Is Your Child Having Trouble Digesting? Here are 10 Foods to Improve Their Gut Health

Maintaining or building a good gut flora in children is crucial. It has become one of the most talked about topics amongst parents and with good reason – the gut microbiome plays an important role in your child’s mental and physical health.

Oftentimes, when your child encounters issues with their digestive system, they can become cranky and irritable because of the discomfort. This, therefore, hinders their ability to learn or explore their surroundings with ease, especially since mood-regulating chemicals are released from the gut to the brain.

Why the gut specifically? Good bacteria resides within the gut and supports various functions within the body. If these “friendly” bacteria are not nourished, it could potentially lead to a weak or leaky gut that is unable to absorb nutrients no matter the amount of healthy foods you feed him or her.

A weak gut can cause issues within your child including stomach aches, weak immunity, mood fluctuations as well as fatigue. When your child consumes food, their body will breakdown the macronutrients which are then absorbed to support various functions – this is why nutrient absorption is the key to your child’s overall growth.

A healthy gut supports nutrient absorption

To better absorb nutrients, parents will need to focus on maintaining or strengthening their child’s intestinal environment. A healthy gut is able to support the absorption, while removing any bad bacteria and waste.

This is why prebiotics have become the focus of many families as this stimulates the growth of good bacteria within the gut. Prebiotics “feed” the healthy microbes in the gut to help these bacteria thrive – this includes probiotics which are made up of beneficial bacteria and yeast that reside within the body.

In summary, the good bacteria reside within the gut
1
 and supports crucial bodily functions such as:

digestion;

waste and bad bacteria removal;

mood improvement;

healthy weight management;

improving metabolism;

and most importantly, nutrient absorption.

So, how can you strengthen your child’s gut health? With gut health foods.

The answer is through their diet – prebiotics are present in certain foods, but are non-digestible. What this means is that prebiotics resist stomach acid, travel to the colon intact and are able to selectively stimulate the growth, as well as the activity of beneficial bacteria in the colon.

Prebiotics are also a specific type of dietary fibre, but take note that not all dietary fibre are

prebiotics which is why consuming “non-digestible fibre” is the key.

So, here are 10 prebiotic-rich gut health foods for your kids to help get that good bacteria going!

1. Oatmeal

Oats contain beta-glucans
2
 which are known to have prebiotic properties – some of the fibres within oats are “fermentable fibre”
3
, which feeds the good bacteria and helps them multiply, as well as regulate bowel movements.

Tip: Try adding different flavours to your kids’ oatmeals as they may shy away from the bland taste. Try adding fruits such as bananas, or even cocoa powder and honey.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli is known as a nutrient-dense food that contains vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, iron, manganese, antioxidants and other good nutrients. However, it is also high in fibre – it contains about 2.3grams of fibre in three florets (one cup)
4
.

Tip: Kids hate their greens – we know. So, make it fun, and decorate their plate with broccoli “trees” to double up as imaginative play.

3. Onions

Onions are particularly rich in inulin and fructooligosaccharides prebiotics – both prebiotics that support the growth of Bifidobacteria in the gut. Raw onions have a higher source of prebiotics, but cooked onions also contain prebiotics – about five percent of fibre in 120 grams of onions
5
.

Tip: Incorporate onions into their meals, especially sandwiches. For other dishes, we recommend finely mincing the onions for easier consumption.

4. Garlic

Garlic is always a key component when it comes to food. However, besides being a star ingredient, its fibre content is made up of about 11 per cent inulin and six per cent fructooligosaccharides
6
.

Tip: Mince up garlic finely and add it to your cooking for your kids if they aren’t too fond of it.

5. Bananas

Bananas boost good gut bacteria, reduce bloating and, as we know, it is very high in fibre. But, they also contain prebiotic fibres with small amounts of inulin. Unripe or green bananas also contain resistant starch which has certain prebiotic effects. Resistant starch is a carbohydrate that ferments within the large intestine
7
, and as it does this, the fibre acts as a prebiotic to feed the good bacteria within the gut.

Tip: Bananas don’t have to be eaten as is. You can add it to oatmeal or even on toast.

6. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate has various health benefits and it is actually a prebiotic
8
. Dark chocolate contains fibre that does not get digested and instead, it goes to the large intestine to feed the probiotics within your gut.

Tip: Opt for dark chocolate brands that are natural – some chocolates go through too much processing and it may limit the nutritional value.

7. Barley

Barley, similar to oats, contains beta-glucans – barley actually contains more beta-glucans than oats
9
 – there are between three and eight grams of beta-glucan per 100grams of barley
10
.

Tip: If your child is new to barley, you can ease them into it with barley water – just add one tablespoon of barley to two cups of water. Cook the barley in a pressure cooker with the water, cool it and blend. Strain and cool before serving
11
.

8. Beans

Beans are one of the strongest sources of fibre – a cup of lima beans contains 14 grams of fibre, while other popular beans such as black beans and kidney beans contain 15 grams and 16 grams per cup, respectively.

Moreover, beans are inexpensive and are loaded with protein. There are different types of beans which contain varying amounts of prebiotics. Soya beans contain inulin, while red kidney beans contains galactooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides
12
.

Tip: Stir beans into a soup and serve it on the side with your kids’ meals – it makes it much easier to consume.

9. Nuts

Nuts, including its skin, are a good source of fibre. A study uncovered that two handfuls of almonds (56 grams) once a day for six weeks increased the growth of beneficial strains of gut bacteria. Pistachios also formed a similar result
13
!

Tip: Nuts can easily be crushed up and sprinkle them on top of their daily snacks. Try topping off some puree apples with crushed nuts.

10. Brussel sprouts

These little mini-cabbage-like vegetables are not commonly consumed within Malaysian households but they are high in fibre. There are roughly four grams of beneficial fibre in a cup of cooked brussels sprouts
14
.

Tip: Brussel sprouts can be steamed, roasted, stir-fried as well as shredded. You can simply season them with salt and pepper.

Improve your child’s gut health with Mamil D-GestPro+

However, the effects are not immediate when it comes to improving gut health, which is why finding the right sources of prebiotics is important. Also, we know it can be a struggle when it comes to encouraging your child to eat these specific gut health foods!

But, if your child is suffering from a weak gut, you will need to act fast. Some signs of a weak gut include abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, diarrhoea, gas and bloating.

One alternative to getting your child the adequate amount of prebiotics into their system is through a formula such as sucrose-free Mamil® D-GestPro+, which is formulated with a prebiotic mix that supports gut health.

Mamil® D-GestPro+’s formulation contains:

A unique prebiotic mixture
: It is formulated with a unique Oligosaccharide mixture (GOS/IcFOS) that increases good bacteria and helps maintain a healthy intestinal environment .

Milk from grass-fed cows
: It is sourced from cows that are predominantly grass fed, which means it is high in protein, calcium and vitamin D.

DHA*
: This is a key component that is essential for your child’s growth and brain development.

*Mamil® Step 3 contains 96mg DHA content based 3 servings per day

Mamil® D-GestPro+ is affordable and has four variations that cater to children aged up to nine-years-old!

Lastly, one of the most important benefits is that it helps to support your child’s overall growth and development – a happy and healthy child has more opportunities to explore the world around him.

Keen to try out Mamil® D-GestPro+? Visit Dumex Mamil’s
website
 for more information.

References

1
Harvard Health Publishing. (2016, October). Can gut bacteria improve your health? Retrieved October 14, 2020, from
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-gut-bacteria-improve-your-health

2
(2013, July 3). Non-digestible long chain beta-glucans as novel prebiotics …. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212619813000326

3
(2007, March 26). Concentrated oat β-glucan, a fermentable fiber, lowers serum …. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-6-6

4
(2019, May 10). Broccoli 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits – Healthline. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/broccoli

5
(2015, December 15). Prebiotic Foods | Top 10 Foods Containing Prebiotics | Prebiotin. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://www.prebiotin.com/foods-containing-prebiotics/

6
(2016, June 8). The 19 Best Prebiotic Foods You Should Eat – Healthline. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-best-prebiotic-foods

7
What is Resistant Starch? – The Johns Hopkins Patient Guide …. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://hopkinsdiabetesinfo.org/what-is-resistant-starch/

8
Hayek, N. (2013, February 7). Chocolate, gut microbiota, and human health. Retrieved October 14, 2020, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3566565/

9
Betting on Beta-Glucans – Today’s Dietitian. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/050114p16.shtml

10
The 19 Best Prebiotic Foods You Should Eat – Healthline. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-best-prebiotic-foods

11
(2018, February 27). Barley for Babies: How to Choose, Benefits, Recipes & more. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/barley-for-babies-how-to-choose-benefits-recipes-more/

12
Prebiotics – an added benefit of some fibre types – Wiley …. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nbu.12366

13
(2016, June 24). Are nuts one of the secrets to a healthy gut microbiome …. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://trade.australian-macadamias.org/are-nuts-one-of-the-secrets-to-a-healthy-gut-microbiome/

14
(2019, July 9). 7 Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts | Health.com. Retrieved October 7, 2020, from
https://www.health.com/nutrition/benefits-brussels-sprouts

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Can you have sex with an IUD in? Does it feel good?

