Happy New Year from EPPS.PSG!

In ushering the year of the Rat, EPPS Parents Support Group presented a hamper containing homebaked goodness and packed to the rim with juicy mandarin oranges and gold coins for prosperity.

Our proud bakers are none other than Susan Koh (baked the deliciously buttery smooth pineapple tarts and almond biscuits) and Diana Teo ( baked the chocolate cookies). The oranges and gold coins were by courtesy of Yvonne Chin's Chinese New year stash! This specially made hamper is presented to the teachers and staff of Elias park Primary School on Chinese New year's eve.

We hope they have enjoyed it and we look forward to a eventful and fruitful year ahead!

PSG Kick Off Meeting 14th Feb 2008

Our meeting got off with a rousing start as we ran a full house. The year of the Rat is very promising. It is a special day as we welcome in the year of the Rat with the tossing of Yu Sheng, and also celebrate the day of love St Valentine's Day. It is indeed appropriate as these parents gather together with their best dishes to share with other EPPS parents as well.

Plans and discussions quickly went smoothly with Mrs Han and Mrs Pat Ng also present to to share and persent the school's perspective and requirements for PSG support for this year.

And yes, we had 9 new members come and join in the PSG veterans to get to know the other members, mingle and network with one another.

Good friends and good food. What could be better than that?

Alot of programs and activities has been planned for this year.

Watch this space!

Getting back into school routine

Parents can help children make a smooth transition into the classroom mode in a variety of ways. One and half months of loosely structured activities can make getting back to the routine difficult, but there are things every parent can do to help children of every age get ready for a successful school year.

Set a ScheduleTalk to your child about setting aside a certain amount of time to study each school day. That way it will be an expected part of the routine rather than a discussion or a struggle every time. It is a good idea to have the time earmarked for this, regardless of whether they have homework or not. If there is none for the day, they can spend the time reading for pleasure, doing extra credit or getting ahead on their classes.

Designate Space
Make sure that there is an area that is set up for studying. It helps to have children work in a place where you are available to answer questions and keep an eye out to make sure they stay on track. Using the same area each time can help get children in the habit of studying more easily. Make sure that school books, supplies and backpacks all have a designated area in the house and are put away so that getting ready goes smoothly in the morning.
Minimize Distractions
Cell phones, television and music are just some of the many distractions that can affect the time that is set aside for homework. Discuss the ground rules for study time and include turning off electronics until after work is finished. It can especially help to remind teens before they sit down to work, so that they aren't tempted if the phone should ring. Parents should remember that if the kitchen table is your childs designated work space, they need to help minimize the traffic and noise in that area when its homework time.

Watch the Extra ActivitiesKeep an eye on the extra-curricular activities and sports to make sure that they aren't interfering with schoolwork. If your child seems like they may be falling behind, have a talk with the coach or person in charge and see if some sort of arrangement can be made for them to catch up. It doesn't necessarily have to mean they will have to quit the activity; they may just need to scale back for a bit.

RelaxWith all of the activities and classes, sometimes it can be easy to forget that children need time to rest and relax too. Try to remember to leave a little room for "down time" for everyone. As long as the schedule is pretty consistent, there is always room for a little bit of fun here and there.

Communicate With TeachersAlmost every school has parent-teacher briefings or the equivalent. No matter how old your children are, this is a good time to find out what the homework load and class expectations are. You can then talk with your child and adjust the amount of study time accordingly.

Adapted from : KC parents.com

Lasting friendship

I have been asked many times what is my reward for volunteering with PSG and the first thing that came to mind is really the firm friendship amongst our members. We all come from all walks of life but somehow we are united in the way that we feel so passionately about our children's well-being. That's how it all always starts... we started with the conviction that we want the best for our children and in the process, we started to spread that love over to all the other children in school.

That is the single most wonderful thing about this group. I have never seen so much love and passion. These parents would go that extra mile and really do their best for the common good, totally and unselfishly. It makes us feel good that we are roles models to our children, to show them that we can care for others, show some kindness and consideration to others and also teach them about giving back to the community.

Sometimes we all get too busy with life and think we don't have time for anybody else, the truth is, if we set our minds to it, we can always find time and ways that we can help and contribute our time to the community.

I have learned this from my own personal experience and I know that by volunteering and giving some of my personal time, gives me alot of satisfaction and contentment. More than any shopping trip can. This is true.

Also, I have learned so much from the other parents who have shown so much kindness and compassion for children other than their own. I salute these parents who are willing to give their time for children who needed their help.. be it to teach them, help them make presents for the parents and teachers, counsel, befriended them or just assuring them that they are loved. It does make this world a better place.

We often share our anxieties and concerns about our children and support one another in times of need. I was deeply touched when a parent called me at recess time and told me my child has forgotten to bring his pocket money, she offered to give him some for me. How kind and thoughtful. That is the kind of friendship that we share. If one of us is down, the rest will rally around and help out the best of our ability. It is through such kindness that we flourish and continue to be strong.

We are indeed blessed to have such wonderful friends in this group and we will stay united and focused as we share one common love.. the love for the children.

