Bright Kids - 06 October 2015

The STar, tuesday 6 october 2015

special

Beyond the classroom

EDUCATORS are becoming more creative with extracurricular activities to get students interested and involved. Here are some unique offerings in international schools that can make learning new skills fun:

2 bright kidsTHE STAR, TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 2015

More than everyday educationTHE switch to school-based assessments in national schools reflects the Education Ministrys move towards adopting a more holistic system, which is quite a feat considering the previous system greatly focused on national examination grades to gauge educational excellence.

One of the components assessed under this new system is physical, sports and co-curricular activities.

Outside classroom learning, extracurricular activities have been a fixture of Malaysian schools for a long time but not always with sufficient emphasis.

In a recent newspaper opinion piece, PT3 needs to reflect learning, not grading, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysias Prof Dr Mohd Sallehudin Abd Aziz says the school-based assessment system cannot yet make a significant impact as the national school system remains traditional in perspective and practice.

He argues that even with the revamped system, the focus has barely changed as teachers, parents, students and school administrators still place much emphasis on the central assessment, in which the questions and marking schemes are provided by the Examinations Syndicate.

This means that we may not be able to see the fruits of a more holistic education from the national education system for some time despite having these changes implemented.

However, there are systems that have been in place for some time in other schools that prove that education thrives in an environment of extracurricular participation.

Options aplenty International schools provide

variety to the local education landscape and are fast becoming a favourite choice among city folks.

Many schools with British, American or Canadian curricula are offering what has proven to be a solid alternative to the traditional score-based system, along with global reach and prospects.

Seeing the benefits of extracurricular involvement worldwide, many of these schools have expanded their range of activities to include more current, relevant interests and skills.

For instance, elc International School offers various opportunities in science and arts (Science Werkz, Jewelry Making), language and current affairs (Model United Nations, Word Search) and physical activity (aerobics, golf).

Students who are involved in extracurricular pursuits tend to improve their academic grades as well as demonstrate increased self-esteem, motivation and time management, says Margaret Kaloo, chief executive officer and founder of elc International School.

On top of that, many universities are more interested in recruiting students who have something to offer in addition to

academic qualifications.They seek out students who can make a contribution in other areas to the university and society at large.

Embracing changeEven traditional schools have

evolved with the times, as can be seen with British boarding school Epsom College in Malaysia.

The change is reflected in its stand on extracurricular involvement.

Headmaster Martin George says, These activities teach children to test themselves without worrying about failure and allows them to discover talents they didnt know they had.

He opines that school should be a place of laughter, imagination, curiosity and experimentation, especially since many of the best and most lasting memories children take from school are not from the classroom, but from the challenging and enjoyable activities in which they participate with friends.

It seems, then, that public schools could model extracurricular involvement around a more solid concept that promotes a more advanced understanding of learning.

Not only is this the first step in encouraging all-rounded development, but it also teaches students that there are ways to meld interest, passion and purpose in fulfilling their role as members of a society.

Children must be presented with the opportunity to explore as many things as they can to find their interests and passions, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly, expose them to the world of possibilities ahead.

That is what extracurricular involvement is about, and is also the essence of an all-encompassing education.

Schools that emphasise co-curricular activities give students the opportunities to excel beyond the academics.

By THERESA BELLE

Unique fun

Children must be presented with the opportunity to explore as many things as they can to find their interests and passions, and most importantly, expose them to the world of possibilities ahead.

l Sports and fitnessWhat: RowingWhere: Epsom College in

MalaysiaWhy: This Olympic sport is

not a huge hit among younger Malaysians but it does attract a niche crowd, especially at university level.

Rowing can be recreational or competitive, and is beneficial to health as it helps burn off fat and improve cardio-respiratory fitness. As a team sport, it is also challenging yet rewarding.

l Language and speakingWhat: Spoken word poetryWhere: Sunway International

School, Taylors International School, and others

Why: Sunway International School has held numerous inter-school poetry slams with other schools in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area, in collaboration with BluBricks speech and drama studio.

Poetry has long been a staple of literature studies, but these competitions have taken it one step further by acting as platforms on which students can present their own pieces while engaging and entertaining a crowd.

It builds confidence and presentation skills while celebrating language in a creative, exciting and accessible manner.

What: YogaWhere: UCSI International

School Subang JayaWhy: An ancient practice that

has made its mark in modern society, yoga is widely practised in different parts of the world today for its benefits to health and fitness.

