<![CDATA[Character Development Center for Children]]>Hi to all parents, I am a 3rd-year student from a local polytechnic and as part of our final-year project our team wishes to set up a character development center for children aged 3-12 years old. I am in hope that I get some useful insights and information from the forum here. Some questions to start of:

[list]
  • What is your general opinion regarding this idea?
    We intend to locate at a premier housing district like Bukit Timah, and have used Crown Center as a potential place to locate the business. What do you think of this?
    Is there anyone staying in the Bukit Timah area who is willing to send your children to such a center if there is one?
    • [/list]Thanks in advance! Please help me, I would appreciate it very much!

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/4666/character-development-center-for-childrenRSS for NodeWed, 24 Jun 2026 07:42:54 GMTFri, 31 Jul 2009 10:02:18 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Wed, 18 Mar 2015 13:16:22 GMT]]>this is a very interesting thread, a lot to learn from

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1478862https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1478862Wed, 18 Mar 2015 13:16:22 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:34:18 GMT]]>

    Funguy71:
    I think this kind of business is going to be tough...

    Yes, it will be a tough business, and I think westmom's hit the nail right on the head. Outsourcing a child's moral education to an outsider is only possible if the child is immersed in that environment for months instead of a couple of hours a week.

    Perhaps you should tweak your idea to training parents on what they should do to encourage the building of desirable habits in their children. That would probably go down better.

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49082https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49082Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:34:18 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:15:39 GMT]]>I think this kind of business is going to be tough.


    Most parents are nurturing their kids themselves for character development. Only those kids whose parents lost control over their kids and helpless or no confident to build the important value or behaviour of their kids will send their kids to this kind of exp character development ctr.

    As said by tamarind, most parents are only interested in academic results. So even those workaholic and affordable parents will not see this outsoucing character development thingy as a muz for their kids.

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49063https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49063Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:15:39 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:09:04 GMT]]>

    tamarind:
    Let's give the kid a break. He already said that he is a poly student doing his project.


    It is easy to say that character development should start from the home. The fact is that many parents have failed, based on my experience of interacting with hundreds of students. Do not assume that all parents know how to develop their kids' character properly.

    There are many courses where adults pay to learn about team building, communication skills, interpersonal skills, etc. So why not a character development center ? But I can predict that the business will be poor, since most parents are only interested in academic results.
    I guess this character building concept will not be well received by parents in KSP - why? because the fact we are here means we have interest in our kids !....and we want information to help our kids and also share with others. We believe in nurturing our kids ourselves. But there are parents out there who do not have time at all for their kids (either travelling all the time or overworking) so these kids are left without any \"guidance\". Would these parents want to pay for such course if they feel they need help and if they can afford to? Maybe - is better than doing nothing about it?

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49056https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49056Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:09:04 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:02:54 GMT]]>Attending a course for character development? Why outsource the most important ''curriculum"(values education) to be taught by outsiders, when the best role models for virtues to be instilled should be the parents? If the child learns to be an angel in the Character Development Centre, but goes home to a family of members not displaying all the right values, wouldn’t all the values learnt be undone?


    Moreover, some primary schools conduct character development classes/assemblies for the kids too…

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49033https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49033Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:02:54 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:49:26 GMT]]>Thanks very much Tamarind for the info. This is really helpful.

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49028https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/49028Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:49:26 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:34:48 GMT]]>

    Jav:
    Hi Tamarind,


    The chinese stories you mentioned, where can I get it in Singapore? Is it a book or DVD?

    You see my son like people to talk to him softly, but DH just doesn't have any patience.

    Maybe the stories preferably in DVD would be good for both of them to watch rather than me keep yaking it all the time!
    I found those books mostly at popular bookshop.

    I got the picture of 二十四孝 here. Scroll down the page.
    http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2008/07/chinese-books.html

    I am not sure whether this series can still be found now.

    I still have not found the children's edition of the story of 张良 in Singapore. The one that I found is all words, no pictures. This is a really important story which I think all children must read. Nowadays, kids and young people need to be taught how to be humble, especially those very smart kids.

    铁梧磨成针 is a famous story, you should be able to find various editions of it at popular bookshop.

    These books are also very good:
    司马光砸缸 teaches about courage, and quick decision making
    花木兰 is about filial piety, loyalty, and that girls can do anything that boys can do!

    愚公移山 teaches about hard work and perseverance, I read it when I was a child, but I have not been able to find this book in bookshops.

