may offer different teaching programmes based on location, local culture, group size, student age-range and their own unique teaching methods. Still, all Waldorf schools fundamentally share the following characteristics:

In terms of educational structure

A committed and continued loving attention in embracing every student

Opportunities for students to play on their own. Uncomplicated play material is provided and is the critical activity for young children.

Experiential learning, which gives kids the freedom to internalise and comprehend their experiences.

An understanding that young kids understand new things in three ways: mimicking others, stimulating a variety of senses and moving. Young kids instinctively want to investigate the surrounding physical and social environment on their own. Waldorf school environments provide structure, security, the opportunity to act despite risks, and confront challenges.

Prioritising realistic rather than virtual experience, which helps the child have a healthy understanding of and connection to the world.

Regular routines throughout each day, week and year. A regular rhythm provides a sense of security and teaches students how everything in life is connected. Of course, seasonal events and festivals are also celebrated according to local culture.

Waldorf teachers put a heavy emphasis on creating a collaborative community built on healthy relationships between parents, teachers and students.

In terms of educational subjects

Provision of art-themed recreation like playing music, painting, and telling stories, which allows the child to develop their imaginative and creative capabilities.

Practical skills such as how to cook, bake, tend to a garden, handwork and other domestic actions, which offer the space to unleash and develop hidden potential. This form of education emphasises on how life carries on, and not on learning objectives.

Waldorf education pros and cons: The benefits of Waldorf Education

The benefits of Waldorf education have been clearly established among the Waldorf education pros and cons. Professors who have educated Waldorf students in a variety of subjects and institutions have stated that Waldorf students are different as they:

are able to make connections between information. Waldorf graduates can absorb information well, rather than rote memorisation of facts

adopt flexibility, creativity in their approach and aren’t hesitant to take intellectual risks;

become leaders who uphold strong moral standards. Waldorf graduates are proactive and keen to realise their goals.

In addition to the holistic academic program Waldorf schools provide, it also has these seven benefits in early childhood education.

1. Putting a heavy emphasis on speaking and listening early on

Waldorf schools emphasise speaking and listening while the child is under seven years old. The kindergarten curriculum is centred around stories like folktales or fairy tales that are read aloud. Teacher are ‘storytellers’ .

Waldorf teachers are also very meticulous, ensuring that they speak clearly and enunciate properly. After all, immersing oneself into literature is the foundation of becoming literate. Becoming familiar with speaking and listening will also support the child when they learn writing and spelling later on.

2. Continuous repetition to aid brain development

The same stories are told again at regular times within the span of several weeks. This way, children are able to remember the stories and songs covered in class as second nature.

Modern research on the brain has verified that repeating action supports a child’s brain while it’s developing. The massive amount of links between neural pathways in the brain are enhanced via repetitive experience.

3. Writing is made fun

It is only in primary one that children begin to learn the alphabet – but not through dull, black and white worksheets. Rather, the alphabet is taught in a creative pictorial method.

Every alphabetical letter is depicted as a picture portraying something from the stories they had to learn. For instance, kids may draw the letter “M” in the form of two mountains side by side.

Learning alphabets pictorially aids the child in understanding how the letters are related to the real world instead of immediately understanding the abstract forms. Pictorial alphabets provide a good stepping stone before the child learns about abstract concepts as an adult.
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Once students have mastered the alphabet, they will copy text which the teachers have written in their lesson books.

Unlike dull, school-issued books, these lesson books are beautified by Waldorf students on their own.  The initial few sentences and stories will stem from whatever the child experiences, and they first learn reading by understanding the text they’ve composed in their books.

A lesson might go like this: teachers note down a verse which the children are familiar with. After quickly identifying the sounds and words that make up the verse, kids will begin to ‘read’ the text as they record it within their lesson books.

Waldorf education pros and cons: children don’t need extra hand-holding from their teachers when they learn how to write. | Image Source: Stock Photo

4. Allows the child to learn reading skills without forcing them to

Waldorf education extends reading from Primary two till Primary three. That’s because reading doesn’t come instantly to every child. It requires additional skills which children learn at their own pace.

Waldorf education acknowledges that the most important aspect of teaching children to read is to give them time and support. By cultivating a positive relationship with talking and scribbling letters, coupled with the required skills and tools, Waldorf education allows a child to master reading on their own.

5. Providing books to enhance vocabulary

Children who are comfortable with reading will be provided with age-appropriate, quality literature to fuel their passion for reading.

6. Doesn’t risk forcing pupils to read books too early

It’s well known from research that forcing children to learn academics too early on has many negative consequences. Pressurising kids to read early usually damages their self-confidence and interest in reading up on books.

Instead, research has shown that early childhood schools should prioritise age-appropriate activities like playing, exploring and socializing. Kids shouldn’t have too much pressure, as evidenced from the Finnish education system, which starts kindergarten at age six, centers on play and socialization, doesn’t include reading or writing, and has a maximum of four hours for school hours.

7. Teaches kids pronunciation without Phonics

As we all know, English words are often not pronounced in the same way as they are spelled, and vice versa. It would take some time to fully learn such a language as it needs key skills that kids only learn later on.

Readers who are still beginners need two key skills:

to decode words. That is, isolating sounds making up a word and then combining them together.

word recognition. Kids need to identify words and link them to their unique pronunciation – which requires time to master.

The Waldorf method is unique in setting up the fundamental basics for reading during Kindergarten. As students aren’t pressurised to master reading and writing quickly, Waldorf students are able to pick up the pace naturally.

They eventually start reading according to or beyond government-set levels, with better comprehension.

Most significantly, kids who have mastered reading have a sustained passion for reading which carry on well as they enter adulthood.

Waldorf education pros and cons: The other things you should be aware about

When talking about Waldorf education pros and cons, there is one ‘con’ that usually comes to the forefront.

In addition to being an educator, Steiner was also a formulator of anthroposophy. Anthroposophy is a philosophy that stems from the idea that humans are able to communicate with spiritual worlds with their intelligence.

While Steiner hasn’t completely passed down his anthroposophy teachings to Waldorf schools, they can still be contaminated with them. That leads to a few issues, such as:

Inadequate Vaccination

According to a guideline published by Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship (SWSF), an organisation representing all Waldorf schools, it was mandatory for Waldorf schools to show that:

“an anthroposophical impulse lies at the heart of planning for the school”.

Anthroposophy’s beliefs are rooted from reincarnation. That could lead to a few odd rules, but some have more devastating consequences than others. For instance, Steiner believed that sicknesses affecting us today have a “source” in our previous lives. By handling these “source” problems, one could gain “reinforced power” and boosted “karma”.