It combines spiritual, mental and physical elements to promote overall wellness, balance and flexibility. It is also a mechanism for relaxation, coping with stress and finding peace.

What: CapoeiraWhere: elc International

SchoolWhy: This Brazilian martial

art brings dance, acrobatics and music together in a show of speed and power. It is gaining traction in Malaysia and provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to enhance agility and focus.

Capoeiras cultural significance is recognised by Unesco with the intangible cultural heritage protection status.

l Modern and martial artsWhat: PhotographyWhere: Garden International

SchoolWhy: There are many factors

and technical details that go into capturing and processing digital photographs - through school-level opportunities such as this, children learn how to take better pictures and join in photographic challenges in a fun and stimulating environment.

Rowing is a challenging and rewarding team sport.

and teaching of lessons.The schools prioritise the

individuality of every child, striving to provide the best learning environments that enable students to be challenged in reaching their potential as well-rounded, passionate lifelong learners and purposeful leaders who are one step ahead of the rest.

n For more information about Taylors International Schools Kuala Lumpur campus, call 03-9200 9898 or e-mail [email protected]. For the Puchong campus, call 03-5879 5000 or e-mail [email protected]

THE STAR, TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 2015

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Tailor-made teachingTAYLORS International Schools believe that all children are special and born with tremendous potential.It is the job of educators to find,

nurture and develop students talents. Therefore, how do educators teach to enable children to fulfil their potentials?

There is an easy perception that educating children is best done in the way that is most natural to the teacher. The perception is that if the teacher is comfortable with a certain way of teaching, the child will be better behaved and learn more effectively.

However, this is not the case. Just as all teachers are different in the way they teach, they also face different types of learners in the classroom.

Taylors International Schools understand that some children learn more successfully aurally, some visually and some kinaesthetically.

There are also learners who are fixed learners and those who are growth learners. Fixed learners believe that they are the way they are and have fixed intelligence while growth learners believe that intelligence and learning can be developed.

If an educator teaches children in only one way, with one perception of the kind of learners his or her students are, then not all the children can access the educators teaching in the best possible way.

A lesson that is taught with only one style of learning in mind can often result in children who are bored, uninterested or unchallenged.

Aural learners understand more naturally through listening to instructions, debating and hearing others ideas.

Visual learners need to see

something written down or physically write it down to fully understand a lesson.

Kinaesthetic learners often find it difficult to learn through listening or reading.

They need to explore a situation and make sense of it by doing something physical that embodies those ideas.

The challenge for educators is to successfully teach many students at the same time by incorporating teaching techniques that are suited to three main types of learners in one lesson or activity.

For a teacher who is a visual learner, the challenge is to break out of his or her own comfort zone and be able to teach in a variety of ways that enable every individual in the class to access the curriculum.

Understanding this concept, the teaching staff at Taylors International Schools ensures that all learning styles of the children under their care are taken into consideration during the planning

Some children are kinaesthetic learners who need hands-on explorations.

Teachers can further facilitate learning by adapting lessons to various learning styles.


Precautionary measures can be taken so learning can continue in a safe environment.

Unfazed by the hazeIN Malaysia, the haze has now become an annual occurrence, with some years being worse than others. On top of that, with the

weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, there are pockets of bad haze during long dry periods too.

Many schools are experiencing the hazes negative impact on learning and teaching. However, while we may not be able to do anything about the haze directly, schools can at least prepare to face it.

In some areas in China, air pollution is now so commonplace that schools do not stop outdoor activites until the API reading exceeds 250.

At the moment, schools in Malaysia are ordered to shut when the API reading hits around 200.

If we look further afield, published material from the American Lung Association states that when the API reading reaches between 101 and 150, all children, active adults and people with respiratory disease such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Once the API reading is anywhere from 151 to 200, most people should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion.

The association goes on to say that it is only when the API reaches 301 that everyone needs to stay indoors.

Essentially, we need to limit our

exposure to the outdoor air, but life can certainly carry on.

Regardless of where one might stand on the topic, the reality is that education cannot stop.

While conditions are not ideal, our children still need school and all the mental, emotional and physical development offered through education.

Sheela Raghu, principal of elc International School, says, While a school primarily wants to keep children safe, it must also work on finding creative solutions to

engage students.Given how topical air pollution

is at the moment, teachers can weave this into childrens learning. For example, in geography lessons, students can learn about how agriculture is actually one of the largest contributors to air pollution in the western world.

