toddlerhood

You may have read my previous post on People Impact. I got the opportunity to observe a class conducted for 5 to 6 years old. Now, I am excited because Naj will be turning 3 years old in 2 months, he gets to have a trial class with People Impact.

I have been an advocate of People Impact from the time I discovered their program and their emphasize on Emotional Intelligence. I am a believer of nurturing both the Intelligence Quotient and Emotional Intelligence. We have been aware of IQ for years now but I am glad that EQ is given its much-needed attention. Emotional Intelligence determines a person’s self-confidence, social interaction, approach to adversities and cognitive thinking.

I was also happy that People Impact got a branch in the East of Singapore, near our place. We were greeted by the friendly teachers as we came in. We were ushered into a room with lots of natural light streaming in. There were a bunch of kids in the room already around 3 to 4 years old of age. Naj was slightly shy at first.

The class is often divided into 3 segments structured as a fun game to appeal to kids. Teacher Constance gave an introduction and allowed the children to settle down for a bit.

LESSON 1: BEAR BRICKS

Teacher Constance showed a deck of cards with different looking bears on it. She asked the children to choose one and study it carefully. Then she laid down several rectangular styrofoams in 3 segments on the floor with the front facing down. She explained that the 1st segment is the bear’s head, the 2nd is the bear’s body and the 3rd is the bear’s legs. Each one has their chance to open one rectangular styrofoam and see if it is their bear’s bodypart. If they have not completed all their bear’s bodypart. They will have to return the styrofoam back facing down. This will strengthen their visual attention skill and enhance their visual-spatial memory. I was reminded me of the game my siblings and I used to play called Memory. I was funny to see the kids so excited when they see one body part of their bear. Naj started saying, “Oh no!” to his delight in seeing a body part of his bear, the other kids followed suit. They were so happy when they would finally build their bear. Everyone would chant, ” Build A Bear! Build A Bear!” When everyone finally got all their bear’s bodyparts, Teacher Constance took a photo of them and their bears. However, there was a little commotion because one kid cried because Naj insist on having his bear positioned slanting. Either one wouldn’t have it. Kids and autonomy at this age. Hahaha! They got over it very quickly soon after.

LESSON 2: INSIDE OUT

I am familiar with the cartoon movie, Inside Out. I love that movie. Teacher Constance introduced the different characters in the movie and their specific emotions by showing a picture of each characters and color-coding them. Then she gave each one a bowl with a different colored buttons. Then she showed them short videos and asking the kids to guess what emotion that person is feeling in the video. It strengthens emotional awareness of self & others, develop confidence to express emotions verbally, strengthen emotion management skill and develop empathy.

LESSON 3: SPIDER WEB CHALLENGE

The last game was the spider web challenge. Naj is all about Spiderman these days. So this is very timely. Upon entering the room earlier, I have noticed the floor with a spider web pattern plastered on the floor. A leader was picked and everyone was give a basket. Teacher Constance scattered colorful butterflies around the spider web as well as black “poisonous” butterflies. The instructions are to step only on the spider web and get only the colorful butterflies. If you don’t step on the web or you get the black poisonous butterfly, you will be paralysed, you can’t move. You will need to ask help from your classmates to tap you so you can move. The leader strategised by telling his members their area to pick the butterflies. It was a fun activity for the kids even if there was a time limit. It helps develop team cooperation skills, strengthens the understanding of team support even working under pressure, enhance team strategic skills, strengthens leadership skill and enhances gross motor skills.

Naj has a fun time learning in People Impact . Naj played with his classmates in another room with the supervision of another teacher while Teacher Constance spoke to the parents on the lessons of the kids that day. I am glad J was with me to listen to the Teacher as well. We also got a one-on-one session with Teacher Constance about Naj and how we can help him in his learnings and skills.

I am so glad there are centres like People Impact to guide our kids to be more confident, self-reliant and equip with effective life skills.

Good news! Here is the special offer for my readers :

ONLY $20 for 2 FULL LESSONS at their newest branch at Eastpoint Mall.

The usual package is priced at $1419 for 12 sessions, so each lesson is approximately $120. Grab this excellent opportunity!

PEOPLE IMPACT

Website: www.people-impact.com.sg

UPPER THOMSON BRANCH SINGAPORE HQ

213 Upper Thomson Road Level 3 Singapore 574348

Tel: +65 64514908

EASTPOINT MALL BRANCH

3 Simei Street 6 #03-01/02

Singapore 528833

Tel: +65 91769239

CITY SQUARE MALL BRANCH

180 Kitchener Road #08-01

Singapore 208539

Tel: +65 6509 6570

WEST COAST PLAZA BRANCH

154 West Coast Road #01-74

Singapore 127371

Tel: +65 6635 8573

Disclaimer: This blog post is a collaboration with People Impact. Naj had one session for free. All opinions are my own. Regardless, I only recommend products which I personally believe will be good for my readers.

For most parents, trying to get a kid out of their food comfort zone is a very hard. Over the years, a child will become very set in their ways, which can lead to them not wanting to try anything new. One example is my son, Naj. In some cases a child will be curious and want to know what is a gyro or what it is their parents have on their plate. A parent will usually want a child to branch out a bit in regards to what they eat, but will not know how to approach it.

So below are some of the things that a parent will need to think about when attempting to get their children to try new foods:

1.Don’t Force It

One of the biggest mistakes that most parents will make during this process is trying to force their children to try new foods. This can lead to a variety of problems and will usually not get you the results that you are after. In order for a child to feel comfortable with trying new foods, it will have to be their idea. Trying to force them will usually make them not want the new foods even more.

2. Let them Get a Bit Off of Your Plate

In some cases, the best way to get a child to eat new foods is by letting them try a bit off of your plate. Rather than ordering the child a big helping of a new food that they may or may not like, you need to be sensible about this. By taking the time to let them try a bit of the food of an order that you have, you will be able to find out if they like and whether or not they are ready for a full order.

3. Make it Fun

Often times, a parent will get so frustrated about a kid not trying new foods that they will get take all of the fun out of this process. By taking the time to interject a bit of fun into this process, a parent will be able to have a higher degree of success. Daring the child to eat something new or enticing them with a prize can have a very positive effect. The last thing that you want to do is make the child feel like you are mad at them about not trying new foods.

There are various types and styles of food out there. This means that a parent should have no problem finding new and exciting things for their children to try.

I hope these tips help you like it help me too….

NURTURING NAJ’S IQ AND EQ AT PEOPLE IMPACT

WAYS TO GET A PICKY EATER TO TRY SOMETHING NEW