Most women will want to find a contraceptive option at some point in their lives. Whether you want to commit to taking the pill everyday, or put in an implant, there are plenty of options available out there. Some women prefer not to have anything inserted into their bodies, while others don’t like the idea of taking hormone pills. Whichever route you go down, contraceptives don’t mean you don’t get to enjoy sex.

One of the most common long term contraceptives is called the IUD (Intrauterine device), but many ask, can you have sex with an IUD in? Will it hurt? Will it feel uncomfortable?

What is an IUD?

Firstly, here is what an IUD is. An IUD is a tiny device that is inserted into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. It is long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods out there.

There are 2 types of IUDs available  – hormonal IUD and non hormonal/copper IUDs.

Can you have sex with IUD in? Some examples of the non hormonal/copper IUD. | Source: Wikipedia

Some women prefer to have IUD implants because once it is inserted, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. It’s not as cumbersome as taking the pill (which requires you to remember to take it at the same time everyday) and it doesn’t get in the way of sexual pleasure (like condoms might).

It is inserted into your uterus by a medical professional and your cervix is often numbed before it is put in. Once it is inserted, you might get lighter periods or your periods will not come at all. The IUD is attached to a string, so that it can be removed by a medical professional later on.

This is where women worry if having sex will affect the IUD or that men can feel the IUD.

Different brands of IUDs have different effective periods. Some last up to 12 years, while others may be as short as 3 years.

So how having sex with IUD in feel?

Here’s 6 things you need to know before having sex with IUD inserted:

1. Your sex drive will not be affected

Neither types of IUD should have an impact on your sexual desire or how you feel during sex. An IUD is inserted inside the uterine cavity. You can’t see or feel it, you won’t even know it’s there.

An IUD is inserted into the uterine cavity and you won’t be able to feel it. | Source: Wikimedia

2. You do not need to worry about getting pregnant

You can enjoy spontaneous sex! But, you should still use a condom if you’re worried about STDs.

3. Your partner MAY feel the strings

Although highly unlikely, some men do feel a tiny sensation. As long as your IUD is properly in place, you can lean on the fact that they are designed to be super-thin and barely noticeable, even softening over time.

4. The hormonal IUD might affect your cycle in a good way

Women who experience a heavy flow and cramping during their periods may have an “easier time of the month” thanks to the progestin in hormonal IUDs. Progestin will decrease bleeding and cramping during your period and could even stop both completely.

Mirena – a hormonal IUD which can lighthen menstrual flow and pain. | Source: Wikimedia
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5. There may be some post sex bleeding

Some women experience bleeding during sex with IUD inserted, especially hormonal IUDs, though it isn’t common. Hormonal IUDs thin out the endometrial lining, the inside of the uterus that sheds each month with a period. If the lining is very thin, it may shed a bit during sex, which would cause bleeding. However, if you feel pain, always check with your doctor. It could be a sign that your IUD is out of place, which leaves you unprotected.

6. You can enjoy any positions you like

Everybody is different and when the IUD is in the right place, you shouldn’t feel anything at all –  which also mean any sex positions are fine. Rough sex too will not affect your IUD, but in very rare cases, the IUD may slip out. In the first year after getting an IUD, the expulsion rate is roughly 5 percent only. Sex does not increase or decrease the risk.

So now that you know what it is like to have sex with IUD inserted, would you consider getting an IUD as your form of contraceptive?

Read also:
“My husband won’t use condoms, I won’t use pills. What other contraceptives should we use?”

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Singapore mum shares "My baby's left hand got cut off in my womb"

When mummy Christabel Koh gave birth to her baby girl Chrislyn 5 years back, she was shattered. During C-section, doctors found that the baby’s tiny left hand had got severed in the womb. She had been affected by a rare congenital disorder called
amniotic band syndrome during pregnancy
.

“They found Chrislyn’s tiny left hand inside my womb,” recalls this mummy.

She had amniotic band syndrome during pregnancy

In the case of amniotic band syndrome during pregnancy, parts of the amnion hang loosely, like thin threads inside the amniotic sac. These amniotic bands can then accidentally twist and wrap around different body parts of the baby, which can affect the little one in many ways.

In Chrislyn’s case, the bands had gone all the way around her left arm, cutting off half of the forearm, and fusing the fingers on her right hand.

Mummy Christabel tells Women’s Weekly, “Throughout my pregnancy there hadn’t been any symptoms that showed I had ABS.”

It wasn’t easy for Christabel to cope with Chrislyn’s disability. She found herself plunging into depression, and harbouring suicidal thoughts.

Things got so bad that she ended up divorcing Chrislyn’s father. She saw no hope for herself or for her baby.

“I eventually fell in love with her…”

Christabel struggled to rein in depressing and suicidal thoughts. The fact that she was jobless and bankrupt made things worse.

As she tells Women’s Weekly, “I had no job, a mountain of hospital bills, and a child with an uncertain future. Many times I’d climb up to the highest floor with Chrislyn in my arms, ready to throw us both over.”

On one occasion, police took Chrislyn away from her and locked her up for 24 hours. It was then she realised how much she loved her baby. She decided to turn over a new leaf.

She found a freelance job as a shopper with Honestbee which gave her the flexibility to look after her baby. Chrislyn’s father pitched in financially as well, and the baby had to have three major surgeries to separate her fused fingers.

Things started to look up, and today Christabel is a full-time lead supervisor at Honestbee. She has even bought a 4-room HDB flat with her mum.

PHOTO: SCREENGRAB THE NEW PAPER

5-year-old Chrislyn is doing well too. For Christabel, being mum to Chrislyn has been such a joy, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I was convinced that her quality of life was going to be so poor it would not be a life worth living. But she’s defied all expectations. I didn’t know, because I couldn’t have known back then, how strong my little girl is and that I would eventually fall in love with her”, Christabel tells Women’s Weekly.

Her daughter is her hero today.

“I marvel at how she learnt to use her hand and her stump to feed and clothe herself. She is my inspiration. If she can do all that despite her condition, I have no excuse,” says Miss Koh to The New Paper.

“My greatest wish for her is that she’ll never feel less capable than other girls just because she’s missing a hand.”

“If she wants to play the violin or dance the ballet, I’ll go all out to make it possible for her. I will do everything I can to help her fulfill her dreams.”

Here’s wishing this mummy and daughter lots of love and happiness.

What is
amniotic band syndrome during pregnancy?

Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) is a condition which occurs when you are still pregnant.

When the baby is in your womb, it is encapsulated in your amniotic sac, which contains amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid keeps the baby afloat.

Interestingly, the amniotic sac containing the baby and fluid has two films which stick together. The exterior film which faces the uterus, is the chorion, whereas the inner film surrounding the baby is the amnion.

Image Source: University of San Francisco
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ABS affects an unborn baby when the amnion tears abruptly, but without damage to the chorion.

Parts of the amnion then hang loosely, like thin threads inside the amniotic sac.

These amniotic bands can then accidentally twist and wrap around different body parts of your baby, which can affect your little one in many ways.

Depending on which body part is entangled and whether it is bound tightly, blood flow could be constricted and impact your little one’s development.

These birth defects include:

Missing limbs or digits
. A band that twists around a limb tightly can lead to its amputation, such that the baby is born lacking fingers and toes, or may be born with a partial arm or leg. At times, the baby is born with dead limbs which need to be removed surgically.

Cleft lip or palate
, if the band goes across the baby’s face.

Clubfeet,
 which commonly happens with babies suffering form ABS.

In the worst case scenario,
fetal death
. If the amniotic band twists onto the umbilical cord, it cuts off blood supply. This presents a risk of miscarriage.

How to diagnose ABS

Doctors can diagnose ABS before the baby is born, or, more commonly, after he is born.

Pre-birth diagnosis

Experienced doctors or specialists might be able to accurately pinpoint ABS based on an ultrasound scan. Doctors normally perform this scan in the baby’s 12th week in the womb.

If the doctor suspects that the baby has ABS, do discuss this with an experienced specialist.

Amniotic bands are minute in size and very difficult to see even with ultrasound. This often leads to misdiagnosis. An expert in ABS will be able to guide you with their professional opinions on what the ultrasound scan might mean.

Post-birth diagnosis

Once you have given birth, there are several ways your doctor can assess whether your baby has ABS or not, such as by:

A physical examination. Your doctor will look for deformed limbs or any other physical abnormalities with your baby.

An X-Ray, to assess how deeply an amniotic band might have impacted the tissues below the skin

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or other scans to further understand how the amniotic band could have influenced or injured blood vessels and nerves

Other deeper tests such as targeted ultrasound (3D), Doppler Blood Flow Study or a Fetal Echocardiogram

What to do in case baby is diagnosed with ABS?

After your doctor undertakes a thorough examination of your baby’s condition, he will discuss potential treatment options. It is very likely that fetal surgery will be recommended for extreme cases, whereas mild cases may be treated with reconstructive surgery after giving birth.

In general, there are a variety of treatment options for ABS:

Supportive therapy targeted at alleviating the symptoms (for instance oxygen or breathing support for babies with improperly developed lungs)

Reconstructive or plastic surgery for developmental abnormalities, such as webbed fingers or feet and cleft lip

Clubfoot treatment via the Ponseti method

Occupational therapy so that the children are able to practice, and master, using their recovered fingers, toes, arms and legs

3D-printing prosthetics to replace the abnormally formed limbs

Fetal surgery, for really extreme cases of ABS in unborn babies. Fetal surgery involves severing the amniotic bands via a laser or sharp surgical apparatus while the baby is still in the amniotic sac. Normally, thorough consideration is given before choosing this option as there may be further complications afterwards.