    I also like the story of 哪吒, he got into trouble due to his own mischief. When others wanted to hold his father responsible for what he had done, since he was still a child, 哪吒 killed himself, 一人做事一人当！

    I grew up reading these books, but it is not easy to find them now. Try looking for these books at the National Library.

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48895https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48895Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:34:48 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:47:51 GMT]]>[Editor's note: Topic selected for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/charlie-bit-me]


    Thought of a video to share with people following this thread.

    I think the most instinctive response of the child bitten would have been to smack for his brother to stop, but this little fella was simple SWEEEEET! Maybe smacking didn't even cross his mind! That's credit to parental example, I think!

    Enjoy..
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48654https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48654Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:47:51 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:31:09 GMT]]>How about getting your DH to read the postings by some of the wonderful parents here? 😉


    Honestly, I have my fair share of disagreements with DH on certain kids issues, like whether to cane, spank, what language to use in front of them, with them, etc. Fortunately, so far DH will mostly let me have the final say, but of course there would be times, when at the 'heat of the moment', it is easy to lose one's cool. I still remember one incident (and there are many others) when my DD was probably at 1+. DH was reading a book to her one night before bedtime. In her eagerness to turn the pages, my DD tore half a page off from the book, and DH promptly dealt with it by smacking her hand. Couldn't quite remember my DD's reaction (maybe I came to her rescue quick enough), but I was really upset with DH for doing that. To me, her tearing of the page was accidental, not intentional. Even if it was intentional, I think for the first time, we should really try to explain to the child why that is wrong, rather than getting physical... I always feel that spanking or whatever physical reaction from us parent is a bad reflection of one's parenting skills. It is easy (no need to spend time to explain) and you get your desired results immediately, but what about long-term?

    Well, it's really not easy to be parents, and to be responsible ones, even harder. We all learn along the way. I don't have any magic remedies to offer here, but hope that one day your DH would be able to see your side of the argument.

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48650https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48650Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:31:09 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:03:54 GMT]]>Bingo! Concern2, good enough that your DH would apologize to DS.


    NOT FOR MY HUBBY! I have told DH the same thing too asking him to apologize to DS. But I guess "SORRY" is just not in his dictionary.

    Eventhough sometimes he regretted his action but his ego is too high…

    And that’s why my DS is not really close to DH. I am afraid he just do the things the daddy ask just because he is too small to rebel to his Daddy.

    I myself get very angry :x at DH and honestly it affects our relationship too.

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48596https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48596Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:03:54 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:33:53 GMT]]>

    Jav:
    My son can shout at my hubby just like my hubby shouting at him. I don't understand why my son is not scared at my hubby. DH is so fierce and DS is just copying him to be fierce as well.


    It puts me so embarassed when we are outside or at the gathering.

    Sigh......
    So I've finally found common voice! 😉 Jav, at home when I try to tell my DH while he's 'at it again', I will get 'swept' into the tornado too, so I've stopped doing it, but I pity my DS as he will end up crying, which maddens my DH further...Tried talking to DH when we are alone or on other occasions, but seems like there is some gap in our values. Sometimes, my DH will apologize to DS, but he'll do it again, and still doesn't understand that my DS is taking in all these behaviour. 😢 😢

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48585https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48585Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:33:53 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:20:52 GMT]]>Hi Tamarind,


    The chinese stories you mentioned, where can I get it in Singapore? Is it a book or DVD?

    You see my son like people to talk to him softly, but DH just doesn’t have any patience.

    Maybe the stories preferably in DVD would be good for both of them to watch rather than me keep yaking it all the time!

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48428https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48428Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:20:52 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:17:53 GMT]]>Hi MLR,


    Thanks for the suggestion. That’s what I have in mind as well. Everytime, when into argument telling DH not to talk to DS like this & like that, I always said "I should record when you are into the action & then you are able to see yourself. He (DS) is just a mirror image of you. If you don’t like your son to behave like that then stop all your bad habits"

    My son can shout at my hubby just like my hubby shouting at him. I don’t understand why my son is not scared at my hubby. DH is so fierce and DS is just copying him to be fierce as well.

    It puts me so embarassed when we are outside or at the gathering.

    Sigh…

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48427https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48427Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:17:53 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:04:45 GMT]]>Once, DH secretly video me in my "monster mommy" self and show it to me, it shocked me that how ugly and crazy looking i was shouting at my then 18 mths old DS. And I realised that he was at the age where he was starting to absorb every actions of mine and I definately doesn’t want him doing what i did. Since then I try my very best not to let out that monster in me. The angrier and fustrated i feel, the softer i spoke to him.