Such beliefs inevitably conflict with vaccination. Waldorf schools don’t have strict regulations on vaccination.

Instead, parents are supposed to select their own jabs. Sadly, Waldorf school students aren’t likely to get vaccines, with a Health Protection Agency once citing it as “unvaccinated populations” for measles.

Waldorf education pros and cons: A lack of vaccination is one of the main complaints against Waldorf schools. | Image Source: Stock Photos

Issues with bullying

The Department for Education (DfE) once noted that people did complain about bullying in Waldorf Schools. While bullying isn’t a common problem, it can possibly happen due belief in anthroposophy.

Racist teachings

In modern eyes, Steiner would have been accused of racism. He believed that different races of people had different types of lives, and that they should reside to a fixed
geographical location
.

Although the SWSF claims that none Steiner’s racist teachings “occur in his educational writings”, it could still taint certain Steiner schools.

For instance, during one diversity training day in a Waldorf school, four Caucasian teachers filled in all the boxes in identifying their ethnic background. The reason, apparently, was that they had ascended above the other races.

The above issues are the usual reasons for complaints against Waldorf schools. Much of Steiner’s findings also point out to racism being threaded through anthroposophy and the Waldorf educational method.

Other complaints also argue that anthroposophical beliefs aren’t taught, Waldorf students are remain unprotected. They are indirectly exposed to anthroposophical values and ideas of spirituality, which could also affect their upbringing.

Parents we hope that this article on Waldorf education pros and cons has benefitted you on choosing a good school for your little one. Read on more articles about non-traditional education, such as
Progressive education
 or
the Montessori method
!

References:
Britannica
 (
Waldorf school
,
Anthroposophy
),
IASWECE
,
Waldorf Education.org
,
BBC News
,
NelsonWaldorf.org

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 theAsianparent Community
 on
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Baby sweats while sleeping? Here's what you need to know

So your nighttime routine is all done – baby had her bath, is nice and warm in her pyjamas, you’ve turned on the aircon and she falls asleep after nursing and listening to the soothing lullabies that you sing. You creep out of the room and return after an hour just to check, and you find your baby sweating while sleeping. This happens all the time and you cannot for the life of you understand just why this happens.

Why is my baby sweating while sleeping in spite of me turning on the air conditioner every night? Is this normal? Should I be concerned? Could it be an underlying problem?

Mums and dads, especially if this is your first baby, we completely understand that something as seemingly innocuous as your baby’s sweat, could get you all worried and maybe even making an appointment with your paediatrician.

So before you do that, we are here to provide you with some basic information that you need to know.

Causes of babies sweating while sleeping

The good news is that in most cases, the infamous wet patch behind your baby’s head, that you often find when she is fast asleep, is really nothing to worry about. Here are some possible reasons behind it.

1. Immature nervous system

What is the nervous system? It is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. Our nervous system also controls our body temperature.

However, the nervous system of newborn babies isn’t fully developed yet. Consequently, the nervous system isn’t able to regulate the body temperature of a newborn the way it does for adults. And this explains babies sweating while sleeping.

2. Night sweats in deep sleep

What are night sweats? Night sweats refer to excessive perspiration by infants and children, especially when they are sleeping. In other words, that infamous wet patch that you often find on your baby’s pillow, or where she rests her head while sleeping.

Most babies perspire while sleeping and end up leaving a wet patch where their head rests.

Why does this happen? Babies spend a whole lot of time in their deep sleep cycle. I know this sounds unbelievable, considering how they wake you up like 20 times every night, but even then, they spend a fair bit of their day in this deep sleep cycle. They are in this deepest cycle of sleep much more than older children and adults are.

So your baby sweating while sleeping is simply because of this deep sleep cycle. They don’t move around much when in a deep sleep and this results in a lot of sweat!

3. Location of sweat glands

As adults, our sweat glands aren’t confined to one part of our body. But babies are different. They don’t have as much sweat glands in their armpits and their most active sweat glands are located on their heads. This causes them to sweat excessively, particularly at night when they don’t change their head position much.

So the lack of movement in addition to the sweat glands on the head explains your baby sweating while sleeping, and that wet patch she leaves behind!

4. It’s too warm!

Yes, it’s really as simple as that. Most of time we sweat because we feel warm. Likewise, a simple and obvious reason your baby is sweating while sleeping is that the room is too warm, or they are too warm. Some parents like to dress their babies in thick, fleece sleep suits that cover them from head to toe. In addition, they swaddle the baby and place blankets, comforters or quilts over them.

Well mums and dads, I don’t think I need to remind you just how hot the weather is here in Singapore. So go easy on the sleepwear. I know how irresistibly cute some pyjamas are, but do spare a thought for the most important thing – your baby’s comfort!

We know you want to keep your baby nice and warm but don’t overdo it!

When it’s a cause for concern

As mentioned earlier, most of the time, a baby sweating while sleeping is normal and nothing to worry about. But these are some conditions that the excessive perspiration could be an indication of:

1. Congenital Heart Problem

Apart from your baby sweating while sleeping, if you find her sweating excessively during simple activities such as feeding, it’s probably time to make an appointment with the paediatrician as it is a symptom of a congenital heart problem.

A congenital heart problem is a result of defective development of the heart in the foetus. Babies with this condition end up sweating much more than other babies because their heart has to work so much harder to pump blood efficiently.

2. Hyperhidrosis

If you find that even in a cold, air conditioned room, your baby still sweats profusely, it could be attributed to a condition known as hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis is when a baby is sweating beyond what is required of the body to maintain normal body temperature. It’s common for people with sweaty palms and feet to have this condition as well.
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This is not something that you particularly need to treat with medication. It’s nothing serious really, contrary to what it sounds like. Rather, as the child gets older, you can teach them sweat management techniques such as using antiperspirants.

3. Sleep Apnea

Found more commonly in premature babies, sleep apnea is another reason for babies to sweat in their sleep. It is also accompanied by bluish skin colour, wheezing sounds and pauses of up to 20 seconds while breathing, and that causes the baby’s body to work really hard to breathe.

4. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Many people overlook the danger of overheating a baby. This causes the them to fall into a very deep sleep that is difficult to wake up from and can result in SIDS.

Overheating can cause SIDS.

5. Other conditions

While we say a baby sweating while sleeping is common and not a cause for concern, if the sweating is excessive, we must never dismiss the matter. It can also signal a problem with the nervous system, respiratory issues, an overactive thyroid gland or a genetic disorder.