(Source:

Women’s Weekly
,
TNP
,
amnioticbandsyndrome.com
,
University of San Francisco
,
rarediseases.org
,
Very Well Family
,
Seattle Children’s Hospital
,
123radiology
 )

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Sharifah Sofia Tells Us Her Tricks To Raising Healthy & Happy Children

We asked Sharifah Sofia if being a mum is the most demanding job in the world. There’s no manual on how to be a good mum AND you won’t know if you’re doing a good job until your child is all grown up.

Mums tend to be too hard on themselves, judging themselves and trying to compete with other mums. Besides striving to be a good mum, mothers are expected to work, do the household chores, cook and some mothers even have to study.

So, how do these busy mums provide the best nutrition for their child and their family?

Well, we recently caught up with Sharifah Sofia; a full-time mummy to 2 beautiful little girls, an actress, a teacher, a blogger on her site With Love Mummy to talk about family, raising kids and nutrition.

We asked her to give us some advice about the importance of nutrition and bringing up healthy and happy kids by starting early.

Sharifah Sofia’s key takeaway: No sugar

Sharifah Sofia doesn’t allow her daughters to take sugars until they were 2 years old. She adds that it’s important to teach them from young that sugar is bad and if they didn’t grow up with sugary treats, most likely, they won’t want sugar as they grow. Her daughters only take milk and water.

Anmum Essential formulated milk powder for children with No Added Sugars is a good example of a healthy drink. It promises to provide all the important nutrients that your growing child needs, without compromising on the delicious taste, and with no added sugars.

Labels are extremely important

As a smart mum, you need to learn how to read the labels. For example, jams. Jams are normally made with fruits boiled with some sugar and set. But, on the label of certain jams, it will state sugar first, followed by strawberries and other stuff.

This means the main ingredient in the jam is sugar because ingredients are listed according to the amount by descending order. This is wrong because it’s a jam, the main ingredient should be the fruit instead.

So, when buying jams, try buying one with fruits listed first. And companies don’t put sugar on their labels (cause sugar is such a bad word!) so, they tend to use other words like sucrose, glucose and all that. Go on to Anmum’s website, they have a list of the common examples of added sugar names. Read the labels, and if you don’t know the ingredients, don’t get it. Why feed your child something that you don’t know?

Anmum Essential was recommended to Sharifah and her family and it’s the first milk they’ve tried and the only milk they drink. “My 2 girls liked it instantly the first time we tried it. They never had much sugar growing up so, they love Anmum Essential.”

Limiting Sugar

Sugar can be addictive, once a child has tasted sugar, they would constantly crave for it. If a child that wasn’t exposed to sugar at a young age, like Sharifah’s 2 girls, they tend to limit their own sugar intake.

“Kids being kids, they like the colourful swirls of candy, the sweetness of chocolates but they don’t gorge themselves on it. They stop after one or two and they know their limits,” she adds.

For a year, her family only ate at home. Sharifah Sofia would cook breakfast, lunch and dinner for her family. By doing this, she’s able to limit her daughter’s intake of sugar and salt. After a while, she decided to start her own baby food business, selling healthy, homemade baby food that sold fresh food that her daughters enjoyed eating.

“I don’t consider myself a good mum, I mean, I have cravings too. My weakness is chocolates and I have a secret stash of chocolates that I’ll eat in the kitchen away from the kids. There’s also the occasional McDonald’s craving and I would feel guilty if I don’t get a Happy Meal for them,”

Being a good mum is very subjective, most mums are stressed out, especially working mums. Working mums are always in a rush, rushing to work, rush through their work, and rushing back home.

By the time they get started on the chores and taking care of their kids, they don’t have time to cook a healthy meal for the family. “Mums have to sacrifice something. Maybe leave the chores for the weekend and cook a healthy dinner for your family?” Sharifah suggested.

Mums are constantly judged

No matter what women do, they’re constantly judged. You should breastfeed your child, you should give your child formula, you should let your child cry it out, you should hug your child, nowadays, and everyone seems to have an opinion or advice.

“I try to not give advice because I think there’s enough to go around, but if I have to, it would be, to follow your instincts and follow your heart. Don’t listen to others cause everyone has an opinion on how to
raise your child
, all you have to do is to do the best and provide the best for your child. You’re the child’s mum, you know what’s best for your own child.”

As a mum, we have to do what’s best for our child and let’s learn to lead a healthier lifestyle. Learn to read food labels and better yet, learn to cook and prepare the meal yourself. Not only it’s going to be fresher, but you’re also able to control what goes into it.

Log onto
Anmum.com.my
 for more details on reading labels and added sugars!

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:
5 Ways You Damage Your Relationship with Your Child Without Even Knowing It

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Why being advanced as a child doesn’t really matter

One of the first things I discovered being a mum is that I live in a culture where being advanced as a child is applauded.

When Timmy was a little over a year old, a local TV show featured a two-year-old genius who could write and read like a five-year-old. My mum even called me to watch and said Timmy could also be like that. While it sure was a compliment from a grandma who sees the potential of her first grandchild, it really got me nervous.

Clearly, that kid was the exception and featuring him was a great idea. But then it also added unnecessary pressure to all the parents watching the show at that time.

I remember feeling so competitive back then, but when I looked at my baby who was exploring, walking tiptoe, touching everything out of curiosity, I asked myself, “Do you really need to do all that at two years old?”

So I decided not to let that show affect me. But I still couldn’t shake the pressure that came along with it.

As parents, we all want our children to succeed and do well in life. But as I navigate this parenting journey, I realised that success is relative. And it’s up to us to define what that is to our kids. I’m proud of my son and all the things he accomplishes — big or small. But I also realised that he can’t possibly do well in everything.

Being Advanced as a Child: Advanced but Not Quite

Timmy may be way too advanced in reading, but he still doesn’t colour within the lines. And he still finds it difficult to use scissors.

Whatever big words he knows today will also be read by other kids of his age when they all grow up. We all follow the same curriculum guide anyway. And they will all learn the same thing down the line.

He may write fast – and I mean quickly scribble the letters/words that come to his mind – but he doesn’t draw the usual stick people, cars, or houses that most boys do.

He’s unconventional in so many ways, like going for bond paper over ruled paper, coloured pens over pencils, paints over crayons. And God has been using all these things to remove the conventional student mould in my head, to get my cue from my child’s interests more than what traditional schools dictate.

Timmy loves numbers and reads them by the thousands and enjoys skip counting of even and odd numbers. He’s so fascinated with numbers that he even memorises car plates!

But he’s a careless counter. He loses track of what he counts because he gets too excited. He tends to skip pointing at objects or points twice at the same thing. So we’re still working on his slow counting. Slow, slow, slow like a sloth, as Eric Carle would put it.

I need God’s grace to remind me continuously that I’m dealing with my child more than he is my student. And I guess this is something that every homeschooling mom struggles with, balancing our parent-teacher side. Every day I am learning to use his preferences as my teaching springboard to communicate with him more effectively.

Also, I have to keep reminding myself that he’s only four and to stick to what he needs to know at this age. I think it’s something that all newbie parents should keep into perspective — to never rush their kids, to enjoy every age and every stage.

Because they really do grow up fast. But that doesn’t mean I will limit him. I also have to be sensitive and follow where he wants to progress faster. At the same time, I need to rein him in if we’re going too fast so that he won’t get confused.

What really matters

I’m not an expert in parenting. I’ve been at it for only four years. And every time Timmy gets a year older, it’s a whole new ball game for me.

Like when he turned four, I was so excited to know and discover with him what it’s like to be at that age again! All this time God has been repeatedly teaching me to be gentle and patient with my child, to listen to his thoughts and stories, to ride on his interests and leverage it for learning, and to spend quality time with him.

I didn’t become a parent to raise a genius. There’s much more to parenting than teaching academic lessons.

The values and life skills our children need to learn outweigh the need to master the 3 R’s (Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic).

They will learn those things eventually because they have to. But character building is a different story. We need to be more intentional on this one. They NEED this more than academics when they face the world on their own.

No one will care how smart your child is if he’s such a pain to work with. No one will bother to listen to him if he’s full of himself.

He may be smart and talented in many ways, but if all he wants is to get his way, then no one will follow him. Companies now even value EQ more than IQ because anything can be learned these days. The way you deal with people and your overall work ethic are given more weight than “head” knowledge.

A teachable student can only come from a teachable heart. If my son doesn’t learn about obedience and respect first, then he won’t listen to me.

There are values that he needs to develop before he can even comprehend fractions or geography. He needs to learn patience, perseverance, hard work, honesty, humility, and more to help him not just with his academics but with real life challenges as well.

Life skills are learned more easily when they have foundational values first.

For example, cleaning up his toys took repetition before Timmy got used to it. You earn cooperation by doing things together, like washing the dishes.

It sure took time and a lot of wasted water and dishwashing soap, but seeing my son beam with pride makes it all worth it. Last night as he went down his chair (because he can’t reach the sink yet) he said, “Thank you for helping me wash the dishes!” It was as if he owned the chore, and I was just there to help him!

