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

Q: Should I brush before or after breakfast?

 

A: It is recommended to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste in the morning, before breakfast for two main reasons.

1) Remove bacteria

When we sleep, salivary flow decreases. In addition, bacteria that causes dental plaque multiplies in our oral cavity. If not removed, these bacteria can produce sulphur compounds leading to bad breath. This explains the bitter taste as well as morning breath in our mouth whenever we wake up in the morning. Brushing has been shown to stimulate salivary production which has both cleansing and antibacterial properties.

2) Protect your teeth

Brushing with fluoridated toothpaste not only helps to increase the production of saliva but also coats your teeth with a protective layer of fluoride to prevent demineralization and promote remineralization of the tooth enamel.

3 Brushing immediately after breakfast is harmful

Research has shown that, whenever we consume food or beverages, the pH level in our oral cavity drops. When this happens, the mouth becomes acidic. As a result, there is some demineralization of the enamel. Brushing immediately after food will remove the already softened enamel layer, and result in loss of tooth structure. Thus, it is recommended to wait 30-45 minutes before brushing after a meal. This allows time for the pH level to be restored which in turn allows remineralization of the tooth surface. While waiting, you can rinse your mouth with fluoride containing mouthwash and/or drink plain water to help remove the food residues.

Dr Irene Sim is a Dental Specialist in Endodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Endodontics from the National University of Singapore. Dr Sim has a special interest in dental traumatology, revascularisation, apexification, non-vital bleaching & cracked teeth management. For more information, visit www.specialistdentalgroup.com.

Specialist Dental Group® is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services.

Do children learn best through purposeful play? Find out at the CIS Kindergarten Open House.

 

Did you know that learning can be both fun and academically rigorous when children are taught through purposeful play? At Canadian International School (CIS), kindergarten students aged two to five develop strong foundational skills in areas like literacy and numeracy as well as 21st century skills like critical thinking, problem solving and creativity by engaging in interactive activities designed to stimulate their imagination.

So what does purposeful play look like in reality? 'Mat Man', an activity where children draw around wood pieces of varying shapes that make up his "body", is an excellent example of how purposeful play delivers meaningful and contextual instruction. As they copy the shapes, which form the letters of the alphabet, students are learning how to write at the same time – fostering fine motor skills, coordination and an awareness of how to formulate letters.

This inquiry and play-based approach to CIS’ kindergarten curriculum sees academic content coupled with real-world application, which nurtures a strong conceptual understanding of topics ranging from math and literacy, to STEAM (science, technology, environmental studies, arts and math) and the arts.

Come and experience the benefits of purposeful play for yourself at the CIS Kindergarten Open House on 1 and 7 October. Parents are invited to bring their child along for a morning of fun educational activities, as they chat with principals and teachers about CIS’ kindergarten programme and how inquiry and purposeful play are powerful learning tools in early childhood education.

Vice-principal of CIS’ Tanjong Katong campus, Tonia Whyte Potter-Mal, shares why attending the Kindergarten Open House is a great way for parents to understand the school’s learning approach.

“CIS’ kindergarten open houses are a delightful opportunity for prospective parents and students to observe firsthand how teachers ignite curiosity in our youngest learners. The Kindergarten pods at Lakeside is an inquiry based space that supports the environment as the ‘third teacher’ by fostering interactive and meaningful experiences, catering to each child’s developmental needs. One of my favourite open house experiences is witnessing the excitement and hope of One of my favourite open house experiences is witnessing the excitement and hope of new families while sharing tangible evidence of our CIS learning values.”

Join the CIS Kindergarten Open House on 1 and 7 October from 9-10am. To sign up, visit the CIS website.