I Want To Be A Preschool Teacher!

What to expect when you’re expecting… to be an Early Childhood Educator.

As a child begins to grow, an explosion of activity happens within the first five years of their life. During these early years, children’s brains develop faster than any other point in their life. Thus, it’s important for them to receive adequate early childhood education as it is critical for their growth.

Are you looking to be part of a child’s growth and have direct influence on them but don’t know how? If you absolutely love children and want to actively be part in their learning process and their future, you should definitely consider becoming a qualified Early Childhood Educator.

What is Early Childhood Education?

Early Childhood Education refers to education for infants, toddlers, and young children.

It focuses on developing children’s cognitive and learning skills, motor skills such as balance, and social-emotional growth. In general, Early Childhood Education are made up of:

Infant or Baby:
 0 to 1 years

Toddler:
 1 to 2 years

Pre-school:
 3 to 4 years

Kindergarten:
 5 to 6 years

These early years of a child’s life are extremely crucial. Many studies have also shown that children with a solid foundation in Early Childhood Education have increased IQ and test scores. It also helps little ones prepare and adapt for school and beyond!

What Do I Need To Become An Early Childhood Educator?

As of 2020, the Malaysian Ministry of Education has made it mandatory that all preschool teachers must possess a minimum qualification of a diploma in early childhood education. This shows that early childhood education is rapidly gaining importance amongst Malaysians

A degree or a diploma in Early Childhood Education is usually 2 to 3 years long and once completed, the certificate can be used to start working immediately. In addition, candidates need to attend the Kursus Asuhan dan Didikan Awal Kanak-Kanak PERMATA if candidates wish to work with infants and toddlers. Make sure to always get your diploma or degree in ECCE from an institution accredited by the National Accreditation Board (LAN) and is approved by the Ministry of Higher Education.

A list of institutions that offer Early Childhood Education courses can be found
here
 and the Kursus Asuhan dan Didikan Awal Kanak-Kanak PERMATA can be completed online. For more information on the PERMATA course, click
here
.

An Early Childhood Education course will help candidates develop core knowledge on a child’s growth, learning styles and behaviour. Candidates will also learn various teaching styles and approaches and strategies to engage with children, such as play-based learning.

What Can I Really Expect as An Early Childhood Educator?

Of course, educating little children and toddlers feels rewarding but what should you really expect when you venture down this path?

You’re not going to get paid a lot.

Payscale.com
 reports that Preschool Teachers (but not Special Education) earns an average of RM17,849 annually which equals to an average of RM1,400 per month. Considering the living costs and expenses these days in Malaysia, that’s not a lot. It’s just enough to get by. Although in the future, it seems that maybe these numbers are going to increase but not exponentially as early childhood education gets more attention from parents. In the meantime, if a candidate chooses to venture down this path, you’re going to have to really love this job because it’s never going to be about the money.

Everyday is going to be physically demanding.

Toddlers and children are filled to the brim with energy. You’re going to have to bend down and up again several hundred times per week and carrying toddlers isn’t going to be good for you pelvic structure. Being a preschool teacher is a very physical demanding job and you’re going to want to take care of your health. Remember to regularly exercise, get a good night’s sleep, and eat healthy. Also don’t forget to utilise your leaves if you ever feel burnt out.

Every school isn’t the same.

When you’re not working for the money, it’s important to assess your own beliefs. Prior to applying as an educator at a preschool, study it’s environment and philosophy. Does it align with your teaching philosophy? Does the school appeal to you as a teacher? Are you going to be happy there? You’re going to want to make sure that you’re happy and content teaching at the school because money isn’t the main reason you signed up for this, it’s the rewarding feeling of seeing children grow up that is. Make sure to study various kinds of teaching and learning styles, philosophies and have your own opinion on early childhood education. This will greatly ease your search for the perfect school.

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123
.

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Anlene Reunites with Malaysian-born Hollywood Superstar Michelle Yeoh for #MoveWithNoLimits Campaign

International movie icon and long-time Anlene supporter, Michelle Yeoh, is back with an Anlene campaign after over a decade. Yeoh is set to take up her role as a brand ambassador for Anlene’s #MoveWithNoLimits campaign, to encourage more Malaysians to overcome both physical and mental limitations by staying active. The campaign also focuses on how each of us can make important contributions to our own lives and communities, even during the different stages of our lives.

Weak, sick, immobile, and depressed, are often the general perceptions of older people. The vicious cycle of these stereotypes is worsened by the elderly mindset of being incapable to achieve any life goals due to the preconceived ideas of aging, which equals becoming weaker and less productive.

To battle this stereotype, Anlene invites Malaysians to join its #MoveWithNoLimits campaign, to learn about how we can move more with better flexibility and energy, and to be the best version of ourselves, even as we get older.

Growing Older Not a Hurdle to Michelle Yeoh

At the heart of the campaign is the Malaysian-born actress Hollywood star, Michelle Yeoh. Her stellar career is showing no sign of slowing down, as she recently received a Gotham Award nomination for her lead role in the critically acclaimed ‘
Everything Everywhere All At Once’.

Her performance speaks for her talent, as she stands among the front-runners for the upcoming Oscars. At 60, she continues to push boundaries and is nowhere close to slowing down, as she continues to defy
the stereotypes that older people are restricted in mobility and cannot make significant milestones in their lives.

“I

first drank Anlene fifteen years ago and chose to join hands with the brand in 2008 because their philosophy struck a chord with me. They believe in enabling you to be stronger than your age, allowing you to continue moving freely and live a healthy life as you age. On that note, I too want to continue bringing good to the lives of others through Anlene,” said Yeoh.

Let’s Care for our Bones, Muscles, and Joints

From a nutritional standpoint, taking a balanced diet by including nutrients such as calcium, protein, collagen, and minerals, is one of the key factors to staying active and mobile. Mobility among Malaysians are also at risk, as previous Anlene Mobility Check roadshow bone scan results found that
7 out of 10 Malaysian adults  may be susceptible to poor bone health.
 Therefore, it is vital for individuals to consume the important nutrients sufficiently, together with regular exercise,  in a bid to maintain optimal bone health.

“As you continue to age your bones begin to lose calcium gradually. For older adults, increasing calcium is necessary because the gut tends to absorb less calcium as one ages. Additionally, having sufficient protein intake is important to help preserve muscle mass and strength to maintain a certain quality of life. The amount of collagen in your body decreases with age. Collagen is found in our body including skin and joints”, said Liew Yen Lee, the Assistant Nutrition Manager of Fonterra Brands Malaysia.

Anlene Gold 5X™ is scientifically formulated  with high calcium, high protein, collagen, 13 vitamins and minerals, with no added sugar, to support our active lifestyle and daily nutrition needs. It also contains MFGM Active™.

In addition, study shows people who consumed two glasses of milk added with MFGM and important nutrients daily along with regular exercise, experience double the improvement in flexibility, three times improvement in balance and 40% greater improvement in muscle mass, as compared to the control group.

“At Anlene, we want to empower Malaysians by taking charge of their lives and their bone, joint and muscle health, ensuring our mobility does not limit how we spend our days ahead. As the number one adult milk brand across Southeast Asia, we believe good nutrition and an active lifestyle lays the foundation to build and maintain strong bones, joints and muscles for productive aging. Our Anlene products and #MoveWithNoLimits campaign encourages Malaysians to step out and to move more with better flexibility, to improve overall well-being. This also helps bridge the gap between our younger, fitter, stronger self, and who we are today,” said Marketing Director of Fonterra Brands Malaysia, Irene Cheah.

As part of the campaign, Anlene will be activating nationwide roadshows to encourage Malaysians to be more mobile while taking care of their bone health. The first activation will be held from 25th – 27th November in Vivacity Megamall
, Kuching, Sarawa
k
. These roadshows will also give the public an opportunity to undergo a
FREE bone scan and muscle strength test worth RM150
, and to ensure that we can continue to improve our overall mobility measure.  Find out the upcoming roadshows near you here:
https://www.anlene.com/my/en/anlene-move-check.html

So get ready to start moving with flexibility, gear up for good mobility for years to come and stay active with Anlene. For more information on Anlene’s product range, visit
www.anlene.com/my
. Alternatively, check out Anlene’s Facebook page,
@AnleneMalaysia
 and stay up to date with #MoveWithNoLimits.

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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Home Diarrhoea Treatment For Children At Every Stage Of Their Lives

The last few months have been tough on everyone with the MCO and even the RMCO. It’s the first time that we could not leave the house for so long and parents have found themselves cooking at home more than ever.

The kids are at home with us all the time and it means that we can (almost) always monitor what they’re eating or drinking.

This is the new normal for the foreseeable future. Even as the kids return to school, we’re vigilant with what they eat and drink. After school activities are also reduced. But no doubt, the risks of them contracting diarrhoea might be higher as they start going out again.

As parents, we should be prepared to give them the necessary diarrhoea treatment at home should the need arise.

Diarrhoea is defined as three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than normal), according to the World Health Organization. It is a very common problem that children under 5 experience.