Those little things help in easy transition to learning like, “Let’s read together! It’s writing time! Let’s count together!”

Because you get to him to cooperate and participate on non-academic things, getting him on board during study time becomes much easier. There’s so much more that our kids need to learn. Even us adults learn something new every day. So why stress out on getting everything right the first time or being ahead of everybody else?

At the end of the day, it’s never really about whose kid is advanced where. It isn’t about how many degrees my son will finish or how many awards he will get.

I would rather measure his success by how many lives he will touch by his kindness and how many will follow his lead because of his integrity. It isn’t about finishing first all the time but about finishing well in life.

I remember my dad would always say about drivers overtaking, “Okay lang yan, sabay sabay din tayo sa dulo ng stoplight. (That’s okay, we’ll all meet at the stoplight anyway.)”

The same goes with being advanced as a child. Our kids will all get there. They will all become adults and converse like adults. But the question is, will they become responsible adults? Will they be part of a generation who will walk with integrity? Will they be compassionate and kind?

While it may be great to have an “advanced child”, let’s not forget to advance them on the things that matter.

Let’s give them a head start on values and character building. Those are the foundational life skills they need that will help them thrive in the real world.

I’m still learning and growing in these areas up to now, which is why I recognise that my son still has a long way to go. And that’s the beauty of parenting right there, you grow and learn together — and it never stops.

Article republished with permission from:
thevinethatwrites

Republished with permission from:
theAsianParent Philippines

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Early Nutrition Is Vital for Your Child’s Digestive System! Here’s How To Ensure Your Child Absorbs As Much As Possible

Lack of sufficient shuteye is a given for experienced and new parents – not only does your life revolve around your child’s feeding schedule, but you’re also worried if they’re getting enough nutrition, or whether they’re crying from hunger or some other discomfort.

Additionally, you have probably found yourself increasingly concerned about the shade or consistency of their poop! You will soon realise that your child’s tummy health plays a major role in the digestive system for kids and it will determine how smooth your week will go.

In the womb, all necessary nutrients were provided by the placenta. But as soon as the umbilical cord is snipped, their delicate digestive systems kicks into gear – trust us, it is going to take some time before their bowel movements are up and running properly.

Fret not, here is what you can do to protect and support your child’s digestive system, especially in those first crucial years.

Understanding your child’s gut health

Bear in mind that 80 percent of the immune system resides in their gut. Inside the digestive tract – the large intestine mainly – lives an extremely diverse microbiome of bacteria, fungi and protozoa. These “good” bacteria help with food digestion and regulating the immune system.

So, establishing a healthy and thriving community of disease battling bacteria within our child’s gut is of the utmost importance, especially in the first three years of your child’s life. The bar you set right now, determines the quality of your child’s health for years to come.

Focus on your child’s diet

As the pancreas is still developing, young children may not produce enough digestive enzymes to break down proteins or complex carbohydrates. This is also the reason parents are discouraged from feeding solids until after six months of age.

Breast milk naturally regulates the digestive system for kids by delivering both prebiotics and probiotics that bolster helpful gut bacteria.

One important tip is to feed your child before he or she becomes frantically hungry. Only burp them when they take a break from feeding to ensure you are not interrupting their rhythm.

However, if your child is suffering from indigestion, here is another quick tip:
Place a warm towel over your child’s stomach and leave it for two to three minutes before removing. You can repeat this several times a day, after feeding sessions.

Some parents have also advocated fennel oil – you can mix it with your child’s regular massage oil and gently rub around the stomach, as well as navel area.

What about the other alternative – formula milk?

If you’re opting for formula, Similac Total Comfort makes a compelling promise for better digestion and absorption thanks to pre-digested proteins.

Scientifically proven to resolve common feeding issues like regurgitation, fussiness and colicky tummies, Similac Total Comfort is also formulated with a Unique Vegetable Oil Blend (UVOB). Not only does this special ingredient help soften stools and avoid constipation, but the unique vegetable oil blend also helps young bodies absorb DHA and retain it for increased brain development.

Now added with a composition called 2’-FL to support body defense and reduce allergy risk. 2’-FL supports your child’s normal immunity functions so they have less interruptions from sick days. Not to forget the addition of the EyeQ system, that combines Natural Vitamin E, Lutein and DHA that supports brain-eye development.

Remember, having a child that is well-fed and digesting comfortably allows mothers and fathers to savour the many joys of parenthood.

You will also rest better knowing the nutrients you are providing at this important stage will set the foundation for their future immunity.

To learn more about Similac Total Comfort milk formula,
click here for details.
Learn more
here
.

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Are You Causing your Children to Dislike Reading? More Than a Quarter of Children Never Read for Pleasure and It Is Most Likely the Parent's Faults

A new survey reveals that more than
 25% of children claim they never read for pleasure
 and
27% say that they do not read during their leisure time at all. This shouldn’t come as a surprise with the number of other distractions that surround children in this day and age. But what could be surprising is that experts believe that it isn’t these distractions that are directly affecting children’s enthusiasm for reading instead it is most likely down to the behaviour of their parents.

According to a Professor from the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, University of Selangor, Prof. Dr Jamilah Mustafa,
It’s not the fault of children and teenagers
, if they don’t like reading because they’ve never seen their parents read. Most parents these days seem preoccupied with phones and streaming platforms and children seem to be merely mimicking the behaviour of their parents.

Reading culture, especially the younger generation, is important to ensure mature and developed thinking. Getting more Malaysians to read for pleasure and to gain knowledge is an ongoing “battle” in this country. A study shows that Malaysian on average read
15 books
 a year, just slightly over one book a month.

As Managing Director of Children Books at Aulad and being in the industry for 35 years, I have found some tricks and steps on how parents or teachers can help their children to
develop the culture of reading
 as part of their life. This is important as our future generations and leader is dependent on our children hence to lead tomorrow, future leaders must learn to read today. I hope by sharing my learnings with all of you, together we will be able to overcome this dislike for reading and build up a stronger reading culture.

Tips & Tricks on How To Get Your Children ‘Love Reading’

The majority of the kids stated they liked being read to and that having someone read to them piqued their interest in the book. Reading a book out loud and expressing the story would gain the children’s interest to sit and listens to the story. The manner in which books are read aloud may have an impact on the children’s enjoyment of the reading. It is critical that the reading be done in a passionate and enthusiastic way to get the children to engage.

Reading is more than just curling up with a nice book. It’s also a part of everyday existence. As you go about your day, encourage your youngster to look for “reading moments.” Reading road signs, grocery lists, or recipes might be one of them. It doesn’t always have to be reading a book.

Another way is by letting the child witness the parent’s reading, whether the parents enjoy books, periodicals, or graphic novels. Children learn by what they see and observe. If they were surrounded by people who enjoy reading, the child will most likely share their interests to copy and read a book as well. If you make reading part of your daily routine, your child is likely to grow up looking forward to it.

One of the major tips is to create a reading environment that is both comfortable and favourable to reading, as well as to set aside time for leisure reading. The reading area does not need to be large or filled with bookcases like a library. It might be a couch corner or a chair in the room where the children sleep. Choosing a comfortable area with enough light and space to store a book or two might help the children associate reading with warmth and comfort.

Parents may become bored of reading the same story again and over, but the children could like it. Kids like spotting details in stories and images that they missed the first time around. They can also correlate the words they see on the page with the words they hear by rereading. Your children may eventually begin reading the book to you.

Reading an interactive book is also part of the trick. It’s 2022, the world has changed, we have the metaverse now and everything revolves around technology. Children nowadays might be attracted to gadgets more, hence books that incorporate technology also should be considered as they could be more effective in capturing and retaining their attention.

 As a champion of reading and education myself, I recognise this need and potential. This is why through my organisation, Aulad aims to build a reading culture amongst children with our Augmented Reality (AR) Book.

This AR storybook is published in line with Aulad’s mission to connect with a new generation of children to encourage them to learn and read in new ways that are more interesting to them. Understanding the Alpha generation who grew up with the use of gadgets and technology in their daily lives, books that are interactive like AR technology used in these books can attract interest and instil a culture of reading among them.

This article is attributed to
Abdul Rahman, Managing Director of Children Books, Aulad

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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 Being A Mum Is Not Easy, As Motherhood Ages Mums By 11 Years! – Study

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5 tips to help your child avoid making careless mistakes in math exams!

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Your Children Are Getting Bored At Home? Try These 10 Fun Scientific Experiments For An Engaging Afternoon!

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Why Every Child Should Have a Pet

Most children are fascinated by animals; they love to visit zoos, animal parks and petting farms. It may be the cute fluffiness of a baby animal, the joy of having a companion to play with or the many unique characteristics of animals that enthral them.

Best family pet for children (that are not dogs or cats)

Benefits of having a family pet

If your child has been continually asking for a pet and you are on the fence about having one, here are seven reasons why pets are great for children:

1.
Teach responsibility

Pet-related chores such as filling its food and water bowls teach children responsibility and how to care for something that is dependent on them. If there is more than one child in the family, the chores can be divided among them on alternate days. This also helps strengthen the bond between siblings.

2.
Help children be more active

A frolicking puppy in the house will definitely increase a child’s physical activity by chasing after it or playing with it. And as the evenings close in, taking the four-legged friends for a walk encourages children to exercise daily. Plus, it’s the perfect thing to burn off excess energy before bedtime.

