Cheers Learning and Assessment Services

📱❤️ 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. 💛

S'pore launches movement to help families foster healthy digital habits 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.

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. 💛

Many parents ask: “Should I see a psychologist or psychiatrist for an ADHD diagnosis?”

Both professionals can help, but their roles are different. Psychologists usually conduct detailed assessments to understand a child’s cognitive, behavioural, emotional, and learning profile. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose and prescribe medication if needed.

Recently, I came across 2 separate cases that made me reflect deeply as a practitioner. One appeared to rely mainly on screening forms for diagnosis, while another involved borderline findings but still received an ADHD label. I truly hope these are isolated situations.

The DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD are actually quite clear. Symptoms should:
• appear across at least 2 settings
• be present since childhood
• significantly affect daily functioning
• not be better explained by other factors such as anxiety, sleep deprivation, intellectual difficulties, medical conditions, or environmental stress

As professionals, we have a duty to assess carefully and explain these criteria clearly to families.

Sometimes, families may understandably hope for a diagnosis for various reasons — exam accommodations, access to support, improving academic functioning, or medication. There are also growing international concerns about stimulant misuse as “study aids”, such as reports emerging from South Korea regarding ADHD medication use among students.

Ultimately, the goal should never simply be obtaining a label. The goal is to understand the child accurately and fairly, so that the support provided truly matches the child’s actual needs.

https://www.straitstimes.com/life/devastated-to-not-have-adhd-is-the-condition-overdiagnosed-in-singapore

https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/08/04/VNTTGIACD5ASJCAMOOY2ND6COU/

Seoul sees ADHD diagnoses surge as medication becomes ‘study aids’ Seoul sees ADHD diagnoses surge as medication becomes study aids

CHEERS to a well-deserved break!

After all the hard work, it’s time to pause, recharge, and take care of yourself.

You’ve earned it.

Progress isn’t about doing what’s easy—it’s about showing up, even on the hard days.

Some days you’ll feel motivated, other days you won’t. What matters is that you keep going anyway. That’s where real growth happens.

One step at a time. 💛

Do you sound like this every day?

“Did you pack your bag?”
“Why are you not starting your homework?”
“How many times must I remind you?”

You’re not alone — and your child is not being difficult on purpose.

Many of these behaviours are linked to Executive Function (EF) skills — the brain skills that help children plan, focus, and manage tasks.

Join us on 25 May (Monday), 7-8pm for a complimentary webinar:
Building Executive Function: Skills That Power Learning and Life

In this session (based on the book Smart but Scattered), you’ll learn:
✔ Why your child forgets or delays tasks
✔ How to use simple routines and visual systems at home
✔ Practical ways to help your child become more independent

👩‍⚕️ Speaker: Mrs Lee Ming Ying
Educational Psychologist and Therapist

🎗 Supporting Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF)
💛 Free to attend | Donations optional

Register here: https://calendly.com/cheerslearning/cheers-webinar-2026?month=2026-05

This post on “focusing on solutions, not problems” resonates with me.

A few nights ago, we took out some old ring puzzles I had bought years back… We were laughing, trying, and gently competing to see who could solve more. It wasn’t just about the puzzles—it was one of those simple, meaningful family moments.

It reminded me of something I often tell my boy: focus on the solution, not the problem.

Whenever he forgets something—his water bottle, book, or wallet—I try not to jump in immediately. Instead, I ask him, “What can you do to solve this?”

We even came up with a little system together—2S3W:
Snack box, Story book, Watch, Wallet, Water bottle.

It works… most days.

Yesterday, he forgot his wallet (again) and I knew he might not have lunch before his after-school activity. I could have rushed it to school—but I didn’t. It felt like one of those small but important moments to let him learn.

That night, as we chatted before bed, he shared that he managed with his snack. Then we gently explored what else he could have done—borrow from a friend, approach a teacher, think ahead next time.

These quiet conversations, these little struggles… they’re shaping him in ways that reminders never could.

As parents, it’s not always easy to hold back. But sometimes, growth happens in the space we choose not to fill. 💛

Focus On Solution #motivation #success #mindset Focus on the solution, not the problem. The more you dwell on what’s wrong, the less energy you have to fix it. Shift your focus, find the way forward, and t...