However, the diarrhoea treatment for children of different ages and stages differ. So we’re here to share with you how you should treat the problem at different ages.

Diarrhoea Treatment At Home: Ages and Stages

Newborn stage: At this age, babies cannot communicate (besides crying), so parents rely on checking the diapers for frequency and consistency of bowel movements.

Since newborn poop tends to be watery and frequent, how do we identify if it is actually diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea in newborns is a serious issue as is any other medical condition at this age. It can lead to dehydration and weight loss
1
. Typically, signs of diarrhoea in newborns are if the stools are even more watery than usual and if the frequency is more than once every two hours (or after every feed).

Parents should take their newborn to see a doctor if they suspect the baby is experiencing diarrhoea.

Infant stage: Children at this age are still susceptible to diarrhoea though the effects are not quite as serious as the newborn stage.

Infants are also at a higher risk of getting diarrhoea because of a change in environment, like going to daycare or when solids are introduced to their system
2
.

If diarrhoea persists for more than three days at this age, it’s important to bring your child to see a doctor.

Toddler stage: When children start to explore the house on their own as they learn to crawl and walk, sometimes they might pick things up along the way and put it into their mouths, potentially causing some diarrhoea when the gut is affected.

Keeping the house clean is important, but keeping your child’s gut “healthy” is even more important.

A visit to the doctor is necessary if the diarrhoea continues for more than three days or the child is showing other symptoms like a fever or rash. It would be an indication of something more serious than just diarrhoea.

Young child stage: When children start to go to school, it’s also important to monitor their bowel movements.

At this age, many kids would have successfully completed potty training and can communicate about their bowel movements more effectively.

Diarrhoea at this age is more manageable and many parents might have already experienced their child having diarrhoea at least once by then.

What Happens To A Child’s Body When They Get Diarrhoea?

Usually, when a child gets diarrhoea, it is because a virus has entered their gut or it is antibiotic-induced.

What then happens is a condition called gut microbiota dysbiosis. This happens in the gastrointestinal tract when there is a bacterial or fungal overgrowth in the small intestine
3
.

Sounds serious? Yes. But it’s easily treatable.

In order to treat diarrhoea, many doctors recommend a dose of antibiotics. While this might stabilise the condition, the healing is assisted by introducing probiotics to your child.

Probiotics can reduce the duration and intensity of diarrhoea
4
.

But parents would know this — probiotics can be quite a troublesome thing. Most of them have to be kept in the refrigerator for maximum efficacy. Finding ways to feed it to the kids can also be a pain!

So what then?

Diarrhoea Treatment At Home

Enterogermina is a diarrhoea treatment that is effective and easy to feed to children. It is a clinically tested product with proven effectiveness for infants and children.

But you might be wondering, what is Enterogermina?

Enterogermina consists of a suspension of spores of non-pathogenic probiotic Bacillus clausii.

In layman terms, what this means is that it is made up of spores that can survive the effects of gastric acid, heat and antibiotic conditions in order to restore intestinal microbiota when children experience diarrhoea.

Very simply, it replenishes what is lost while relieving the symptoms of diarrhoea (which can include bloating) at the same time.

It is also very easy to feed to children as it comes in mini bottle form that does not need to be refrigerated. Parents can easily mix it into their child’s milk or water as it is tasteless, colourless and odourless.

To purchase Enterogermina to treat your child’s diarrhoea at home, visit your nearest pharmacy.

MAT-MY-2000414(08/20)

This is a medicine product advertisement.

1
Brennan. (2020). Baby Diarrhea: Causes, Treatment, and More. WebMD. Retrieved from:
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-diarrhea-causes-treatment

2
Thomson, S.C. (1994). Infectious diarrhoea in children: controlling transmission in the child care setting. Journal of paediatrics and child health. Retrieved from :
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8074906/#:~:text=The%20major%20risk%20factors%20for,hygiene%20and%20child%20handling%20practices

3
Erdogan, A. Rao, S. (2015). Small intestinal fungal overgrowth. Current gastroenterology reports. Retrieved from:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25786900/

4
Hempel, S. (2014). Probiotics for diarrhoea. Indian Journal of Medical Research. Retrieved from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4069727/

KKLIU: 1790/2020

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Learning through play keeps boredom at bay!

Let’s be honest. The moment your child begins school, you start thinking of homework, exams, report cards and tuition classes. Scoring straight A’s is undoubtedly a wonderful thing, but the stress is real and it could make learning a chore. We think it’s time to make learning fun again, so let the children live, laugh and learn!

It’s no secret that children learn best when they’re having fun. These days, four-year-olds know more about the solar system and dinosaurs than their parents do! This is largely due to the many educational tools available today such as interactive books, educational videos, puzzles, and more. When children enjoy what they’re doing, they automatically absorb information, hence teaching them new knowledge and skills.

As confirmation to this, a study on
The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bond
 by the American Academy of Paediatrics found that playing promotes healthy brain development.

The study states that “play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.” This supports the idea of learning through play, where we unleash our children’s playful side and creativity through exciting activities so they can experience learning in a more engaging way.

The Benefits of Play

The American Academy of Paediatrics suggests that harnessing the power of play is a great way to teach children. Play…

Enhances children’s engagement and interaction with the world around them

Instills confidence, bravery and resiliency

Helps children develop new skills – physical, cognitive and social – and literacy

Expands vocabulary

Teaches children to be team players through sharing, negotiating, problem-solving, and also gives valuable lessons about self-advocacy when working in a group

Encourages children to discover their own interests and be passionate in pursuing them

Builds active and healthy bodies

Through play, children receive valuable hands-on experiences that enhance their emotional, mental and physical development. The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights has even recognised play as a right of every child (read more about this
here
). So there you go! Playing is indeed learning and learning should always be fun.

Reinvent Learning with HP Little Makers

Realising how important it is for children to learn in a fun and progressive environment, HP advocates learning through play via the HP Little Makers programme.

The HP Little Makers programme aims to inspire children to unleash their creativity by discovering their own ways of learning. The programme was designed to encourage children to learn on their own, through creativity, games, and – best of all – through quality time with their parents. How cool is that?

Now, get yourself and your Little Makers ready for a whole new world of learning!

Make learning fun! Join the HP Little Makers Contest!

Ready to play? Just follow these simple steps. And when you join, not only will your child unlock new ways of learning, you could also win great prizes!

Download the HP Little Makers challenges from HP Malaysia at
hp.com/my/littlemakers

Carry out the challenges according to the instructions in the most creative way possible!

Upload your completed challenges on social media.*

Be sure to complete each entry by answering the question given for each challenge and don’t forget to add the hashtags: #HPMY, #HPDeskJet and #HPLittleMakers.

Tag @hp_asia for entries via Instagram. Tag @HP_Malaysia for entries via Facebook.

There are loads of prizes up for grabs. In order to win bi-weekly prizes, participants will need to answer the question of the week.

All postings must be available on social media and set to “public” for six months from the date of entry.

* Set Instagram and/or Facebook profiles to “public”. Ensure that all postings are viewable throughout the entire contest period and until the announcement of the winners.

There will be five winners for each challenge and a total of 40 winners throughout the contest period.

The HP Little Makers Challenge Champion will be selected based on the following criteria:

Complete contest entries (as instructed above)

Complete submissions for all items in the bi-weekly challenge

Answers to the question in every challenge (e.g.: What was the funniest moment you had with your child/teacher/parent throughout the process?). Participants with the most creative answers will be shortlisted.

Win Awesome Prizes!

The HP Little Makers Challenge Champions will receive prizes worth RM500 each. A wide variety of prizes are up for grabs, like HP printers, ink cartridges and education-related items to further empower your child’s learning.

Feeling inspired already? All set to make learning fun again? Well, what are you waiting for? Let the fun begin! Unleash your child’s learning through creativity and play.

Click
here
 to join the HP Little Makers Contest now.

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Brad Pitt shares that leaving Jennifer Aniston was the 'biggest mistake of his life'

According to an inside
source
, Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has reportedly said that the biggest mistake of his life was leaving Jennifer Aniston for his now ex-wife Angelina Jolie.

Leaving Jennifer Aniston was one of the biggest mistakes of his life

The high profile couple was married for 2 years before getting divorced last year. Source: wikimedia commons

Fans of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt may have some cause for celebration! After Brad Pitt’s very public separation from his now ex-wife Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt has become sober and sought therapy for himself.

As a result, he’s now more “in touch with his emotions and his true self like never before.” The source added, “He’s come to realise that leaving Jen for Angelina was one of the biggest mistakes of his life.”

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were married back in 2000, and got divorced 5 years later in 2005. Brad Pitt had a 9-year relationship with Angelina Jolie, and the couple were married for 2 years before they also got
divorced
.

Jennifer Aniston recently announced her split from Justin Theroux. The couple had tied the knot back in 2015.

He ‘would take a second chance at love with Jen in a heartbeat’

The source adds “And while he’s not in love with Jen, he realizes how much he does love her. Brad keeps telling friends that he’s seeing everything more clearly.”