3.
Happier overall

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Having pets around prevent loneliness especially for introverted children and those who do not have any siblings. It’s like having a confidante who will hear about the child’s good and bad days. They make children happier overall, with lots of fond memories to cherish down the road.

4.
Boosts social-emotional and cognitive development

Even in the youngest children, pets can be a positive influence on their behaviour. Children will show improved ability to control strong emotions and impulses when interacting with animals. Plus, thinking and responding to the animal’s behaviour helps children develop better decision-making and problem-solving skills.

5.
May reduce symptoms of autism and ADHD

Credit: Freepik

Children with autism or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may benefit from having a pet like a dog. Dogs seem to calm children down, lower their stress levels and help prepare them for therapy. Children with a pet are also more likely to engage in social situations such as asking for information or introducing themselves.

6.
Teach kindness and compassion

When children make an effort to care for animals, they understand the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion. The way they treat animals is strongly related to the way they treat people.

7.
Improved immune system

Research
 found that exposing children below the age of five to pets like cats and dogs may reduce the risk of developing allergies and asthma. This is due to how bacteria from pets are transferred to children’s guts, and in turn strengthens their immune systems.

Be a fosterer

Credit: Pixabay
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If you are a little worried about the full-time commitments of having a family pet, especially something more high maintenance like a dog, you can try fostering.

It means taking care of a dog temporarily until it finds a permanent home with someone who is willing to adopt it. The
‘Fosterer Network’ programme
 is a great place to start for those who are interested.

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123
.

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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Boys' school brawl caught on camera

We know young boys can be a tad rowdy, especially when in a group. But no amount of “boys will be boys” reasoning can justify this school boys brawl that was caught on camera in a popular Singapore school.

In this school boys brawl, you can clearly see the boys hurling furniture across the room and generally behaving like rowdies. | Image: Stomp screengrab

School Boys Brawl Shows Classroom Being Wrecked

In the video, which has been circulating online, we can clearly see how these out-of-control boys trash their classroom as chairs and tables go flying across the room.

First, two boys can be seen hurling plastic chairs while another one turns over a desk. Laughter erupts as another student struts for the camera, raising both his middle fingers rudely.

More furniture is thrown around the class and more boys join in the “fun.” Things get so out-of-hand that one chair seems to almost hit the person recording the video.

More students soon join in the brawl as more classroom furniture is flung across the room. One chair even hits the person recording the video, causing the camera to shake from the impact.

Some boys, however, don’t want to be a part of the chaos and are seen trying to leave the classroom. At one point in the video, one boy shouts at the others: “Oi! Do not break the tables and chairs!”

However, no one listens to him and the boys continue with their merry-making, all the while laughing loudly and yelling.

Citizen journalism site
Stomp
 says they reached out to the principal of the school in question, who issued this statement:

“The school does not condone the students’ actions in the video, and has counselled them and meted out appropriate disciplinary measures.” Apparently, the students have also “expressed regret for their actions.”

Watch the video below:

We understand that when excited, children of a certain age can get carried away and behave rowdily. However, can these boys’ behaviour be excused?

Besides the trashing of school equipment, they could have easily gotten hurt. They also look big enough to understand the meaning of responsible behaviour and common sense.

We hope their parents and teachers speak to them about this incident and just how irresponsible their behaviour was.

Source:
Stomp

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7 tips for an easier labour


How Chiropractic Helps In Pregnancy? This Is What You Should Know About Pregnancy And Chiropractic Care

Often, we receive questions from our patients, whether can they bring their pregnant wife to come for chiropractic care, and hence we will talk about pregnancy and chiropractic care!

Changes And Pains During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body is experiencing major changes. During the first trimester, pregnant ladies are experiencing an increasing reflux of reproductive hormones, leading them to have symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and headache.
(1)
. As time progresses to the second trimester, baby is starting to grow bigger, pregnant mothers are starting to have less symptoms, but more pain.
(2)
 The most faced problems are
(3,4)
:

Low back pain

Pubic symphysis pain

Leg pain/ cramps

Headache

Pelvic girdle pain

Round ligament pain (Pain along the underwear line)

Why Is There So Much Pain During Pregnancy?

This is because during pregnancy, the ligaments in the body become soft and stretch to prepare for labour. However, this can put a strain on the joints of the pelvic and low back, which can cause low back pain. Besides, as the baby grow bigger in mother’s belly, the mother’s back will become more curve, which press on disc, joint and nerve, and eventually leads to pain.

How Chiropractic Helps?

Chiropractic care especially the Webster technique helps to realign the pelvic bone by correcting the subluxation/ misalignment of the bone and work on the pelvic muscles and ligaments. This helps to
(5,6)
:

Restore the pelvic alignment

Reduce tension around the pelvic muscles and ligament

Allow a nice and comfortable space for baby to grow in the belly

Improved space for fetus movement with pelvic alignment restoration

What Is Webster Technique?
(6)

The webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that helps to balance the pelvic bones, muscle, and ligament, restore the nervous system of the mother, and to optimize their pelvic function throughout the whole pregnancy and birth.

Is Chiropractic Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes! Chiropractic care is safe throughout every stage of pregnancy. According to studies, chiropractic treatment may be considered safe and effective to treat musculoskeletal symptoms that affect pregnant mothers
(7)
! Chiropractic adjustments on pregnant mothers differ from standard chiropractic adjustments in that they are more specific, less forceful, and gentler due to the looser ligaments during pregnancy and there will be more cushion to support the belly during the treatment.

References:

Development P. Pregnancy Stages: Trimesters [Internet]. SheCares. 2021 [cited 8 July 2021]. Available from:
https://www.shecares.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-stages-trimesters

Second trimester pains: Causes, symptoms, and treatment [Internet]. Medicalnewstoday.com. 2021 [cited 8 July 2021]. Available from:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323799#when-to-see-a-doctor

Headaches during pregnancy [Internet]. Pregnancybirthbaby.org.au. 2022 [cited 7 March 2022]. Available from:
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/headaches-during-pregnancy

Bernard M, Tuchin P. Chiropractic Management of Pregnancy-Related Lumbopelvic Pain: A Case Study. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2016;15(2):129-133.

Chiropractor While Pregnant: Benefits [Internet]. Healthline. 2022 [cited 3 June 2022]. Available from:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/chiropractor-while-pregnant#How-can-chiropractic-care-help-during-pregnancy?

About the Webster Technique [Internet]. Icpa4kids.com. 2022 [cited 3 June 2022]. Available from:
https://icpa4kids.com/training/webster-certification/webster-technique/

Borggren C. Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2007;6(2):70-74.

This article is written by  Webster Certified Chiropractor – Dr Michelle Fong of
TAGS Chiropractic & Rehabilitation.

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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We all want to raise a resilient child – tough and able to persevere even after facing constant failure. “But what if my child doesn’t have it in him?” you may ask. “What if he’s just not that way?” Have you ever wondered about environmental influences on personality? The answer may come as a surprise to some parents.

Being resilient is like being a rubber band.
1
 A rubber band is flexible. It can stretch well beyond its size, but afterwards it will return to its original shape. These are the qualities that we want our children to have: to be able to bounce back after any challenges or hardship, to be adaptable to change.

There is another interesting thing about our rubber band metaphor. Rubber in its original state isn’t flexible at all. It becomes the stretchy rubber band we know through a process called vulcanisation. The lesson? Children aren’t resilient from birth. It is something that can be taught and nurtured.

Environmental influences on personality

Parents have an important role in helping to
build resilience for their children
. Plenty of research on the effects of environmental influences on child personality, shows that who they are – or will be – isn’t defined from birth. It is their experiences growing up in their environment that plays a big part in shaping them into resilient individuals. And parents play a huge role in shaping this environment.

It’s more than just nature vs nurture. Part of raising a resilient child is understanding how different environments play a critical role in your children’s life. His family life, his school, even your community all play a role.

Research has found that a child’s environment has long-term effects on his or her development, especially in the child’s first three years.
2
 Providing a positive environment can lead to behaviours like self-reliance and adaptability. A negative environment has been linked to poor language development, behavioural problems, as well as aggression, anxiety and depression. In the long term, this impacts their education and employment outlook as adults.

Here’s How Environment Influences Child Personality:

Family Environment

How does family environment and background affect child development? The fact is family environment is one of the most important parts of a child’s development. The bond your children create with you, your spouse and their siblings builds the foundation of their personality. Through a positive family environment, children can develop a sense of secure attachment, which in turn leads to becoming confident explorers, ready to venture into the world on their own. And this is an important characteristic of
resilient
 children.

How to shape your family environment to raise resilient kids:

Play with your children often and enjoy fun, regular activities as a family. It can be as simple as playing outdoors every morning. Or it can be about taking up sports together, or biking together. Even just talking to them will show that their ideas and interests are important to you – and that they are important. A stable and loving relationship with your children will show them that they are valued.

Throughout adversities big and small, teach your children that together you can solve any problem. When a family bands together, they are able to overcome any challenges that come their way. So resilient families, in turn, develop resilient children.
3

It is this foundation of security and love that allows children to develop daringness. Knowing that failure is an option and that they have a loving family behind them, no matter what, helps them become daring and courageous.

