Motherhood - a lonesome journey

As I journey into my 11^th year of motherhood, I have to say that it can be quite a lonesome journey. I am not sure if it is an Asian “tiger mum” thing but seemingly, there’s tons to compare once you become a mother.

I recall during the earlier days, it was the early milestones that had parents in a fluster – which child stood earlier, walked earlier, spoke earlier, read earlier, etc. The popularity of the flashcards then and how it "coaches" toddlers to read did not help to ease first time parents’ anxiety too.

Comes preschool, it was a mad rush to getting places at the “best” (or at least most well-known) preschools with a huge emphasis on literacy. Trust me when I say that this is a HUGE concern; I was in the early childhood industry for years and my role then was in Marketing and Enrolment. I have met thousands of parents with preschoolers over the 5 - 6 years and few of the most common questions that I get are "Will my child be ready for primary school? Will she learn how to read and write and count?" 

Because such is the nature of our culture and society, the underlying current and quiet competition/comparisons start young. I have had a few run-ins with parents during workshops where there were some comments on why certain roles in drama classes were dished out to certain children, how a 5 day camp should be a 3 day camp because their kids cannot attend (though majority could attend), etc. Naively as a first time parent, and when the kiddo was much younger, I used to share more about the activities which we do and even celebrate small successes on my social media posts. However, there seems to be a backlash - I quickly realize that some were quietly comparing and there seems to be some preconceptions of Dumpling too. 

Classic "scary" mums that I meet 
Credit

Things did not lighten up in Primary school. As she is in a girls' school I dare say that it is more competitive than a co-ed school. In the lower years, it is much easier to attain full marks and I found myself falling into the parenting trap where I sometimes hear myself asking Dumpling who else scored full marks or what's the highest score in her class for a said subject. Dumpling was also made Monitor during Primary 1 and I recall that choice / decision was questioned by another mum - why Dumpling and not her child. So these were unhealthy as well. Fast forward to a few years on. The girls were to work on group projects and I have previously shared that they had to construct a boat individually but work as a group to present and share their thoughts, findings and rationale for the choice of materials for their boat. Dumpling was in charge of collating the slides and was repeatedly "chasing" for the slides from a classmate. After 2 - 3 weeks (nearing the deadline), the girl shared that her parent does not allow for her to email or share her slides with anyone prior the presentation for fear that others would copy her slides / ideas. 

It is no surprise that as such I do not mingle much with the other parents from Dumpling's school - as a FTWM my time is stretched and honestly, I lack the time and stamina to manage such "comparisons" and it also helps me manage my own expectations better. And maybe because of the fact that I have seen so much of these "dramas" I am often uncomfortable to comment or share much about Dumpling and how her classmates are faring when I am asked by other parents in casual conversations. I find myself guarded, worried that things that I share may be misunderstood and misconstrued. When we had small successes, I was hesitant to comment much, only occasionally sharing about fun stuff, vacations, etc. for "fear" of more backlash or further pressure from these unhealthy competitions. 

Having said that, I am very thankful that I have other girlfriends in my life who keep me sane - only a few from "outside" circle and even fewer from her school. With these mums, I do not have to worry much about sharing the bad news (where I could potentially be judged as being too pushy or am a tiger mum reincarnate) or the good stuff (where once again I could be judged as being boastful or arrogant). Frankly in the current days of social media consumption and a change in communication form (whats app), things could often be misunderstood where gossips can spiral out of control. 

So yes, motherhood can be a lonesome journey where it is a case of "darn if you do" and "darn if you don't". So, if you are wondering why I have not been blogging much, this is the reason. I do not want Dumpling to be "judged" or to have my blog infringe into her privacy especially now that she is older. People sometimes think that just because I have photos on my FB or IG sharing glimpses of our lives, they assume that they know us well and well enough to judge and comment. 

I will still be blogging randomly and will share more on my perspectives and unless the kiddo is comfortable with me sharing hers, she will not be making much of an "appearance". If she does, then it would be more of a "cameo".  :p 

Our Ortho-K journey: prologue

As a family, we have been quite careful with Dumpling’s vision by reminding her to take vision breaks. Sadly though, she was diagnosed with myopia this year. I’ve heard friends sharing that once diagnosed, their “degree” goes up quite quickly and so, I’ve been really paranoid about her vision. I’ve heard of Ortho-K and have been reading up on this as a few of Dumpling’s friends are also on it.