If you are in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution and get your baby checked. But just to reassure you mums and dads, all the above mentioned conditions are extremely rare so please don’t work yourself into a frenzy the next time you notice your baby sweating while sleeping!

Source:
Babyment.Com

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An open letter to all wives dreaming of becoming mums

Joylyn Guiao-Sigua is dreaming of becoming a mother someday. Despite her struggles, she continues to hold on to her faith. She also wants to inspire women who find themselves in a similar situation, wives who want to become mums but somehow can’t.

In an open letter, Joylyn wrote to all her fellow wives who are longing to begin their motherhood journey.

“Last month, the whole world celebrated Mother’s day. I have seen tons of pictures of children with their parents and lengthy messages which flooded social media. But this post is not a late Mother’s day tribute. This letter is not for mothers, but for wives like me who cannot call themselves ‘mothers’. Women who have been waiting to have their own pregnancy announcement, too,” she begins.

She recalls how she and her husband have been trying to get pregnant for the past year.

“I know, (one) year is not long enough compared with the length of time other couples waited. But like them, the pain is the same,” she continues.

In the letter, she recalls how “the thought of being infertile or similar cases did not even cross (her) mind” when she was still single.

Soon after she married her husband Jethro, they started trying to have a baby immediately.

“We did not even consider waiting for a year or two to conceive like what others have advised us to do. We were so excited. But month after month after month nothing happened. I started to ask if there’s something wrong with me or us,” she wrote.

“I may not see you right now, we may not know each other personally, but I share your pain. I feel how is it to become a wife, but not a mother”

Image courtesy: Joylyn Guiao-Sigua

“But let me tell you this, I may not see you right now, we may not know each other personally, but I share your pain. I feel how is it to become a wife, but not a mother,” she wrote, addressing women who are struggling to get pregnant.

Joylyn recounted how she got a lot of advice, and even did her research. But none of them, though well meaning, seemed to fully understand her situation, which only wives who want to become moms can relate to.

“We can control most things in our life. The clothes we wear, the food we eat, our job, even the paint of our houses or our lipstick shade. But when it comes to getting pregnant, not everyone understands that not all women get to choose, not all women can control their bodies,” she laments.

“I know you have experienced visiting your gynaecologist with a room full of pregnant women, and you are that 1 of 10 who’s there because you can’t get pregnant. How you wanted to disappear and how you wished you didn’t come. Yes, that’s us,” she writes.

“I know there was a day while you’re scrolling through your Facebook feed only to see someone’s pregnancy announcement. Then you ask when’s your turn…”

She went on to tell other mums how much she understands how painful it is to hope, when on your Facebook feed pregnancy announcements pop up regularly.

“I know there was a day while you’re scrolling through your Facebook feed only to see someone’s pregnancy announcement. Then you ask when’s your turn. I know you tried to feel happy for that mum-to-be who was really excited to tell the world that a little pea will soon pop out,” she wrote.

She went on to reveal how she would often go to the kid’s section of department stores to feel the warmth that comes from holding tiny clothes and shoes. Her heart leapt with joy at the thought of her little one wearing these someday.

She has also kept a long list of baby names and even planned her future baby’s first birthday.

“All these I have experienced, and once in a while I still cry when reminded about the situation,” she continued.

“It’s okay to hope, hope that the next test… will show two lines. But it’s never okay that we stop living life because of this. Let’s not allow them to consume us and take us far from the joy of life’s little things”

Throughout the time she’s tried to become a mum, she rejoiced with those who have conceived successfully. She’s also grieved with those who have lost babies. In the letter, she also confessed how there were times when she questioned the Lord, even though both she and her husband are devout Christians.

“It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to feel sorry sometimes. It’s okay to hope. Hope that the next test you will have will show two lines. It’s okay to hope that your cravings are associated with pregnancy,” she writes in closing. “But it’s never okay that we stop living life because of this. Let’s not allow them to consume us and take us far from the joy of life’s little things.”

She also went on to encourage other wives who want to become mums to hold on to the Lord’s promises, citing miracle pregnancies in the Bible, like the stories of Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah, and Elizabeth.

“I hope you can find a support system – people who will tell you there’s hope, rather than people who keeps on questioning your inability to bear a child,” she wrote in closing. “Know that you are not alone. We are not.”

You can read Joylyn’s Facebook post, which has been shared over 7,000 times,
here
.

Republished with permission from:
theAsianParent Philippines

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5 Cheap DIY Projects for Your Home

From the author’s point of view

I don’t know about you but staying at home for a long period of time has turned me into an uncertified interior designer. There’s always something that needs to be done at the house. The first phase of MCO got me into a spring cleaning mode, now that the Raya is just around the corner. I’d cleaned every crooks and corner of my house until I have no idea on what to clean next.

The second phase of MCO was a bit different. I channeled my inner Marie Kondo in which most of my time was spent to get rid of all the unnecessary stuff at my house. That’s the funny thing about staying at home for too long, everything you see started to look like a nuisance in your eyes. So, I asked myself…what’s next? What’s on the list?

Being an avid Facebook fanatic has got me into thinking that there’s gotta be more than this. Like a Sherlock Holmes in disguise, I joined several Facebook’s house cleaning and decor groups only to be mesmerized and enamored by the wits of some Malaysians who had put on their creative hats to transform their ordinary home into a complete masterpiece.

Suffice to say that I was hooked from day 1 but in order to do a house makeover, I have to spend a large sum of money. But the thing is, we are told to save up. See the dilemmas that I have to put up with?

But there’s this one thing that is called determination and after long hours of searching for the affordable transformations, I finally found the answer.

Who’s to say that a house makeover should be expensive?

Let’s go unearth the secrets to beautify your home with the transformations that you can afford!

1. Easy wall transformation

Your interior wall plays an important role in setting the right tone of the ambiance in your home and if you are planning to transform the room, what would better than focusing on your feature wall. Some might opt for painting but it can cost you a lot of money if it is applied wrongly. Nobody wants an ugly wall. Lol.

TIPS 1: Use a wallpaper

Photo video credit to
Theerah AnanasLovers

Easy breezy and they look extremely nice too! One easy application and just carefully paste the wallpaper on your wall. Some wallpapers come in a form of adhesive and some are with the sticker at the back. My personal favourite is one with the sticker behind it.

Here’s the trick:
 Whether you buy it online or going to the store to purchase, please measure your wall’s length and width to estimate the number of your wallpapers. Otherwise…you will end up having to wait for another batch of wallpapers to arrive at your home.