Home Environment

A happy home creates happy children. It’s actually one of  environmental influences on child personality. It may sound simple, but the details you need to be aware of are many. The home environment should be someplace bright, with lots of room and filled with happiness. Also, open spaces have been found to promote physical health. Better yet, incorporate outdoor play, or play in the garden or back yard, in your child’s daily routine. It all comes together to create a safe space where your children can learn and experiment. Your home is key to developing resilience in your children.

How to build resilience at home:

The important thing for children is for them to know what is to be expected of them. Set rules and family routines around the house – proper meal times, bedtime, etc, and explain to your children the reasoning behind those rules.
4
 When children realise that there are consequences to their actions, they will learn self-discipline – a major component to learning how to be resilient. Growing up in this environment teaches them to be
self-reliant
as they know to act responsibly even when we as parents are not around.
5
 They become comfortable to make their own decisions through life, as they understand how their decisions will impact how other people feel.

Outdoor Environment

Mother nature can play a big role in teaching your child resilience. It’s an alternative way for your kids to face challenges head-on without intentionally causing hurt. There are plenty of great hiking trails in Malaysia that the whole family can go together. Check out this list of
50 hiking trails
 you can conquer from around the country.

How to build resilience in the great outdoors:

Climbing over obstacles on their own, facing their fears like crossing a tall bridge, or even not giving up the long trek even through fatigue – these are lessons nature can teach children in building resilience. They learn to push through tired legs and hungry tummies knowing that this is only temporary. And when they tackle these challenges, they will also feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that they did it all on their own and ultimately teaching them perseverance.

Learning Environment

Many schools have found that resilience is the key to student success. Great teachers promote resilience
6
 in their students through positive teacher-student relationships, teaching social and emotional skills, building upon their student’s strengths and helping them find meaning and a goal to work towards.

While finding the right school is important, your home should likewise be a positive learning hub for your children. The home is also the first place your child will learn to develop the attitude, trust and skills to help them learn and engage with the world.

How to create a learning environment that teaches resilience:

Help your child enjoy the process of learning. Praise them for their efforts more than their achievements, create opportunities for them to learn and explore their interests, and encourage them to share their opinions.

Speak to them often to develop their literacy. Read to them, read with them, and have them read to you. You could also sign them for courses like music, martial arts and the arts.

As they begin to explore new interests, there will be times when they hit a stumbling block, finding it hard to carry on. Encourage your kids to keep trying or attempt different ways to make it work. This is how they will learn
perseverance
. They will learn to have the tenacity and grit to keep trying and get better at their chosen interests.

Community

Does your neighbourhood have a playground, library or community centre? More than any smart device, these places in your community can be key in nurturing your children’s resilience and becomes one of environmental influences on child personality. A park or playground gives your children the chance to play and interact with their peers. And it also gives them the chance to learn how to build relationships.

How your community can teach your child resilience:

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and every parent knows this is true. So bring your child to the park or the playground, and let them make friends there. Get to know your neighbours. Take the kids to the library, or the museum. What’s more, let them build a life outside of the walls of your home. After all, this is the world that, one day, your child will navigate on their own. And with your guidance, they will be able to go into this world, unafraid, with the strength of their resilience, and with joy. Your kids will learn
adaptability
, wholeheartedly embracing changes in their environment and getting out of their comfort zones.

For more on raising resilient children, visit
www.aptagro.com.my
.

Citations:

1
https://www.solutionsforresilience.com/resilience-is/

2
https://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/sites/all/files/databooks/TUCI_Data_Book_VII_2012.05_family.pdf

3
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1009&context=jfs

4

https://www.apa.org/topics/parenting/resilience-tip-tool

5
https://www.stress.org/building-resilience-in-kids

6
https://thehighlyeffectiveteacher.com/how-to-promote-resilience-in-your-students/

Sources:

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/5-environmental-factors-influencing-early-childhood-development/

https://www.myvmc.com/lifestyles/parenting-the-social-environment-and-its-effects-on-child-development/

https://resources.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/early-learning-and-childcare/childcare-practice/personal-development-behaviour-and-welfare/home-learning-environment/a-good-home-learning-environment

Read more:

The importance of family togetherness and how to create it

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New LEGO® Botanical Collection Sets Provide Perfect Perennial Project for Adults Looking to Unwind

The LEGO Group announces two stunning new additions to its Botanical Collection; a LEGO® Orchid and a LEGO® Succulents selection.

Perfect as a thoughtful gift for a plant lover or for adding the finishing interior design touches, the new sets are designed to provide an immersive building experience for adults that lets creativity bloom.

With 73% of adults saying they often research new ways to destress
 and over 72% saying play helps them relax
, the new sets could provide a fabulous floral project for those looking to get creative while finding moments of mindfulness in their day.

LEGO Orchid (10311)

Recreate the show-stopping blooms of a flowering orchid with this blossoming build. This new set features six large flowers and two newly opened flowers which can be customised to create a flawless arrangement for any space, without the worry about how often to water it.

A LEGO-built blue fluted vase and bark mix made from LEGO elements complete this beautiful display of pink and white blooms which can be customised and rebuilt time and time again as the builder finds a moment of balance and harmony for them and their décor.

“The design of this set was inspired by a real Orchid we had in the office throughout the design process, so we could see how the flower changed through the seasons,” said Michael Psiaki, Lead Designer at the LEGO Group.” A challenge with this set was creating a cylindrical pot from LEGO elements that would be fun to build but also beautiful to look at.”

LEGO Succulents (10309)

The LEGO Succulents set is the gift that keeps on giving with nine individual succulents in their own containers. The separate plants and cacti can be built and connected together artistically or displayed individually and rearranged depending on the season or the décor with this ultimate low-maintenance display.

The Succulents set comes with three separate building instructions so friends and family can unwind together as they enjoy building the flora.

“They say having succulents in a room helps you focus, and we hope this set gives the same feeling,” says Anderson Ward Grubb, Senior Designer at The LEGO Group. “We wanted to create a set that offers a relaxing and mindful building experience to help adults switch off from their busy lives and to most importantly re-focus on something they enjoy.”

The LEGO Orchid (10311) set and the LEGO Succulents set (10309) will be launched just in time for Mother’s Day on May 1
st
 at LEGO Certified Stores, LEGO Official Store on Lazada and Shopee, LEGOLAND, as well as major retailers and department stores in Malaysia, priced at RM 219.90.

To find out more about the new LEGO Botanical Building Sets, visit
LEGO Malaysia website
 and
LEGO Malaysia Facebook page
.

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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Running Out of Food Recipes? Check out these 12 Easy Ideas on YouTube!

Home-cooked meals are the best option during these times. With takeout or delivery, we’re never really sure if its completely safe during these unpredictable days. However, having to think of food recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire family can be a pain.

Thankfully, because our internet has been our main source of entertainment these days, we’ve found easy-to-follow kid-friendly recipes for all three mealtimes, including snack time for the little ones! Check them out.

Rise and shine it’s breakfast time

It’s the most important meal of the day they say. While some studies suggest that skipping breakfast is not a glaring issue, eating breakfast is crucial for your kids as it provides them with energy and nutrients they need for the day.

1. Banana Bread Toast

Craving for some banana bread but too lazy to go through all THAT hassle? This is the next best option to get a little bread and banana in.

2. French Toast with Cheese

Up your toast game with this easy french toast recipe. Honestly, cheese is everything to a meal at times.

3. Korean Egg Roll

If you have some extra time in the morning, turn your omelette into an egg roll! Tip: Use a non-stick pan so it’s easier to roll up your egg.

It’s time for lunch

Meal two gets a little heavier. It’s when your family is most hungry –  it also gives that extra dose of energy, as well as nutrients we need to get our body and mind working throughout the afternoon. The general rule is that, lunch should be three or four hours after breakfast to keep your blood glucose levels steady and to manage your hunger.

1. Chicken Teriyaki

Slightly sweet, yet, savoury, this teriyaki recipe is a seemingly quick to prepare. Just add a side of steamed veggies and you’re all set for the family. If you want to get in more nutrient content, use brown rice instead of white rice!

2. One Pot Pasta

Remember the craze of one pot pasta? Let’s bring it back because washing the load of dishes is a pain after meals. Here are eight one pot pasta ideas in six minutes!

3. Crispy Salted Egg Yolk Chicken

This recipe is so delicious and it’s just like the ones you eat at restaurants!  The prep might be a little time consuming but if you have time to prepare early, it’s worth the effort.

Yay! Snacktime

Generally, kids need more calories than adults. This is because they are more physically active and their bodies are still developing. However, try to avoid giving them packaged or processed food as these have low nutritional value and can actually make them hungrier! Try these instead.

1. Smiley Potatoes

Put a smile on their faces with these adorable potato smileys! It’s an easy recipe to follow.

2. Pizza Pockets

Pizza without making your own dough? Yes, please! This recipe uses bread that is stuffed with a filling. This can also be customised according to what you have in your pantry.

3. Crunchy Egg Fingers

Finger food is always a winner with the kids. Here’s a unique one that turns steamed egg into fritters!

What’s for dinner?

Ideally, dinner should be three of four hours after lunch and two hours before bedtime to ensure the calories gained are used up. Also, dinner is a great time to get the whole family together to reflect on your day.

