Wearing a mask on a regular basis is unheard-of in the yesteryears. Helping your child understand why he or she needs to wear a mask is essential to reduce the discomfort, fear, or worry. Consider these efficient tips to convince your child to wear a face mask.
#1: HELP YOUR CHILD UNDERSTAND
Get your point across through age-appropriate explanations. Pre-schoolers learn through play. Allow your child to role-play by putting a mask on their stuffed animal or doll. You may also let your child make his or her own mask or decorate it with stickers and paint.
Children from ages 5 to 12 learn best through knowing the purpose of their actions. Usually, they do not just want to be told what to do. They want to understand why. The typical questions that you may get are as follows.
Question: “What’s Coronavirus?”
Answer: Coronavirus is a new type of sickness — like a stomach flu or cold. Because it is new, doctors and scientists do not know a lot about it. We need to be extra careful to keep everyone safe. Let us do this by wearing a mask.
Question: “Why do I have to wear a mask?”
Answer: Covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough helps to avoid the spread of germs. Wearing a mask can help avoid the spread of the virus. Some people may get really sick because of this new virus. When you put your mask on, you are becoming a special helper that keeps the people safe.
#2: LET YOUR CHILD CHOOSE HIS OR HER MASK
Put value to the opinion of your child by letting him choose his own mask. Your child may want put his favorite character on his fabric mask. Let your child’s imagination run while by providing art materials. They will be more eager to wear a mask that they like. Do check for comfort and ensure that the straps are not too tight or too loose.
#3: BECOME GOOD ROLE MODELS
Practice wearing a mask with your child at home and when you go outside. Be good role models to your child by wearing your mask correctly at home and in public places. You can even make a fun game out of it. Whoever wears his or her own mask first will win! Keep your expectations reasonable and gradually increase expectations as your beloved child gets used to the way a mask feels on his or her face.
#4: GIVE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENTS
Whether you want to give a tangible token or an encouraging praise to your child, you can provide positive reinforcements that will help your child wear a mask. You do not need to break the bank for this!
You may also let your child hear statements like: “I love wearing my mask. It keeps other people safe. You can try it too.” Your child will appreciate the positive attention. You may also let your child watch videos that emphasize on the power of wearing a mask. See for yourself:
Parents of Singaporean children born from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2022 can get a one-time Baby Support Grant to help them alleviate the costs of raising a child amidst the pandemic. The Baby Support Grant will supplement the existing Baby Bonus cash gift. The former is worth S$3,000, while the latter can go as high as S$$10,000. These will be deposited to the bank account that the parents have nominated.
The giving out of funds will start from April 1, 2021 or within one month of enrollment into the Baby Bonus scheme. It will depend on the situation.
Ms. Indranee Rajah, a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and a Second Minister for Finance and National Development, highlighted that the Government has allotted some budget to provide support to more Singaporean parents. Lower-income parents with babies on or after October 1 were already eligible for the grant, while those with babies born before that date can benefit from other existing schemes.
She said: “The Government will spare no effort to help couples meet their marriage and parenthood aspiration.” The pandemic has not been easy on all of us and most people have postponed their wedding and family plans.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
A recent survey commissioned by the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) found that about 30% of respondents will likely delay marriage or have a child later on because of the pandemic and its effects on the economy and the healthcare system. About 80% of the married individuals stated that they plan to delay having children. The survey collected information from about 4,100 Singaporeans ranging from ages 21 to 45. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding us as of the moment.
This is why, Ms. Indranee Rajah encouraged the community and businesses to cultivate an environment that is family-friendly.
“We also hope that more businesses and community groups will play their part to support couples juggle work and family, provide affordable goods and services for young families, and ultimately, create a Singapore that is made for families.”
Some companies have answered this plea and are offering special deals to families with young children. For instance, Mothercare will offer its VIP membership to all Singaporeans who are giving birth over the next 12 months to be eligible for their special discounts.
