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CAREcottage Feature – Crochet With Love: A Crochet Interest Group

CAREcottage Feature – Crochet With Love: A Crochet Interest Group

Crochet With Love
(Back row, from left): Caregivers Woon, Esther and Debbie with (front row, from left) Woon’s nieces, Lydia and Lavina, at the Crochet with Love booth at the CAREcottage Bazaar.

CAREcottage is an initiative by CaringSG to support special needs caregivers who have started enterprises to support their dependants and themselves.

This article was contributed by Esther Song, a caregiver to a son with autism, Sean Guoh.

During Covid, a group of special needs caregivers got together to learn how to crochet from another caregiver, Lavinia, as a means of coping with the lockdown and the pandemic.

This form of self-care was so effective that one of the caregivers, Cindy, initiated the idea of forming a crochet group, Crochet With Love, for caregivers to crochet on a regular basis for respite care and charity.

Lavinia and I supported Cindy’s idea and we formed the group. At that time, we did not imagine that we would progress to start a microbusiness, set up booths at bazaars and sell our crochets.

When Crochet With Love started, many caregivers expressed interest to join our charity efforts. We crocheted pouches, amigurumi and other designs to contribute to charities, both local and overseas, and the orders would give my son an opportunity to learn how to pack the crochets too.

Crochet With Love
Crochet smiley keychains for hospital nurses in Singapore
Crochet With Love
Amigurumi for SPED students in Singapore
Crochet With Love
Esther’s son helping to pack crochet gifts

In 2023, four of us (Cindy, Woon, Debbie and myself) took part in our first booth sales at a local charity fair to raise funds for the underprivileged. This year, CaringSG provided us with another chance to showcase our works at its first CAREcottage Bazaar. Hopefully, our story will inspire more caregivers to step up and join us in our craft, and in our love to share!

Crochet With Love
Crochet With Love caregivers at our first booth at a local charity fair in 2023
Crochet With Love
Crochet With Love with Mdm Rahayu Mahzam and Dr Lim Hong Huay at the CAREcottage Bazaar at SAFRA Punggol

Crochet With Love has grown into a group of over 30 caregivers, from beginners to seasoned crocheters. We are readily available to help our fellow caregivers in joining our crochet interest group and also to allow them to hone their crafts through exposure via charity projects and open markets.

 

Learn more about Crochet With Love:

Please visit our Instagram page @crochet_with_love_sg

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CAREcottage Feature – YoungStarSG: Handcrafted Cards and Orange Enzyme Cleaners

CAREcottage Feature – YoungStarSG: Handcrafted cards and Orange Enzyme Cleaners

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YoungStarSG caregiver Margaret Han and her daughter at the YoungStarSG booth, CAREcottage Bazaar on 17 March 2024 at Punggol Safra. Margaret’s son Cher Xuan is one of the youths with autism engaged by YoungStarSG.

CAREcottage is an initiative by CaringSG to support special needs caregivers who have started enterprises to support their dependants and themselves.

One of these enterprises, YoungStarSG, is a ground up initiative that helps youths/adults with autism to work from home, as a form of purposeful engagement and to earn an income. This article was contributed by Lim Wei Ping, a caregiver of a child with autism, and founder of YoungStarSG.

In 2018, my son’s SPED school was going to sell handicrafts made by the students and I was asked what Yang (my son) would like to make. I thought through all the possible artworks but had no idea what he could do at the level of his ability. As a result, I told the teacher that we would sit out this round.

It was at this moment, a classmate’s mother heard about this and offered to teach us die cutting, so that Yang and her son could create a handicraft together and have the means to make sufficient quantities collectively to sell at the fair.

After Yang tried making the die-cut artworks, I realised that if he could achieve beautiful handicrafts at his level, then other teens and adults with autism who were of similar or higher ability than him would also be able to craft and potentially develop even nicer designs.

I organised a group of special needs caregivers who were very proactive in engaging their teens and adults with autism, and taught them the basics. The group then learned together through YouTube and WhatsApp sharing. We started featuring their work on social media for sale and the rest is history.

Initially, YoungStarSG youths, guided by their caregivers, produced handcrafted greeting cards, bookmarks and gift tags for different festive seasons, be it cards for Christmas, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day, birthdays, Thank You cards, corporate cards, wedding cards and encouragement bookmarks.

Many years later, we met an orange enzyme expert and she mentored us in the making and launching of the orange enzyme cleaner range of products. The orange enzyme is an all-purpose 100% biodegradable cleaner made from real orange peels and naturally fermented for 90 days. It naturally cleans dishes, laundry, floors, kitchen surfaces, bathrooms, windows, etc and even humans and pets (dog shampoo).