1. Chilli Garlic Noodles

If you’re sick of having rice, opt for noodles – it’s a great alternative for when you don’t want to cook a full meal with rice.
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2. Masala Butter Chicken

This is a super delicious recipe and it’s not as complicated as it looks – it’s quite filling as well and a good alternative to the usual milky butter chicken.

3. Garlic Butter Pasta

Pasta – it’s a family favourite and a good breakaway from rice. Give your family that variety and try this one out – it’s not that hard, we promise!

With that being said, happy cooking!

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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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5 Awesome Deals You MUST Check Out At The Tesco Baby Fair 2020

New parents, here’s a tip from all experienced parents: Wait for baby fairs to do your shopping. Thankfully, the Tesco Baby Fair is coming up soon and there are some must-buy deals to look out for.

Before you go for the Tesco Baby Fair, here are some expert tips.

Firstly, make space in your house to stock up on diapers, formula milk, wet wipes, baby laundry detergent and other baby hygiene products.

Secondly, make sure to save up your money so you can buy all these products at the baby fair in order to enjoy the best deals. (Psst… You can also get your grocery shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables done while at the baby fair!)

So, here are 5 super awesome deals to catch at the Tesco Baby Fair 2020:

1. Get a Free Nestle Mummy Bag

When you purchase RM50 and above worth of Nestle Lactokid, Lactogrow, Nankid or Cerelac, you will receive a free Nestle mummy bag. This deal is only from 30 Jan till 12 Feb 2020, so don’t miss out! This mummy bag is perfect for storing milk powder, diapers, wet wipes or any baby things for you to take on the go.

2. Get your diapers for only RM26.99 per pack!*

Is it time to stock up on diapers again? At RM26.99 per pack, it sure is! Fred & Flo deals are irresistible this time round with diapers selling for only RM26.99 per pack for its M sizes all the way up to XXL sizes, applicable for both tape and pants diapers.

3. Get 2 packets of 80s Wet Wipes for only RM8.99

Every mummy will know that wet wipes are an absolute essential when it comes to babies and toddlers. So it is no surprise that this Tesco Baby Fair is also offering great deals for wet wipes. The Fred & Flo 80 pack gentle and fragrance free wet wipes are now going for RM8.99 for two packets. (We always keep at least 20 packets at home just in case, right?)

4. Baby hygiene products are going for SUPER cheap

Get your baby oil, powder and lotion by Fred & Flo for only RM7.88 per bottle from 6-12 Feb 2020. Also on offer are the head to toe wash in 480ml (RM7.88 per unit) and toddler yogurt wash in one litre bottles (RM9.99 per unit). This is a great deal considering these are everyday products! You could even stock up for half a year or more since the best before dates are very far away. See, this is why you need to free up as much space at home as possible!

5. Stock up on baby cleaning products

Tesco’s in-house brand Fred & Flo is also offering baby cleaning products, like liquid cleanser (for baby bottles) and laundry detergent for only RM7.88 per unit. As parents, we know how important it is to keep our baby’s bottles and clothes clean, and we also know how much washing is involved in our everyday chores! So be sure to take advantage of this great deal.

6. Enjoy discounts on milk powder

We all know how expensive milk powder can be, so parents, it’s always a good time to consider buying milk powder during baby fairs. Here’s what you can look forward to at the Tesco Baby Fair:

– Get RM15 off when you buy two boxes of S-26 Standard Promise or Standard Progress (1.8kg)

– Get RM10 off when you buy two tins of Pediasure OHT Vanilla (1.6kg)

– Get RM10 off when you purchase two tins of Similac Gold Gain Plus or Kid (1.8kg)

– Get RM20 off when you purchase two containers of Friso Gold Step 3 or 4 (1.2kg)

– Get RM20 off when you buy two tins of Enfagrow A+ 360DHA Complex S3/S4/S5 (1.7kg)

So, have you started making your Tesco Baby Fair 2020 wishlist yet?

Join the #TescoBabyFairDreamyBabies contest

Sample image of a baby sleeping in a creative flat lay image. Shoot a creative image like this with a Tesco house brand product to be in the running to win amazing prizes.

Wait, don’t go just yet. We have one more exciting piece of news for you. In conjunction with the Tesco Baby Fair 2020, they are also running a contest to win Tesco vouchers worth up to RM20,000!

All you have to do is take a creative photo using simple props such as household items, soft toys, baby apparel, and colourful blankets, using at least ONE Tesco brand product. Post the photo up on Tesco’s Facebook post and you will be in the running to win cash vouchers!

Full contest rules:

Step 1: Love flatlays? It’s time to flat lay your baby by creating a creative fantasy setting with props and snap a picture of your child asleep! It is mandatory to have at least ONE Tesco brand item in the image. Share your photo with a short description of the fairytale setting in the comment section of Tesco’s Facebook post.

Step 2: Nominate 3 BFF mums to participate in this challenge by tagging them in the comment section.

Step 3: Share the contest post with the hashtag #TescoBabyFairDreamyBabies and ensure that the post is set to public.

【Prizes: Tesco Cash Vouchers】

ONE (1) Grand prize: RM3,000

ONE (1) Second prize: RM2,000

ONE (1) Third prize: RM1,000

THIRTY FIVE (35) Consolation prizes: RM400

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The all-new list of best fertility foods for women and men

Different cultures have always had different filters for
what to eat to conceive, as well as what you should avoid
. Science has backed (or rejected) many of these claims over the years. But the list is constantly evolving. Now, a new review in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology by Harvard University has revealed
the ultimate fertility diet for women and men!
We also tell you about three foods to avoid until your bundle of joy has been delivered.

What To Eat To Conceive: The Top 5 Contenders

1. Food Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, like Salmon

Image source: stock photo

It’s common knowledge that omega-3 fatty acids can improve brain function, but did you know that they are also good for pregnancy? Omega-3 fatty acids:

increase blood flow to reproductive organs for men and women

boost cervical mucus production, assist in the regulation of body hormones and encourage ovulation

are critical in maintaining sperm cell viability, like DHA

can also be found in eggs, DHA fortified foods and supplements if you’re not a salmon fan

Lyssie Lakatos and Tammy Lakatos Shames of the Nutrition Twins also added that DHA is great for prenatal care and proven to be vital for infant brain and eye development.

2. Dark, Leafy Greens

Image source: stock photo

Dark leafy greens like spinach (or lettuce, swiss chard and arugula) are known to be high in different nutrients which are beneficial for fertility. These include:

folate, which increases the rate and reliability of ovulation

minerals like calcium and iron, which are needed for prenatal care, such as preventing brain and spine defects in the initial few weeks of pregnancy

folic acid, which improves the efficiency of cell division and copying DNA — necessary for a healthy pregnancy!

chlorophyll, which heightens blood flow and natural libido in women

3. Whole Grains

Image source: stock photo

Whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and barley all have key nutrients needed for successful conception, such as:

B Vitamins:
 B9 and B12 are absolutely necessary for pregnancy; studies show inadequate B12 consumption is associated with infertility

Fibre:
 which helps remove excessive estrogen and stabilise blood sugar levels

Antioxidants:
  protect cells (like the egg), and organs that make reproductive hormones, from free radical damage

4. Beans

Image source: stock photo

Can the humble bean help with making your bundle of joy? Science says so!

Beans pack a lot of folate, fibre and are a good source of protein, making them a good food for conceiving.

Research from the Harvard School of Public Health observed 17,500 female nurses who had no prior difficulties in conceiving attempting to become pregnant. They discovered that:

Women who ate the most animal proteins were 39 percent less likely to conceive, whereas those who ingested proteins from plants (like beans) had less issues in getting pregnant.

Beans are chock-full of iron which is crucially needed in order to prevent anemia while trying to get pregnant.

5. Dark Chocolate

Image source: Stock photos

Surprisingly, even dark chocolate helps! Tammy of the Nutrition Twins says dark chocolate “is important for blood flow and is great for fertility.” So, dads-to-be, do take note. Scientists have discovered that dark chocolate:

consumption can boost your semen quality

is comprised of L-arginine, an amino acid that can raise sperm count, sperm motility and semen volume

has a lot of antioxidants, which:

counter free radicals from pollution and toxins (connected to male infertility)

improve heart health

can also found in blueberries and citrus fruits.

Some Food, However, Should be Avoided like the Plague…

1. No Soy (For Men Only)

Image source: stock photo

Soy-based food can aid women with infertility due to their slight estrogenic effects, but the reverse is true for males: soy-based foods can harm male fertility.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School investigated the effect of eating soy foods in 99 men at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Clinic for three months.

Their study unearthed that those who devoured the most soy-based foods possessed 41 million sperm per millilitre fewer than those who consumed did not.

Obstetrician Neils Lauersen
 also agrees, explaining that “the average man is unlikely to be affected by soy foods in their diet. However, soy foods can overturn the estrogen/testosterone balance in men whose sperm count is below average. This can lead to a further reduction of sperm count.”

2. Best to Leave Fried Indulgences Alone

Image source: stock photo

Yes, fried food is delicious. But in addition to blocking arteries and causing heart attacks, they can impede pregnancy in various ways, too:

Fried food reduces blood from going to reproductive organs, which may damage fertility.

