Non-Punitive Discipline- Parenting talk by Kenny Toh

The talk was well attended by EPPS parents and there was a lively exchange of ideas during the event between the speaker, Kenny Toh and the audience.

Non-Punitive Discipline is an approach for disciplining children that does not use any form of punishment, be it physical or non-physical. Practitioners of non-punitive systems of discipline (e.g. Positive Discipline) seek to respond to children’s misbehaviours with respect, understanding, love and empathy by employing methods that honour the dignity of children, promote their well-being and encourage their personal growth.

The Campaign seeks to ENROL, EMPOWER and ENABLE parents to adopt the practice of Non-Punitive Discipline. We believe that the abolishment of corporal punishment will be a natural consequence when parents experience the benefits of a positive and effective alternative for disciplining children.

For more information : we invite you to visit http://www.parentingwithoutpunishment.org/ and make a PLEDGE today!

Some feedback from our parents :

"I fully support what you are doing (the campaign) in advancing the Practice of Parenting. Parenting is a skill that does not necessarily come naturally and which most parents have to grapple with - some grapple with it more (with more challenging kids) and some grapple with it less (with more obedient children). What you have gone through today with us parents is truly a good insight and offered us good parenting tips and plenty of points to ponder. I and am sure the other parents in the talk have benefitted from it and I salute you, Kenny, the parent support group, and EPPS Principal for taking a lead in this campaign. I honestly feel that all schools should invite Kenny to speak to their teacher & parent body. Thank you for this opportunity. By the way, where can I go to attend more talks on this subject? Are there parent and child workshops that allows us to interact with our kids and better understand them? I would be very interested to learn more and attend more of such workshops. Thank you very much!" ~ Lenny, mother of 3

"My husband and I had just attended a workshop by Kenny, which was organised by Elias Park Primary School. It was a very insightful session, and provided us an opportunity to self-reflect together as parents. We have decided to implement the non-punitive discipline with immediate effect and will be advocating this practice among our friends who are parents.Thank you." ~ Jenny, mother of 3

Mother's Day Fair 8th, 9th and 13th April 2009

Mother's Day Fair is conducted differently this year. We had all items for sale on display and students pre- order and collect their purchase on 6th and 7th of May just a few day before Mother's Day which falls on 10th of May this year.

These items will come with a specially hand made cards made by PSG members for our students' beloved mummies. Items went on sales were priced from $1.50 to a maximum of $5. PSG has put in alot of effort in sourcing our products that are high quality and good value.

Ms. Susan Koh deserves a special mention for leading this project in sourcing, costing and planning the logisics and display. We think we did a very good job. The other PSG members were there to support the fair as well.

Nonetheless, we had good response from the students, teachers and parents. Thank you for support our initiatives and have a Happy Mother's Day!

Introduction to Non-Punitive Discipline by Kenny Toh

Introduction to Non-Punitive Discipline
How to Discipline Your Child without Frustration, Guilt or Tears

Most parents share the common aspirations of raising children of good character and helping them develop to their full potential. However, many are feeling frustrated because today’s children do not seem to behave the way children used to in the good old days. Many methods of child discipline that once worked in the past no longer seem to be as effective anymore. As a result, parents often feel lost, and even confused, especially when expert opinions are contradictory. To spank or not to spank? Is ‘Time-Out’ recommended or not? What about removal of privileges?