Brad also reportedly said that while he would “never dream” of ruining Jen’s marriage, if he was given the chance, he “would take a second chance at love with Jen in a heartbeat.”

According to the source, Brad “still considers Jen the love of his life.”

Can you stay friends with your ex?

In any marriage, couples are bound to have problems. While some couples successfully overcome their differences, for other couples, it can end in divorce. It sounds disappointing, but that’s just the way some things go.

Some people choose to stop all communication with their ex, as obviously, it’s not easy to have a civil relationship with your ex. But is it possible to
stay friends
 after everything?

It’s possible to stay friends

Difficult as it may be, it’s possible for divorced couples to stay friends with each other, especially for couples who have kids.

There’s no easy way to go about it since both parties need to overcome their anger, grief, and sadness, but eventually, friendship can blossom out of a broken relationship.

What can ex-couples do?

There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to reconciling and being friends with an ex, but it surely takes a lot of hard work and willingness to reconcile.

Talking about the past can also bring up some painful memories, and it’s something that both parties have to work through. A good way to go about it is to focus instead on the present, especially for their kids.

It’s not a good idea for ex-couples to act uncivil towards each other since it’s not uncommon for the children of divorced parents to think that they are the reason why their parents broke up.

Sometimes, seeking help from a therapist can also help ex-couples reconcile with one another. So long as both parties are interested in reconciliation, then eventually ex-couples can stay friends with one another.
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Ultimately, the most important thing would be to remember that they’re doing this not only for the sake of their kids, but also to find peace within themselves and with each other.

Source:
indiatoday.intoday.in

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How Travelling Makes Kids More Resilient

Luca Olesya Lim is only three and already she has visited 15 countries, including exotic locations such as Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan and Mauritius. She’s already exploring the world, expanding her horizons and making new friends – all of which are excellent ways to build a resilient child.

As Luca grows up watching her parents’ example, she will learn that the world is full of opportunities and challenges. And it’s up to her to seize both with open arms if she’s to lead a successful life.

Her parents, Josen Lim and Umei Teh are popular food and travel bloggers, at
ccfoodtravel.com
, which explains why they are always on the go. But why did the duo choose to bring Luca on all their adventures?

Vacations are more than just opportunities to bond and relax as a family. They’re also a way to form essential life skills in your children. Can’t find their favourite snack at a foreign grocery store? Your children will need to Adapt. Want to play with new kids at the resort pool? Your children will need to be Daring enough to reach out. Together with the other pillars of resilience – Perseverance, Self-Reliance and Resourcefulness – vacations offer children and parents the best opportunity to build
Resilience
.

According to Umei, it was a natural decision to bring her along because the pair work from home and Luca was single-handedly raised by both of them with little help. So it made sense that when they travel, she would come along.Today, when little Luca sees her mother packing for yet another trip, she knows that it is time to go for another adventure.

“Travelling with a child is very fun as Luca gets to experience the world. Since she became a part of our family, we knew we were going to integrate her into our travel and blog,” Umei shares.

What it is like to travel with a young child

Before they had Luca, Umei and Jo would take part in a lot of extreme sports, high-risk activities and be out from early morning till late night. After that, they would still have the energy to go and party.

But once Luca was born, they needed to adapt to her lifestyle – that meant a later start to the day, a leisurely breakfast and days packed with child-friendly activities.

Umei believes that starting Luca off early as a traveller is a good idea because it builds Resilience, which consists of five pillars: Self-Reliance, Adaptability, Perseverance, Resourcefulness and Daringness.

“There’s a certain willpower that comes with travelling. Luca is exposed to many different cultures and she meets people across these different cultures. We find that the more varied the culture, the more she learns.

She picks up little knowledge nuggets without knowing it. Travelling really is the best teacher,” Umei explains.

“For instance, when we were in Yangon, people would approach her and speak to her in their native language. Then they would take the thanaka (yellow powdered sunscreen) and rub it on her face. After that, she knows what it’s for and she brings it over to me and rubs it on my face in the same way,” she elaborates.

This is something that cannot be learned if a child is not exposed to world experiences that come with travelling.

Through travelling, Umei can see resilience blooming in Luca’s growth. Especially in her adaptability, and daringness. In terms of self-reliance, Umei says at Luca’s age, she’s on her way there, but still needs some ways to go.

Umei cites their time in Mauritius when Luca was drawn to the whole sega dance, which is deeply rooted in Mauritian culture.

Throughout her travels, Luca has learnt to be daring enough to welcome new experiences. So she would just go up and touch the tambourine and drums of the musicians. She made friends with all the Mauritians, taking pictures with them and adapting to the language barrier. If she wanted to show them something, she would take them by the hand and drag them with her to ensure she got her message across, proof of how resourceful she could be when facing an obstacle such as different languages.

She also took the time differences when travelling in stride. Though jetlag would get to her, she would adapt to on-the-go short naps to regain her energy and continue on her travel adventures.

What effects travel has on a child

One of the key things that happens when a child travels is that the learning parts of the brain are fired up. “Of course, we don’t know the exact outcome will be for her later in life, but I read that kids who travel are less likely to drop out of school and will pursue a college education,” Umei says.

Besides that, children learn important lessons when travelling such as how to be polite, how to say hello and thank you in various languages. This is Adaptability in action – the ability to respond suitably in different environments. In Luca’s case, she has also learned some “sign language” like the gesture for thank you in Thailand (hands put together and bowing).

“I also believe that through travel, Luca is not afraid of new adventures, attesting to how daring she is,” Umei adds. She is already quite the extrovert, but travelling brings out another level of that – it brings about a sense of curiosity too.

When Luca was younger, she didn’t know what getting on a plane meant. But now, she knows when she gets on a plane, she will wake up somewhere far from home. To date, Luca has sat in an impressive range of vehicles including a car, bus, train, plane, boat and even a submarine!

The most impressive thing in terms of raising a resilient child through travel, according to Umei, is the fact that Luca totally stopped wearing diapers at only two. Because of travelling, Luca has to adapt to the on-the-go lifestyle and has learned to communicate her needs, thus overcoming the challenge of potty training at a very young age.

Through her experience, she knows that travelling with kids comes with more advantages than disadvantages. It has helped her raise a child who is resilient in every way. And remember, no one will ever have the perfect trip. And that’s a good thing. Imperfection is exactly what makes it so valuable to children because resilience can only be built in challenging situations.

But the foundation that allows little Luca to absorb and retain all of life’s crucial lessons comes from strengthening her immunity. Without a healthy body and a sound mind that’s able to reject illness, Luca won’t be able to enjoy these exciting trips. In fact, even her parents won’t be able to travel fear of worsening her condition.

Thankfully
AptaGro™
 is a global brand that’s readily available in major stores globally. This means the patented combination of prebiotics and probiotic that has made AptaGro™ the number 1* company in formula milk for children in Europe** is always within reach.

The moral of the story? Boost your child’s immunity and take them out to experience the world. Children who travel have wider perspectives on life, a love for adventure and a desire to make the world a better place. These are the qualities that will serve them well in the future.

*Danone Dumex is part of Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition

**Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition calculation based in part on information reported by Nielsen through its Scan Track, MarketTrack and Retail Index Services for the Children nutrition milk formula for children aged between 12 and 36 months segment (client defined) in the Children nutrition milk formula category (client defined) for the 52-week period December 2017, for the total grocery channel in Belgium, Czech, Estonia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, and Switzerland. (Copyright © 2017 The Nielsen Company.)

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Spread Christmas Cheers, Joy and Happiness with Sunway Putra Mall’s Christmas Guardian!

Just like the song by Andy Williams, it is the most wonderful time of the year! Beautifully decorated Christmas trees are out for display with lights strung high and tall. The smell of gingerbread cookies and all things cinnamon comes out to play. It is also the time of the year to get together for good with your loved ones.

As many have started to prepare for their festivities with families and friends, it is also the perfect time to shop and to spread joy to others.

Sunway Putra Mall ushers in ‘Together for Good’ with its Christmas Guardian – Reindeer who spreads joy and happiness. The mall hopes to provide goodwill to those in need and ensures no one is left behind during this wonderful time of the year
.

Usher in The Spirit of Together for Good

‘Tis the season to be giving!

From 19 November 2021 to 2 January 2022, bring your family to Sunway Putra Mall to experience a jolly good time as the Main Concourse, GF is decked with 7 metre tall colourful present boxes in different shapes and sizes
.

Some of the decorations such as Christmas trees, ornaments, and reindeers are made of recycled and eco-friendly materials. This sustainable approach is in line with Sunway’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs).

And when you’re there, do not miss out on your chance to take some photos at Sunway Putra Mall insta-worthy Newspaper Project Corner. The entire room and swing are wrapped in old newspapers creating that picture-perfect moment for you and your little family
.

Additionally, you can look forward to an exciting line-up such as Arts & Crafts sessions; DIY Kaleidoscope, Playdough Decor, and Paper Cup Bells – all organized and sponsored by The Parenthood at Edutainment Hub at Level 4 just for Putra Junior Club and Autsome members.