Trans fats from fried food influences the likelihood of infertility. Scientists at Harvard University studied 18,000 women. They found that women who gained an extra two percent of calories from trans fats risked boosting their infertility by 73 percent.

Remember mums, as Lyssie from the Nutrition Twins observes, “You’re making preparations for your body to house the healthiest place for your baby to grow. Ideally you should be eating foods full of vitamins and minerals.”
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3. Soda Is on the Blacklist

Image source: stock photo

Numerous studies have found the negative relationship between drinking soda and conception:

One paper from Boston University School of Public Health discovered that women who had at least one full-sugar soda a day was associated with a reduction in chances of getting pregnant, regardless of who drank it.  Women saw a 25 percent decrease in fertility while men saw a 33 percent decrease.

Elizabeth Hatch, professor of epidemiology and lead author of the study, confirmed the validity of these results, saying that their results “were consistent many factors, such as obesity, caffeine intake, alcohol, smoking, and overall diet quality, were controlled.”

A Gourmet Recipe that TAP Recommends!

Perhaps you are wracking your brains for your next dinner plan now that you know what to eat to conceive. Why not try this salmon salad recipe packed with folates and antioxidants which
we  recommended previously
? You can even have some fun with hubby in the kitchen!

Green Apple Salad with Salmon and Citrus Dressing (Serves Four)

Ingredients

2 green apples, cored and diced

200g red onionm diced

50g low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise

Sea salt and crushed pepper, to taste

4 walnuts, roasted and crushed

4 fresh salmon fillets (80g each), skinned and sliced

200g mixed green salad

Citrus dressing

120ml fresh orange juice

50ml lemon juice

100ml olive oil

Sea salt and crushed pepper, to taste

1 fresh orange, segmented

How to make it

1. Mix the apples, onion, mayonnaise and seasoning in a large bowl, then set aside to chill in the fridge.

2. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Bake in preheated oven for 10 mins at 70°C, then leave to cool.

3. Whisk the citrus dressing ingredients together in a large bowl until smooth.

4. Place salad on the centre of the plate and gently lay the salmon on top.

5. Garnish with mixed greens, orange segments and walnuts. Drizzle the citrus dressing over.

We at
theAsianparent
 hope this article on what to eat to conceive has been helpful in allowing you to plan your diet better throughout this wonderful journey. Share your results if you’ve tried the recipe above!

References:

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Friso Gold® TrackEasy Is Malaysia’s First Smart Packaging For Milk

Parents, you will be relieved to know that from now on, you can easily track the origins of your child’s milk from its source, all the way to when you buy it off a supermarket shelf. How? With Friso Gold® TrackEasy Milk Traceability System — a new feature introduced in its new smart packaging unveiled in June 2020.

Comprising milk powders catered for the motherhood journey – Frisomum Gold (pregnancy) and Friso Gold® Step 3 & 4 (growing up children) – Friso Gold and its TrackEasy app builds upon FrieslandCampina’s 140-year Dutch dairy expertise and the fact that it fully owns and controls the entire milk production process.

So, parents, you will not have to wonder anymore, if your milk is manufactured in an Asian country or if it comes directly imported from the source country.

With a QR code printed on each tin, parents can scan this to reveal in-depth information via the Friso Gold® app.

Parents will be able to see the real-time journey of the milk from the company’s dairy farming dates, milk collection dates, production process, quality auditing, packaging, and export dates, allowing them to make more well-informed decisions about their child’s milk. Check out this video to understand it better.

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Malaysia (DLMI) Managing Director Tarang Gupta revealed that parents today always research extensively on the milk brands that they plan to give to their children.

“According to a recent survey conducted by theAsianparent amongst 400 mums in Malaysia, 99% of respondents said they will trust a brand more if its products are of a good quality and have passed stringent quality control processes.

From this survey, quality is a key criteria for brand choice and Friso Gold® are giving parents the ability to see for themselves the journey behind our products,” he said.

Tarang added that the TrackEasy QR code allows parents to trace the full journey of the Friso Gold® product from our farms in the Netherlands and be assured of the authenticity, safety and quality of Friso Gold®, emphasising the importance of food security.

“This gives assurance to all our mothers of how this product was made, with the best and highest quality.”

“At Friso Gold®, we are able to provide this unique experience because we own over 11,000 farms and have full control over the single manufacturing process from grass to glass,” said Claire Daphne Dominic, Marketing Manager, Friso Gold® Malaysia.

Together with the launch of Friso Gold® TrackEasy, FrieslandCampina and DLMI are organising the first-ever search for the Top 50 Friso Gold® TrackEasy Mombassadors, a contest that will select 50 lucky mothers who stand to win RM5,000 in cash and 6 units of Friso Gold® products.

To stand a chance to become one of the Mombassadors, all you have to do is:

Purchase a Friso Gold® product with the new TrackEasy feature from any of these stores.

Snap a photo or record a video of yourself with the Friso Gold® TrackEasy on Instagram or Facebook.

Make sure your post is set to public.

Caption your experience using TrackEasy and why you would recommend it to other mothers.

Don’t forget to hashtag #FrisoGoldMombassador and tag @frisogoldMY

Contest ends on 16 August, so be sure to submit your entries by then!

To find out more about this contest, click
here
.

For a free sample of Friso Gold®, click
here
.

#FrisoGoldTrackEasy #FrisoGoldMombassador

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Redeem Rewards & Exclusive Gifts at Sunway Pyramid’s Blessed Christmas

It’s that time of year again where lights are strung and tall, beautifully decorated Christmas trees are out for display.

As many preps for Christmas 2020 festivities with their families, now is the right time to shop for gifts (if you have not already) as many retailers are out with their own special festive gift boxes.

If you are a Sunway Pyramid shopper, you are in for a treat as their ‘Blessed Christmas’ campaign will celebrate shoppers with exclusive festive offerings in the spirit of giving back!

Have yourself a ‘Blessed Christmas’ with Sunway Pyramid

From now until 31 December 2020, Sunway Pyramid shoppers can experience a merry time with festive rewards to be redeemed, attractive Christmas deals and gift sets. There will be various rewards including:

Redeem a Sunway Malls Special Edition Fabric Mask when you spend RM250 in a maximum of two receipts

Receive two sets of Sunway Malls Special Edition Fabric Mask and a Claire Organics Gift Set worth RM100, when spending RM750 in a maximum of two receipts

To spread more Christmas 2020 cheer, Sunway Pyramid’s LG2 Blue Concourse will be decked out beautifully as a Christmas tower takes centre stage, decorated with toy store windows and silhouettes of gifts, plus ornaments in festive colours.

Meanwhile, festive street lights will greet shoppers along the main Sunway City driveways until the main entrance of Sunway Pyramid.

Santa will be granting wishes to three lucky shoppers

Shoppers will received an extra treat as well as Santa Claus himself will be granting wishes to three lucky shoppers. There will be a virtual Santa booth from 2 December 2020 where you can watch a video from Santa Claus himself.

At the end of the video, shoppers will be presented with a QR code which is linked to the Sunway Pyramid website – just fill up your details and state one wish for Christmas this year. Selected lucky winners will have their wish fulfilled by Santa and Sunway Pyramid at the end of the campaign period!

Give back this Christmas at Sunway Pyramid’s blood donation drive

Sunway Pyramid is taking their ‘Blessed Christmas’ a step further in light of the spirit of giving with a blood donation drive. They will be working with various hospitals and medical facilities to provide a safe venue to donate blood with the target of 5000 donations across Sunway Malls.

With the simple act of giving blood, you can make a difference with your contribution by saving a life in the season of giving!

“Christmas is always a time of reflection and coming together of family, friends and loved ones.

“We often wish our loved ones ‘Season’s Greetings’, this year, we’re approaching the season differently, through a ‘Blessed Christmas’ by showing care to our loved ones. In what has been a challenging year for all, we hope the season of giving will spark some joy, encourage togetherness and gratitude as we prepare to head into the new year,” said Sunway Malls’ General Manager of Operations Jason Chin.

Shop smart at Sunway Pyramid

To make your festive shopping easier, shoppers can download Sunway Pyramid’s Mobile App’s latest ‘Plan Your Route’ feature. All you need to do is select the desired stores of visit and the app will plan the quickest route between the stores to save time spent in the mall!

Shoppers can take their pick from brands such as TRT, Pandora, Tous, Marks & Spencer, Sports Direct, Uniqlo, Topshop, Adidas, JD Sports and Christy Ng.

For those looking for beauty gifts,  YSL, Sephora, L’occitane, Estée Lauder, Bath & Body Works, Jo Malone have their very own exclusive offers, while other gifts can be found at Machines, LEGO, Toys ‘R’ Us, Kaison, Hooga, Harvey Norman, Oris, Tissot and more.

Spread the Christmas cheer safely this year

Worried about safety? Fret not, Sunway Malls has implemented various precautions to keep areas sanitised, disinfected and clean for public use.

“Those who visit us for Christmas shopping can be assured that we have been enforcing SOPs strictly.  Our appointed officers will still be going around the mall to ensure those visiting us go through temperature scans, wear a face mask and practice physical distancing. All these efforts are in place to ensure our shoppers can shop with peace of mind,” said Jason.

For tips, deals, recommendations and curated gift guides, stay tuned to Sunway Pyramid’s social media platforms and official website at
https://www.sunwaypyramid.com/blessed-christmas
.

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