Where to get budget wallpaper:
 You can get them at
Eco shop
 for RM2.10 a roll or from MR.DIY, *prices range from RM4.** and more depending on the width and length or its type.

The photo was taken from
Eco Shop Shopee

TIPS 2: Install wainscoting

Credit to
Pinterest

For those who are unfamiliar with wainscoting, they are amazing, and installing it to your interior wall will inject a luxurious feel to it.

Here’s the trick:
Measurement is the key and makes sure that you have a steady hand if you are pasting it to your wall especially if you are using a form type. Whether it is form or PVC type, another tip to remember is to layout the panels. Use an adhesive tape to help you outline.

Where to get budget wainscoting
: Get them from Lazada and Shopee. Prices range from RM 8.xx depending on its length and width as well as the type. Have to be
rajin
 to search.

2. DIY viral decoration tree

The prices of the trees are varied depending on the length. So If you think that you can do it yourself, why not succumb to the temptation? I had successfully attempted this by doing one using a tutorial from here and they are brilliant. I love the fact that it’s easy to do and it has added some flair to my living room. Brownie point? My mom totally loves it and it costs me…….less than RM30.

TIPS 1:
Making a Banana leaf tree and Fiddle Fig leaf

Credit image from
Mingguan Wanita

Choose the leaves that you want carefully and make sure you follow the instruction to the latter. You can choose to create a large size tree or a small one. In my case, I created a small one to be put on a side table. Simple and practical. Learn how to create one
here
 courtesy from
Fadilah Arifin
.

Here’s the trick:
 You can’t go wrong unless you treat the tree as a Christmas tree by stuffing all the leaves on it. It’s a bit wee much. Unless you are cool with it, then we are too :p

Where to get the materials
: Eco store for RM 2.10 for a packet (4 leaves) and the rest you can get from the convenience store or the florist. The ones your mom loves to go to get her artificial flower arrangement done. Yes, that one.

3. New flooring

Photo credit from
Google

I have yet to try this but from the posts and statuses from the fellow Facebookers, I must say that the results are pretty impressive. The reviews from Shopee have given me enough confidence to try it later and for you who are on the lookout of budget flooring, why not give this a go.

TIPS 1
: Opt for the vinyl flooring with a self-adhesive type

Here’s the trick
: Choose vinyl flooring for a classic look and most importantly as we can’t stress this enough, measure your floor’s length and width first and make sure that you buy a few spare of flooring set just in case for emergency. The key is to be cautious when you are installing. No worries, you will be fine.
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Where to get the new flooring:
There are a lot of flooring stores that provide a variety of options and affordable prices. Need em cheap? You can browse more flooring on Shopee and some of them are inexpensive too.

4. Custom canvas

Canvases that I hang on the wall of my room are ancient. Meaning to say that they are outdated and cast a gloomy look in my room. But if you can have cool wall art that functions as a feature wall for your room, it will totally transform the room’s look and will brighten up the space. But as I want it to be special and personal, hence I choose to customise my canvas and have them printed with my friend’s photo.

TIPS 1
: Choose the perfect size for your canvas.

Here’s the trick:
 Size does matter because the canvas is a statement decor. It complements your wall, hence it is important that you pick the right size for space. Otherwise, it will be too overcrowded.

Where to get the canvas:
 Printcious has great online design tools that allow you to
make your own canvas
. Whatever artwork that you wish to print, you can have them printed with great quality. It comes with varied sizes too to be fitted to your wall.

5. DIY wall mirror

The photo was taken from Wan
Helmi Noordin
 via
Ohbulan

Want to make your living room or any spaces in your house looks bigger and spacious? Here’s the neat trick, how about making a DIY wall mirror collage? Mirrors as you might as well know, do not come as cheap. Some mirrors can cost you hundreds but in our entry, it will cost you RM30 and less. Still, you can do a budget DIY wall mirror depending on how much you want to spend.

TIPS 1
: They come in shape and sizes. Similarly to canvas, you might want to choose the size that fits your wall space

Here’s the trick:
 Plan, visualise, and execute. Browse the mirrors that you want first and then decide the layout that you want.

Where to get the
mirror: Get it from Mr.Diy or Eco shop for RM2.10 per piece

This article is written based on the writer’s experience and straight from the heart. I truly hope that this entry inspires you to transform your home this year and can be beneficial to you.

Till next time.

This article has been republished with permission from
Printcious
.

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5 Best Massage Oils For Pregnant Women

Physical and emotional stress is common during pregnancy. From morning sickness, headaches and lower back pain, to swollen ankles, insomnia and anxiety; pregnant women face many issues during this stage. While some of these issues linger for days, some just come and go without needing any treatment.

Nevertheless, the discomfort caused by these conditions can exhaust you, giving rise to additional stress. Your worry can also adversely affect your little baby.

Well, a good prenatal massage oil can come to your rescue and help you cope with most pregnancy-related issues.

The best massage oil or aromatherapy oils help alleviate issues like muscle pain, nausea, insomnia, stress and other common conditions, giving you a calming effect and ample health benefits.

But when you have to choose from a wide range of massage oils in the market – like ginger, peppermint, lavender or sunflower oil, how can you decide which one’s best for you?

How To Choose The Best Massage Oil For Pregnancy

When you wish to buy the best massage oil in the market, you must consider certain criteria to ensure that it suits your needs.

Check whether the oil:

is safe

has a nice scent

has a relaxing effect

alleviates muscle aches

eliminates nausea

reduces stretch marks

improves sleep

eases swelling

It’s also important that you avoid some oils such as sage, rue, camphor etc. as they can be toxic for you. Be sure to consult an expert on the matter if you are worried!

Choosing The Best Massage Oil

Regular prenatal massage during pregnancy not only helps moms relax but also relieves insomnia, joint pain, neck and back pain, leg cramps and sciatica.

In addition, prenatal massage can reduce swelling in the mother’s hands and feet, relieve carpal tunnel pain and reduce headaches and sinus congestion. Massage for pregnant mothers can also prevent depression without the use of medication, according to several scientific studies.

Knowing that there are so many benefits to prenatal massages, picking a good massage oil is definitely of utter importance!

Types of the Best Massage Oil For Pregnant Women

Among the massage oils that can be used for pregnant mothers are as follows:

Lavender oil
: It r
educes anxiety, soothes and is excellent for relieving pain. Known as a balancing and all-purpose oil, this is a massage oil that is worth trying while pregnant.

Ginger oil:
 Works as a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Mothers can use it to relieve aches and pains during pregnancy.