Having gone through LASIK years ago, I’d say that’s one of the best decisions I made. With children however, they are of course too young for such an invasive method. Hence the next best possible option is to look at myopia control.

As I am writing this post, we are in the midst of waiting for Dumpling’s lenses collection after her initial eye examination. While waiting, I got Jason, Consulting Optometrist of The Eye Initiative to answer some questions and debunk some myths.

:: What exactly is Ortho-K? How does it work?

Jason: Ortho-K is a process where we prescribe kids with specially designed hard rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses that temporarily reshape the shape of the cornea to reduce myopia. This is a great technique to control myopia as it make use of the peripheral defocus (which is to bring the light rays in front of the retina) which is a proven method to ensure the increment of myopia stops/reduces. Apart from that, the advantage for Ortho-K is that it also allows the end-user the freedom of not using spectacles or contact lens in the day time.

:: Is Ortho-K safe, after all my child will be wearing it to sleep?

Jason: All contact lenses have a risk of infection, usually due to the negligence of hygiene. As long as the hygiene regimen of the individual is upheld there should not be any risk of infection. The use of Ortho-K to sleep is very safe, mainly because it is a hard lens so it:

- reduces the chances of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and
- the chances of infection as hard lenses are not hydrophilic ( water-loving) as compared to soft contact lenses. This means that there are lesser chances of microbes sticking on the lenses.

(Jason explaining to Dumpling how Ortho-K works and showing her how the lenses look like)

:: How often and long does my child need to wear it for?

Jason: For best results, we encourage the child to wear them every day as this will ensure that the effect of myopia control is optimal. We also recommend to wear it till 16 years old as it is the 'plastic period' of the kids eyes (the period where the prescription changes significantly.) 

:: Ok, I am keen but what is the “running cost” and how often do I need to replace the lenses?

Jason: The “running” cost would be saline solution which is quite minimal. Lenses wise, they should be replaced every 2-3 years because of wear and tear.

:: As this is a long-term partnership, what should I look for in an optometrist for my child?

Jason: The optometrist must be well versed in his contact lenses knowledge and more than that, should be practising ortho-k for at least a year. Additionally, the setting of the optical shop must have a few compulsory equipment: the topographer, slit lamp and auto-refractometer as these are essential equipment for us to design the lenses.

:: What should the Ortho-K package consist of?

Jason: The cost of ortho k for eyesight.sg starts from $1,800 and it consists:

• Eye examinations (prior and after wearing to track progress)
• Unlimited consultations
• A pair of standby glasses
• One set of solution for the kids to start learning about the hygiene of Ortho-K and last but not least
• The contact lenses

:: The decision

As with my usual parenting style, Dumpling and I would discuss all matters regarding her welfare and interests - from enrichment classes to holidays to camps, so Ortho-K was no different. My viewpoint is simple: the kid must want it and be responsible for it. After all, it is her life and she has to learn to be accountable for her decision.

Thankfully, this seems to be the same approach for Eyesight.sg because at the end of the explanation, Jason turned to Dumpling and asked her for her thoughts and if she would be able to be responsible to take care of the hygiene and be responsible for the cleansing of her lenses, etc.

Dumpling doing her eye examination

And I am really glad to share that in the end, Dumpling decided that she will proceed with the journey!

Update: we've collected our lenses 2 evenings back and Dumpling has just started her journey so next up, we will be sharing her experience + some tips I learn along the way. 

About Eyesight.sg

At Eyesight.sg, previously known as The Eye Care Initiative, we offer a comprehensive eye check as we believe that regular eye examination is the key to improving the quality of one’s life as it helps prevent damage to vision brought about by diabetes and other sight-threatening eye diseases.

Eyesight.sg’s slogan is 'improving life with primary eye care' and we achieve this by having a more health-based approach in our eye examinations as we believe that we are here to add value to every customer by assisting them to know more and care more about their eye health.

Apart from that, we are a team of optometrist that is passionate in paediatric optometric practice and that is the reason why we strive and take pride in using Ortho-K to help every child in their journey of myopia control and enjoying a better quality of life.

Disclaimer: this is a series of collaboration as invited by Eyesight.sg so that Dumpling and I can share our reviews and experience on this new Ortho-K journey.

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!  

Parenthood: how are you taking care of yourself?

On a daily basis, my schedule is maxed out ~ from being an employee full time to heading home to "parenting" to blogging during free(er) times to bringing the kiddo for her classes etc. A friend of mine, reminded me recently that self care is extremely important and yes, that got me thinking ~ how am I taking care of myself?