With community and public support, we now have 15 families under us producing handmade cards and orange enzyme cleaners. Full sales proceeds go directly back to the respective makers.

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Corporate cards using various die-cut layered shapes
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Teachers’ Day bookmarks with die-cut leaves
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Labelling bottles of orange enzyme cleaners

In March 2024, we participated in our first CAREcottage Bazaar with CaringSG at SAFRA Punggol. It was a meaningful experience boothing with CaringSG – we had fun introducing YoungStarSG to the public and sharing about the special needs community with them while also hearing their stories. We are very grateful to CaringSG for the opportunity given to the special needs community.

When members of the public, organisations and MPs (Members of Parliament) tell us that they have heard of our brand name or have seen our work even before physically meeting us, it indicates that our autism advocacy efforts have paid off. We are honoured and grateful for the love from everyone.

To all special needs caregivers, I want to encourage you that neuroplasticity has proven that the brain continues to grow by use, at any age. Consistent engagement and exposure of our special needs child to new learnings will help them to improve continuously, even after they graduate out of special schools.

As long as you and your child are willing to learn and try, you are capable of creating beautiful works and bringing hope and joy to the community.

Learn more about YoungStarSG

Visit YoungStarSG’s social media pages to view stories of their special needs youths and handicrafts:

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Customise handmade cards from YoungStarSG for your special occasion
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Encourage your loved ones with YoungStarSG’s handcrafted bookmarks

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CAREcottage Feature – Crochet_Connectz: Handmade Crochet Gifts

CAREcottage Feature – Crochet_Connectz: Handmade Crochet Gifts

CAREcottage
Crochet_Connectz: Ling (in red), with (from left) her father, sister and husband at the CAREcottage Bazaar at SAFRA Punggol

CAREcottage is an initiative by CaringSG to support special needs caregivers who have started enterprises to support their dependants and themselves.

This article was contributed by Ling, a full-time caregiver to her son who has autism.

 

Hi, I’m Ling, a full-time caregiver and owner of Crochet_Connectz, an inclusive microbusiness that sells crochet, amigurumi and handcrafted gifts.

After quitting my job and becoming a full-time housewife to look after my son, his progress became my primary focus and I would do a lot of research and learn strategies to help him improve.

As he grew up and did not need my attention as much, I tried different things to find purpose in my life other than caregiving, such as working part time for a charity. With my colleagues, we invited volunteer trainers and organised workshops for caregivers so that they could attend to learn skills such as guitar, English calligraphy and crocheting, and also have respite from caregiver duties.

Being involved in the workshops was a turning point as I also started crocheting as a hobby. It was a skill that I didn’t know I had, and I was so motivated to learn different crochet patterns that I stayed up late at night to research and study them (as I was busy with caregiving duties during the day).

After many “practice crochets” to improve my skill step-by-step, I felt great joy when I could eventually produce decent-looking crochets. To celebrate my hard work and share my joy with others, I decided to feature my crochets and amigurumi (crocheted plushies) on social media. Friends requested customised crochet orders and soon after, I started a small business selling crochets.

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Ling, a full-time caregiver and owner of Crochet_Connectz
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Crochet_Connectz amigurumi
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Based on her personal experience, Ling shares encouragement to her social media followers

Looking after my needs to explore and learn had an unexpected benefit – I could also interact more with my son when I trained him how to pack and deliver orders. Through this experience, he has improved his organisation, fine motor skills, resilience and self-esteem greatly. He is particularly interested in the process of tracking orders and loves mailing packages to customers.

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Ling’s son making a clover charm
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Ling’s son preparing packages

Participating in our first CAREcottage Bazaar in March 2024

We were very excited to participate in the CAREcottage Bazaar at SAFRA Punggol and greatly appreciate CaringSG’s effort in creating this opportunity and supporting caregivers like us.

We prepared for the event and tried to cater to the crowd profile of SAFRA Punggol. We were very happy to see kids and their parents having fun playing with the claw machine which we brought for the booth.

I also enjoyed catching up with fellow caregivers of all the booths and our friends who came to visit us. Being able to also meet Guest-of-Honour Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Dr Lim Hong Huay, the CaringSG team and all my customers face-to-face and receiving their support made all the preparation and hard work so worthwhile.

I cherish each opportunity to spread autism awareness, the importance of caregiver support and contribute to charity through collaborations with fellow caregivers and their special needs kids through my microbusiness Crochet_Connectz.

