Cheers Learning and Assessment Services

28/08/2026

🇸🇬 THREE SINGAPOREANS AND ONE SINGAPORE SPIRIT. ❤️

There are three very different journeys shared at NDR 2026. One common message.

🎻 Ervin Han pursued his dream of making The Violinist for more than 10 years.

🚛 Shaik Nifael Nazeemudin left school at 17, cleaned grease traps and longkangs, and eventually built a successful waste management business.

🎓 Sheila Khoo struggled in school, was bullied and dropped out twice. Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, she eventually found her strengths and confidence. In 2026, she graduated as a Republic Polytechnic valedictorian and will head to NTU on a full scholarship.

As someone who works with children and youths with neurodiversity, Sheila’s journey resonates with me most. It is also an important reminder for parents and educators:

A child who is struggling today is not necessarily a child who will struggle forever. I like that PM Wong introduced all of them as individuals who have grown and thrived despite initial setbacks.

Progress may take a different route. Some children need more time. Some need the right support. And some simply need people who continue believing in them while they learn to believe in themselves.

The three stories remind us of the Singapore spirit:

❤️ Courage to press on
❤️ Where we start does not limit how far we can go
❤️ Stand by one another

Together, we build a Singapore that brings out the best in each of us. 🇸🇬 Share their stories with your loved ones!

25/08/2026

📱 About 1 in 6 young people aged 10–24 show signs of problematic social media use.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Lianhe Zaobao about PM Lawrence Wong's concerns over excessive social media use among young people.

One point I hope parents will remember: this isn't simply a problem of poor self-control.

Infinite scrolling, autoplay, notifications and algorithms are designed to keep our attention. Adults find them difficult to resist too — and teenagers are navigating them while their self-control and decision-making abilities are still developing.

Rather than only asking, “How do I get my child off the phone?”, sometimes we also need to ask:

“What is my child looking for on the phone that may be missing in real life?”

Connection? Belonging? Relief from stress? Something to do?

Let's help our children build a fuller life offline too — sports, hobbies, friends, family activities and regular screen-free time.

And yes, parents have to put our phones down sometimes too. 😅

Read my interview with Lianhe Zaobao here:
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260824-9566051

Thank you to Jacynth Wang from Lianhe Zaobao for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to share my professional perspective on this important and timely topic.

22/08/2026

🧩 Weekend Brain Teasers!

Ask your children these riddles and see how quickly they can figure them out. 😄
A little thinking, guessing and laughter makes for a fun family challenge!

Have fun this weekend! ❤️

18/08/2026

**WHO WAS RIGHT? WHO WAS WRONG? 🤔**

A 73-year-old man reportedly patted a young girl on the head because he found her adorable.

Her father became upset.
A confrontation followed.
The elderly man was shoved and fell to the ground.

This incident has divided opinions, but perhaps we are asking the wrong question.

**Maybe BOTH sides could have done better.**

👴 Adults need to respect children's personal space — even when our intentions are completely innocent.

👨‍👧 Parents absolutely have the right to protect their children and speak up when something makes them uncomfortable.

But here's the important part:

**Protecting your child ≠ losing control of yourself.**

You can simply say:

“Please don't touch my child. She isn't comfortable with that.”

Firm. Clear. No aggression needed.

And remember — **our children are watching.**

We tell them:
“Don't hit.”
“Use your words.”
“Calm yourself down.”

Then they watch what WE do when we're angry.

Perhaps the lesson for our children should be:

❤️ **My boundaries matter.**
💙 **And I can protect them without hurting someone else.**

Police investigations are ongoing, so there may still be more to the story.

👇 **Parents, what would YOU have done?**

16/08/2026

When your teenager’s online world gets bigger, watch whether their real world is getting smaller.

Recently, I have been seeing more teenagers struggling with depression and anxiety.

Different families. Different stories.

But I keep noticing the same red flags.

📱 Gaming or scrolling late into the night.
🌙 Sleeping at 2am, 3am, sometimes later.
😴 Unable to wake for school.
📚 Homework piling up.
🚪 Spending more time alone in the room.
💭 Increasingly negative thoughts about themselves and their lives.

And slowly, almost without anyone noticing…

their online world gets bigger while their real world gets smaller.

It usually doesn't happen overnight.

A teenager feels bored, lonely, stressed or unhappy.

So they scroll.

For a while, it feels better.

Then one short video becomes twenty.

They watch something about body image. Another appears.

They wonder whether they might have a particular condition. Suddenly, their feed is filled with people talking about it.

They feel that nobody understands them. The algorithm finds hundreds of videos saying exactly that.

The internet doesn't necessarily create the insecurity. But it can amplify it. Again. And again. And again.

Then comes the vicious cycle:

Life feels difficult → escape online → sleep later → fall behind → feel worse → withdraw → escape online again.

By the time parents realise how far things have gone, I often hear the same words:

"If only I had noticed earlier."

"If only I had taken the phone away."

"If only I had spent more time with my child."

If you are a parent reading this and feeling that knot in your stomach, don't stay trapped in the “if only”.

