Dealing With HAZE

Haze has been a particular acute problem in Southeast Asia. This is due to fires burnt to clear land for agricultural uses. This is made worse by the the dry seasons and change in wind direction. Singapore is currently experiencing smog crisis from Indonesia forest fires.

The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit an all-time high of PSI 371 at 1pm on Thursday, 20 June 2013.

The PSI value gives an indication of the air quality:

PSI Value/ Descriptor
0 to 50         Good
51 - 100       Moderate
101 - 200     Unhealthy
201 - 300     Very unhealthy
Above 300    Hazardous

Air pollutants, the particles can affect our body in numerous ways. From the nose, skin (eczema), eyes, to the airways and lungs, and hearts. The important thing is to stay calm and reduce the impact of haze on health by drinking lots of water to flush away any irritants that get into the airways, and eat more vegetables and fruits to beef up our immune system. When the air is too polluted (in unhealthy range), avoid outdoor activities. For asthmatic, children, elder and individual respiratory problems, it be better to stay indoor and avoid physical activity outdoors.

For those who are interested to know how does the haze hurt our body, here's an article published by Singapore General Hospital (SGH):

The haze is expected to persist for the next few days. Take care especially mummies with young children and elderly.

Art Garden 2013 at Singapore Art Museum

Last weekend, together with my toddler and baby, we visited the Art Garden.

Level 1 - The Enchanted Garden City
This whimsical enchanted garden city is simply awesome! Here you find the familiar fairytales, Red Ridding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Humpty Dumpty, etc. with an Asian twist over the entire wall. In case you are wondering, where is the Asian twist? There you go - the red ridding hood in kebaya, the Goldilocks and the three pandas (bear). This "garden" is so colorful! I find myself so drawn to this beautiful garden.

Gracelle then proceed to color her version of enchanted garden. Once she was done, she passed her drawing to be projected onto the Magic Mirror. She was thrilled to see her drawing on the Magic Mirror.

Level 2 - Moving Image Gallery
Step into this gallery, you find yourself in a movie theater. Sit back and enjoy a selection of local short films and animation. Gracelle is attracted to the big screen, and of course the film screened.
Great job for the students, mainly from polytechnics who came out with the idea and the films!

Level 2 - Around the Day in Eighty Worlds
This is a fascinating world and do observe what is around you. Take a step back, can you see there's a cat with its eyes, nose and whiskers?

Photo credit: Singapore Art Museum

Again, Gracelle is occupied with the activity to paste color papers over her hot air balloon.

Level 3 - Stellar Cave II
We move on to the stunning work made entirely of screws and thread. I marvel at the beauty of the glowing stars and deers. Lack of freedom to explore as the room was dark though the stunning art work was glowing, but Gracelle felt kind of fearful :(

Photo credit: Singapore Art Museum

Level 3 - Les rêves engloutis – Glossy Dreams in Depths
Next up is to overcome your fears and explore the gallery filled with peculiar objects, 3D drawings and holograms. Once we walked in, we were invited to sat on the swivel bed to transform you into the world of 3D drawings.The room was filled with things which are more abstract and 3D images which appears to be scary-looking. Gracelle find the place scary and dragged me out of the room. Hence, lack of freedom to explore :(

Photo credit: Singapore Art Museum

Level 4 - Love. Revolve the World
There is no activity in this gallery. It does not excite my girl much. But, is interesting to know that the art piece is a collaboration work between the local sculptor with student, and toddlers as young as 18 months.

This mark the end of our visit to the Art Garden. Say bye to Walter!

Pretend Play

My girl made this art and craft from her 3 years old children church. She was extremely happy to pretend as a lamb, and she baa baa here, and she baa baa there...

The girl just loves playing pretend! Pretend play allows her to think out of the box to create entertainment and fun. Other than pretending to be a lamb, she can also do a perfect imitation of mom, dad, and teacher (I am not sure if this is good or bad?)

Let me take part in her pretend play.

Take a moment, close your eyes, and visualize.  See the loving shepherd tending his flock, gather the lamb and, carries the lamb in his arm and close to his heart. Gazing into the eyes of the lamb, the loves, the bonding that ties them together.

My girl is the little lamb. I am her shepherd. A shepherd  herds, tends, and guards his flock; a shepherd protects, guides... So do I.  I care for my child, protects, guides, and/or watches over my child as long as they need it. WOW! The power of pretend play!

Do you encourage pretend play with your children?