Teachers can then take that into a later class and pose the question on what can be done to balance the need for food versus the pollution generated by modern agricultural methods.

There are numerous ways that teachers can weave topical issues into a regular class and it can breathe life into an otherwise difficult situation.

On top of this, we are fostering a generation clued up on serious topical matters who will eventually offer solutions to problems that previous generations have failed to address.

The classroom is not the only area where the battle against the haze is happening.

Many international schools across Malaysia cancelled outdoor physical education lessons once the API reading passed 100.

Head of physical education at elc International School, Eduardo Dela Luna, laments on how team performance suffers as outdoor training becomes limited.

However, he is keen to keep students engaged and plans for activities in multi-purpose halls or turns outdoor classes into science lessons on physiology and health.

Parents also play a vital role in the continued development of students.

They need to be attuned to how their childs body is coping with the increased exposure to the haze.

If breathing is laboured or eyes constantly irritated, seek medical

advice on how to develop strategies to cope.

There are a range of masks available in the market, from standard to more fanciful ones. There is also a wide variety of different eyedrops with functions, so obtaining specific medical advice is essential if you find your childs health suffering.

Share any relevant medical information with your childs homeroom teacher so that the school can help manage your childs health effectively too.

If you notice that your child is suffering from a form of cabin fever from prolonged indoor detention, explore avenues to get them active indoors.

Gymnastics, rock climbing, soft play, yoga, badminton and basketball are some indoor options that can be explored.

As Chong Soh Nee, head of secondary at elc International School, says, Without a doubt, when the API reading is high we have to stay indoors. But that does not mean life and learning stops. Take the necessary precautions and never let the haze stop you from learning.

n For more information, visit www.elc.edu.my


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Going beyond the ordinaryPART of Epsom College in Malaysias specialty is its vast offering of co-curricular activities (CCA), which emphasises the importance of a diverse, exciting learning experience.

Co-curricular activity is crucial at Epsom, reflecting our commitment to give students an education in the fullest sense of the word, says headmaster Martin George.

Students are encouraged to select CCAs that exhibit a balance of key areas. The CCA commitments at Epsom can be broken down into sports, drama, music, service and culture.

Fun on the fieldOne of the major sporting activities at

Epsom is rugby the college has boys and girls teams, and all pupils are welcome to participate regardless of rugby skill or experience.

Coach of the U18 boys team Steve Capon (former Saracens UK player) engages players through a variety of skill practices, team-building activities, techniques and drills three times a week.

A typical session includes warming up according to basic skills and fitness components, breaking into specific unit skills, then finishing off the last 20 to 30 minutes with a game setting, which includes stopping and coaching.

Rugby attracts students of various ages, from 10-year-olds in prep school to 18-year-old senior pupils.

There are currently 50 boys (divided into Under 13, Under 15 and Under 18 groups) with three staff members, one of whom is a guest coach from rugby club KL Tigers.

Besides improving their fitness levels, leadership and gross motor skills, the students learn new skills and better understand the game while having a good time as a team, says Capon.

As an educator, I see the level of commitment and passion they have and

watch them grow in confidence, which translates to other activities they engage in within the classroom and college, he shares.

Culinary crazeStudents also have their pick of exciting

indoor activities such as Madness in the Kitchen, which is essentially a beginners culinary class.

A group of 16 pupils (mostly boys in Years 7 and 8) meet for an hour every week to put together simple meals such as sandwiches and kebabs under the guidance of teachers.

Most students have never had access to a kitchen as they either have cooks at home or eat out often, so it is their first time learning how to dice an onion or peel a cucumber.

They gain the most important life skill there is looking after yourself, says Suzanne Kuster, head of co-curricular activities, who is also one of those in charge of this activity.

Kuster says students can be seen communicating and working together to make a delicious meal, which set the classroom abuzz with energy and enthusiasm.

She emphasises the diverse learning opportunities offered through CCAs at Epsom, saying, All pupils have different sports and physical activities from the traditional team sports of rugby, hockey, netball and basketball to the physical fun of ballroom dancing, yoga, fencing, squash or cross-country running.

They also immerse themselves in expressive arts through music, art, drama and speaking skills. There are 44 clubs and activities on offer at the college, so there is something for everyone to have a balanced and diverse portfolio of co-curricular activities.

n For more information, visit www.epsomcollege.edu.my

Madness in the Kitchen is a beginners culinary class that teaches students an important life skill.

