Did you know that mother tongue development has two key benefits: it plays an important role in a child's learning and inspires a deeper understanding of one's culture. As mother tongues are an integral part of CIS' cultural makeup, primary vice-principal Tonia Whyte Potter-Mal decided to bring the community closer by highlighting the faces behind the different languages and dialects spoken at CIS.

And so, the Mother Tongue Voices initiative was launched last school year. Tonia began by approaching the different support teams for volunteers who would read a book in their native language to a virtual audience of Lakeside primary students.

One of the storytellers was Michael Joseph from CIS's security team, who read the book "The Snake and the Frogs" to 30 classes in Tamil via livestream. Chef Naveen also enjoyed a brief celebrity moment when his entire family in India tuned in to show their support during his Hindi storytelling session.

According to Tonia, students and staff seemed equally delighted by the sessions, a sentiment shared by Grade 6 lead, Ryan Sayer. "My class recognised Michael on their way to PE class later in the afternoon and they immediately waved happily to say hello and thank you to him. Even the entire grade 6 level, who was in the middle of preparing for the PYP exhibition, took the time to tune in for the storytelling session," he says.

These types of initiatives allow CIS educators like Tonia to support their students' literacy development by taking language learning opportunities well beyond the classroom, and into the real world. In fact, CIS was the first school in the world to be certified as a BML school – a testament to its commitment in building both linguistic skills and cultural understanding.

Find out more about CIS' languages programmes at cis.edu.sg/learning/languages.

Ask the Dentist: Should I use an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush?

A. There are a few factors to consider to decide whether an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush is better for you. They include your personal preference, age and general well-being. Each of these toothbrushes has its pros and cons.

  

Which toothbrush cleans better?

Some studies have shown that electric tooth brushes are better at cleaning away plaque, and that electric toothbrush users enjoy healthier gums overall. Nonetheless, it is also possible to brush effectively with a manual toothbrush. If you visit your dental specialist/ dentist for professional checkups regularly and he/she is confident that you are brushing well, then there is no need to switch to an electric toothbrush.
Which toothbrush is safer for teeth?

Electric toothbrushes can be very powerful, which is why they do a thorough job in removing dental plaque. However, too much power also means that it is more likely for an electric toothbrush to cause abrasions to exposed dentin (the layer below tooth’s enamel), increasing teeth sensitivity and risk of cavities. Therefore, it is very important to brush gently when using an electric toothbrush. Gently place the electric toothbrush on your teeth and the vibrating or rotating head will do the cleaning work for you.

An electronic toothbrush is generally recommended for older adults and younger children who have dexterity issues. Speak to your dental specialist / dentist if you are uncertain. No matter which toothbrush you choose, it is recommended to go for one with soft bristles to prevent damage to your teeth and gums.

Steven Soo is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. He was formerly a Clinical Lecturer at the Eastman Dental Institute and Clinical Teacher at the GKT Dental Institute, both of which are affiliated with the University of London. Dr Soo has a special interest in prosthetic and implant restorative dentistry.
www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883