I am not sure if any of you will resonate with this but I spend both money and time without blinking when it comes to things to do with Dumpling, but when it comes to myself, I am a lot more prudent.

But one of the things that I have been really conscious about is skincare and personal grooming because whether we like it or not, people do judge us based on how we look during the first few seconds. And as I have no patience for  heading out for facials and perhaps my schedule is too erratic, I find it easier to do eye spa and face spa, etc on my own. So self care for me, comes in the form of home range skincare.

I have been using Mary Kay for a few years: from the whitening range to the Timewise range (for those in 30s) to the new acne range, Clearproof, the products have worked really really well for me.
So I am glad to share that for this month, (as it is my birthday month!) I've decided to do celebrate with a giveaway of 1 x Mary Kay Skinvigorate device with + a personal skincare / beauty workshop at the convenience of your home!

I have personally benefited much from this cleaning brush as the bristles are so soft yet it cleanses so thoroughly that over the course of a few weeks, my skin improved in texture and clarity. Customers who have purchased this have shared really positive feedback too!

1) What is Mary Kay Skinvigorate?
It is a face brush device which has 2 speeds settings (400 and 200 rotations per minute.

2) How does it help me / my skin?
It cleanses and removes make up 85% better than cleansing with our hands! With the bristles and the rotations, it deep cleanses as well as helps in unclogging pores. Based on clinical studies, 96% reported that it provides a more even-looking skin tone too!

Because I do not believe in recommending anything that I have not used below, here's the before and after photos of my face! (Not filtered!)

You can see for yourself that my skin looks smoother and clearer! My freckles (hereditary!) are also less obvious. :)

3) Who is it suitable for and what does each set consist of?
The beauty of this brush is that it is suitable for all skin types and I have clients who also bought it for their husbands!  Each set consists of batteries, the hand held device as well as 2 brush heads (each last for about 3 months!)

Stand a chance to win 1 x Skinvigorate device (worth more than $80!) + a personal skincare / beauty workshop.

Here's how to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

:: Terms and Conditions

1. The product cannot be exchanged and are not exchangeable for cash
2. Please answer this question in the comments section below: “What is main your skincare concern / challenge?”
3. 1 winner will be selected and I will reach out via email to make an appointment (weekend only) and deliver Mary Kay Skinvigorate to you! A 60-90 mins session is needed for the sharing and hands-on trial (you get to ask me some questions you may have for your skin and try out some products at no obligation!) 
4. By taking part in this giveaway, you agree to receiving emails on Mary Kay products which I will share from time to time. 

Disclaimer: This giveaway is a personal giveaway where all opinions expressed are entirely mine and does not represent the organisation that I work for.

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!  

All in a day's work... (or not!)

So I have been dead quiet recently on the blogging front besides some giveaways. The main reason is that P3 has taken a toll on both me and the kiddo where I sort of lost my blogging mojo with the larger scheme of things.

In January this year, I attended a Parent Teacher Briefing with the hubs where we saw the kiddo’s new form teacher for the first time as she was with the same teachers and classmates for the past 2 years. The new form teacher shared on what they will be doing for each of the subjects and *dang dang dang dang* the amount of daily homework.

The homework load was something which I have heard about from well meaning friends but experiencing it, trying to manage the kiddo’s schedule and encouraging her to attempt the work properly is an entirely different matter.

We were told that MOE’s guideline is that the kids’ homework (at this level) does not exceed 1.5 hours at this stage. On the average, if the kiddo has homework for 2 subjects daily, it will come up to 1.5 hours as she’s still learning to focus on the task at hand (read: taking longer than usual to clear!). Added to the fact that I am anal about vision breaks, the work sometimes can take more than 2 hours for her, with 3 subjects. Plus, our engines were a tad cold when we started the year; everything has been slow to start. It has been trying and I have been doing remote control parenting – calling to ensure that she’s started on her work. This is because if the work is not completed before I get home, it will be a mindless mad rush when I get home!  

Now that we are into week 9 with last week being a tad mad with all the CAs (for all 4 subjects), I think we both have finally settled into our new routine (without me having to nag much. Phew!)

