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How Learning Programming Boosts Your Child’s Critical Thinking Skills

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These days, programming forms an integral part of all aspects of our lives, from education to social media, banking and information. As Singapore works towards becoming a “smart nation”, the Ministry of Communications and Information has announced that an additional 30,000 ICT jobs need to be filled by 2020. While not every child wants a career as a programmer, learning programming is a valuable life skill for everyone. We have the experts Mr Deddy Setiadi and Mr Himmy Cheng, the co-founders of Tink Tank, talking to us about the benefits of learning programming. Tink tank is a local coding institution that aims to equip every child with programming knowledge and the power to create change. So, why should you get your kids started on their coding journeys now?

1. Programming build up problem solving and computational thinking skills

Coding is very sequential – you need to know what to write and why one code comes after another. Students will be able to make logical connections that can help them learn to analyse different situations and look at the big picture before drilling down to the smaller steps to reach the goal. Whenever they do hands on coding activities and face errors, students will learn to identify the problem and debug the programme. Mr Deddy says, “When children learn to code, they are also learning to think. These days, Facebook, handphones and programmable toys are embedded in children’s lives. They should also learn to understand the logic behind these technologies and move beyond being passive consumers to creators of technology.”

“I found the workshop very educational and interesting as it taught us about technology, computer programming and how to use our ideas in building up our own games!” – 10-year-old Saamiya Khan, who has benefitted from Tink Tank‘s workshop and regular classes.

2. Programming empowers children with confidence and creativity

Learning with the right tools is essential to creating a strong programming foundation. There are many excellent tools available in the market, such as Scratch, which is developed by MIT and can be used to create computer games and animated stories, to robotics tools like Dot & Dash and mBot. Mr. Himmy lights up when he recalls how his students felt so accomplished when they were able to see the games that they had brainstormed and planned on paper materialised as online games with the instructors’ guidance using Scratch. Mr. Himmy says, “That is why the students are constantly encouraged to express their creativity and challenge boundaries at Tink Tank,” For instance, a perennial kids favourite is the fruit piano segment where they code a virtual piano and play on the fruits by connecting it to Makey Makey, a tool that allows for indirect control of the keyboard. Now, who says a piano must be black and white?

“If your child has even a slight interest in computer, gaming, technology – Tink Tank’s program will open up a fun new world of coding through a series of games and using kid-friendly coding platform, like Scratch. The small class size is a plus, and compared to workshops my 8-year-old had done in the past, the instructors are stellar. My son is already looking forward to the next Tink Tank class!” – Parent of 8-year-old Cai Penn

3. Programming is fun and it develops important life skills

Though coding may seem very technical and possibly daunting, it is a myth that the skills gained are confined to the realms of the computer lab. Participants of Tink Tank’s programs are also developing important life skills, such as presentation skills, as they are encouraged to actively ask and answer questions in class, and will get the opportunity to present their final creations to their parents. Also, students are put through collaborative exercises that gives them the opportunity to work together, solve problems and learn from each other. To Mr Deddy and Mr Himmy, the growth of the students is more important than school size itself. They promise a 1:4 teacher-student ratio to ensure an intimate, hands-on learning experience, compared to the 1:8 ratio in the market currently. “We get really excited when we see our students grow, and we regularly communicate the student’s individual progress to parents. We want to go the extra mile for our students, “they concluded.

“The Tink Tank workshop has been an extremely engaging program for my daughter. The staff have made the “lesson” super interesting and more importantly, making learning fun! Kudos to the team!” – Parent of 12 year old Ivory.

Just as how Maths and Science shape our world now, our children’s world will be shaped by computers and connected devices. Computer programming has been increasingly incorporated into the Singapore education system, with a new O-level subject called computing introduced this year. As kids have an easier time picking up skills than adults, it’s important to get them started on their coding journey early. If your children have not learnt how to program, now’s the time to start.

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July 8, 2015

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Tasha measured 2 cups of baking flour, squinting her eyes as she levelled off the excess. Satisfied, her hands reached for the ingredients, laid out in ramekins and bowls right beside her. Mise-en-place, she calls it. She mixed the ingredients one by one, careful not to spill it. As the oven closes with a satisfying thud, Ms. Violet claps and says, “Well done!”

We have Ms. Violet Khoo from Genius R Us talking about how teaching your child to bake could help them learn many important aspects of life.