Click
HERE
 to register.

No Christmas celebration is complete without a special appearance by the jollyman himself, Santa Claus! Get your children to spot St. Nick around the mall and see if they are on the nice or naughty list this year.

Christmas Gone Digital

Sleigh it isn’t so! Sunway Putra Mall is bringing in a fun engaging digital experience for all shoppers with a Christmas Guardians Augmented Reality (AR) that features five (5) interactive games!

Shoppers are required to collect five (5) adorable stamps at five (5) different locations within the mall.

Once all the stamps are collected, you will receive instant rewards at The World of Sunway at Level 1 and you will also be in the running to take part in the Christmas Guardians Shopping Spree Challenge on 18 December!

Only 16 lucky winners will be rewarded with attractive cash vouchers worth up to RM8,000 to shop in selected outlets in 5 minutes/per outlet!

Click
HERE
 to read more.

What’s more, shoppers will also be rewarded with The Goody Redemptions when they shop and dine in the mall.

Tier 1 – Reindeer Soap Dispenser

Spend a minimum of RM200/*RM180 in TWO (2) receipts to redeem a Reindeer Soap Dispenser

Tier 2 – Dinnerware Set

Spend a minimum of RM500/*RM450 in TWO (2) receipts to redeem a Dinnerware Set.

Pay It Forward in the Spirit of Together For Good

Christmas is not just about getting presents and having a scrumptious dinner with your family, but it is also a perfect opportunity to pay it forward towards the less fortunate.

Sunway Putra Mall gives you a chance to enlighten your kids on the true spirit of Christmas by playing your part in The Goody Aid, a near and dear project by the mall together with The Lost Food Project (TLFP). Through this project, you can encourage your children to show kindness and compassion to help out families and children from Buku Jalanan Chow Kit (BJCK).

You can opt for Charity Gift Wrapping where you can enjoy a gift-wrapping service (maximum three items) and get rewarded with an exclusive Tote Bag upon donating RM10 via Sunway Pay or you may also donate non-perishable items and daily essentials under the Sunway Putra Cares initiative.

Apart from that, Sunway Putra Mall provides a platform for BJCK to raise funds through Bake Sale Fundraiser at Level 1. BJCK together with the children of BJCK will be selling cookies, snacks, and more on Saturdays and Sundays. This also provides an opportunity to create awareness of the efforts of BJCK to the underprivileged community of Chow Kit.

All proceeds and contributions will be channeled towards the operations of BJCK.

Your Safety Is Our Priority!

Sunway Putra Mall will only allow fully vaccinated shoppers to enter the mall. However, children of 17 years and below are allowed to enter the mall accompanied by their fully vaccinated parents.

If you plan to visit the mall or other public premises, remember to always practice the safety measures such as monitoring physical distance, sanitizing, and wearing masks. While visiting the mall, do abide by the measures in place that have been set by the mall and their respective stores.

Sunway Putra Mall will also continue to take stringent measures to ensure the mall is safe and secure for the patronage of its shoppers. All common touchpoints and high-traffic areas are sanitised and disinfected regularly. This is to provide all shoppers with peace of mind while they enjoy a safe shopping experience.

For more information on Together For Good, kindly visit
https://www.sunwayputramall.com/together-for-good/
 or check real-time updates on Sunway Putra Mall’s 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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A Gut Expert’s Guide To Bloat & Digestion

That dreaded bloated belly – we’ve all been there. Although gas and a little bloating after eating is a normal bodily function (most healthy adults pass gas somewhere between 13 and 21 times each day) but  if it gets to a point of excess and discomfort is when one should start to ask questions.

Guttin’ Down On Bloat

Flatulence is a healthy part of the digestive process. It is caused by air that’s trapped in the digestive system from either unintentionally swallowing air while eating or produced by gut bacteria during digestion. This can cause discomfort and pain as gas builds up in the intestines. Expelling the gas will normally bring relief. However,  if the pain persists or worsens, it can be a sign that your body is reacting to a deeper rooted issue and you should consult with your physician as soon as possible.

Some common culprits of persistent gas and bloating could be:

Poor eating habits

Eating too fast

Drinking too many liquids with your meal

Consuming processed or hard-to-digest foods

Changing to a high-fiber diet or cruciferous vegetables

Chewing gum

Overindulge in a high-fat or a spicy meal

Carbonated beverages

Hormonal fluctuations

Food intolerances

Leaky gut
 or a gut imbalance

Steps to Relieve Bloat and Digestive Issues

If you’re constantly fighting off the bloat, it’s time you checked in with what you’re eating and how that is affecting the health of your gut. My first advice is to have a look at your meals and see if there was anything out of the ordinary or that you consistently eat that causes this reaction- something I refer to with clients called mindful tracking and something we cover in the
Gut Recharge.

But I also know that when the discomfort arises, we want instant relief. Here are some remedies you can use today to help bring you relief:

Ginger

Ginger
 aids in digestion and helps release gas trapped in the gastrointestinal tract. It helps relax and calm the stomach as it eases digestion. Ginger helps the body break down sweet foods such as sweet potatoes, yams, squash. You can enjoy a warm ginger tea to help ease the trapped gas and help your GI tract digest the trapped food.

Pegaga by PurelyB

Our blend of Pegaga is known to have special enzymes that support your body’s ability to properly digest food, resulting in a healthier gut. The green apples and papaya contained in the concoction is fibre and antioxidant-rich and ats as a natural digestive aid and detoxifier to prevent constipation.

Probiotics

Your small intestine and colon are made up of a healthy balance of bacteria. Bloating is often caused by an imbalance of good-to-bad bacteria in your gut. This can be due to poor diet, stress, antibiotic use, or other lifestyle factors and can then lead to excessive fermentation and more trapped gas in your gut. Implementing the use of a high-quality probiotic supplement can help to maintain a healthy balance which results in a healthy digestive tract.

Due note that if you are new to using probiotics, you may feel some offset and discomfort for the first few days of adding in these bacteria. This just means that it is working, but if the symptoms last longer than 7 days you’ll want to either cut back on your dosage or change the product you are using. As always, run everything by your practitioner first.

Adjust your eating habits

Mindful eating and awareness of your hunger cues is critical. If you show up starving to your meal, it’s unlikely that you’re going to take the time to properly chew your food. This not only leads to excessive bloating, but it causes damage to the gut lining that can lead to bigger issues down the road. Chew your food thoroughly before swallowing—one bite at a time.

You also want to take the time to ensure you’re putting your phone down, leaving your work at work, and really being in the moment. If you’re stressed out, your natural digestive enzymes aren’t working properly and thus you won’t be absorbing the foods you eat. As the saying goes, “you aren’t what you eat, you are what you absorb”.

Digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes help the gut to break down dairy, fats, starches, and proteins. Find a high-quality full-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement that contains lactase to breakdown lactose in dairy, lipase to breakdown fats, amylase to breakdown starches and protease to breakdown proteins. Take a full-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement as recommended.

Consume pineapple and papaya

Just as in a supplement, pineapple and papaya have enzymes that help the body digest.

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain that boosts digestion and helps the body break down and use proteins. It is ideal for those with low stomach acid and struggling to absorb proteins found in meat. It also works as a mild laxative, which helps the body eliminate excess waste.

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which helps the gut break down proteins into peptides and amino acids, while also helping to reduce inflammation in the GI tract. Due to it’s high fiber content, it can help to prevent constipation and promote regularity.

Gut in fiber, but not too much

Most people around the world are eating less than 20g of
fiber
 a day and with about 1 in 10 people suffering from constipation, this is beginning to look like a huge problem that can be fixed with a quick shift in dietary intake. Fiber improves your digestive health and helps keep you regular. You can up your fiber intake by eating real, whole foods that are nutrient dense.

Be careful not to get too much fiber though as it can have the opposite effect and clog you up. Also cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower, and cabbage, can cause a buildup of gas. You can minimize this symptom by cooking these foods before consumption.

As Michael Pollan says “eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”

Beware of your sodium intake

We are often told to look out for our sugar intake (which always plays a role in this) but the less obvious culprit can be sneaky sodium. Sodium causes your body to hold water, thus resulting in that bloated belly.

Most sodium comes from processed foods, restaurant foods and convenience foods. Often, these foods don’t even taste salty, yet they are full of sodium. As you cut down on these you’ll most likely see bloating be minimized.  Make sure to cut back on your salt intake when you’re feeling the bloat and to read labels.

Drink water

Your colon needs water to get things moving and to create peristalsis (the contraction of your GI tract). This contraction moves gas, food, and everything else through your gut. This is why to eliminate digestive issues and to assist your body in detoxification you have to make sure you’re drinking enough water.

I advise clients to drink two lukewarm glasses of water upon waking, followed by two liters throughout the day. If you need help remembering, keep a large water bottle on your desk and make sure you finish it by the end of the day.