Sunflower oil:
 Absorbs into the skin quickly, and can even be the right oil to use for prenatal massage. It has a variety of health-enhancing nutrients and continues to be used as one of the best oils for prenatal massage.

Grapefruit oil:
 It is ideal for use in baths or diffusers to enhance the senses and reduce fatigue. But during pregnancy, it can only be used in moderation.

Grapeseed oil:
 It can make the skin softer and more elastic, thus preventing stretch marks. It can also increase vitamins E and C on your skin to be more effective!

Because we know that selecting a quality massage oil in accordance to your needs with so many in the market isn’t an easy task, we have narrowed down the top 5 pregnancy massage oils for you!

Best Massage Oil Suitable For Prenatal Use

#1 Mama’s Choice Relaxing Massage Oil

Mama’s Choice Relaxing Massage Oil is made from a natural, gentle, and light formula and is suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Its use will leave the skin fresh, soft and not dry!

If you’re looking for a non-greasy lavender massage oil to soothe your senses, then go for Mama’s Choice Relaxing Massage Oil.

It’s made with natural ingredients like lavender, grapefruit and orange that help calm your mind, improve blood circulation, heal wounds, reduce irritation and blemishes, prevent wrinkles and maintain the skin’s oil balance.

Prenatal massage with this oil also improves your sleep quality, relieves stress, stabilises the hormones and attenuates body aches. No wonder Singapore mums are in awe of this product!

What we love

Has natural ingredients – lavender, grapefruit, orange

Halal

Works as a massage oil, aromatherapy oil, skin moisturiser etc.

Suitable for pregnant/breastfeeding mums

Dermatologically tested

Mild, non-greasy

Suitable for all skin types

 Mama’s Choice Relaxing Massage Oil
Buy at Shopee
Buy at Lazada

#2 Green Herbology Lavender Massage Oil

Green Herbology massage oil is a 100% pure grade therapeutic oil blended with minerals. This means that it is extremely gentle and hypoallergenic, it can be applied to the skin directly!

 This body oil nourishes and repairs your skin,
 giving your skin a healthy glow. The oil calms your senses and the dry skin repair leaves you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

This oil hydrates and repairs your skin like no other moisturiser and even minimizes cellulite and stretch marks. No more itchy, dry skin!

When used as a
massage oil, this product soothes and relieves, eases headaches, digestive problems, body aches and also help with insomnia and anxiety.

The soothing properties of essential oils induce physical and mental relaxation while increasing skin elasticity!

What we love

100% pure essential oils – lavender

Suitable for those who are sensitive to artificial fragrance

Contains only pure Essential Oils

Hypoallergenic: Suitable for all skin types

Can be used as massage and body oil

 Green Herbology Lavender Massage Oil
Buy at Shopee
Buy at Lazada

#3 Tanamera Carrier Oil

This Malaysian-made massage oil is excellent for all massage methods. The oil has emulsifiers that are naturally derived from coconut and palm kernel oil infused in it.

What's special about this oil is that it can be rinsed off with water. Pretty miraculous isn't it!

This product is great for those of us who dislike the sticky, oily feeling most massage oils leave us with.
Furthermore, it is fragrance-free and all-natural.

What we love

Has natural ingredients – grape seed, sunflower, jojoba, wheat germ and virgin coconut oil

Lightweight and non-greasy

Moisturizing

Leaves the skin feeling soft

A perfect natural base for your favourite essential oils

 Tanamera Carrier Oil
Buy at Shopee

#4 Tanamera Ginger Blend Massage Oil

Tanamera Ginger Blend Oil is a blend of oils targeted to relieve
muscle and abdominal cramps, reduce inflammation, and help with nerve fatigue and stress-related conditions.

Ginger has been proven to be a natural cure for discomfort. Bid goodbye to motion sicknesses, nausea, bloating, and indigestion with this pure and calming essential massage oil.

If you like the smell of ginger during a massage session, this product is suitable because it can give you a spa feel!

The pleasant scent relaxes your senses and relieves stress from your mind and body, instantly gearing you up for your next course of action.

Features we love
:

Suitable for pregnant mums, relieves nausea, indigestion, motion sickness and gas bloating

Reasonably priced

100% pure essential oils – lavender, peppermint, ginger, spearmint

Aromatherapy oil

Therapeutic quality

What we love

Has natural ingredients – g
inger, lemongrass etc.

Ginger stimulates blood circulation to relieve nausea and vomiting

Lemongrass and lemon oil used are beneficial for the circulatory system.

Lavender oil also helps the digestive system better.

 Tanamera Ginger Blend Massage Oil
Buy at Shopee
Buy at Lazada

#5 ATOPALM Maternity Care Massage Oil

Formulated with MLE and Ceramide, AUTOPALM massage oil helps restore the skin’s protective moisture barrier system.

At the same time, ingredients phytosqualane and collagen nourishes the skin with water and nutrients to soothe skin irritation and make skin feel smooth and look healthy.

This oil is very light and clean. It is formulated to help relieve the dryness and itchiness that occurs during and after pregnancy.

This product is free from harmful ingredients and great for moisturizing dry skin.

What we love

Enriched with Meadowfoam Seed Oil and Macadamia Seed Oil

Makes skin smooth and supple

Contains Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) flower extract which has nourishing qualities

Filled with Vitamins A and C

Formulated with MLE and Ceramide that help restore the skin's protective moisture barrier system.

Lightweight and safe for daily use

This product is free of artificial pigments, parabens, artificial fragrances, ethanol, mineral oil, phenoxyethanol, benzophenone, PG. PEG and diethanolamine.

 ATOPALM Maternity Care Massage Oil
Buy at Lazada

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website

Read more:

How to Choose the Right Pregnancy-Safe Shampoo That Is Safe for Mums & Baby


8 Ways To Guide Your Child Into Responsible Behaviour

If a child misbehaves or conducts himself in an unresponsible manner, saying nothing to the child for the sake of appearing as an unintrusive parent would serve more as accepting the child’s behaviour more than anything else.

If you accept such behaviour, there is no reason why your child should change, is there? Let’s talk about it, responsibly…

GUIDANCE – The Key To Teaching Responsible Behaviour To Kids

Credit: Freepik

While it’s true that children will be running around wild without discipline, they will be just as wild if that discipline came without guidance to do what’s right.

Guidance should never be confused with punishment. Punishment involves some form of disciplinary action while guidance involves showing a child the path we recommend, explaining why we think it’s the best path, and providing the child with the initiatives to stay on that path.