In today’s world, it’s easy to turn to AI for answers.
But when it comes to real children in real classrooms, things are often more complex.

This complimentary online session is designed to go beyond theory — and focus on practical strategies grounded in real-life experience.

We’ll be sharing case studies and classroom vignettes from working with children and youths, including how to:
• manage discipline in group settings
• support motivation when students feel like giving up
• navigate emotional highs and lows

📅 30 March (Mon), 7–8pm
🎓 Supporting Diverse Learners in Inclusive Classrooms

👥 Suitable for teachers, therapists, and SEN officers

❤️ This is also a charity event supporting children with cancer
(Donation is optional, but appreciated)
https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/learn-share-and-give-back-together-cheers

🎟️ Register here:
https://calendly.com/cheerslearning/cheers-webinar-2026

Feel free to share with anyone who may benefit 🙏

🚗 Yesterday I saw something that made me pause.

The line of cars at the Causeway heading into Johor was incredibly long.

It seems many families have caught the holiday bug — quick getaways, short trips, and a change of scenery during the March school holidays.

But it made me reflect on something I often observe in my work with children and families.

Children rarely remember the destination.
They remember the time spent with their parents.

You don’t need a passport stamp to create meaningful experiences with your child this March holiday.

If you’re staying in Singapore and wondering “What should we do this week?”, here are a few simple ideas:

🎭 1. Use the $100 Culture Pass

Singaporeans now have a $100 SG Culture Pass to support local arts, heritage and cultural activities.

Instead of letting it sit unused, bring your child to:
• a theatre performance
• a museum exhibition
• a storytelling event
• a book activity

🔗 https://www.sgculturepass.gov.sg/?lang=en

Children exposed to the arts often develop curiosity, empathy and imagination.

🌿 2. Rediscover Singapore’s Nature and Farm Experiences

Sometimes the best “travel experience” is simply exploring what’s already around us.

Try:
• Rail Corridor walk
• Cycling at Coney Island
• Local farm tours

🔗 https://www.sassymamasg.com/urban-farming-singapore-organic-vegetables/

You might be surprised how much children open up when they are simply walking and exploring.

👫 3. Let Children Organise a Playdate

Instead of planning everything for them, let your child co-plan an activity with friends.

Ideas:
• board game day
• movie night
• laser tag outing
• swimming gathering

Children learn social planning, communication and leadership when we step back and let them take ownership.

📚 4. Teach the Skill of Slowing Down

In a fast-paced world, children rarely get to practise stillness.

Try:
• visiting the library
• attending a children’s mindfulness class
• joining a kids yoga session

These quiet moments help children develop focus, patience and emotional regulation.

🎨 5. Create Something Together

Some of the strongest family memories happen at home.

Bake together.
Cook together.
Draw, paint, build, create.

Creativity helps children build confidence and imagination.

✨ After working with children for many years, one observation stands out.

What children remember most is not the activity.

It is the attention.
The laughter.
The conversations.
The feeling that their parents were fully present with them.

Whether you're travelling or staying in Singapore this March holiday, I hope you’ll find moments to slow down and connect with your child.

Because those moments matter more than we think.

💬 Parents in Singapore —
What’s one activity you're planning with your child this school holiday?

SG Culture Pass | Official site to explore local arts & heritage experiences Use your Culture Pass credits to enjoy the best of Singapore's arts, culture, and heritage.

A rare and funny moment happened in Parliament recently.

During the debate, Education Minister Desmond Lee posed a PSLE Math question to the Members of Parliament.

Suddenly, the Parliament chamber looked a little like a classroom — MPs putting their heads together trying to solve a Primary School Leaving Examination question 😄

Many parents probably know this feeling very well.

Your child comes home with a Math question and asks,
“Can you help me with this?”

And you stare at the question thinking…
“Wait… how do I do this again?” 😅

Beyond the humour, the key point highlighted was the structured way PSLE Math questions are solved today. Students are guided to show their thinking step by step, which helps them organise their reasoning and tackle complex problems more confidently.

Learning Math is not just about getting the answer.
It’s about learning how to think.

Curious to hear from parents here:

Have you ever tried solving your child’s PSLE Math question and realised it was harder than expected?

Have fun solving!

Education Minister Desmond Lee tests the House with PSLE math question Education Minister Desmond Lee tests the House with PSLE math question