If you are facing common parenting challenges such as behavioural problems related to homework, computer time, responsibility, loss of interest or motivation, rebellion, and aggression, be reassured that you are not alone and that there are positive alternatives for disciplining children that can free you from frustration, guilt or tears. Attend this informative and insightful talk by the Founder of the Institute of Advanced Parentology and learn more about:

• The common misconceptions that hinder well-meaning parents from disciplining their children effectively


• How punishment work (and doesn’t work)


• How to gain a deeper understanding of your child’s behaviour


• The benefits of Non-Punitive Discipline


• THE SEVEN KEYS TO EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE that help children develop self-discipline, responsibility and cooperation


• How YOU can make a difference by contributing to the advancement of the practice of parenting in Singapore

Date: 4th April 2009, Saturday
Venue: EPPS AVA Room, 4th Level
Elias Park Pri. Sch.
Time: 9am to 12pm
Fee: $10 (1 parent), $15 (2 parents)

To register, kindly send us an email at epps.psg@gmail.com
and provide us with your name/names if both parents are attending, your email address and contact number. Payment can be made at the door.
Please RSVP by 31st March 2009.
See you there!
About the speaker:

Kenny Toh, a professional coach and passionate father, is the founder of the Institute of Advanced Parentology, The Coaching Academy and the International Network for Parents as Coaches. His children are presently in Primary Three and Primary Five. The former has been the top student and model pupil in the first two years of primary education. The latter received the All-Rounder Pupil Award and is currently in the Gifted Education Programme.

As a thought leader in parent education, Kenny is committed to advancing the practice of parenting through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates the principles and practices from various disciplines including philosophy, psychology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and personal development. He has been invited to speak at public seminars such as Joyful Parenting Seminar 2006 and Great Parenting Seminar 2007, and a wide range of educational institutions including Nanyang Technological University, National Junior College, secondary schools, primary schools and pre-schools.

His insights and writings on parenting-related topics have been featured frequently in publications such as Straits Time’s Mind Your Body, Readers’ Digest Asia, Young Parents, Today’s Parents, Family Magazine, Mother and Baby, and Young Families.

Inspiring story

DON'T WE ALL
I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money.

There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times." "I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm. I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.


He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments.


I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me. "Don't we all?" he said.
I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don't we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help.



Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that.


Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.
Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help." Don't we all?

Author Unknown

Nomination of new PSG committee 2009

There was a PSG new committee voting meeting on the 21st Jan 2009. The voting was done using the latest EPPS acquisition, the Active vote system.
Please welcome the newly elected EPPS PSG 2009 committee!
Committee Members
Chairperson - Mrs. Yvonne Chin
Vice Chairperson - Mrs. Lani Chua
Vice Chairperson - Mdm Rahimah Asmore
Secretary/Special Project Lead - Mdm Susan Koh
Treasurer - Mrs. Eleanor Licuanan
Sub-committee Members
Malay LSP - Mdm Jurianah Jaffar
Chinese LSP - Mdm Chiang Meng Lee
Maths LSP - Mrs. Catherine Ng
Active Recess - Mrs. Grace Choo
Special Project - Mrs. Jasmine Yip
Special Project - Mdm Rohani Matnawi
Arts and Crafts - Mdm Karen Ann Lesslar
Reading Circle - Mdm Shanti

Award Ceremony, 14th Nov 2008

On the 14th Nov 2008, EPPS management and staff awarded PSG members with special handmade tokens by teachers to demonstrate their appreciation for PSG efforts and support in 2008.

It's followed by a reception where PSG members get to meet the Principal, the Vice Principal, SAC members and the teachers.

Thank you EPPS.

Compass Merit Award , 1st Nov 2008

The National Advisory Council, COMPASS (COMmunity and PArents in Support of Schools) was established in December 1998 to advise the Ministry of Education on ways in which home-school-community collaborations could be strengthened and promoted.
Presently, COMPASS is chaired by the Senior Minister of State for Education, Ms Grace Fu. COMPASS draws its members from the various stakeholders representing parents, self-help groups, alumni and the business community.

Congratulations to Elias Park Primary School for being awarded the Compass Merit Award for the year 2008!

The biennial PARTNERS Award, which was instituted in 2002, to recognise efforts made by schools in promoting and strengthening collaborative partnerships with their stakeholders such as parents, the alumni, School Advisory Committee/School Management Committee (SAC/SMC), community groups and business organisations.

Well done EPPS!