Rugby is a major sporting activity at Epsom College.


Grow strong with milkAS mothers, we love our children unconditionally and when it comes to their nutrition, only providing the best will do.

Giving our children enough calcium and protein is important and a healthy diet can be complemented with Marigold UHT Milk.

It is packaged for children to conveniently drink anytime, anywhere, chilled or non-chilled.

Here are some facts about milk that every mother should know:

Children need calcium to grow

Calcium is essential for childrens development of strong bones and teeth. Without a sufficient amount, their bones become more porous and weak.

Children can continue to grow strong teeth and bones as they age with a calcium-rich diet that includes milk.

Vitamin D improves calcium absorption

Adequate consumption of vitamin D is also very important as it promotes calcium absorption.

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, a disease that causes bones in children to become soft, weak and distorted.

You can ensure that your children maintain healthy bones by providing them milk, which contains vitamin D.

Marigold UHT Milk contains both vitamin D and a unique BonePlus Formulation, which enhances calcium absorption and bone strength.

Milk is a good source of protein

An active lifestyle is good for childrens health and adequate protein intake helps build and repair tissues.

This is important for children to continue leading an active lifestyle.

Since milk is also a good source of protein, getting them to drink more milk can help them grow strong and be healthy.

Here are suggestions for how you can convince your children to drink milk:l Make it a family habit

Childrens actions naturally

reflect the actions of their parents. Hence, if you as a parent drink more milk, your children will likely follow after.

When it becomes a family habit, children would drink milk without being told to do so.

Marigold UHT Chocolate Milk is a new and improved flavour. So, you can now include more variety in your childrens milk routine.

l Milk for any time of the dayDrinking milk during breakfast

is a great way to get a healthy start to the day.

But growing children need a continuous intake of nutrients throughout the day, so ensure they receive enough in their daily diet.

n For more information, visit www.marigold.com.my

Promoting language skills

LANGUAGE learning is much more than just learning new words and how to put them together. It does not grow in isolation but is part of an all-round development, integrated with other skills that are emerging in a person.

Through language, we learn our culture and values as well as teach these values to our children, starting from when they are very young.

By spending time communicating with our children, we can extend language skills in a most natural and positive way.

The vital language learning years are from birth to about the age of six. With parental help and encouragement, children can learn not only one but two and even three languages during these years as they are at a stage of rapid development that allows them to easily absorb and respond to a new language.

Activities such as drawing and categorising objects according to their colours may not appear directly related to language learning, but they encourage concept development in young children.`

Through play, young children develop language skills, understanding of concepts, fine

motor control, visual discrimination, hand and eye coordination, physical development and social skills.

To encourage the natural development of language, it is important to spend time with your children daily, participating in activities that they enjoy and are appropriate to their developmental level. Dont just teach but play and interact with them.

All of our programmes help students develop their communication, language, speech and presentation skills in an enjoyable way.

These interactive classes also enable children to acquire both confidence and creativity, which are vital for them to excel at school and, later on, at work, says Lorna Whiston, managing director of Lorna Whiston (Malaysia, Singapore and China).

Both the Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Taman Melawati centres in Kuala Lumpur offer language as well as speech and drama classes all year round, including holiday programmes during the first two weeks of December.

n For more information, call 03-7727 1909 (TTDI) or 03-4147 3229 (Taman Melawati) or visit www.lornawhiston.com.my

Lorna Whiston says that the centre nurtures students language skills in an enjoyable way.

Marigold UHT Milk contains Vitamin D and a unique formulation to enhance calcium absorption.


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Ongoing learningCAMBRIDGE English For Life (CEFL) offers practical, useful and affordable activities to occupy your children with for the coming school holidays.

There are five programmes available: l Little Phonics Explorer (ages four to

six)The Little Phonics Explorer programme

explores the world of phonics. Students are exposed to 24 of the 42

phonic sounds introduced by Jolly Phonics, where they experience hands-on learning with fun activities such as flour writing, phonic collages and card games.

l Interactive Reading (ages six to 12)

Using a blend of popular culture, science and classic literature, this programme aims to engage students and nurture an understanding of the joys of reading. Students practise using English through comprehension and writing activities, role-plays, vocabulary games as well as a variety of games, crafts and experiments.

l Speech & Drama (ages four to 12)

This programme focuses on the process of learning creative drama skills. Lessons challenge the creative abilities of students and include topics such as reading, singing and drama.

l Intensive English Programme (elementary and pre-intermediate)

This is a modular English course designed

Enjoy learning English during the holidays.

to prepare students for English use in academic studies and professional work.