If you’re looking for some recipes to beat the bloat, give these a try:
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Gut-Healing Turmeric Latte

Gold Juice: Immune Boosting + Bloat Beating

If the problem persists, I invite you to have a deep look to heal your gut and join me in
Gut Recharge.
 We walk together on learning how to heal the gut to heal the mind, body, and soul and finally eliminate the bloat for good!

Sources:

The 10 Best Natural Remedies For Gas & Bloating

How to Get Rid of Gas: 8 Natural Treatments

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
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Preconception Planning: How to Get Your Body Ready For Pregnancy

You’ve decided to have a baby, and you may have those butterflies fluttering in your tummy with the excitement of bringing life into this world. Now before you start to think of what colour you want the baby’s room, let’s look at getting you ready for pregnancy.

Here are our tips.

Why should you care about preconception health?

Unless a couple has a little trouble conceiving, little thought is given to preconception health care. It’s a crucial step that is passed over – even though the events surrounding your baby’s conception can affect their health for a lifetime – for better, or for worse.

Our expert
Amanda Teh
 explains the logic behind it.

“It takes 100 days for an egg follicle to mature and up to 116 days for sperm to be produced. If during that time there are infections, nutritional deficiencies, toxins, or other contaminants in the body, the chances of producing healthy eggs and sperm – and therefore a healthy foetus, is greatly reduced.

Simply put, healthy bodies have a better chance of making healthy babies. So yeah, when it’s put like that it makes sense that both parents should make time for a preconception health plan.

When should you start preparing?

While the actual act of getting pregnant can come in the future, start preparing at least four months ahead to maximize the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. [1] Why? It takes up to four months to produce the eggs and sperm that are going to make a baby.

For the preconception health preparations, I’m not talking about losing weight. It’s all about ensuring that both prospective parents are in excellent health; free of hidden infections, toxic (heavy) metals, environmental hazards, and excessive stress, and that they are only eating healthy foods.

Visit Your Doctor & Dentist

A full body check-up will be able to catch any health issues that need attention.  This will also be the time to speak to your doctor about necessary supplements for you.

Since you’re seeing the doctor, get your teeth checked too. Some research links oral health to a healthy pregnancy; women with unchecked gum disease are more prone to miscarriage, preterm birth, and preeclampsia.

Go off the pill

If you have been using birth control pills or the Depo Provera injection, you should have a transitional period of time before you attempt to conceive and just use a condom. Each woman differs in how her body reacts after she stops taking contraception. Some will get their periods within weeks, but some take much longer. This gives you a bit of time to see what your natural menstrual cycle is like – so you can figure out when you’re ovulating.

Clean Up Your Diet

Diet is key to overall health. Consume a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, meat, and fish.

Do you need to buy organic? Not necessarily, but make the best choices you can. When it comes to eggs and meat, look for antibiotic, hormone-free, free-range, and grass-fed options.

Although fish is a great source of omega fats, keep seafood to a minimum given the current condition of the oceans.

If caffeine and alcohol are a regular occurrence, you may want to consider cutting back on both whilst trying to get pregnant, and certainly once you are pregnant.

Supplement Support

First and foremost, speak with your doctor and discuss which supplements will be best for you. The one vital supplement that you most likely need is folic acid, which helps prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

Other supplements you may be prescribed are Vitamin B12 and omega oils – especially if you are vegetarian; iron and vitamin D if you are deficient.

Often supplements are not necessary if you have a varied well-balanced diet. However, there is still a possibility that your body requires a little more of something depending on various factors – which is why it’s important to talk to your doctor.

Exercise is Vital

During the preconception phase, exercise is beneficial as it naturally elevates your mood and energy levels, it reduces stress and it helps you to sleep better. Your body will be going through a big change, and exercise will help support you through this.

If you already are exercising, you will most likely be able to continue your workouts as usual. If you are new to exercise or have yet to establish a regular exercise routine, look at engaging in moderate-intensity type exercises such as brisk walking/jogging, swimming, hiking, and cycling.

Ensure your workouts include strength training, as you will need a strong body to be able to carry the added weight during pregnancy, as well as the strength to carry a baby for many months.

Destress

Stress is unavoidable with our current lifestyles. When we get stressed the body releases cortisol, which can suppress ovulation and decrease sperm count.
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Moreover, stress can affect your sleep, sex drive and throw your diet off, as you reach for comfort food or seek that extra cup of coffee or glass of wine.

Here are a few things that can help manage stress: yoga, meditation/breathwork, mindfulness exercises, nature walks, journaling, reading, exercise, energy healing (acupuncture, sound baths), massage. Don’t be afraid to seek support if you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

Be Patient

Getting pregnant for some can happen very quickly, and for others, it may take some time.

Set yourself a window frame, for example, four to twelve months. If it doesn’t happen within a year, you can always set yourself a new window. It is often when we least expect it, it will happen.

Declutter

Decluttering can help to create both the physical and mental space you need when trying to get pregnant. Take a look at your life and remove what no longer serves you. This means that both you and your home may need a good spring clean.

When we declutter, we give ourselves more time to take care of ourselves and have more energy for the things that bring us joy, and for making a baby!

Enjoy the process

This may be a lot to take in, but remember there’s no rush. Taking care of our health is something we should be doing, but sometimes may forget because of our busy lifestyles. Now is the time to reevaluate a few things.

After all, the process of preconception health care is not about putting extra stress in your life. It’s all about giving you a chance to transform your life to prepare for the next level – being a parent and feeling empowered by taking control of your own fertility.

If you are getting anxious as it’s taking a little longer than you hoped for and you are doing all of the above, speak with your doctor to plan the next steps. Most importantly, enjoy the process. Put some trust in divine timing and have lots of sex!

REFERENCE:

Naish, F. and Roberts, J. (2000) The Natural Way to Better Babies. Random House: Sydney

Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage: A prospective cohort study. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 198 (3), e1-8.. Weng, X., Odouli, R. & Li, D.K. (2008).

Washington State University. (2015, January 22). Effect of BPA and estradiol on sperm development seen by researchers. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 13, 2015 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150122145422.htm

Lathi RB, Liebert CA, Brookfield KF, Taylor JA, vom Saal FS, Fujimoto VY, Baker VL.Fertil Steril.
Conjugated bisphenol A in maternal serum in relation to miscarriage risk.
 2014 Jul;102(1):123-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.03.024. Epub 2014 Apr 18.PMID:24746738  [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Muthusami, K. R. and Chinnaswamy, P. (2005). “Effect of chronic alcoholism on male fertility hormones and semen quality.” Fertility and Sterility 84(4): 919-924

Zaadstra, B.M., Looman, C.W., et al. (1994). “Moderate drinking: no impact on female fecundity.” Fertility and Sterility, 62, 948–954.

Augood C., Duckitt K., et al. (1998). “Smoking and female infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Human Reproduction 13: 1532-39. 1

Boggess, K, Edelstein, BL. Oral health in women during preconception and pregnancy: implications for birth outcomes and infant oral health.
Matern Child Health J
. 2006;10:S169–S174.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB
.

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

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

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If Your Child Has a Sensory Disability, Here Are Accommodations He Might Need

Sensory disabilities commonly refer to conditions that affect one’s ability to see and hear. This means that low vision, blindness, deafness and other hearing impairments all fall under this category of special needs.

Let’s explore the types of sensory disabilities, their effects on learning and what kind of accommodations you or a teacher can make for your child.

Low Vision

Credit: Freepik

Kids with low vision (or partial sight) have difficulty seeing without help. The ability to see details, such as normal-sized print on a book, can vary from child to child. Some may be able to see things up close, while others can’t. There are also individuals who cannot see things in their peripherals but are able to see directly ahead.

Learning visually can be tiring and challenging for those with impaired sight.

Here are some accommodations to help with learning:

Provide large print on books, worksheets, etc.

Place the child at the front of a classroom, close to the teacher

Make sure the lighting in the room is sufficient

Students can be given extra time for exams

During tests, the child can say out their answer while someone else helps to write it down

The child may record classes instead of writing notes

Assignments given through electronic medium

Tech that converts text to speech, such as a reading pen

Blindness

Credit: iStock

Blindness can occur over time, while others may be born with it.

Students with no sight since birth may find it hard to comprehend verbal descriptions of visual materials (e.g., describing the colour or look). Those who have had a vision before may have no issue.

Other than accommodations such as a scribe during exams and text-to-speech technology, students who cannot see may benefit from:

Reading materials in Braille

Audiotaped assignments

Tactile models

Graphic materials that have raised lines

Hard of Hearing

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Credit: The Sped Guru

Hearing difficulties sensory disabilities can affect kids in different ways. Some children may need to lip read occasionally while others require hearing aids.

Students who have hearing impairments may find it strenuous to follow along during a lesson if the teacher speaks too quickly or softly. Their ability to hear could also be affected by the acoustics of the room they are in.

Kids who use hearing aids might benefit from other methods of amplifications, such as personal neck loops (which are like headphones that can be plugged into a computer or phone).