Here’s sharing some tips which work for us:

• Have an hour break after school for some R&R plus lunch time before attempting to clear any work
• Getting the kid to list down all the items she needs to complete and then crossing them out when she’s done (it gives her immense satisfaction to cross them off the list too)
• On this note, my earlier challenge is that she does not have a habit of listing down the homework in her daily journal. *sweat* So there were instances where she completely forgotten about some. So I started some reward programme for her to record her homework and being a stationery lover, here's what I bought as some of the "rewards":

• For the kiddo, her focus and energy wane a bit after some time so I always get her to work on the “harder” stuff first
• Get your kiddo to place a clock / watch on the table so that he/she is able to manage his/her time better. This is also where I have been getting her to set targets for herself to finish by a certain time. This is our clock LOL 

• Vision breaks after 45 mins for at least 15 mins. During this time, she’d make / take a drink, call me, head for bath room breaks, etc. before she starts the next task.

Having said that, with some new classes she has decided to take on, this also means that we needed to work out a new weekend schedule but it has been a good balance of sports versus interest versus work so far.

How’s your kiddo coping with the new academic year? 

Review: Human Nature's 100% natural products

I was first introduced to Human Nature years back when Dumpling was a wee “wanton” (haha!) and I was looking around organic products that do not burn a hole in the pocket. Some friends of mine raved about a certain bug shield product and because Dumpling and I are mozzie magnets (I think it is to do with the blood type), I decided to read up and give it a go.

Since then, I have been using their deodorant, bug shield and the Lip Balm. Recently I had the chance to try out some “new” products and I managed to do so without busting the budget. Most of my friends have the impression that natural products are often very expensive so I decided to set myself a budget of $50. Here’s what I managed to purchase:

1. CocoMutt $18.90
2. Bug Shield $9.90
3. Deodorant for Men: $6.90
4. Moisturising Conditioner $9.90

Now, the above on based on actual retail price (but I applied a 10% discount ~ discount code is below to share!) and some items which I selected were on promotion then and so, with the “savings” I managed to add on:

Night Moisturizer with Jojoba & Plant Collagen - 50ml $5.95 * ($9.90) bringing the total of these 5 products to be under $47! Natural products can be affordable too! :D

Here's sharing our experiences on the items bought:

:: CocoMutt

Jaime is our new adopted puppy and while I have been using other brands with my previous dogs, as the market evolved, I am keen to try out new pet care products.

I am not a big fan of heavily perfumed shampoo (especially for dogs) so what drew me to CocoMutt is that it is free from harmful chemicals and the scent is derived from Orange oil. Amongst its list of ingredients are Aloe Vera Leaf Juice (known for its soothing and healing properties), Avocado Oil (To smoothen and moisturize coat as well as Lemongrass Essential Oil (which also has anti-fungal & anti-bacterial properties).

Our verdict: 
As it does not contain the lathering agent (Laureth Sulphate and the likes), this shampoo is not for someone who prefers a lot of foam. But the shampoo washes well with a light foam and what I really like is the nice fresh citrus fragrance. When Jaime was all dried up, her coat was soft and smooth. This is definitely on my list to purchase again. 

:: Bug Shield

This is still an all time favourite in my household. DEET is a pesticide to repel insects and has been used in a number of insect repellents. Being a mom, I now read labels and perform internet research on chemicals as such.

Human Nature’s Bug Shield is DEET free and uses natural repellent such as citronella to repel insects. The new formula is now infused with soy bean oil and eucalyptus oil.

Our verdict: 
As it is oil based, the initial feeling is a tad sticky. But the oil is well absorbed a couple of mins later. Since it uses citronella, the scent is strong. The kiddo and I both like the scent so it did not bother us. When the kiddo and I used it for our morning at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, we did not get bitten by any mozzies either.
(Image Source)

:: Deodorant for Men

Traditionally, deodorants consist of aluminium compounds that act as a “plug” to block off sweat glands to temporarily stop the flow of sweat. There has been many articles to suggest that just like parabens, they are absorbed by the body and promote the growth of breast cancer cells.

With Human Nature’s Deodorant for Men, which is infused with essential oils such as Rosemary and Bergamot, the deodorant prevents any body odour and instead, gives off a woody scent from the oils.

Our verdict: 
The hubs trialed this and said that it was a good buy. As it is not spray based (CFC safe), it is also environmentally friendly. The deodorant works as a rub-on and lasted the hubs for more than half a day when he was out. I personally like the masculine scent which is fresh and crisp with a woody undertone.