Using motivating, up-to-date and real life topics to encourage learners interest and participation, each module is stimulating and engaging.

l Public speaking (ages 12 to 18)This programme introduces and trains the

skills required for effective public speaking. Through the use of audio and video

materials combined with interactive group work, it covers areas such as preparation and planning, confidence, vocalisation, body language, and facial expressions.

CEFL is the leading premium provider of English language courses for learners of various ages and proficiency levels.

n For more information, call 03 7883 0912 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.cambridgeforlife.org


International education optionsWITH a robust economy and a thriving expatriate population, Penang represents a growing hub for international schools in the northern region.

Currently host to eight international schools, more international schools are expected to open in the near future.

International schools have become a popular choice for both expatriate and Malaysian parents because of the use of the English language as the main medium of instruction and the curricula that are benchmarked globally.

Additionally, there is a greater emphasis on non-academic pursuits such as the arts and sports in international schools, thus providing students with more opportunities to excel.

Another advantage of an international education is the smaller class size, which ensures greater personal attention given to each child.

With a growing number of international schools in the state as well as in the country offering different curricula, facilities and

fee structures, parents today have more options.

To find out more about schools in Penang, you can visit the Private & International School Fair on Oct 18 at Hotel Jen, Penang, from

noon to 5pm.The fourth fair in the series in

Penang, the fair offers parents the opportunity to speak to representatives from leading international schools in the state.

Admission to the event is free. Nickie Yew, co-founder and

director of Mint Communications, says, As an advocate of quality international education, Mint Communications initiated the Private & International School Fairs to provide parents with options in international schools in a convenient location.

Since the fairs began in 2012, many parents have found the fairs to be an essential part of their process of finding the right school for their children.

As the cost of an international school education can be substantial, parents are advised to spend the necessary time and effort on researching the most suitable school for their child.

The fair in Kuala Lumpur will be held on Nov 7 and 8 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre from 11am to 6pm.

Another advantage of visiting the fair is that visitors will be able to get a copy of the latest edition of Education Destination Malaysia, a comprehensive guidebook that showcases the full spectrum of

international schools in Malaysia, as well as instructional articles by education experts, at a discounted price.

Visitors who register at www.PrivateInternationalSchoolFair.com before the fair will be able to bypass the queue and receive a complimentary goody bag.

n For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.PrivateInternationalSchoolFair.com

Well-rounded development

SINCE its inception more than 20 years ago, Q-dees has grown into one of the foremost authorities in early childhood education in Malaysia.

With more than 150 centres nationwide, it has successfully prepared more than 200,000 students for private, national and international schools.

Q-dees preschool programmes are acclaimed for being fun and holistic, empowering children with the foundation they need to exponentially grow from.

The exclusive interactive multimedia and materials are meticulously integrated to ensure children are constantly engaged.

Q-dees language programmes are geared to enable children to master English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin.

Taught thematically and phonetically, the lessons expand their vocabulary while also fostering correct contextual usage of the language.

At Q-dees, seemingly complex mathematics concepts are made simple for children to understand. Using Hands-on Mind-on methodology alongside Maths Board, children explore

Event details at a glance:

4th Private & International School Fair in PenangDate : Oct 18Time : Noon to 5pmVenue : Hotel Jen, Penang

6th Private & International School Fair in Kuala LumpurDate : Nov 7 and 8Time : 11am to 6pmVenue : Mid Valley Exhibition Centre

The Private & International School Fairs to be held in Penang and Kuala Lumpur will allow parents to learn more about international schools.

Q-dees preschool classes are fun and enjoyable for children.

concepts as they learn to count efficiently and think logically.

The science programme has been designed to make science simple and stimulating to learn. The lessons encourage hands-on participation in fun and exciting experiments to ignite childrens curiosity in how the world around them works.

Q-dees arts and craft programme develops childrens creativity and imagination in tandem with the daily theme learnt.

In the programme, children are taught a wide range of techniques such as perspective drawing, rendering techniques and three-dimensional modelling.