Another option is to use a frequency-modulated (FM) system in class, which allows the child to hear the teacher’s voice even if she is at the back of the classroom. This system makes the teacher’s voice louder than other sounds, while also giving your child the ability to listen to her own voice.

Deafness

Credit: Freepik

If a child is born deaf, he might not develop speech. Learning sign language will be useful, but it is also important to find a community that your child can practice and communicate with. In Malaysia, the deaf community mainly uses Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM).

To assist with learning, students could be provided with:

Interpreters

Someone to help take notes

Closed captions on videos

If you’re looking for a preschool that uses BIM as the primary language of instruction, check out the
early years programme
 offered by Malaysia Federation of the Deaf (MFD).

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
.

Read more
:
Does a Balanced Diet Affect My Child Mentally?

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What you need to know about late talkers and speech delay

When we have kids, many of our precious memories of them are coloured by milestones — their first smile, their first steps, their first words and so on.

What do you do though, when one of those milestones is delayed or doesn’t happen?

I’m talking in particular about speech as this is something I can relate to with my older son.

While he was saying single words such as ‘Mum’, ‘give’, and ‘come’ a little over the age of one, most of his ‘talk’ for a very long time was ‘baby-talk’.

We all wait eagerly to hear our child’s first words

I was worried when by almost 2 years old, he still wasn’t speaking properly.

Some of my friends/relatives told me there was absolutely nothing to worry about, that boys are notoriously late in speaking. Others told me to seek the opinion of a doctor, or even show him to a speech pathologist.

I’m glad to say that he really didn’t have any other issues besides the fact that he just took his own time to talk.

Now he is 5 and doesn’t stop talking! But I do remember the time when I was very worried about his speech, and in retrospect, perhaps I could have stopped worrying had I got the opinion of a speech pathologist.

Like in the case of my son, a speech delay can sometimes be simple and unexplained and will resolve itself over time. Other times, the delay can be an indicator of a more serious issue, according to experts.

Because different children develop their speech at different paces and at different times, it’s hard for parents to judge if their child really has a delay.

This is when a professional such as a speech pathologist can help.

A delay in talking is often no cause for worry. But since it can possibly be a red flag for problems such as ear infection, autism etc, it’s best to check with your pediatrician or a speech therapist if you are worried.

So we talked to the lovely
Joan Lim
 and
Sheryl Lau
— both qualified speech pathologists –about late talkers and speech delay. What you need to know is on the
next page
.

Joan and Sheryl work for
Therapy Inc.
, a Singaporean company that provides multidisciplinary services to families and individuals seeking speech therapy, occupational therapy and educational support.

We asked them a few questions about speech delay and late talkers and the following (which has been edited for clarity and brevity) includes the information they provided.

When should a child start talking?

A child will usually say his first word around his first birthday.

Common first words include, “mummy'”, “daddy”, and “milk”, although “NO!” and “uh oh” may be included in this list too!

A child’s expressive vocabulary quickly grows to around 50 single words by 18 months of age.

Encourage your child to talk by talking to him often and asking plenty of questions

Is there a difference between a late talker and a child who has problems with speech?

While late talkers and children with language disorders both start speaking late, a child without a language disorder (late talker) will usually “catch up” with their peers without any intervention.

A child with a language problem, might always be behind his peers in language development and will definitely require intervention to prevent the gap from getting larger as he grows.

Speech disorders (issues with pronunciation) can become apparent at any age and parents should consult a speech therapist to ascertain if the speech sound errors are age-appropriate.
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What are the characteristics of a late talker?

Late talkers may say their first word after 18 months of age.

Also, they may start using phrases (speech and language development experts expect 2-word phrases, e.g., “no juice” at 2 years, 3-word phrases, e.g., “mummy take car” at 3 and so on) much later than expected, and they may appear to understand more than they say.

They could also present with unintelligible or “baby-like” speech.

It is important with all late talkers to make sure that they do acquire the expected developmental milestones after they start talking.

Is it true that boys start talking later than girls?

Yes it is true that in general, boys start talking later than girls.

However, everyone is different and there are boys who start talking earlier than their sisters. Developmental disorders like speech and language disorders, autism and stuttering do tend to be more prevalent in boys.

When should you be worried about your child’s speech delay?

You should seek help if your child:

is not talking by 18 months;

has difficulty following simple routine instructions;

is not making eye contact or does not appear interested in people;

is not pointing or using gestures to communicate his needs and wants;

is only speaking in vowel sounds e.g. ah, ooh etc.

If you are worried about your child’s speech delay, it’s best to seek a professional’s opinion.

What can you do at home to encourage your child to talk?

Give your child a reason to communicate

You could do things like giving your child his favourite treats or toys one at a time, so he has a chance to “ask for more”, practise turn-talking and other important communication skills.

You could also pretend at times that you do not know what your child likes and dislikes (e.g., offering something your child does not like so he gets a chance to say “no”).

Encourage your child to talk by handing over her favourite toys one at a time, encouraging her to ask for more.

Talk to your child a lot but keep utterances short so your child is more able to imitate you

For example, you could show and say the name of a favourite toy, describe what you are doing (“Mummy is washing, WASH!”), ask a question (“Want up? up?”) and use fun words (“uh oh!”, “wow” etc.).

Use gestures and signs to add meaning to what you are saying

There are great baby sign books and DVDs that you can purchase to learn more about this.

Is speech delay a sign of other developmental disorders?

Speech delay
could be
 a red flag for developmental problems disorders such as autism.

However, do keep in mind that while almost all children with autism have a speech delay, not all children with a speech delay have autism.

With autism affecting 1 in 88 children now, again it’s best not to wait if you have a concern about your child’s speech delay.

If you are worried about your child’s speech delay, consult a professional like a speech therapist.

Who can help your child if you think he has a problem with speech?

If you think your child has a speech delay, contact your pediatrician or you could
contact
 a speech therapist such as Joan or Sheryl directly.

If there is nothing to worry about, these professionals can put your mind at ease, and if there is an issue, they can provide the best possible course of treatment.

Another tip is to check with your child’s teacher (if they go to preschool/daycare) if they have noticed anything unusual about your child’s speech.

Do you have a late talker, or was your child a late talker? Share you experiences with us by leaving a comment.

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3-month-old boy dies in a day care centre on his mum’s first day at work

New York, USA—Entrusting her 3-month-old son Karl to a day care center was the only option Amber Scorah had when her paid leave was up.

On the morning of her first day back at work, she dropped Karl off at Soho Child Care in Manhattan, and then headed to work.

At noon, she returned to the day care center to breastfeed Karl but, to her horror, she found him unconscious and day care center owner was performing CPR on him incorrectly.

They were no longer able to
 revive Karl.

According to the medical examiner handling Karl’s case, the autopsy report didn’t reveal much; the cause of death remains unknown.

Turning tragedy into advocacy

In a
blog entry
 in The New York Times, Scorch recounts her horrific ordeal but also sheds light on the need for more consideration when it comes to parental leave.

She writes, ”A mother should never have no choice but to leave her infant with a stranger at 3 months old if that
 decision
 doesn’t feel right to her. Or at 6 weeks old. Or 3 weeks old. I would have stayed home with Karl longer, but there just didn’t seem to be a way.”

 View this post on Instagram

Hi guys #KarlIves

A post shared by
 Amber Scorah
 (@amberscorah) on
Jul 6, 2015 at 2:18pm PDT

Though she acknowledges that the 3-month paid leave granted by her company was more than generous, she shares that her human resources department would not grant her request for a much-needed extension.

Pushing for the extension could mean losing her job as well as her family’s health insurance. She shares, “I wasn’t just up against the end of my parental leave. I was up against an entire culture that places very little value on caring for infants and small children.”

Through her blog entry that has been going viral, she has managed to turn this devastating event in her life into something that will hopefully help many parents and prevent tragedies such as this one from
 happening again.

 View this post on Instagram

Friday night flowers #KarlIves #Brooklyn

A post shared by
 Amber Scorah
 (@amberscorah) on
Jul 10, 2015 at 4:22pm PDT

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.

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4 Common Toddler Sleep Problems & How To Solve Them

All parents know what it’s like: it’s late at night, and finally, the baby is all tucked in and in deep slumber. But it doesn’t last long.
 The baby wakes up and starts wailing for attention
.
You pick them up and try to put them back to sleep, only they don’t.

It can be frustrating for parents to see their
toddler struggle with sleep
 despite the best efforts, but this usually means something.

“Some disruptions, such as protesting a nap or crying when you leave the room, are related to development,” says Nanci Yuan, M.D., medical director for the Sleep Center at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, in Menlo Park, California, “while others may be the result of a change in routine.”

So how do you solve common toddler sleep problems? Read here.

Four tips to solve common toddler sleep problems

1. She refuses to nap

Babies do need to sleep, and lots of it. Typically, it is ideal for our toddlers to have a couple of naps throughout the day.

However, as they grow older, the amount of time spent in bed is reduced.

Once they start resisting naps, it is usually a sign that their daily naps can now be reduced to just one.