Unless we’re willing to fully depend on disciplinary force, influence via guidance is needed to teach children to be responsible for their actions. It would be well worth it to keep in mind that kids generally resist force, hence influence actually works better to transmit values and behavioural standards.

Kids will then simply choose to do the right thing because they want to “follow” your lead. There are many ways to guide kids into developing responsible behaviour. Here are some of them:

1# Setting some clear limits

Credit: Freepik

In life, limits have to be set for many reasons and one of them is to serve as a mark of what can and cannot be done. It is inevitable that kids will be getting away with a lot of mischiefs, but limits will ensure that they can still be kids without endangering themselves or others.

Limits can also ensure that they do not go overboard in any way, causing harm or distress to anyone. Kids should generally know that hitting people, running in the street, or throwing their food at each other are all off-limits.

If any misconduct pertaining to those limits were met with harsh punishment, kids will eventually learn but not without resistance. If limits were set instead with a proper understanding of their perspective, (for example, “I cannot let you hurt your sister for breaking your toy, but I can help you tell her how you feel about what she did”), your kid will be more likely to understand and agree with the limits set by you.

2# Kids need to feel connected to the ones they love

Always be certain of why your child misbehaves before meting out any disciplinary action. Remember that kids start to feel disconnected for many reasons – because they’re angry, because we’re angry at them, because we’ve been apart from them all day, and so on and so forth. They may ‘act up’ until the connection is, to them, ‘healed’.

A child generally wants to please his or her parents and since you are an important person in your child’s life, he or she is predisposed to listen to your guidance. However, this would be difficult if your child is not convinced that you’re on his or her side.

Punishment will only further erode the connection at this point, because in a child’s mind, you’re intentionally causing them to hurt, either physically or emotionally.

3# Empathy is not a natural inclination

Credit: Freepik

Empathy is not only one of the foundations of morality but it paves the way for responsible behaviour. Parents who are empathetic are more likely to encourage the virtue of empathy in their household.

A child can be taught to develop empathy for others including his siblings and friends. This will lead them to act in responsible ways because they care enough not to hurt others with their words or actions.

4# Empower them with the power of repair

Life is never without mistakes, for that is how humans learn to become better people. Every one of us has made mistakes and wise parents will give some thought to guiding their offspring in the subject of damage control.
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For kids to carry on acting in responsible ways, they need to know that they can and should make amends when the need arises. Instead of concentrating on harsh punishments, help a child to reflect on the misdeed and how best to repair the ‘damage’ done, for this is the real key to a deeper and more meaningful lesson.

5# Balance your own act

A kid who is ‘whipped into shape’ is not likely to turn out a responsible adult and the same goes for a kid who has never been shown what’s wrong from right. Communicate your expectations of your kids behaviour well and fortify the message by exhibiting a sense of responsibility in your own actions.

What would you yourself say is right, acceptable or absolutely wrong? If you yourself are confident of your own balance of wrongs and rights, you will more likely succeed in teaching your child about responsible behaviour.

6# Coaching the emotion

When kids learn to manage their emotions, they can manage their behaviour, so they’re
able
 to behave and cooperate. We only gain control of our emotions by befriending them. Start by accepting your child’s full range of emotions with as much compassion as you can muster, and lots of roughhousing play to work through feelings and anxiety.

This gives your child the support needed to understand and regulate emotions and behave in the best possible way. Above all, a kid needs to feel loved, unconditionally. That feeling of “goodness” is what helps all of us make progress toward our good intentions.

7# Be a role model for responsible behaviour

When teaching a child valuable lessons in life, talk is cheap! Yes, children are more likely to learn their values and emotional regulation from what parents do and not what they say. Anybody can talk, but can you do as you preach?

Children are more intelligent than you think and if a parent says one thing but does the opposite, then expect an observant child to not take such parents seriously, or worse, follow in their footsteps!

8# Discussion

Don’t wait till there is a problem to talk to a child about responsible behaviour, for if you do, then expect lots of problems! Children learn from experience accompanied by reflection so communicate freely about good behaviour whenever possible.

It’s our job to provide opportunities for reflection. That means lots of talking and listening with your child, daily.

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123
.

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SuperPark Malaysia: What An Exciting Indoor Playground For Our Kids!

Learn more about SuperPark Malaysia!

What An Exciting Indoor Playground For Our Kids!

As a mum of two active young kids, I’m always looking forward to brings more excitement to my kids so I don’t have to listen them whining “I’m bored” on repeat.

Who loves it when your kid keeps saying that they’re bored, right? It’s like fingernails scraping down a chalkboard—it drives parents crazy!

In Malaysia, our clean, green outdoor parks and playgrounds might sound good. But, our kids need creative way and space to play and burn their energy as well.

I believe, just like many other Malaysian parents, you must be left with limited options during rainy season, and indoor playgrounds usually offer the same things: slides and ball pits.

So when we were invited on a media trip to
SuperPark Finland
, I was very excited and also intrigued. Would it be just another regular indoor playground in Malaysia?

Would it be able to stimulate my tech-generation kids and get them moving?  Mums and dads, I can assure you, it was so much more than I ever imagined or expected!

There are 4 key factors that make this family activity park unique, and set it apart from your regular indoor playground:

1. Tech-integrated play

SuperPark has cleverly incorporated technology into play to encourage the mobile gaming generation of today stay fit and healthy while acknowledging their love of electronics.

On the surface, we see a lot of play and physical movement, but technology drives this park, especially the game arena.

Sample this. Superball is a simple game where members team up, throw balls at a digital screen while being under the pressure of a timer on the other end. The team with the highest score wins.

There’s simplicity, movement, speed, a sense of urgency, and a timer, all leading to a thrilling experience.

Another activity involves jumping on the trampoline to navigate the various levels of a game on a digital screen. Even a simple rock climbing wall has integrated digital aspects to make it more challenging!

2. Old school games with a digital twist

I was delighted to discover many
traditional games
 that we normally play outdoors – like soccer and basketball – under SuperPark’s vast roof.

But here’s the pull-factor for the kids: each one of these “old-fashioned” games has been given a digital revamp! The games are timed and mostly require you to hit targets and beat records.

For instance, the digital basketball game had us dunking a ball in each basket before the timer ran out. We had great fun challenging each other to beat our scores, feeling like kids all over again!

A super-cool and super high-tech game of ice hockey definitely had us working up a sweat. But it also left us rather amazed at how the speed of our shots was measured by radar and displayed on digital systems!

It’s pure genius, we say, and a clever way to get all of us moving — parents and kids alike.