In line with Q-dees ethos towards holistic development, the Q-dees Love to Life programme ensures that its curricula are infused with good values that teach children how to love and care for others, be responsible individuals and be mindful of preserving the environment.

n For more information, call 1700 815 077 or visit www.q-dees.com


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Inspiring communitiesWITH almost 30 years of providing education excellence, R.E.A.L Kids (formerly known as CEC or Child Enrichment Centre) is the countrys largest owner-operated preschool chain with more than 30 centres and 5,000 students nationwide. The preschools full-day and extended programmes offer:l Both national and international syllabil Enrichment lessons and extracurricular activitiesl A fully developed, holistic curriculum

As part of its effort to establish R.E.A.L learning centres in every community, R.E.A.L Kids has expanded its nationwide network of preschools to include Seremban 2 and Putrajaya.

Both centres are slated to commence operations for the January 2016 intake and are now open for registration.

The new preschool in Putrajaya, which is located in a place that boasts a booming population and ever-growing residential areas, is a centre designed with children in

mind, ensuring that all facilities are safe and child-friendly.

These dedicated spaces are also aimed at creating an environment that allows fun learning to flourish.

Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding between R.E.A.L

Education Group and IJM Land Berhad was officially signed recently to open a new R.E.A.L Kids centre in Seremban 2 by end of the year.

This exciting collaboration has opened the door for R.E.A.L to

venture into the thriving Seremban market for the first time, while allowing us to offer customers here something different, says Ee Ching Wah, president of R.E.A.L Education Group.

This differentiation is not only marked by superb facilities and an optimal learning environment, but also by passionate teachers who deliver quality programmes developed internally by our own team of curriculum developers.

With this, R.E.A.L Kids is set to raise the bar for preschool education providers in Seremban and Putrajaya by espousing the true value of our programmes. Our programmes aim to create diverse experiences that instil relevant, lifelong skills in children, he adds.

Instilling lifelong valuesR.E.A.L Kids unique multiple

intelligences (MI)-based curriculum is designed to identify and bring forth childrens individual strengths to help fulfil their true potential.

This approach is realised through a myriad of MI activities developed by R.E.A.L Kids to make learning more fun, effective, wholesome and vibrant.

As R.E.A.L celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, it continues to nurture the nations children through proven, lifelong education.

Come and experience this for yourselves by grabbing the exclusive anniversary offer of a free three-day trial and complimentary MI diagnostic test for your child at any R.E.A.L centres today.

n For more information, call 03-5631 8000 or visit www.realkids.edu.my

At R.E.A.L Kids, students enjoy a stimulating environment where fun learning flourishes.

Franchisee Nazreena Devi with her students at Smart Reader Kids Taman Bayu Mutiara, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Nurturing young minds

SMART Reader Kids centres are led by experienced educators and offer programmes that are fun, simple and creative.

Recently, Smart Reader Kids centres across the country held their Nationwide Open Day, where parents visited nearby centres to learn about the various Smart Reader Kids programmes offered.

Franchisee Marina Abdul Latif, who runs her centre at Taman Bersatu, Kluang, Johor, says, We encourage parents to visit our centre so that we can show them that our centres environment is conducive to learning.

They can also see the teaching materials and how teachers teach in class using the Smart Reader Creative Teaching Methodology.

The students from Marinas centre have been doing well since graduating from the Smart Reader Kids programme and entering primary schools.

Having seen the achievement of their first child, many parents did not hesitate to enrol the younger siblings at her Smart Reader Kids centre.

Students who have undergone the Smart Reader Kids programme establish a strong foundation in their learning, says Marina.

For the Nationwide Open Day,

franchisee Nazreena Devi from Smart Reader Kids Taman Bayu Mutiara, Bukit Mertajam, Penang, prepared a science and reading corner as well as art and craft activities for children who came to her centre with their parents.

Nazreena, who offers the Smart Reader Kids, Smart Reader Kids Islamic and Smart Reader Kids Intensive English Programme at her centre, says, The curriculum enables preschoolers with little knowledge to build strong literacy skills to support them throughout their academic journey.

Parents are grateful to us as their children transition smoothly from preschool to primary school as well as continue to excel in primary school.

The educational programmes offered by Smart Reader Worldwide are Smart Reader Kids, Smart Reader Kids Islamic, Smart Reader Kids Mandarin Medium, Smart Reader Kids Intensive English Programme and Smart Reader Kids++ franchise programmes.

n For more information, call 03-6279 5555 or the SMARTLine at 1300 885 555 or visit www.smartreader.edu.my


Growing learnersIF parents want to give their children a gift, the best thing they can do is to teach their children to love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy making effort and continue learning, says Dr Carol S. Dweck, author of Mindset: The New Psychology Of Success.