To minimise your tot’s struggles,
Parents
 advisor Dr. Judith Owens advises a consistent presleep routine. “The timing and order of meals and activities help anchor your child’s circadian clock,” Dr. Owens said.

Say your toddler is having trouble napping earlier in the day. What you can do instead is
schedule it later.

2. He cries when put in the crib

At 10 to 18 months, a child’s separation anxiety peaks. This is the reason why when you put them in the crib, they start fussing. Another reason may be that their imaginations are on overdrive and they start imagining scary creatures.

To combat this, Dr. Yuan said to sit near the crib as they are about to fall asleep. “Sit near the crib and tell your toddler that you’re there, but don’t interact beyond that,” she advises.

Then move farther and farther away each time so that they will slowly be able to adjust.

3. Vacation messes up her sleep schedule

Three-time X Games gold medalist David Wise and his wife have done their fair share of travelling for competitions. “Traveling with a toddler is difficult, especially when you throw in sleep deprivation,” David says.

So for their children to be able to sleep more or less regularly during and after travelling, the couple suggests having a nightly routine and maintaining it as faithfully as possible.

They also suggest “toting along with a portable crib, loveys, and bedtime books, and putting your toddler down in the darkest, quietest spot you can find.”

4. They wake up at night

According to Dr. Nelly Maseda, a paediatrician at the Montefiore Medical Group-Grand Concourse, in Bronx, New York, if your child is suddenly waking up in the middle of the night, a milestone may be to blame.

“If he’s learning a new skill like walking, he may be so focused on practising that he can’t sleep,” Dr. Maseda says. What a parent should do is to comfort the child, but keep them in the crib.
“Make it clear that he needs to go right back to sleep.”
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When Does Brain Fog Become A Concern?

Do you stumble through life feeling as if you’re on a heavy-duty antihistamine, even when you haven’t taken a single pill?
Brain fog
 can significantly impact everything from your energy levels to your career trajectory.

Everyone experiences the occasional day when they feel off. Your alarm doesn’t go off, and you start the day on the wrong foot. Perhaps you have a touch of a head cold, and you spend more time counting tissues than adding up expense account figures. However, if you’ve noticed an ongoing pattern of not quite feeling like your old self, it’s time to take action.

When Do Symptoms Become Severe?

Brain fog itself isn’t a medical condition, but it shows up as a symptom of a host of other ailments. If you have fibromyalgia, for example, you’re probably
familiar with fibro-fog
, a type of cognitive dysfunction common among those with the disease. Even prolonged stress can leave you feeling unable to focus on the task at hand.

The question of whether your symptoms are severe enough to warrant intervention depends on the degree to which they impact your overall life. Let’s take a closer look at each issue associated with brain fog and when you should ask for help.

Lack of Concentration

One bad day doesn’t devastate a career in typical cases, at least as long as you don’t participate in any extreme or outrageous behaviors. However, over time, brain fog can lead to repercussions in the workplace. If you were previously a top performer, but you’ve fallen back to the middle of the pack, it’s time to do some soul-searching. Is it your inability to concentrate that is causing the issue, or are you feeling dissatisfied with your career in general? If it’s the latter, it’s time to dust off your resume. However, if it’s the former, it’s time to take action.

This rule goes double if your employer puts you on a performance improvement plan. If you get fired, you could find it challenging to locate alternative employment. The financial ramifications of this can leave your mind reeling even more. Ask for help before you face the firing line.

Memory Failings

Everyone walks into a room now and then and has no clue why they went in there. However, memory failings can cost you considerable money and gas if you have to keep running back to the grocery store and other places for forgotten items. Additionally, if you find yourself struggling to keep track of significant events like anniversaries, birthdays or even important appointments like the dentist or the doctor, you need to make changes. Do the same if you can’t keep a mental list of more than two items straight.

Aches and Pains

Sometimes, your brain fog stems from physical factors. For example, migraines are
 the third most prevalent disease
 in the world and cause considerable difficulty with focus. Millions of Americans also suffer from chronic lower back pain or other ailments. These warrant a trip to the doctor when they create negative consequences in your daily life.

Excessive Fatigue

Finally, brain fog can make you feel like you’re continually spinning your wheels and getting nowhere. This situation is exhausting, and it’s no wonder you always feel tired! However, if you find that you can’t get out of bed in the morning, or you toss or turn all night, take action.

What to Do to Combat Brain Fog

You’ve decided that your brain fog is severe enough to warrant intervention. What are your next steps?

See Your Doctor

This tip is particularly crucial if you’ve skipped your annual checkups of late. You could have an underlying medical condition contributing to your brain fog, and the more quickly you start down the road to diagnosis, the sooner you can find relief. Millions of women have endometriosis, for example, but it can
 take years to receive a diagnosis
, let alone get treatment. When you speak with your physician, tell them that you’ve been feeling out of it — often. They may ask probing lifestyle questions to identify habits you need to change.

Get Regular Exercise

Exercise improves blood flow to your brain, bathing your neurons in vital oxygen. If the blood isn’t flowing to this organ, it increases your risk of everything from developing depression to committing crimes.

Most experts recommend you take
 150 minutes of moderate exercise
 or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly. That translates to approximately 30 minutes per day. They also advise that you do strength training exercises twice per week. You can invest in inexpensive dumbbells or resistance bands to use during commercial breaks while you watch TV. There’s no need to pay for a pricey gym membership.

Improve Your Diet

Your diet can impact your mood and ability to focus. Even something as simple as dehydration can affect your concentration. The most significant dietary culprit is ultra-processed junk food laden with fat and sugar. Because manufacturers
 strip these foods
 of their nutrients, your body turns to the sugar for energy. Once your metabolism burns through all of this fuel, you experience a crash.

To prevent this effect, strive to eat foods as close to their natural form as possible. Also, aim to fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables at each meal. Limit the amount of white flour and processed foods you consume. Learn
 how to meal prep
 on your days off so that you have grab-and-go goodness ready for the workweek.

Practice Meditation

Mindfulness meditation builds your awareness of the distracting thoughts that so often impact your behavior. It gives you the ability
 to become fully present
in the current moment. Scientific evidence suggests you can restructure your brain’s anatomy by regular practice. Best of all, you don’t have to spend a dime to get started on a mindfulness journey.

Find a place where you can sit quietly. Begin by focusing your awareness on your breath, inhaling for a count of four, pausing, then exhaling even more slowly. As distractions enter your mind, observe these thoughts neutrally. Remind yourself that the time you set aside to meditate is to benefit your health, and resist the urge to act when you remember you left laundry in the dryer. It will still be there when you finish — promise!

Remodel Your Bedroom

Finally, if a lack of restful slumber contributes to your brain fog, take a look at your sleeping environment. Do you live in an urban area or work unconventional hours? Hang blackout curtains so that flashing neon lights or outside sunlight doesn’t disturb your rest. If you don’t like how dark they make your bedroom, you might try finding a canopy that you can drape around your bed to block light.
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Take a look at your bedroom furnishings as well. Do you have a computer or a TV in your room? Do you use your cellphone as an alarm? Scientists theorize constant exposure
 can halt the production
 of melatonin, a critical sleep hormone. Invest in a traditional alarm clock and ban all gadgets from your sleep chamber.

Don’t Let Brain Fog Ruin Your Life

If your brain fog has veered into the severe territory, you don’t need to let it ruin your life. Follow a few simple tips to get back to feeling like yourself more quickly.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB

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5 Ways to Improve High-Rise Balcony Safety

Children are curious by nature.
 They love to climb, touch, watch and explore, which make them more susceptible to falls. This is worrisome especially for families who stay in high-rise buildings. Even more so when statistics show that most accidental falls among children happen from heights.

The most notable area of concern is the balconies of apartments. To reduce fatalities, we are urging all parents and landlords to make homes safer for children with one of these balcony installations.

Balcony Safety Solutions

1#
Invisible Grilles

Image: Legate

You can’t really go wrong with invisible grilles. Engineered with steel cables, this balcony guard lowers the risk of children falling from balconies.

They are customisable to individual home preferences and come in movable versions, which can come in handy for families who are looking for a short-term solution in their rented homes.

Being made out of stainless steel, invisible grilles are hardy and durable, however, they can still be cut using a wire cutter. So, they can’t be used to prevent burglars from breaking in.

Invisible grilles may be the modernised version of traditional grilles, but they are not exactly invisible, as the name suggests. You can still see thin wires running across and you would not have the clearest view of what is happening outside.

2#
Glass Curtains
®

Image: Glass Curtains

Glass Curtains® is a fully retractable enclosure for balconies that can convert that unused space into an all-year-round balcony oasis with endless possibilities. This unique innovation secured an exclusive European patent and is designed for easy everyday usage, maximum security and durability.

It relies on toughened glass units and Teflon Transport System to bring families a multitude of benefits. Tests showed that Glass Curtains® can reduce the intensity of outside traffic noise to the noise level of soft background music and is effective in keeping interiors dry even under heavy rainy conditions.