:: Moisturising Conditioner

Out of the 4 items featured here, this is my favourite (no surprise considering 2 of the above 3 items are not for me! Hahahaha) As both the kiddo and I have long hair, conditioner is a must after every wash. More importantly, we need to use a richer conditioner because we are both under the sun quite a lot and I swim too so the "runny" conditioners do not quite cut it for us. 

Our verdict: 
The immediate thing that attracted me were 2 things: the scent (I chose vanilla) and the avocado oil. It was not runny and spread well on our long tresses. I left it on for about a min or 2 while I scrubbed my face with an exfoliating scrub then proceeded to rinse the conditioner off. 


I was really pleased that it washes off well yet I could tell immediately that the hair was smoother. Upon drying, the hair was smooth and definitely better hydrated. As it does not contain any modifiers such as silicone which basically works like plastic to coat the hair (but does not hydrate it in any way), I felt assured that Dumpling and my tresses were well taken care off. 

Keen to try these products (which are 100% with no harmful chemicals) for your family? 

I am pleased to share that I have a $50 voucher to give away PLUS Free delivery (within SG) too! 

Simply take part via the rafflecopter below. 

Remember to leave a comment on "which product you wish to try most and why?" 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(For SG residents only)

But that's not all! Can't wait for the giveaway and need those bug shield oil / the conditioner to for your dry tresses? 

Here's a discount code to share! 

Enter BEANIENUS10 at the check out! 

Valid from 18 March – 25 March (1 week)

10% off on all regular-priced items online

Disclaimer: We were sponsored with a $50 voucher to try out Human Nature's products so that we can give our opinions. We are not compensated for this post. This giveaway is not endorsed by Facebook. All opinions expressed are entirely ours. 

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!  

All About Preschool - 3 common questions!

Some of you may know that I work in the Early Childhood Education industry and I have been in the field for more than 4 years. My interest in this field started after I became a mum. From learning about baby signing to phonics (where I became certified in both), my journey in Early Childhood Education progressed organically where we later became a homeschooling family during my child's earlier years.

In the midst of all these, I was blessed enough to start off in this industry running my own phonics / reading classes with a friend who runs Happy Cottage. We later moved on to different areas; she became a mummy to her third child and I went on to work for a private preschool operator.

My role in this industry involves meeting and liaising with many parents. Personal friends have reached out to ask me about opinions of certain approaches and schools and so, I thought to share some of my thoughts in this new series - All About Preschool.

For this first post, I would like to share my thoughts / answers on some common questions that I get:

1) When is a good time to start preschool?

Frankly there is no one size that fits all and no one age that works for all too. In my work, I have seen a few (though rare) 18/19 month old children who did not shed a single tear. And at the same time, I have seen children who are 3+ who have really bad separation anxiety.

So it all boils down to a few factors:

• Your child’s personality

Some children are naturally more curious and independent than others and these typically settle down faster

• Your parenting style

This affects how we have guided, encouraged, aided him/her since young in venturing on his/her own in new environment

• Your needs / situation

Is there a caregiver at home who can attend to your child or are you a FTWM where there is not much of a choice and you need to send the child to a preschool / childcare centre. 

(Image Credit)

2) Is half day or full day better? What about flexi-options such as 3 times a week?

This is also largely dependent on your preference and it also depends on the curriculum / activities in school. Some schools have after school activities run by third party vendors or some have specialists running programmes in the afternoon. Parents may want their children to attend these classes. 

At the same time some preschools may have periods in the afternoon (usually after naps) where they will reinforce the concepts / lessons taught earlier in the day. On the other hand, I have met parents who prefer for the child to only stay in school for half a day and some may also bring the child on their own for enrichment classes.

Flexi-care options are usually asked for my parents with younger kids as they wish for the child to settle in slowly. Some may also have other parent-accompanied classes outside and are trying to finish up the term before starting the child on full 5 days.

Based on my experience, some children actually take a longer time to settle down when in flexi-care. This is primarily because “time” is an abstract concept for children until they are in K level and so, they are unable to differentiate / understand what Monday, Wednesday and Fridays are and why they need to go to school on those days as opposed to attending parent-accompanied classes on Tuesday and Thursday.

3) I have been searching and reading online and there are so many choices in Singapore. How do I choose which is the best for my child?

The key words here are “for my child”. Different parents have different purchase considerations as each individual child and situation are different. 