It also means that there is “full-bodied” learning. This means that both the body and the mind are being worked out at the same time, so they work in synergy better.

3. Stress-free learning or Sparking

Coming to SuperPark is without a doubt a stress-free, educational experience, cleverly incorporated through play!

At SuperPark, a simple Math addition or multiplication problem for example, can be made much more exciting, by encouraging your little one to grab the correct number block from a foam pit.
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Any learning that is associated with a fun experience generally helps kids retain that knowledge better.

In fact, “Sparking” is a way of life at SuperPark. Sparking is a combination of:

Stress-free learning

Freedom and creativity

Social interaction

Inspiring environment

Physical fitness and health

Fun

Sparking, by the way, has been found to offer physical and cognitive benefits for people of all ages.

Which is why, Physical Education teacher, Mrs Heidi Rautajoki, brought her Grade 9 students for a PE session outside school while we were there. The kids had a blast practising gymnastics, jumping on trampolines and diving into foam pits.

Physical Education teacher,
Mrs
 Heidi Rautajoki, and her
students,
 having their PE session outside
school

Heidi later told us,

“Having a bouncy floor/mattress to jump on gives you the flexibility to try new things, which you may not otherwise be able to do, at say a school gym. Giving new experiences to the students is always good.”

For me as a mum, one of the biggest pull factors of SuperPark was also that it offers a secure and supervised environment together with high quality equipment. So you don’t have to stress about your kids’ safety.

4. Hybrid model

I have never really seen a play area offering such varied experiences under one roof. Yep, there are over 20 activities across three themed zones: the adventure area (for smaller kids), game arena (for bigger kids and adults) and freestyle hall (for the thrill seekers).

As SuperPark Founder, Mr. Taneli Sutinen, told us,

“There are indoor playgrounds, and trampoline parks and other kinds of single activity parks, but not this kind of hybrid model parks, where there are different kinds of activities for people of different age groups.”

The concept is really unique even when you consider other countries.”

My usual experience with an indoor playground involves looking at my smartphone while occasionally taking pictures or videos of the kids to post on social media.

At SuperPark, parents are encouraged to join in and be part of the immersive experience.

A great reason for adults to play is that it has the opposite effect on the body as stress.

Apart from its positive impact on physical and mental health, play is also linked to an increase in productivity.

If that’s not enough to convince you, remember, our children are watching what we say and do all the time. They learn more from us than from anyone else.

And this I realised, when I saw daddy Aleksi Halen, and his kids, 9-year-old Rossi and 6-year-old Senna.

Aleksi is almost 40, but that hasn’t stopped him from trying out new games and learning new skills. The family visits SuperPark regularly and we were pretty amazed by the stunts the little kids could do. They were so good at backflips and scootering!

In fact, Aleksi tells us that he was encouraged to learn how to backflip, by watching his son do it effortlessly on the SuperPark trampoline.

We never saw Aleksi saying “No” to his kids, as they attempted stunts beyond their age. The kids were inspired by seeing daddy lead an active lifestyle as well!

This in turn inspired me to want to be more involved with my children’s playtime back home in Singapore.

Wait For It… SuperPark Opens Soon, In Malaysia!

Now that you know what makes SuperPark stand super tall, bet you are excited as I am about SuperPark Malaysia opening soon at Avenue K near Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur.

SuperPark Malaysia will also see three new games making their debut – iWall
parkour
 game, Superclimb, Ninja Track, and Ice Skating – exclusively in Malaysia only!

Wondering how much it’s going to cost? Here are the ticket prices to SuperPark Malaysia:

Weekday:

All day: MYR 50

Evening (1800 – 2100): MYR 30

Weekend
:

All day: MYR 70

Morning (0900-1300): MYR 45

Mid Day (1330 – 1730): MYR 55

Evening (1800 – 2100): MYR 45

Mums and dads, get ready for some serious movement then. Remember, “The body is meant to move.”

Thank you, SuperPark, for bringing us to Finland to experience an immersive play adventure and for also reminding us that, you’re never too old to play (and learn)!

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Markings On The Wall: Why Measuring Your Child's Height Is So Important

Most millennial parents will have memories of their parents measuring their height with a measuring tape and then making a mark on the wall, a door frame, or one of those cutesy height posters that we see at clinics.

Those truly were the days!

Going back to our parents’ homes now, we still reminisce over those markings on the wall and when we bring our kids to visit their grandparents, we compare our height to theirs now.

It’s such a beautiful experience. But as time progresses, so must we.

While some of us still practice the markings on the walls, it’s now done more so for nostalgia (or Instagram!) rather than to actually check on our child’s progress.

We often wait for paediatrician visits to check our child’s height and weight for a proper analysis of their development. During these visits, the paediatrician will examine our child and plot their growth against a chart. Then, they will usually let us know if our child is growing on the right track.

Signs that paediatricians look out for when examining our children are if their height and weight are within the normal range, whether a child is responsive to stimulation, and also just looking at a child overall to determine if he or she is well nourished.

One example of stimulation is checking which milestone the child is supposed to be hitting at that stage – like walking or talking – and conducting on the spot tests to see if the child can do so.

Besides that, we often see developmental toys in a paediatrician’s office, like building blocks or musical instruments, to see how children react to them. If the skills required for that age are demonstrated, then there is nothing to worry about.

Usually, if the child is developing well, the paediatrician will inform us, and we will happily accept their feedback.

But if we are using the more traditional method of marking our child’s height on the wall, the average parent would not be able to tell if their child is growing at the normal rate beyond the measurement number besides comparing their height to their peers.

That is why, one of the easiest ways to keep track of your child’s development for height and weight is via an app – one that has all of this information ready for you and will even explain it the way a paediatrician would!

Novo Nordisk has introduced a new app called Growth Journey
™
, which is a fun and useful way to store information about your child’s development.

Growth Journey
™
 app: Height and weight tracker for your kids

Using augmented reality, the app captures your child’s height using a camera (applicable for children of all ages!). Just get your child to stand up straight next to a parent and snap a photo. The app will then automatically measure the height based on the parent’s height.

Alternatively, you may key in your child’s measurements manually, if you prefer. You can even track the development of multiple children at the same time.

After all the data is collected, the app will then be able to tell you where your child ranks on the World Health Organization’s growth chart. Typically, what the results mean is where your child ranks against the average child in the world according to that age.

For example, a boy who is 2 years old is usually about 87cm tall. If your child is taller than this height, then they will likely be plotted above the 50th percentile. If your child is shorter than this, then they will be plotted below the 50th percentile.

