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In today's digital age, it can be difficult for parents and educators to strike a healthy balance between technology use and child development. While screen time can offer numerous benefits, it can also have negative effects on a child's development. Therefore, it is important for parents and educators to approach screen time in a thoughtful and intentional manner, with a focus on achieving a healthy balance between technology use and offline activities.

To help create a healthy balance, the American Academy of Paediatrics recommends guidelines for age-appropriate screen time, such as limiting screen time to one hour per day of high-quality programmes for children aged two to five years, and limiting media or device usage for children aged six years and older. Parents and educators can also use strategies such as setting boundaries, modelling healthy behaviours, choosing high-quality media, and using media as a tool to supplement other activities and enhance learning experiences. 

Emotional intelligence is increasingly recognised as a key factor in children’s success. It is the ability to recognise, understand and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others. It includes skills such as empathy, self-awareness and effective communication, and is increasingly recognised as a critical factor in success, both in childhood and throughout life. 

Honing creativity is an essential component of child development, as it helps children learn to think outside the box, solve problems, and express themselves in unique ways. Parents and educators should always strive to provide opportunities for creative play and exploration, to foster creativity in young children and help them develop valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. 

Early childhood education refers to the education of young children, typically from birth through 8 years old. It is crucial in shaping a child's cognitive, social, and emotional development. Early education programmes play a crucial role in fostering and nurturing children’s innate curiosity, which helps to create a foundation for lifelong learning. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has become the norm for many educators around the world. While it has been a necessary adaptation, there have been a number of challenges associated with this shift, particularly when it comes to engaging students and maintaining a sense of community in a virtual environment. Professional development can help educators address these challenges and develop new strategies for online instruction.

No stranger to the field of education, Grace loves the LittleLives hardware as much as its heartware - her team! Read on to find out more about her work here. 

The field of education is constantly evolving, and educators must stay current with the latest teaching strategies to provide students with the best possible learning experience. Professional development plays a crucial role in helping them stay up-to-date with new research and best practices, and provides them with the necessary tools and skills to implement these strategies effectively in the classroom. 

Professional development has always been an integral part of an educator's career. It helps them to grow and develop their skills to enhance the learning experience for their students. The rise of online learning has revolutionised professional development, offering educators more flexibility, accessibility, and a range of options to choose from.

Tell us a little bit about yourself! 

Hi I’m Ramania, but you can call me Nia! I am Finance Admin at LittleLives. One thing about myself is that my friends say I’m funny though I don’t think so, hehe.

Professional development is the process of improving the knowledge and skills of educators to enhance student learning outcomes. Schools and educators should prioritise this and see it as a continuous process that keeps educators updated with new information and strategies to implement in the classroom to improve student learning. The connection between professional development and student learning is significant. Read on to find out more.

Professional development is a crucial part of an educator's career journey. It involves learning new skills, techniques, and knowledge to improve teaching practices and the quality of education provided to students. Keeping up with the latest in pedagogy, technology, and education trends is vital in today's ever-evolving education landscape.

As the academic year begins, it's important to have a well-organized and efficient school management system in place to ensure a smooth and successful start to the year. 

Starting preschool can be a big transition for toddlers, and it's natural for both parents and children to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. As a parent, there are several things you can do to help your child prepare for preschool and make this transition as smooth as possible.

As the new year approaches, many of us start thinking about making resolutions and setting goals for the coming year. This is a great opportunity to involve your child in the process and help them develop important skills like goal-setting, planning, and self-improvement. Here are some tips for making new year resolutions with your child:

Teachers often have a break from teaching duties during the holiday season, but that doesn't mean they're not busy. Here are a few things that teachers might do during holiday break:

We’re finally here! The end of the school year is a great time for kids in Singapore to take a break and enjoy some fun holiday activities. Here are a few ideas for things that kids can do during the school holidays:

As the school year comes to a close, it can be an exciting and bittersweet time for both students and teachers. On one hand, there's the anticipation of a break (finally!)  and the opportunity to relax and recharge. On the other hand, there's the sense of loss that comes with saying goodbye to classmates, teachers, and the routines of the school year.

Here to tell her story, is Sofia!

In our latest instalment of Portraits of LittleLives, say hi to Sofia, one of our Storytellers based in Malaysia!

A recent study found that teachers in Singapore showed signs of anxiety and stress before the school term. 61% of the participants reported that they were suffering from high levels of emotional exhaustion approaching a new school term, while 53% were having moderate to high-stress levels. 

Students’ mental health has been schools’ priority over the past two and a half years of COVID-caused stress and disruption. However, another community was having a tough time too - teachers. Over 80% of Singaporean teachers said their mental health has been negatively impacted by work amid the pandemic. 

She was an ex-small business owner and is now part of a LittleLives Angel - find out more about Quyen Nguyen!