International Dot Day, an annual school-wide event at Canadian International School (CIS), is a special occasion that brings the CIS community together to celebrate positive values of creativity, individuality and kindness – messages that are inspired by the award-winning book, “The Dot”, by Peter H. Reynolds.

“The book truly emphasizes the importance of creativity and collaboration. I believe International Dot Day empowers students to unleash their potential and creativity, while emphasizing that making mistakes always takes us to a different level in our growth,” says teacher librarian Stojana Popovska.

She shares that the event, a school-wide celebration, engages kindergarten and primary students in fun experiences that revolve around the theme of dots and making connections.

Besides dressing up in their finest polka dot outfits, students participated in library reading sessions and art activities that encourage teamwork, creativity and imagination.

In a kindergarten integrated art class students modelled plastiscines into orbs, and learned the concept of volume and balance by creating an artwork with a spinning circular contraption. They poured paint into the cups hanging off the spinner and had to work together to balance it just right in order for it to work.

For grade 1 French students, the theme of dots and connections go beyond aesthetics. French language acquisition lead teacher Melina Lobos combined elements of art history and pointillism, a painting technique invented by famous Impressionist artists Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. Students observed, compared and drew different circular graphics to create their own interpretation of the theme, and expressed their emotions using colours and composition.

All of the students’ artworks were then displayed at the main foyers of both campuses to share with the whole community how International Dot Day has enriched learning experiences at CIS every year.

“All the masterpieces are a product of collaboration among grades and an example of the ‘unleashed creativity’ that lives in all our students and teachers. Creativity and kindness are contagious and this was evident in all classrooms across the campuses,” says Stojana.

Find out more about the CIS community by signing up for one of our open houses on 18 and 19 November. More information at cis.edu.sg/admissions/open-house.

Ask the Dentist: Is dental sealant necessary for my child’s teeth? Is it safe?

Dental sealants help to protect teeth which have grooved and pitted surfaces. These tiny grooves and pits are mostly found on chewing surfaces of the back teeth and can be difficult to clean. This results in food and bacteria building up in these crevices, increasing the risk of tooth decay.

Teeth that will benefit most from sealants include: 

• First permanent molars: These usually erupt between 6 to 7 years old
• Second permanent molars: These usually erupt between 11 to 13 years old
• Baby or permanent teeth with dental defects 

Other teeth may also benefit from the protection of dental sealants when children are at higher risk of developing dental problems. These include the premolars and baby molars. 

As every child is unique, you are recommended to bring your child to see a paedodontist or child dentist to check which teeth would benefit from dental sealants. 

Dental sealants are made of clear or shaded plastic. The procedure is safe and commonly performed. 

The application of dental sealant is also fast and comfortable for your child. After the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, the sealant is flowed into the grooves and crevices of the tooth and hardened with a special light. After the appointment, your child will be able to eat and drink as per usual. 

When properly cared for, dental sealants can last many years. It is important to note that a dental sealant is not a substitute for routine dental care. Hence it is important to continue brushing, flossing and making regular dental visits to keep your child cavity free.

Dr Tabitha Chng is a Dental Specialist in Paedodontics (Children’s Dentistry) with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Paedodontics from University of Toronto, Canada. She is currently the only Paediatric dentist to be dually certified by both the American Board of Paediatric Dentistry and the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. Dr Chng loves to see children smile and constantly strives to create a safe and relaxed environment for kids to enjoy their visits. Besides fighting cavities, she has a special interest in paediatric sleep medicine (eg. tooth grinding, snoring) and early management of crooked teeth without braces. 

http://www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883

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