If there are any abnormalities in their height in accordance with their age, the app will also give you an alert to check with a doctor.

A glimpse into the future

Something really cool about the app is that it will also give you a glimpse into the future. You will be able to see your child’s predicted height when they grow up! This is also a good indicator as it is customised for parents to track and see if their child is growing on the right trajectory.

Over time, when you log enough entries, you will be able to see your child’s growth book and see their historical growth. This will give you a great insight into whether your child is on track in their overall development.

You might be wondering; what can height possibly tell us in terms of your child’s overall development?

Well, in fact, height is an important factor in knowing whether a child is in good or bad health. Slow growth may be a sign of poor nutrition or an underlying medical condition.

Of course, bear in mind, genetics also play a role in this. Children with shorter parents can be expected to have inherited similar genes.

But what if that’s not the case? Could your child be suffering from a serious medical condition?

What if your child is not reaching growth milestones?

There is a chance that if your child is not plotting well against the height and weight chart on the app, that they might be suffering from growth hormone deficiency.

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a condition in which a child’s body is lacking growth hormones.

The function of growth hormones is to regulate bone mass, muscle mass, muscular strength, body composition, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and cardiac function. Therefore, people with untreated GHD are at risk of health issues like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and heart diseases later in life
.

The immediate effects will be seen in children, who will be shorter than most kids of their age. However, this may be overlooked because they appear to have normal body proportions.

As a result, children with GHD may not attain the potential adult height that they could have if the condition was treated earlier. Or they could even suffer from delayed puberty.

Early recognition of GHD is important because this condition can be present at birth or develop later. So, it’s good to keep an eye on the signs from the get-go to start treatment for the most optimal outcome
. Therefore, it is important to keep track of your child’s development, which you can do so easily with the Growth Journey app.

Besides slow growth in height, GHD might also be diagnosed if the child is showing other symptoms such as a micropenis in male infants, prolonged neonatal jaundice, craniofacial defects such as cleft lip, or postnatal failure to thrive (affecting both weight and height)
.

Treatment for GHD

The good news is that GHD is treatable by introducing growth hormones to affected children.

This treatment will quicken the child’s development in just 3-6 months. You might notice that they are growing faster than usual, that they have a bigger appetite, and that they might look a little skinnier than usual for the first couple of months (because they’re growing in height more quickly)
.

The duration of the treatment will vary according to your child’s needs but generally children will only stop treatment once they can reach their full adult height or achieve full bone maturity.

If children are undergoing treatment, then monitoring their height and weight becomes even more important.

Parents must strictly monitor their children every 3 months and go for regular check-ups with their paediatricians.

To stay ahead of your child’s developmental needs, download the Growth Journey
™
 app now on the
Google Play Store
 or
App Store for iOS
.

This article is for educational purposes only. In case of any doubt, always consult your qualified healthcare professional.

1 Sinha, S. (2019, November 22). Hyposomatotropism (Growth Hormone Deficiency). Retrieved October 19, 2020, from
emedicine.medscape.com/article/922543-overview

2
www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/CPG/Endocrine/4b.pdf

3
www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/CPG/Endocrine/4b.pdf

4
www.chp.edu/our-services/endocrinology/resources/endocrinology-patient-procedures/growth-hormone-treatment

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10 Kid Snacks We Secretly Love to Eat Ourselves

Admit it: Who are you kidding? There are snacks you say you buy for your kids, which you secretly love and snack on when they are not looking. Did these make your list?

#1
Ice pops/Aiskrim Malaysia/Ice lollies

credit : hungryc.wordpress.com

Whether you buy these or make them yourself at home, who can resist this on a really hot day!? Back in the days this use to cost 10 cents and come in a variety of flavours. I use to love the somboi one. Milo comes close too.

#2 Roasted Seaweed

credit : www.maangchi.com

These salty crispy morsels that are packed with all the goodness of the sea.. yum.. I can go through the whole pack myself while watching Korean Drama. There are so few pieces in one pack and the kids and myself wallop them so quickly that I’m always rushing to open another
packet
!

#3 Ice Gem Biscuits

credit : www.shopback.my

My husband and I bought this on a whim, one day for old time’s sake and showed the kids what we use to eat back in the 80s. Unbashfully I will report that: Yes, we still fight for the sugar tips. Sorry kiddos, age is just a number.

#4 Cornetto Mini Chocolate & Vanilla

credit : tesco.com.my

They are small and just the right size treat, even for a peckish mummy like me. If you manage to will yourself to only have one, you won’t have to feel too guilty about the calories. Don’t you just feel like some
right now
?

#5 Bin Bin Rice Cracker

credit : Tesco

Nothing like getting your MSG fix when snacking on these. I almost never buy these anymore because EVERYONE in the house loves them. Once in a blue moon, I would cave and buy
one packet
. The MSG high is real people. I actually get very happy and contented.

#6 Mamee Monster

credit : www.mamee.com

This
 is like standard staple in almost any party pack or party favors these days. I help myself to my daughter’s stash which I hide in her “Special Occasions Only Snack” basket. Well…. they are almost expiring, I might as well eat them right?

#7 Fernleaf CalciYum

credit : Tesco

Is it bad when I sometimes use
this
 in my overnight oats? I mean, who makes chocolate yogurt for adults? It’s always fruits or plain or something healthy.. pfft! Hardly ever in chocolate flavour !

#8 Chicken nuggets

credit: KFC

Another culprit that I seldom buy because well, who knows how much dubious meat is in there, along with all the artificial flavourings that make this OH SO GOOD to EAT!! On the random occasion, or special moments when I allow my kids this, you won’t mistake me looking forlornly at their
nuggets
 and fighting the need to sneak one off. Don’t even get me started on the fries.

#9 Yoghurt Melts

credits : prince-amp.blogspot.com

Who enjoyed these yoghurt melts with their crawling babies, hands up! Guilty here! I wished I knew back then, how to
make my own
, instead I
spent a bomb
 feeding the kids and myself these.

#10 Popcorn

credit : hungrygowhere.com

The picture above was used for attention grabbing purposes only. My personal favourite is the one with macadamia nuts. Garrett’s are only reserved for super duper special occasions, for when I want to indulge. So no, we don’t buy these.
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Cheapo me would just usually pop them fresh at home in my big
 kuali.
 I don’t make them sweet, I make them simple popped in oil and later seasoned with salt. I think of it as an alternative to chips. Air pop them you say? Sorry, no go. I like mine popped in oil.

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