But to share, these are the some factors you should consider:

• Location
• Teacher : child ratio
• Philosophy and Pedagogy
• Teachers' Qualifications
• Facilities
• Budget

Location

From a practicality standpoint, "Location" tops my list. The preschool may be really good or really matches what you like in terms of curriculum but if it is really far from your place, then it will be a concern. Are you able to drop the child off in the morning? What about 'pick-up'? Childcare centres in Singapore operates from 7am to 7pm so your child needs to be picked up by 7pm. Taking into consideration that this will be a mid term commitment of up to about 5+ years, this needs to be weighed carefully. 

Some schools provide bus transport. With a school bus, there are stops made along the way for other students before your child's stop. What is a comfortable "time span" for you and your child? Most bus journeys do not exceed 45 mins (one way). While it is ok for some, it is not ok for others. Also, Singapore's traffic can be quite congested during peak hours and this may affect the duration of the journey too so you will need to be flexible about this as there will be instances where the bus operator gets caught up in a traffic jam. 

Teacher : child ratio
Needless to say, the lower the ratio the better. In Singapore, there is a required ratio by ECDA (Early Childhood Development Authority). Private operators which charge higher fees tend to have a lower ratio to promote small group learning and better dedicated care. With the lower ratio, it also equates to a premium charged.

Philosophy and Pedagogy

Another area to look into is the philosophy and the pedagogy of the school. These typically shape the school's environment and the curriculum. There are many approaches in Singapore and these approaches may be marketed as Montessori, Reggio Emilio, Play-Based, Thematic, etc. It pays to read up on these philosophies so that you can decide which best suits your needs and importantly, your child's personality. I will also touch briefly on these approaches in my next post. :) 

Teachers' Qualifications

I get asked about this from time to time. While some parents look more at experience and ask to observe how the teachers interact with children, there are others who prefer teachers with a Degree in Early Childhood Education. 

Facilities

Some parents may prefer the basic while others may look for gym facilities, libraries, etc. Some parents that I have met also prefer a large outdoor area while some are concerned about the heat and mosquitoes. So it will be worthwhile to look into the daily schedules to understand how often the children are participating say in gym activities and how often they get to go outdoors. Of course, the fees vary according to the expanse of space and the facilities offered. 

Budget

With a lower teacher : child ratio and better facilities (e.g. interactive white boards / a gym with state of the art equipment) the fee varies from preschool to preschool. Even with the same preschool operator, there can be different preschools owned. With different brands / preschools, the focus and the offerings will differ. Some may target at the higher income earners offering larger campuses and teachers with high qualifications while others may target at the middle income households. So your family will have to discuss and work out what is a comfortable amount that you can set aside for the school fee. 

This is the first post of my "All about Preschool" series. Do share this post if you find it useful. 

 

Disclaimer: Though I work in the Early Childhood industry, this post is based on my personal opinions and do not reflect that of my employers / the organization that I work for. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own. 

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!  

Aureus Academy Giveaway!

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination

and life to everything.” - Plato

It's been 2odd years since Dumpling started her music education. She has been enjoying her classes and I came to know of Aureus Academy as some of Dumpling's friends are attending and enjoying their lessons there. I am excited to share that Aureus is giving away some Spring Camp passes (happening next week!) worth more than $400! 

Before we get to the giveaway, I wanted to add that I have been receiving questions via PMs on and off and thought to take the opportunity to reach out to Lawrence (co-founder of of Aureus Academy) and pose some of these questions to him! :) 


Me: Let's start off by telling us a bit more about Aureus Academy. 
Lawrence: Aureus Academy opened its first branch in September 2013 at Delfi Orchard. We currently have 3 locations which are at Delfi Orchard, Forum Shopping Mall and our new flagship at Rochester Mall. We have plans to open 2 more centres in the next year as well!

I was trained professionally as a concert pianist, and often received requests to teach privately. As we did more research, we realised there was a huge demand in Singapore for music teachers, but that the quality and experience varied greatly. We decided start Aureus Academy, that only hires professionally trained musicians who are able to work well with young children.

Me: how is Aureus Academy unique or different from the other music schools?

Lawrence: Our goal is to ensure that each and every child receives an excellent foundation and an enjoyable learning experience. Because of this, we only hire teachers who hold qualifications (Bachelor’s and Master’s) from performing arts universities. Several of our teachers even have glowing reviews from the Straits Times as solo performers! 

While these qualifications are very important, an equally important step is a training and assessment process that is unique to Aureus that ensures that teachers are able to communicate and work with the youngest students.

