ParenTIPS Podcast
By Singapore Children's Society
ParenTIPS PodcastAug 19, 2022
#10 It’s OK to Talk about Body Safety
Ever heard young children say “Eeee, shame, shame!” when they hear about the topic of private body parts? Children take on this embarrassment when they sense that their own parents, teachers and caregivers are not open to talking about body safety and respecting each other’s private body parts.
In this episode of ParenTIPS, our guest speakers, Ms Joanne Low, principal from Sengkang Methodist Preschool, and Ms Eugenie Diepenhorst, vice principal from Cherie Hearts at Charlton, share their heartfelt experiences in teaching young children how to keep themselves safe from sexual abuse. Hear how their schools supported their teachers and engaged parents to be comfortable with talking about body safety.
#9 Navigating the Digital World
The digital world is all around us, and it is here to stay. Our children and youth increasingly use and rely on digital technologies for a variety of reasons, which makes staying safe online more important.
In this ParenTIPs podcast on Safer Internet Day, we host members of Project Techmap from the Singapore Children’s Forum 2021/22. Hear from Daryl, Clarisse and Ezann as they share about what they do online, what they like about it, as well as some of the issues they confront, including tensions with parents over screen time and usage.
They also suggest tips for children and their parents/caregivers to ensure safe, engaging, and positive online experiences. Happy Safer Internet Day!
#8 Listening to Children's Voices at Tinkle Friend
What do our children really think and feel? We invited our Tinkle Friend team to share to share about the issues our children face, and the ways in which parents and caregivers can better support them.
Tinkle Friend is a helpline and chatline for primary school children in Singapore. For more information and resources, please visit https://tinklefriend.sg/
#7 Strategies and Practical Handles for Parents
In the last episode, we spoke about school bullying and the impact it can have on children. Our speakers also highlighted that children who experience bullying often do not speak up or seek help. Instead, they may try to downplay it or even perform their normal daily tasks as though it didn't happen.
This is a challenge that parents and caregivers, even professionals, commonly face because we may not know when is the best time to step in and if there is even a need for us to do so.
Today, hear from our Bully-Free team again as they share strategies and practical handles on how to support children. In this age of smart phones and rise of social media, they also explore and share some insights into cyberbullying.
Episode 1: https://anchor.fm/sgchildrensoc/episodes/6-Talking-about-school-bullying-e19fq1o
#6 Talking about School Bullying
Tomorrow, we celebrate the International day against violence and bullying at school, including cyberbullying. It is commemorated by UNESCO Member States every first Thursday of November each year.
Regardless of the learning environment, be it at school or on the virtual realm, a child should feel safe and secured as they grow. At Singapore Children’s Society, we run the Bully-Free programme that aims to build a safe and supportive school culture free from bullying.
Tune in to the first of a 2-part series on bullying as professional speaking coach Benjamin Loh recounts his school bullying experiences and the negative impact it had on him. He is joined by Children’s Society’s Bully-Free team, as they share about the types of bullying and how to spot some of the warning signs.
For more resources: please visit https://bullyfree.sg/
#5 Overcoming the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Do you know what benevolent childhood experiences are? Researchers are now looking into the positive factors that might buffer children from the negative impact of traumatic or stressful experiences. Hear more about the kinds of connections and communities that would benefit children in this second episode on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This episode also touches on what caregivers can do if they had experienced ACEs when they were younger.
#4 Significance of Adverse Childhood Experiences
This two-part series puts the magnifying glass on the hidden issue of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Our guest speakers, Adj A/Prof Daniel Fung, CEO of the Institute of Mental Health and Toh Sze Min, Research Officer from Singapore Children’s Society, share local findings about ACEs and discuss its impact on children. In this first episode, they describe the potential signs that can alert caregivers and educators that a child is negatively affected by ACEs and suggest ways on how adults can respond.
#3 Being a Good Enough Parent
Self-care is a term we hear all the time. But what does self-care mean for parents? In the last of this three-part series on positive parenting, find out why it's okay to be a 'good enough' parent.
#2 How to Connect Before Correct
What needs to be in place for positive parenting to happen? Parents need to be attuned to their children's needs, and this means building up a trusting and secure relationship from young. Helping children understand the consequences of their actions on others is also an effective parenting strategy to learn. Hear about these and more in part two of this series on positive parenting.
#1 Why We Need to Spare the Rod
In the first of this three-part series exploring the issue of positive parenting, we look at physical punishment as a disciplinary approach, and understand what science tells us about the effectiveness and impact of it. Joining us are clinical psychologist, Dr Quah Saw Han and developmental psychologist, Dr Cheung Hoi Shan.