1. Basic arithmetic

Baking is a great to way to learn the practical application of some basic mathematical concepts. Kids learn to count, tell apart units of measurement, and fractions (e.g. pouring a quarter cup of flour).

2. Follow instructions and pick up vocabulary

Baking helps your child to understand the importance of following instructions. It also helps them realise why certain tasks need to be done in certain order. Baking helps kids improve their vocabulary by picking up words related to food, kitchen and baking.

3. Develops Creativity

It can’t just taste good, it also has to look good. Watch their imagination take flight as they decorate their freshly baked muffin or cookie.

4. Motor skills

Kids pick up practical skills such as learning to crack an egg confidently, knead the dough and to whisk batter.

5. Boosts Self-esteem

Being able to dish out food on the table fosters a sense of accomplishment. These contributions, however small, are monumental to boosting the self-esteem of your child.

6. Learn More Through Their 5 Senses

Baking offers your child the experiential platform to engage their sense of sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. Your child will feel an immense sense of achievement when they complete a product of their own, making something from scratch with their own hands. They also derive pleasure from baking as they observe, take instructions, and plan their agenda.

7. Group Learning

At Genius R Us, kids do not work individually, but work in a team of two. Such joint efforts not only allow for exchange of ideas, it also facilities social skills and foster cooperation in them.

With more than 100 recipes (and counting!) for cookies, cakes, muffins, and savoury treats to make and bake, coupled with easy-to-follow instructions, it’s no surprise that their recipes are a hit among kids as well as parents.

Apart from providing kids with a platform where their interest in baking can be discovered and honed, Genius R Us is a baking cove where kids build their confidence and learn skills beyond the perimeter of a classroom.

From the moment your little chef puts on the chef’s hats and colourful aprons, it is truly a melting pot of fun for parents and kids alike. Even if the last crumb of cookie has been consumed, the sweet aroma of still lingers on because it is the experience that really matters.

Genius R Us is conveniently located at City Square Mall on Kitchener Road. Bake a date with your child today at Genius R Us.

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Junior Public Speaking & Confidence Building Workshop designed by the World Champion of Public Speaking

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Are you looking for a special present for an adorable child? Why don’t you give a present that will leave a lifetime positive impact? When you give The Kidz Parade Edutainment Magazine as a present, you are opening the door to a world of Creativity and Communication.

June 19, 2015

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“I want to send my child for holiday activities, but school has been so hectic and I don’t know whether my child will end up more stressed!”

Have you ever found yourself thinking or saying the above when the holidays are near?

We have Jini from Whizz Kidz talking about holiday activities.

In recent years, the words play, fun and learning have been used together so often. About 50-100 years ago, these words would not even exist in the same sentence! However, seldom they get to play and have fun during school work. The idea of learning through play was explored as early as 1945 by Jean Piaget and has since been widely studied.

Learning through play means learning through enjoyable and pleasurable activities. Engaging in such activities gives children a sense of self-motivation, which is extremely important in one’s learning process.

One known benefit of learning through play is increased intellectual and cognitive abilities. Children exposed to learning through play have been found to have increased flexibility and potential for learning in later life. Other benefits include increased confidence, better social skills, communication and language, physical, reasoning skills and many more.

1. Social / Emotional Development

During holiday programs, children learn to regulate their own emotions, as well as take into consideration other’s feelings. How children perceive their surroundings affects the brain’s physical development and their learning.

2. Brain Development

Every camp explores its own unique range of topics that allows children to think, process information, solve problems, remember new information, make decisions and understand concepts.

3. Language and Communication Development

Children meet and interact with other children from different cultures who speak different languages. This not only allows the child’s language skills to improve, but also allows children exposure and appreciation for different cultures.

4. Developing Independence

Children often come to camp feeling extremely nervous and leave camp full of confidence at the end of the week. Throughout the week, the children engage in multiple activities that allow them to work independently, as well as in groups, building their confidence.

5. Exploring new interests

Many camps offer new and novel activities for kids to try out such as Fun Science, Amazing Movie Making, Robotics, 3D printing and many more. It is important for children to have activities that interest them, besides their iPads, handphones and television programs in today’s day and age.

Whizz Kids has got a variety of holiday activities suited for various interest groups. For more information regarding amazing Whizz Kidz Holiday Camps, please visit Whizz Kidz.

Share this article with your friends and colleagues, so that they too are aware of this amidst their busy schedules.

Do you have any insights or tips that you use? Would you like to share that? Please use the comments section below and let us know!