In addition to this, we allow, and encourage, parents to sit in lessons so they can actively participate in the development of their child’s musical journey. We understand that parents are busy and can’t always make time to sit in, so we've also designed our very own student handbook that allows for communication and updates on a weekly basis. Teachers keep parents informed of each lesson by writing in the student handbooks - technique, pieces, aural, sightreading, theory, and practice notes.

Our lessons are also specially designed to engage each student in a way that suits their learning style. Whether our students are interested in learning an instrument for fun or looking for exam certification, Aureus Academy teachers tailor the lessons so they are specific to the learning goals of each student. We have students who have never touched an instrument before, students who want to learn pop music such as Coldplay, and students who are preparing for exams (grades 1 - diploma). All of these students have their music lessons tailored to their goals by our highly qualified teachers!

Lastly, Aureus Academy parents don’t have to worry about make up lessons as we are extremely flexible. We understand that things come up last minute, children wake up sick, or you just forgot! Because all of our teachers are full-time, we are able to give you make up lessons whenever your schedule allows. We often extend lessons or arrange lessons on other days based on your preference and availability.

Me: I often receive questions from readers on how to choose a music school. Can you provide us with some tips?

Lawrence: I think that the most important thing is that the student and teacher have excellent chemistry. All parents should request a trial lesson (preferably free!) that allows you to see whether or not your child is receptive to the teacher and his/her teaching styles. We have always made it part of our core philosophy to offer free trials at Aureus Academy, as it is critical to see how your child and teacher work together before making any commitments.

Some things that you may like to look out for also include:

• Make up lessons - What is the policy for make up lessons? Short notice and Vacation?
• Changing times - Do they allow you to change times if needed? Sometimes activities come up in advance and you should be able to arrange for another day/time.
• Changing teachers - Do the teachers change (frequently)? Sometimes, you pay for lessons and half of them are not with the teacher you want / had the trial with. What would be the reasons a teacher would be changed?
• Response times - How long does it take for them to reply to emails or answer questions on the phone?
• Hidden Fees - Are there any fees that are not made clear from the ads/brochures?
• Parental involvement - Do they allow parents to sit in lessons? If not, what is their reason? Are you briefed after the lesson as to what happened in the lesson, what the homework is and what areas to support in child in?

Me: Should a child start with music appreciation?

Lawrence: At Aureus Academy, we believe that individual lessons are fundamental to ensure consistent learning and progress. While group lessons do allow for exposure, I have always felt strongly that the personalised attention received in an individual lesson allows for a more progressive and enjoyable learning experience.

Me: How would I know if my child has a flair in music? Should my child specialize in a particular instrument? If so, how do we choose it?

Lawrence: Music is a fundamental part of what makes us human. We believe that all children have equal potential, and while certain aptitudes or strengths may manifest themselves in different ways, it is the responsibility of the teacher to help discover and develop natural talent. When students are very young, we recommend learning the piano or violin in an individual setting as they are excellent instruments for developing a strong foundation.

Me: How is music is important to children?

Lawrence: The benefits of learning a musical instrument are too many to number! By learning a musical instrument, children develop motor skills, cognitive abilities, discipline and are able to broaden their emotional horizons. We fundamentally believe that learning a musical instrument can have a tremendous number of benefits later in your life, even if you choose a completely different profession. 

Many of the world’s greatest minds and leaders, such as Albert Einstein, Bill Clinton and recent Nobel Laureate (Nobel Prize for Medicine 2013) Dr. Thomas Sudhof all emphasize how important learning a musical instrument was to achieving their great successes.

Me: My child finds it tiresome to practice; is there any hard and fast rule about home practice? How do I make it interesting?

Lawrence: The key to success in practice is developing a regular routine. Children thrive on structure, and it’s critical that regular practice (even if only for 5-10 minutes) becomes a part of a daily routine. People often get stressed out about practice as they reserve everything at the last minute, which results in the negative learning experience. If parents can make practice a positive part of a daily routine (using rewards help!) it becomes a much more positive, and beneficial, experience for all.

Me: What do you think of exams? Is it a must?

Lawrence: One of our core values at Aureus Academy is helping each and every child (and their families) develop at their own pace and preferred method. We have students who do not take exams, while we have others who design all of their learning around them. We recommend that exams function as a  meaningful part of a learning process, and not just an end goal. In addition to this, 2 of our 3 centres (Delfi and Rochester) are exam centres for the Associated Board of the Royals Schools of Music. 

