Hello everyone,


My nephew just decided to apply to https://www.42singapore.sg/. Even though I agree with my nephew's decision to go into coding as a career, I have never heard of 42 Singapore before.

I did some research on 42 Singapore and found that it is a sister branch of a free coding school in https://www.42network.org/ that teaches in a unique way by using peer-learning and project based work. So there are no teachers, no lecturers and everything is self-paced learning. Even though this seems like a new way of doing things, I'm not sure how it will translate in Singapore's context.

I'm writing in this forum to find out what people think about 42 Singapore. Have any of you been to any of the 42 schools or heard about it?

Thank you ahead of time for your ideas and thoughts.

We used to face a similar conundrum too with my 2 kids. Most of the responses I’m seeing here was kind of what we as parents had to change and do - actually read and have the children model after.


Children are like sponges and observe everything and they will follow what they see. So more of the saying ‘Monkey see, Monkey do’ than, ‘Do as I say, not as I do’.

This change in behaviour from us parents took a bit of adjusting too but after a while/few months, my daughter started to read her books on her own while I was reading mine! Usually, she would rather watch TV, but seeing that I was nose deep in a novel, she decided not to have the TV blaring and distracting my reading and instead joined in the quiet session. It was our little bonding time.

Modelling worked a lot better for my more introverted daughter. My rambunctious boy took a few more tries/months and additional effort that ultimately benefited the whole family. He’s the sort that would rather run laps around the house than cuddle up with a book for reading’s sake.

What’s a parent to do to have their child interested in reading? Engagement.

My husband and I started asking about the books that they were reading and took a genuine interest in their reads even though we’ve already known the stories ourselves. The way they lit up when they shared their opinions about the book, the characters they liked and disliked, how the plot twists were expected or not etc - hearing their responses during these dinner time discussions were so fulfilling to both parents and children. An hour before bed, we usually have a quiet session to settle down with a book and the kids would be so eager to know what happens next or if their guesses of the plot were right.

When and how they read is also important. If it’s framed as a ‘read this and you’ll be tested later’, I doubt it will foster much positive association with reading. Reading for relaxation and fun was how we started, and once the habit stuck, reading became quite natural for them.

Cultivating the habit collectively as a family from young will usually result in more long term consistent results.

This took us months of consistency to eventually get to where we are now, and we have no regrets. Independent reading is now a ‘thing’ in our household.

Happy reading and I hope this helps!

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2059509\" time=\"1645505832\" user_id=\"3:

Interesting. What's the use of probiotics? I hardly have any kimchi or yogurt, but I drink milk regularly. Does milk help?

Sushi88 is right - milk, especially pasteurised milk doesn't have the bacteria (pre or probiotics) as the absence of bacteria helps keep food staying fresh and not spoil. And yes, as Sushi88 mentioned, fermentation process helps the good bacteria grow.

Probiotics are good in promoting overall gut health and ultimately health overall as our body is largely connected to our digestive system - the saying you are what you eat kind of rings through here, haha! The good bacteria in your digestive tract help protect you from harmful bacteria and fungi. And it's especially important to replenish your gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics as antibiotics will wipe out both good and bad bacteria.

Did you know that your gut hosts 70% of the immune system?

Another fun fact: Although serotonin is manufactured in the brain, where it performs its primary functions, some 90% of our serotonin supply is found in the digestive tract and in blood platelets.

Serotonin is a chemical messenger that's believed to act as a mood stabilizer. It's said to help produce healthy sleeping patterns as well as boost your mood. Known as the happy hormone. So... Healthy gut = Happy guy

Time to buy more Yakult/yoghurt/kimchi or in my case, Synbioten for the added prebiotics!

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2059502\" time=\"1645504861\" user_id=\"3:

They are probiotics? :yikes: I never knew.

Yes! Kimchi goes through some fermentation and that's where the probiotics come into play. A delicious source of probiotics.

chenSee\" post_id=\"953466\" time=\"1360175037\" user_id=\"84154:

My daughter keeps on eating junk foods which are very unhealthy..Im always giving her favorite foods which are rich in nutrients but she always seek for junk foods as her dessert!.. If i refuse her (junk food request), she will not eat the whole meal.. This is a burden for me.. :frustrated:

Hi chenSee,

I feel your frustration.

Children are quite picky eaters and sometimes won't eat their fruits and veggies no matter how hard we try to mask/hide them in foods they are willing to eat. What I find to help in the long term is their relationship with food.

If we use junk food as a reward for finishing their main meal, they will view junk food as the 'prize' and more of value than healthy nutritious foods. And when they grow up, they will tend to have a more unhealthy approach and view of food.

I would recommend going to a nutritionist or dietitian to help with the family's relationship with food. Educating and collective effort and reinforcement of these new healthy food relationships and habits would be a better long term approach to eating healthy.

But short-term wise? You can still get the DHA and all the other natural goodness into them even if they refuse to eat the foods that contain them. How?
- Vitamin jellies and gummies

This helps to ease them into eating healthier 'junk' foods. Like eating jelly? Why not jellies packed with DHA and EPA?

These are such a blessing that my younger nephew and nieces look forward to eating them as treats after meals. It made a lot of sense in hindsight. Why mask in meals when you can mask in children's snacks? I gift my friends and family a box from time to time if there's a sale.