Nonetheless, the Government has asked for the understanding of everyone due to the given duration of this grant. According to them, the specific start dates are necessary for any new measure or enhancement. May this grant aid many Singaporean families, especially those who need it the most!
More support for Singaporeans to start and raise families
The government has announced a one-off S$3,000 grant for parents of Singaporean children born from 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2022.
The Baby Support Grant is introduced to lend additional support for families amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This will supplement the existing Baby Bonus Cash Gift which can goes up to $10,000 for each child. The cash will be deposited into the nominated bank account from 1 April 2021 or within 1 month of enrolment in the scheme.
The Baby Bonus Scheme, which was introduced on 1 April 2001, supports parents’ decision to have more children by helping to lighten the financial costs of raising children.
via msf.gov.sg
Parents will receive the enhanced Cash Gift in 5 instalments, over 18 months.
My preferred form of entertainment is watching movies and series. I consider it a way to put my spare time to good use.
One of my favorite movie media (I prefer to call it a medium, because that’s what it is.) is animation. People are quick to brush it off due to it being largely made for children.
But a mark of media maturity is accepting and appreciating the workmanship and skill that goes into these movies. These stories resonate not just with children, but with everyone!
Another good thing is that they work around narrative limitations. That’s something only skilled and talented people can do with the right amount of grit and luck.
Anyway, if you’re convinced, I’ll help you give animation a try. Here’s a list of good picks that you can watch with your family.
A 1998 animated film of Dreamworks, this movie is an adaptation of the story of Exodus from the Bible. This movie pulls no punches with its harsh, mature themes, and definitely does not talk down to its audience.
Even after 20 years, the 2D animation still holds up well. Every single aspect of this film is simply phenomenal: from the voice acting, to the art direction and the sound design, it hits all the right notes for an animated film.
And since it’s a musical, the music is amazing. From the heavy-hitting “Deliver Us” that throws you into the setting of the movie, to the gentle and powerful theme of the Burning Bush.
This is a movie that’s worth the watch, and deserves to gain more recognition due to the artistry, effort, and respect for textual accuracy. It also brings human themes front and center to make it resonate with many people, regardless of their faiths.
Song of the Sea was created by Cartoon Saloon, the same studio that brought you The Secret of Kells and The Breadwinner. All I can say is that studio is the Irish equivalent of Studio Ghibli, which is high praise indeed.
Song of the Sea is made with hand-drawn animation, a feat that’s impressive considering that animated films now often come in 3D animation. What makes Song of the Sea unique is that it has a story and aesthetics borrowed heavily from Irish folklore and culture.
The story tells of a young child named Ben who lost his mother while she was giving birth to his little sister, Saoirse (Sur-sha). Little did he know that his mother was a selkie, and so is little Saoirse, who needs to sing the Song of the Sea to help faeries go back to their world.
The themes of this movie focus heavily on loss and the grieving that follows said loss. It also deals with the harmful concept of bottling up your emotions to avoid managing them.
So if you ever need to gently explain the very human, yet difficult-to-deal-with emotion of grief to your kids, this is the movie that you should put on for them.
One of the best adaptations of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this movie can be good for people who have their parents micromanage their lives to the point where there’s little air to breathe.
The main character has that problem as well, but she seems to do swimmingly with it, until she meets her next-door neighbor who tells her the story of the Little Prince, whom he met years ago in a desert while working as an aviator.
This movie covers the themes of growing up too fast, and teaching people what is essential.
Who knew that you’d bawl your eyes out from watching a robot voiced by Vin Diesel? The Iron Giant is one of those cult classics that are wonderful to watch over and over again.
The story is set in the late 50’s where the paranoia of the Cold War has begun to set into suburban America. A child discovers a giant robot that has lost its memories, and befriends it, but this comes with its own set of problems when a government agent appears and questions where it came from, believing it to be some kind of weapon.