That way, their children dont have to be slaves of praise. They will have a lifelong way to build and repair their own confidence.

Growth mindset is a relatively new concept in educational psychology. It has been researched by Dr Dweck of Stanford University and described in detail in her book.

At Garden International School (GIS), we have worked hard to make this ethos an integral part of the schools development.

Growth mindset at its simplest is ones belief that ones qualities are not fixed traits. Basically, the brain acts like a muscle the more you train it, the more it grows.

It has been found that the more challenging a task is, the more neural connections are made inside your brain when you attempt the task.

This signifies that intelligence is not fixed but is a quality that can be changed and developed and that pushing yourself and making mistakes can be a good thing.

This is the growth mindset ethos. By teaching this simple idea at GIS, we are raising the confidence and resilience of our students.

In contrast, fixed mindset students believe that they have a fixed ability in intelligence and talent.

They believe success isnt something you can work towards. They spend their time recording their intelligence and ability and tend to make statements such as I will always be bad at mathematics or Other students are better at history than me rather than evaluating, making changes and working hard towards a goal.

In this changing world, students need to take on the growth mindset to adapt, take risks and learn from their mistakes.

At GIS, we know these characteristics are important in developing the leaders of tomorrow. That is why we have embraced the growth mindset ethos in the school.

There are many ongoing projects run by Garden International School across its early years centre, primary school and secondary school that aim to develop a growth mindset in our students.

In primary school, there have been two successful parental sessions on growth mindset.

The concept was explained and parents were shown the research behind the theory.

Primary teachers have also been putting up displays and sharing resources to promote the development of a growth mindset culture in their lessons.

In secondary school, the growth mindset concept has been adopted by the students in a number of different settings and in different ways such as through assemblies, tutor time and in various subject areas.

Teaching the students to cope with challenges and deal with setbacks in a resilient way helps them to become stronger in life.

Sixth Form students have been mentoring the Year 10 and Year 11 students in coaching sessions to envisage their goals.

The main purpose of the programme is to give students and even teachers an incentive to overcome personal challenges.

Here are five tips to promote the growth mindset at home in your children: l Use growth mindset praise

and avoid using labels on your children. Praise them for their dedication and effort to succeed, for not giving up when things are going wrong.

You can google growth mindset phrases to find examples of words to use. l Ask children to remember

a time when they overcame an adversity and ask them what they did to improve.

Then, discuss with them the challenges that they are facing now (not just in school) and talk about what they can do to face these challenges. l Discuss problems you have

faced in life with your children and describe the things you did to improve. Focus on the work you did to succeed and the strategies you used rather than the success itself. l Encourage them to learn

from their mistakes as its the most effective way to learn as long as they are evaluating their performances. Help them make this evaluation. l Try and get your children to

listen to their own fixed mindset voice. Discuss with them the validity of statements such as I cant do mathematics or My friend is so smart, she doesnt need to work hard.

Motivating children to succeed, develop positive perceptions of themselves and focus on improvements are among the things that we at Garden International School are passionate about. By Mark Thomas ONeil, head of Science, Garden International School.

n For more information, visit www.gardenschool.edu.my

Students are encouraged to embrace a growth mindset at Garden International School.


bright kids 11

Get rid of liceHAS your child been scratching his or her head excessively? The itchiness might be a cause of head lice, which is a common issue among schoolchildren.

Lice are tiny, wingless insects that can live on human hairs and feed on tiny amounts of blood from the scalp.

They usually dwell closely to the scalp, at the bottom of the neck and behind the ears.

The eggs, called nits, are firmly attached to the hair shaft and are very small. They remain glued to hair strands long after the successful removal of the adult lice.

A head lice infestation has nothing to do with poor hygiene. It can affect all types of hair, regardless of the length and its condition.

Head lice in your childs hair arent dangerous but their infestation is contagious. Lice bites can cause your childs scalp to itch and become inflamed.

Common products are easily available from pharmacies or clinics to remove head lice and nits. Non-toxic remedies such as dimethicone are available but efficacy has been reported to be unsatisfying.

Products that are effective and use natural products are the main focus in choosing a personal care product, considering the polluted environment that we are already living in now.

Unlike harsh industrial chemicals, Vitamode Delice natural hair wash is specifically formulated to help kill hair lice and control nits infestations.

Stemona root extract in Vitamode Delice prevents eggs from hatching, which stops lice from multiplying, causing the life cycle of hair lice to be interrupted while lemon peel oil powder helps in soothing and moisturising irritated or sensitive scalp.