Keen to experience Aureus Academy's pedagogy and approach?  

I am pleased to share that Aureus Academy is giving away 2 passes to its Spring Camps! 
1 x 2 days of camp (Worth $274)
1 x 1 day of camp (Worth $149)

In this camp, your child will get a chance to be introduced to the great Masterworks of the Western Classical repertoire in its Musical Masterwork segment. Students will be exposed to the great performances of works such as the Beethoven Symphonies and Stravinsky’s Ballets. 

Not sure what instruments are suitable for your child? This camp also features a Instrumental Exploration where he/she is exposed to the various instrument families, the instruments of the orchestra and are even given the chance to try their hand at a variety of instruments! A hands-on introduction to orchestral instruments and guitar in respective families (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion).

More details in the flyers below:

If you wish to register for the camp prior, Aureus Academy has extended some really attractive discount codes! Call 6235 6488 (after 11 March!) and:

Be the first 2 callers to quote Beanie’n’us 50% to get a 50% Discount (savings of more than $70!)

The next 5 callers to quote Beanie’n’us 1-5 will receive a 25% Discount (savings of almost $40!)

The last 5 callers to quote Beanie’n’us 6-10 will receive 10% Discount! 

Earn credits using Rafflecopter below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do remember to leave a comment on the comment section on "Which is the activity that you look most forward to in this Spring Camp and why?"

You can share this post with your friends on your FB page for extra credits!
(For Singapore residents only) 

The more credits you earn, the higher your chances! :) 

:: Terms and Conditions:

- Camp is for children who are between 4 - 13 years old. 
- Entries that do not fulfill the requirements stated will be disqualified without notice.

- Winners will be notified by email, through the email address provided. 

- This giveaway is for Singapore residents only. 

About Lawrence Holmefjord-Sarabi 

Hailed by The Straits Times as “Awe Inspiring”, Lawrence Holmefjord-Sarabi is an active 
pianist on the international
 musical scene.  As a concerto soloist, Lawrence has performed Beethoven’s
 Piano Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Philharmonia Healdsburg and Ukiah Symphonies. Lawrence worked both privately and in public masterclasses with various artists such as Evelyne Brancart, Tomislav Baynov, Yong Hi Moon, Marian Hahn, Leif Ove Andsnes, Lori Kaufman, Melvyn Tan and Andre Watts.

In competition, Lawrence was awarded two of the top prizes at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concerto competition. He is also the very first American in the history of the competition to become both a finalist and a multi-prize winner. His performance of the Bartok 2nd piano concerto received enthusiastic reviews from The Straits Times which stated “It is not every day one gets to hear Bartok’s thorny Second Piano Concerto, and one played with such finesse and ferocity as the American Lawrence Holmefjord-Sarabi”. 

Lawrence was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and began his piano studies with Virginia Cayton followed by Dr. John Robert Ringgold, a pupil of Artur Schnabel. Lawrence’s prestigious teaching lineage (through Dr. Ringgold and Artur Schnabel) goes all the way back to Beethoven!

Lawrence completed his high school studies at the age of 16 (in an accelerated programme) before pursuing his conservatory auditions. Lawrence is a graduate (and full scholar) of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory where he was the first American pianist accepted in the history of the conservatory. 

About Aureus Academy:
Aureus Academy is Singapore’s fastest growing music school with nearly 1,000 students enrolled amongst its 3 centres. Aureus Academy specializes in providing individually tailored piano, violin, guitar, and vocal lessons to students of all ages and abilities. It also believes that one-on-one is the best environment to learn a musical instrument. Recently awarded “Best in one-to-one Music Lessons” by Parent’s World Magazine, Aureus Academy offers free trial lessons so you can experience it yourself!

Aureus Academy is located at the campuses below:

:: Forum The Shopping Mall

583 Orchard Road

#B1-18, Singapore 238884

Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 8:00pm

Saturday – Sunday: 9:00am – 7:00pm

:: Rochester Mall

35 Rochester Drive

#03-08/15, Singapore 138639

Monday – Friday: 1:00pm – 8:00pm

Saturday – Sunday: 9:00am – 7:00pm

:: Delfi Orchard

402 Orchard Road

#04-03/04, Singapore, 238876

Monday – Friday: 2:00pm – 8:00pm

Saturday – Sunday: 9:00am – 7:00pm

Phone: +65 6235 6488
Email: Contact@aureusacademy.com