This movie poignantly explains death and loss to children, and does so through Hogarth’s understanding: “Things die… It’s a part of life. It’s bad to kill. But it’s not bad to die.”
It also explores the theme of autonomy, and choosing who you want to be, regardless of where you came from.
Megamind is the only entry on this list that’s a 3D animated film, and there’s a good reason I saved this for last (but it’s not necessarily the least). I’ve always said that Megamind is simply a victim of being released at the wrong time.
That’s why it’s so criminally underrated: if it had been released around the advent of Marvel films, then it would have gotten the attention it deserved. This subversion of the superhero genre is jam-packed with fast-paced humor and a strong narrative.
This movie is filled with themes of nature vs. nurture. But what makes it so interesting nowadays is that the arc of the actual villain focuses on his unwanted advances and feelings of entitlement towards a woman.
This is something that has come into cultural focus, and Megamind was beyond its time (this was made back in 2010) for discussing such a delicate subject and being one of the first movies of that time period calling out such behavior.
This may be made for kids, but it never talks down to its audience, and it’s more appreciated by adults for its mature themes without resorting to vulgarity.
You can watch any of these picks on different streaming services. Or you can watch them on different devices. I, for one, recommend watching them on a flatscreen TV to immerse yourself in the experience.
To enhance the experience, an expert at TV Repair Singapore who is also an animation junkie, gave me advice on adjusting the color grade of my TV to make animation colors pop out.
I’ll share it with you so you can use it when watching the above films: since animation has a tendency to lean towards bright colors, he advises to lessen saturation and adjust brightness accordingly. Enjoy!
Babies are tiny, delicate, and defenceless. So, as their parents, it is up to you to make sure that they remain safe and happy at all times. Now, there is no denying that this can feel like a rather overwhelming responsibility.
The good news, though, is that there is plenty of support available to you. Since baby safety is a global priority, there has been a fair amount of research conducted on the matter. So, on this note, here are the top things that you should know:
Double Check Safety Standards
You would imagine that all baby items will have been put through strenuous testing to ensure that they are functional and safe. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There are many dangerous and unsatisfactory products on the market. This is why you have to often do the research yourself.
Fortunately, this isn’t too difficult thanks to government regulatory agencies. They often test various products to let you know if they are safe to buy. Still, you should bear in mind that these agencies tend to stick with big-ticket items such as strollers and carriers. Thus, it is up to you to check on the rest of the items. You can do this by double checking safety standards and remaining up to date on any recall notices.
Practice Sleep Safety
Your baby tends to be particularly vulnerable while they are sleeping. So, you should make a special effort with their sleeping arrangements. It starts off by finding the right crib. As consumer advisory Little One Mag explains, there are several safety features to watch out for.
To begin with, the frame must be sturdy and have limited flex. Also, the foundation for the mattress must be completely flat. Furthermore, the slats should have limited space between them and be firm.
This aren’t the only guidelines to consider, though. It is just as important to select a firm mattress that has very little give. Also, keep the crib clear of toys, pillows, and blankets. It is far better to dress your baby in warm layers and then to add or remove the layers as necessary.
Always make sure that your baby sleeps on their back. If they roll over onto their side, make sure to correct their sleeping position each and every time.
Pay Attention to Toy Features
As a new parent, you are going to want to buy lots and lots of toys for your little one. Before you do, though, you will need to examine each and every feature to ensure that it is safe for your infant. First and foremost, toys should always be big. This reduces the risk of them being swallowed.
At the same time, the toys shouldn’t have any components that can be removed and swallowed. This includes plastic parts on toys as well as eyes and buttons on stuffed animals. So, always check them out before giving them to your baby. It is best to follow the age recommendations of each and every toy.
Avoid giving your baby old toys or ones that have come from unknown sources. These probably haven’t passed the necessary safety standards. As such, you can’t guarantee that they are suitable for your little one.
These are the top baby safety tips that parents should know. Once you begin to practice them, you will have greater peace of mind concerning your baby’s wellbeing.