Start with *today*.

Your child is still here.

Still trying.

Still getting through days that may be much harder for them than we realise.

I say this as a psychologist, but also as someone who experienced depression and anxiety during my own teenage years.

When you are walking through that darkness, you may not believe that things will get better.

And sometimes, the people beside you don't know what to do either.

But their presence matters.

Leave a personal note.

Invite them downstairs for a walk.

Bring them their favourite drink.

Sit beside them without asking ten questions.

Listen without immediately giving advice.

And if they push you away today?

*Show up again tomorrow.*

These things can feel ridiculously small when you desperately want to “fix” your child.

They aren't small.

Sometimes, before a young person can hold hope for themselves, they need someone else to hold it for them.

So walk beside them.

Not in front, pulling them.

Not behind, pushing them.

Beside them.

One day at a time. ❤️

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/today/big-read/youth-online-social-media-influence-consumption-politics-extremist-views-6317066

22/07/2026

"He's just lazy." "She'll grow out of it."

What if it's something much deeper?

A recent CNA Insider documentary, Shutdown, shines a spotlight on Singapore's growing number of hidden youth (hikikomori)—young people who gradually withdraw from school, friends and even family because of overwhelming anxiety, fear or emotional distress. It reminds us that school refusal is often not about defiance, but a sign that a child is struggling beneath the surface.

At CHEERS Learning, we've worked with many children experiencing school refusal. Every child has a story. Some are battling anxiety, bullying or learning challenges. Others struggle with autism, ADHD, perfectionism, executive functioning difficulties or social relationships.

The good news? Early intervention matters.

We've put together this simple infographic highlighting 6 practical ways parents can support a child experiencing school refusal.

✅ Identify the underlying issue
✅ Work closely with the school
✅ Build a predictable routine
✅ Reinforce small successes
✅ Teach coping strategies
✅ Stay calm, patient and connected

Remember:

Behaviour is communication. Before asking "Why won't they go to school?", ask "What is my child trying to tell me?"

If your child has been refusing school, don't wait until the problem becomes entrenched. Seeking support early can make a significant difference.

💙 You're not alone, and your child is not beyond help.



https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/singapore-hikikomori-hidden-youth-shutdown-withdraw-school-family-world-6245706

16/07/2026

🌟 Does your child have frequent meltdowns, tantrums, or emotional outbursts?

What if these behaviours aren't "bad behaviour" but a sign that your child is struggling with skills they haven't learnt yet?

Join us for an eye-opening workshop:

📅 27 July 2026

From Explosive Behaviours to Resilience: Supporting Every Child

In this practical, evidence-based session, you'll learn:
✅ Why children have explosive behaviours
✅ How to reduce power struggles without shouting or punishment
✅ Proven communication techniques that encourage cooperation
✅ Strategies to support children with autism, ADHD and other neurodiverse needs
✅ Practical tools you can use immediately at home and in the classroom

Whether you're a parent, preschool teacher or early childhood educator, you'll leave with simple, effective strategies to build calmer relationships and raise emotionally resilient children.

💙 Every challenging behaviour is an opportunity to teach—not punish.

📩 Limited seats available. Register through the link below to secure your place!

https://calendly.com/cheerslearning/cheers-webinar-2026?month=2026-07

13/07/2026

Be honest… which side are you on more often these days? 😅

This image made me think.

Sometimes we search for the “secret” to happiness when it may also be hidden in the little things we repeatedly do:

🌤️ Going outside instead of staying in all day
🚶 Moving instead of remaining inactive
🤝 Collaborating instead of comparing
🌱 Learning from successful people instead of resenting them
💬 Complimenting more than complaining
💡 Looking for solutions instead of reasons things won’t work

Of course, life isn’t this simple, and nobody is positive or happy all the time.

But perhaps happiness isn’t a permanent destination.

Maybe it’s a direction.

❤️ Which side represents you more right now?
💬 And which ONE habit would you like to flip?

Send this to someone who might need the reminder today.

02/06/2026

📱❤️ Raising Children in a Digital World

Singapore has launched a nationwide movement called “Screen Smart From The Start” to support families in building healthy digital habits.

Many parents today face a challenge that previous generations never had: How do we balance technology, learning, entertainment, and family life?

The goal is not to eliminate screens.
The goal is to teach children how to use them wisely.

🌱 Start small:
• No phones during family meals
• Keep devices out of bedrooms at night
• Set family screen boundaries together
• Spend more time connecting than correcting
• Be the role model you hope your child becomes

Children do not need perfect parents.

They need adults who are present, engaged, and willing to guide them through the digital world.

The habits we build today may shape how our children learn, connect, and care for themselves tomorrow. 💛

Discover how to foster healthy digital habits in children with a new portal offering government resources and practical tips for parents. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

22/05/2026

The older you get, the more adulthood feels less about chasing more… and more about protecting your peace. 🌿

As parents, we realise:
A calm home matters.
Good health matters.
Being emotionally present matters.

Sometimes the best gift we can give our children is not perfection — but a parent who is peaceful, rested, and truly there. 💛