    Perhaps videoing or secretly records what he is doing/saying those stuff that you think are bad influences and show them to him or let him hear what he was saying…

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48299https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48299Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:04:45 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:27:01 GMT]]>Wow… I am getting really like this forum as it provides a lot of insight and depth of the discussion. All of you have pointed very rightly, we all sometimes overlook/forgot the role of parents on character building to our kids. Thanks for the reminder!


    I like the part where Sashimi said :

    "My 7 years of parenthood has made me realize flaws in my character, and also painted in very stark terms how children turn bad when their parents are bad"

    Monkey see monkey do, right?

    I am very tired to tell DH that he has to watch out his own action in front of the children as they are picking it up after him.

    I don’t know what I suppose to do to wake him up to realise this!

    Anyone has any idea / to share?

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48276https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48276Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:27:01 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:16:56 GMT]]>Let’s give the kid a break. He already said that he is a poly student doing his project.


    It is easy to say that character development should start from the home. The fact is that many parents have failed, based on my experience of interacting with hundreds of students. Do not assume that all parents know how to develop their kids’ character properly.

    It is possible to influence a child, by showing him what is good character. One ways is by reading books to him.

    There are some very good Chinese stories which can build up good character. For example, 二十四孝, which includes stories of people who are very filial to their parents, is deeply touching to me, and has greatly influenced the way I treat my own parents.

    铁梧磨成针 teaches kids that if they persevere, they will succeed.

    I like the story about 张良, who humbly picked up shoes for a poor old man, and even put on the shoes for him. The old man later gave him a set of books which taught him to become one of the most brilliant strategist in the history of China. This story teaches kids that no matter how clever you think you are, you must be humble.

    A good story can make a deep impression in a child’s mind, and can be very effective in building his character.

    Sadly it is quite difficult to find these stories in Singapore. Most English story books do not teach these values. I believe most parents are not even aware of them.

    There are many courses where adults pay to learn about team building, communication skills, interpersonal skills, etc. So why not a character development center ? But I can predict that the business will be poor, since most parents are only interested in academic results.

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48271https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48271Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:16:56 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:46:55 GMT]]>

    winth:
    I think the spammer here got some problem with the Brain Neuro-Development Enrichment Programmes.


    Scarly it's a competitor, wanting us to think that they are advertising.
    But in actual fact, they want to scare us parents away from this Brain Neuro-Development Enrichment Programmes.
    :!: :!: conspiracy theory!!!
    wait...i send an email to them. 😉

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48263https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48263Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:46:55 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:42:50 GMT]]>

    winth:
    I think the spammer here got some problem with the Brain Neuro-Development Enrichment Programmes.


    Scarly it's a competitor, wanting us to think that they are advertising.
    But in actual fact, they want to scare us parents away from this Brain Neuro-Development Enrichment Programmes.
    Yes, infact very frustrating to see the same thing all over the topics. 😞

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48258https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48258Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:42:50 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:42:07 GMT]]>Fully concur with winth. I was just about to say this is one centre I’m not going - scarly fall into the trap.


    (too much conspiracy theory…)

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48255https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48255Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:42:07 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:40:57 GMT]]>I think the spammer here got some problem with the Brain Neuro-Development Enrichment Programmes.


    Scarly it's a competitor, wanting us to think that they are advertising.
    But in actual fact, they want to scare us parents away from this Brain Neuro-Development Enrichment Programmes.

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48253https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48253Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:40:57 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:38:08 GMT]]>

    winth:
    Spam-head's BACK called darren1008.


    Coming to theatres near you.
    Sigh...if only my prediction for Toto or 4D is so \"zhun\".

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48249https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48249Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:38:08 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:32:45 GMT]]>Spam-head’s BACK called darren1008.


    Coming to theatres near you.

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48245https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48245Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:32:45 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:37:41 GMT]]>Ooops, Jane 😓 ...more so, why must you do it on 'character development topic Huh? Huh?


    But then, if you get banned cos of this, :laugh:

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48172https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48172Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:37:41 GMT    <![CDATA[Reply to Character Development Center for Children on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:30:35 GMT]]>I will pay with my KS points for a ticket 😎

    ]]>    https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48158https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/48158Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:30:35 GMT