Thanks to a maintenance-free Teflon Transport System, it eliminates the need for rubber wheels that can degrade, or ball bearings, which can rust and have sliding friction.

The glass panels sit sturdily with the weight on the bottom of the tracks, making Glass Curtains® an incredibly steady and secure product. With no unsightly frames between the slimline glass panels, apartment dwellers get an endless gaze of the horizon.

Another unique innovation is the Flying Door™ opening system. Users have the option to open the glass panels completely for full ventilation or some panels can be left in place for a partial windbreak.

Plus, a sidelock system is also available to provide additional safety. Parents can rest assured that children can move around freely and safely as this glass enclosure can prevent fatal falls from high-rise apartments.

3#
Outdoor Blinds and Ziptrak
®

Image: Ziptrak

Outdoor blinds are also a great solution for families looking for extra protection. Louvre shutters, PVC blinds and external Venetian blinds come in an extensive range of configurations to suit different needs.

Most of these blinds are versatile but do not perform well under harsh weather conditions. They require frequent touch-ups and replacements and obstruct views.

Ziptrak®, on the other hand, is a sophisticated track guided blind system designed to provide protection from undesirable elements, such as rain, heat, wind, haze and insects, and ultimately, falls!

Its spring-balanced system is one of the smoothest in the market. No cranks or ropes are required to operate the blind. Just simply pull down, push up, let go and it will stay at any desired height. Ziptrak® is rigorously tested to provide total rain and wind protection.

The design grips tight to the vertical tracks so there will be no rattling even in the strongest winds. For a full secure hold, the blind can also be locked when fully down. Ziptrak® can go up to 6 metres wide to cover a large opening, and is available in manual or motorised geared styles, making it a stylish and effective solution.
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4# Safety Nets

Image: Madhu Safety Nets

Adding a safety net to the balcony is one of the most basic preventive steps one can take. Netting materials can easily be bought at most hardware stores, cut to size and are easy to install.

It may not be aesthetically appealing to have a net at the balcony obstructing views, but at least there is still space to enjoy some fresh air while keeping children and pets relatively safe.

Do bear in mind that nets may be useful at keeping out unwanted visitors, such as birds, but they are not tested to provide full home security.

5#
Additional Slats and Spindles

Image: Sapphire Balconies

For families who stay in an apartment with a balcony, some child safety tips to keep in mind include: making sure the railings do not have horizontal parts that could allow children to climb on them; putting away furniture and other climbable objects from the edge of the balcony; keeping doors to balconies closed to prevent children from gaining access to them.

Apart from these, adding extra vertical slats or spindles to fill in the gaps in the railing can make the balcony safer as well.

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
.

Read more
:
 8 Ways To Guide Your Child Into Responsible Behaviour

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 Using Psychology to Shape Behaviour: Punish, Reward or Remove?

Read more:

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Even When I Did All These, My Little One Was Still Infected With Rotavirus

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Want to Create Quality Time With Your Kids? Here Are 5 Ideas for You to Try!

Today’s family has become a family that is almost always pressed for time. With both parents who are working and managing a house at the same time and children who are stressed with school and extra classes, it is not a wonder that there may be big pockets in the day when you don’t see one another. Then you look at your weekend schedule and find out that you have a host of social obligations to fulfil. It is for this reason why it is even more important to ‘steal’ time here and there and spend quality time with your children so that they are always guided by you and the values you want to impart to them.

Here are some ways in which you can spend a great deal of time with your children without having to take out too much time.

How to Spend Quality Time with Your Children

#1. Take your children with you when you are running errands; whether to the supermarket, bookstore or laundry

Credit: Freepik

Not only will they know and appreciate the amount of work you do, you will also get to connect with them on a different level when on these trips. My kids and I talk a lot about school, friends and values in life when we are on these drives.

When we drive to and from classes, we sometimes steal a short break at a coffee shop and down a doughnut and we are able to catch up a lot more about each other’s lives. I remember the times my mum and I did this when I was a child and I also know these are the moments my kids and I will both cherish in the years to come.

#2. Put aside a time a week for each of your children

These times need not be long if you cannot afford it but it should be a time only between you and a child of yours. Plan what you will do on this date; be it watch a movie, go bowling or go window shopping – do something fun where your child has your undivided attention.

You will see that it is during these times that your child will share many things with you that he or she may not normally share with you. Blame it on the rush of the day’s events, kids just like adults are able to talk more when they unwind.

#3. Spend quality time together by eating at least one meal a day together

Credit: Freepik

Breakfast is often a chaotic time, so pick a meal when your schedules allow you to eat together. A family that eats together, stays together. Mealtimes are a great time when a whole family is able to interact and this is a healthy way to show your children togetherness.

#4. Take a walk with your children regularly

If you can take out even 15 minutes every evening, go on and take a walk around the neighbourhood with your kids. This ‘free’ free time is amazing because you get to catch up with one another, get positive energy into your bodies thanks to exercise and also feel fresh breathing some fresh air outdoors when most of our days consist on being cooped up indoors with artificial air.

#5. Spend quality time together by cooking together

Credit: Freepik

Schedule some days when your child is a little free where he or she can help you cook dinner. Children bond very well with parents when they spend time in the kitchen together. There is just something truly special about this.

I still remember how I used to make the pancake batter for breakfast on weekends and was allowed to even make my own pancake. My kids and I bake cakes and cookies together and we always have a great time connecting over this simple activity.

We will always have reasons to be busy in our lives. So will our kids. With our stressful lives where we wear many different hats, life will never become easier or simpler unless we move to a village far away. Always remember this one line I read somewhere recently, “there are only 936 weekends from the time your child is born till he or she goes off to university” – how do you want to spend these weeks and weekends?

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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:
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Stop telling your sons these 10 things: raising boys the right way

Women empowerment, the #metoo movement, fighting gender discrimination – the world is changing. A large part of this change depends on you, mums, and how you raise your boys. If you want your son to grow up well-rounded, respectful, and kind to everyone, then you should stop telling your sons these 10 things!

10 Things to Stop Telling Your Sons

If you care about your child’s development, then you need to stop telling your sons these things!

1. “Act tough”

A lot of people think of men as tough, and women, emotional. That’s why you often see dads telling their sons to “suck it up” or “act tough.”

However, the truth couldn’t be any more different. It’s totally normal for some men to be sensitive, while some women are tough. People are just inherently different, and it has nothing to do with gender whatsoever.

2. “You’re acting like a girl”

What does it mean to “act like a girl?” If you think really hard about it, young boys and girls essentially have the same traits, habits, and interests.

Telling your son that he’s “acting like a girl” is also usually said as an insult. But there’s nothing wrong with being a girl.

As parents, it’s important to teach equality to children at a very young age, and not make their children think that one gender is superior to the other.

3. “You need to be more manly”

What does being “a man” mean? For the most part, it means that boys should grow up to fit the stereotype of a traditional man.

But these days, there’s really no such thing. Men come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique personalities. Instead, teach your son to embrace himself and to be proud of who he is.

4. “You have to be big and strong”

Again, this one plays to the stereotype of the “big and strong” man. Honestly, not all men are big and strong – that depends on their genes mostly. Parents should be proud of their sons no matter what, and not force them to adhere to an outdated stereotype of what men should be.

5. “That’s not something for boys”

You usually hear this when little boys start playing with “girl” toys. But what is wrong with young boys playing with dolls? Or cooking sets for that matter?

Toys are toys, and kids love to play. It doesn’t matter if they’re playing with action figures, or dolls, what matters is that kids are having fun and they’re learning.

The same goes for clothes, or colours. Who ever said that boys can’t wear pink, or the so-called “feminine” colours? If a little boy wants to wear a pink shirt, then who are we to stop them from doing so?

6. “Do you want people to think you’re a girl?”

This is another thing that some parents tell their sons. And if you’re one of those parents, then please, stop telling your sons this phrase.

There is nothing wrong with being a girl, and parents should steer clear of outdated notions of gender norms.

Acceptance and understanding are what kids need, not judgment from their parents.

7. “Boys don’t cry”

It’s totally fine for boys to cry. If a young boy feels sad, then it’s okay for them to express their feelings by crying. This is normal.

Validating a child’s feelings is important, and crying is a way for them to be in touch with their emotions. And parents should always validate their child’s feelings.

8. “This will turn you into a man”

The only thing that turns boys into men is the natural process of growing up. There’s no prescribed behaviour that makes a boy into a man. Saying this phrase would only make kids feel bad about themselves if they don’t live up to what a “man” should be.

9. “Boys will be boys”

Telling kids that “boys will be boys” is basically teaching young men to not be responsible for their actions.

If a boy does something wrong, don’t let it pass because “boys will be boys.” It only creates a culture that allows men to do whatever they want, without any repercussions or responsibility.

10. “Are you a girl?”

Stop telling your sons this phrase. This makes it seem that being a girl is a bad thing, when in reality it’s not.

Not only does this degrade your son, but it also degrades women in general. Calling someone a girl should never ever be an insult.

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Source:
Psychology Today

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