Vitamode Delice is free from toxic pesticides, malathion (maldison) and pyrethroids such as permethrin, which have been linked to birth defects, cancer, immune system suppression, hormonal disruption, reproductive problems and genetic damage.

It is effective on first use (based on the bioefficacy test performed by the Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand) and is suitable for all ages.

To use, lather Vitamode Delice hair wash on wet hair and massage lightly until completely saturated.

Cover the hair with a shower cap and leave the hair wash on for 10 minutes. Rinse hair with water.

To remove dead lice and nits, use Vitamode Delice fine-toothed metal lice comb, which is more effective compared with plastic combs.

Nits are easily removed by combing while the hair is slightly damp. You may need a

Vitamode Delice is

effective and safe to use to help remove

head lice.

magnifying glass and bright light. Comb the entire head from the scalp to

hair tips at least twice and rinse the comb often under running hot water as you go.

You may use Vitamode Delice Hair Wash three to five times weekly to prevent recurrence.

This article is brought to you by Vitamode.

n For more information, call 1300 800 228 or visit www.medispec.com.my


Hi-tech interactive learningINTERACTIVE learning is more than a buzzword for students of Sunway International School (SIS).

SIS deploys a highly effective strategy that combines hi-tech with high-touch elements to ensure that students learn hands-on and instantly through the many technological advancements available at SIS to promote learning, research and discussion.

This strategy is present in every aspect of SIS students education, from the imparting of lessons in Smartboard-equipped classrooms and the myriad technology tools that make up their learning resources to the availability of Wi-Fi on and even off-campus as well as the accessibility of notes and assignments through the school-prescribed online software.

SIS teachers use student-response technologies, flipped classroom concept and skill enhancement as ways to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

These approaches allow teachers to gauge students genuine understanding, carry out real-time monitoring of students accountability in doing their assigned task and significantly improve student engagement and attention.

SIS teachers apply various methods to engage students in the calssroom.

Incorporating hi-tech solutions in the SIS learning and teaching experience has reaped progressive benefits for both teachers and students.

Students find it easier to understand and absorb their lessons, while teachers can impart lessons in a way that is better suited to the learners of today and that best bring out their innovation, awareness and critical thinking.

Lessons are never dull at SIS not with the high degree of interaction and personalised attention given to students.

Students participate in a diverse

range of activities and exercises, from debates and role-plays to independent research and analysis.

These are designed by the teachers to enhance and facilitate students understanding of concepts and theories.

Borrowing from the high-touch formula in commercial services, SIS teachers apply methods endorsed by the Ontario Ministry of Education to assess students capabilities and, subsequently, design lesson plans that establish their strengths and potential.

They work closely with students through coaching, tutoring and mentoring assignments.

SISs Ontario College of Teachers-certified Canadian teachers strived hard for this professional accreditation, and with good reason their teaching practices are guided and informed by internationally benchmarked standards and practices.

This translates to a highly interactive environment where critical thinking, social responsibility and experiential reflection are the major points of focus of everyday life.

Students are impressed upon to actively engage in their academic direction, fostering an open and communicative atmosphere that empowers them to claim ownership of their academic performance. It also nurtures each students unique aptitude and creativity towards developing their full potential.

Students appreciate that teachers practise a holistic approach to education, enabling students to examine different routes to success based on their individual strengths.

The interactive learning approach encourages students to be inquisitive, independent lifelong learners who experience a fun-filled learning process.

The personalised and attentive approach SIS teachers adopt result

in a flexible and comprehensive learning experience for students to grow according to their interests and capabilities.

This high-touch approach has led to SIS winning the Readers Digest Gold Trusted Brand Award in the Private/International School category at the Trusted Brands Asia 2015 awards. Voted by about 5,000 individuals, SIS was the first recipient of the award.

Having been given the award on the basis of consumer votes, the recognition is an effective measure of the schools strength in education delivery and the ultimate seal of consumer approval.

Interested students and parents can have a glimpse into this interactive learning experience at SIS Open Day, taking place on Oct 24 from 10am.

Come discover first-hand the experiential lesson demonstrations and interactive activities that highlight how SIS successfully combines hi-tech and high-touch elements to develop students skills of independent study, analysis and research.

n For more information, call 03-7491 8070 or visit www.sis.sunway.edu.my

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Bright Kids - 06 October 2015