I'd recommend these:
- DHA Jellies
https://shopee.sg/Nature%27s-Essentials%25E ... d8df36608e
- Immune Jellies
https://shopee.sg/Nature%27s-Essentials%25E ... 6483b25272
- Elderberry Gummies
https://shopee.sg/Nature%27s-Essentials%25E ... 8a420ac6f9
- Multivite Gummies
https://shopee.sg/Nature%27s-Essentials%25E ... 271c1ccdc9

My sister likes to take the gummies with her children as a fun parent/child bonding time.

I was recommended to take both pre and probiotics, and it's been a tremendous help! I used to bloat a lot, and my bowel movement was not regular and not frequent - sometimes once every 3 days, sometimes once every 2 days, and my stool consistency varied between constipation and soft stools.


After taking my pre+probiotics, I move my bowels daily with normal stool consistency! I even managed to lose 1.5kg which might be due to my more regular bowel movement and better gut health. I feel a lot better and I'm also less bloated.

Many probiotics I see just have probiotics, not a combination of pre+probiotics. So just take note when shopping and considering your pre+probiotics supplements.

Currently taking Synbioten that I get either online or Guardian during sale.

https://shopee.sg/HST-Medical%E2%84%A2-Synbioten-%E7%9B%8A%E8%82%A0%E5%AE%9D-%2830s-60s%29-Probiotic-Prebiotics-Enzymes-Improves-Gut-Health-Bowel-i.243145835.3252010221?sp_atk=084e370d-55d6-4370-ae92-6800519f7a01

mum24h\" post_id=\"2000170\" time=\"1603594004\" user_id=\"167944:

Hello,

Anyone has recommendation what to do for a 14 year old boy with flat feet problem? Only feel painful at the arch when do long haul jogging.

Thank you.

Hi Mum24h,

Not sure if you found a solution to this but I would recommend getting checked out by a Podiatrist. Usually, if the flat feet aren't that severe, it can be asymptomatic until after long walks/runs where it starts to ache. However, because flat feet isn't the 'normal' way feet should be, there is the misalignment and unnatural compensation made by your legs in order to walk 'normally'.

Consequently, your knees might tilt inwards and cause extra wear and tear in the knee joints which might result in osteoarthritis in your 40s/50s. Best to prevent other conditions like osteoarthritis as flat feet are very difficult to cure, especially when you seek treatment after childhood.

I would recommend checking this podiatrist out: https://familypodiatrycentre.com/

What to expect:
- You'll go through a consultation
- some gait/walking analysis
- foot mould/scan analysis
- explanation of treatment plan
- making and waiting for custom orthotics/flat feet insoles
- shoe auditing (they check your shoes to see which are best for your feet and the insoles)
- feet exercises
- follow-ups

Initially, it's not going to be comfortable and it does take a while to adjust and get used to the insoles and new footwear etc. And getting your child to comply and stick to the treatment plan is going to be your biggest challenge since they won't like the discomfort. But stick with it and you will see results - trust the process.

Best to send your child in early as their feet are more adaptable and muscle memory can be trained easier. However, adults can also benefit from the treatment, just not cure. More symptomatic relief and preventive measures.

Hope this helps! All the best!

Children are quite picky eaters and sometimes won't eat their fruits and veggies no matter how hard we try to mask/hide them in foods they are willing to eat. I find it especially so when it comes to fish oil as the fishy smell is very off-putting for them, or the giant size is a bit difficult for their smaller throats to swallow.


So how to get DHA and all the other natural goodness into them if they refuse to eat the foods that contain them?
- Vitamin jellies and gummies

These are such a blessing that my younger nephew and nieces look forward to eating them as treats after meals. It made a lot of sense in hindsight. Why mask in meals when you can mask in children's snacks? I gift my friends and family a box from time to time if there's a sale.

I'd recommend these:
- DHA Jellies
https://shopee.sg/Nature%27s-Essentials%E2%84%A2-Zoo-Vite-DHA-Jelly-for-Kids-30-Sticks-Per-Box-Boost-Brain-and-Eye-Vision-Halal-i.243145835.3251753815?sp_atk=04f7a772-e9e3-44e7-ba3b-55d8df36608e
- Immune Jellies
https://shopee.sg/Nature%27s-Essentials%E2%84%A2-Zoo-Vite-Immune-Jelly-for-Kids-30-Sticks-Per-Box-Enhanced-w-Probiotics-Vitamin-C-E-Halal-i.243145835.6051589055?sp_atk=746cfc6d-7180-4afb-be49-066483b25272
- Elderberry Gummies
https://shopee.sg/Nature%27s-Essentials%E2%84%A2-Zoo-Vite-Germ-Buster-for-Kids-60-Elderberry-Gummies-Boosts-Immune-System-Against-Flu-Cold-i.243145835.3251751425?sp_atk=1be8b301-83fa-477e-9785-338a420ac6f9
- Multivite Gummies
https://shopee.sg/Nature%27s-Essentials%E2%84%A2-Zoo-Vite-Safari-Buddies-Multi-Vitamin-Gummies-for-Kids-60s-120s-Boost-Immune-System-i.243145835.5051685501?sp_atk=5c1e388f-286e-4a6a-9ae9-9a271c1ccdc9

My sister likes to take the gummies with her children as a fun parent/child bonding time.