Yvonne Chin

First day at school

2nd January is the first day of school for the new P1 students, at 2pm sharp they are all assembled at the school hall all ready to for school. Bright eyed and bushy tailed, these newbies were all so excited about going to school. They obediently sat down in rows and repeated greetings after Mrs Wong, the Principal who was personally there to orientate the children into their school life. How lucky they are to have such a dedicated Principal and caring teachers.

Anxious parents stood on the sideways as they watched their little ones soaked in the "real school" experience. It is very heartening to see the littles ones adapt so well and so eager about school. They dutifully sat down reading their story books while waiting for the rest of the children to turn up for school.

Recess time went smoothly as children are paired with a P2 buddy to help them to be more independent. P1 students learned to order their own food, put the cutleries back in place and of course to wash their hands thoroughly before and after meals. When the bell rang, they return to their respective classes in an orderly manner. There was no drama at all!

What an exciting day for all. First day of school and a fresh start to their schooling adventure!

Tips and hints on discipline

*Children may behave badly as a way of getting attention from parents, so try to praise your child for what he or she has done well and give hugs and attention as rewards, so they get your attention from good behaviour.

*Try to concentrate on telling your children what you want them to do, instead of telling them what not to do. Let your children know how you see things, and explain why you are holding onto a boundary.

*Try to be consistent about the rules and boundaries you set, so that children know that you mean what you say.

*Don’t make threats you can’t carry out as this will just encourage them to keep pushing to find the real boundary.

*Children may push your limits but often they do this to see how firm and secure their world is - so saying no may really be what they want and need.

*If you are feeling angry and out of control, try to get some help and support for yourself - perhaps a friend or relative could give you a bit of a break to do something for yourself; perhaps you might like to talk with other parents about how they cope.

How to raise optimistic children

Do you fear the worst for your children, or feel they can do anything?

You can determine whether they grow up with a can-do attitude

Do you think positive?

Few moments conjure up the joys and freedoms of childhood more than a playground teeming with laughing, energetic children. But among all those happy-go-lucky, carefree spirits playing on swings there will be at least one anxious youngster. The same goes for the parents waiting at the foot of the climbing frame. Some will delight in their offspring's exploits; others will be waiting for the fall, the cry of pain.

Susannah, who is married and has two children, aged seven and five, can't help anticipating catastrophe. 'I have been excessively anxious since having children,' she admits. 'From the moment my first child was born I was convinced that something dreadful would happen to the baby, probably at my hands. Although that extreme anxiety has abated, it is very much still there. I am particularly terrified of car crashes and of my children drowning in the sea.'

It could be that the burden of parenthood has triggered this anxiety, but Susannah is acutely aware that it must be rooted in her own personality. 'I am discovering how negative my attitude can be. My immediate response to many things is 'we can't do that' or 'something bad will happen'.'

Susannah's husband is, by contrast, naturally optimistic and encourages his young children to test their physical capabilities – something she is grateful for. 'I wouldn't want them to internalise my belief that something bad will happen – that is so limiting. I am thrilled to see that, thanks to their father, the children are bold and full of confidence in the world and in people.' They seem to have learned, in short, the optimism she lacks.

Children who are optimistic are more able to bounce back from adversityOptimism is valuable because it enables a child to navigate a world that is as full of obstacles, new encounters and setbacks as adults experience. Optimism needs to be part of our armoury. 'We know that an optimistic view of the world is a key factor in resilience,' explains psychologist Judith Lasker. 'People who are optimistic are more able to bounce back from adversity. Children will, of course, be affected by the atmosphere in which they are brought up. However, the influence is not necessarily a direct one and will be mediated by other relationships. So a child may actually develop optimism in reaction to a parent's pessimism if they have other experiences of optimism to draw on.'

What makes a child optimistic?by parenting expert Michael Grose, author of 'One Step Ahead' (£12.99, Newleaf)

There are five building blocks of optimism:

*Having a go and persisting
*Practising skills
*Coming to terms with success and failure
*Planning for the future
*Having the belief and confidence to try again

Optimists tend to explain adverse events in the following ways:

*Adverse events are often temporary: 'It takes time to find a friend', rather than 'No one likes me'

*Situations or causes are specific: 'I am not so good at football', rather than 'I am hopeless at sport'

*Blame is rationalised rather than personalised: 'I was grounded because I hurt my sister', rather than 'I was grounded because I am a bad child'

Teaching children the skills of optimismTo promote optimism in your children, try the following four strategies:

*Model positive thinking and optimism. Let your children hear your positive self-talk

*Challenge your children's negative or unrealistic appraisals. For instance, 'Everyone hates me. I have no friends' can be challenged with 'Sometimes it feels like we have no friends, but you spent all morning with Melanie yesterday'

*Teach your child to look for the good things they do, and say them to themselves or out loud. They can look for the good things that happen in life, no matter how small

*Teach children to positively reframe their thoughts. When something unpleasant happens or failure occurs, they can actively look on the bright side. For example, 'I crashed my bike, but at least I came out unhurt' or, 'That activity didn't work but I know what to do next time'

This is an extract from a feature taken from Psychologies. For further details and to subscribe, visit Psychologies. The current issue of Psychologies magazine is now on sale in newsagents nationwide