Learn more about Crochet_Connectz:

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CAREcottage Feature – ausomesuds_sg: Shower Steamers

CAREcottage Feature – ausomesuds_sg: Shower Steamers

CAREcottage
Caregiver Punitha Tjia and son Michael from ausomesuds_sg

CAREcottage is an initiative by CaringSG to support special needs caregivers who have started enterprises to support their dependants and themselves.

This article was contributed by Punitha Tjia, a caregiver to Michael, her autistic son.

 

Hello, It brings me great joy to introduce myself and our business to you. I am Punitha Tjia, the founder of ausomesuds_sg. At ausomesuds_sg, we specialize in crafting essential oil-infused shower steamers. Our mission goes beyond just creating products; it’s about engaging my autistic son functionally during his free time and allowing him to earn his own pocket money.

Our journey commenced in early 2022 when I began crafting shower steamers, with my son Michael eagerly joining in the process. Encouraged by his enthusiasm, I created step-by-step visuals and guided him through the creation of these essential oil-infused shower steamers. The positive feedback from friends and colleagues prompted us to establish an online business platform for Michael to sell his creations. Thus, ausomesuds_sg was born.

We are dedicated to continually evolving and adapting to meet Michael’s needs, particularly focusing on his sensory tactile and eye-hand coordination skills. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us. We are excited about our journey ahead and the opportunity to share our creations with you.

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Michael preparing a batch of shower steamers
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ausomesuds_sg Punitha, Michael and husband Johnny Tjia at CAREcottage Bazaar at SAFRA Punggol on 17 March 2024

Participating in CaringSG’s CAREcottage Bazaar at SAFRA Punggol was my first bazaar experience with CaringSG, and I learned a great deal, especially about booth presentation and effectively conveying information about my products.

I also felt overwhelmed by CaringSG’s support and efforts to help make my booth more attractive. Collaborating with like-minded booth holders was undoubtedly the highlight, offering me invaluable support and motivation. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to CaringSG for this opportunity, as I am genuinely thankful for the knowledge and experience gained from the CAREcottage Bazaar.

Essential Oil-Infused Shower Steamers by ausomesuds_sg

ausomesuds_sg has two types of shower steamers:

  • Relaxation Blend Shower Steamer: Infused with a soothing blend of essential oils like lavender and geranium, this shower steamer is perfect for unwinding after a long day. Simply place it in your shower and let the calming aroma envelop you.
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Relaxation Blend Shower Steamer
  • Sinus Relief Shower Steamer: Formulated with peppermint and eucalyptus oils, our Sinus Relief Shower Steamer offers natural relief from congestion and sinus pressure. Breathe easier and clear your mind as the refreshing vapors fill your shower space.
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Sinus Relief Shower Steamer

Learn more about ausomesuds_sg:

To place an order with us, simply visit our Instagram profile @ausomesuds_sg and send us a direct message. We will promptly provide you with our Google order form where you can find more details about our products and complete your purchase. We’re here to assist you every step of the way!

 

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CAREcottage Feature – The Shy Crafter: Polymer Clay Crafts

CAREcottage Feature – The Shy Crafter: Polymer Clay Crafts

CAREcottage
The Shy Crafter: Founder and caregiver Shylyn (rightmost) and her son Isaac (second from right) with family

CAREcottage is an initiative by CaringSG to support special needs caregivers who have started enterprises to support their dependants and themselves.

This article was contributed by Shylyn Tan, a caregiver of four children, including a child with autism.

 

Hi, I’m Shylyn.

The Shy Crafter was inspired by my son, Isaac, who was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) since he was 6 years old. Over time, while facilitating Isaac to alleviate his sensory disturbances with clay moulding, I discovered my passion for polymer clay crafts in late 2020.

Our goal is to build a platform to bring about more awareness of ASD, support inclusion and celebrate abilities through our polymer clay crafts, featuring dinosaur creations by Isaac, together with my miniature food and floral wearables.

Having just joined CaringSG in January 2024, we have been warmly welcomed by all the CAREcottage members.

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Isaac and mum Shylyn from The Shy Crafter
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Isaac at the CAREcottage Bazaar, SAFRA Punggol

Participating in CaringSG’s First CAREcottage Bazaar at SAFRA Punggol on 17 March 2024

This is our first-time boothing alongside some experienced CAREcottage members. We enjoyed ourselves greatly and learned a lot from the other caregivers.

Isaac had the privileged opportunity to meet Dr Lim Hong Huay and Guest-of-Honour Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, who gave him encouragement and acknowledgement to his works, motivating him to persevere in his clay crafts.

 

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Shylyn and fellow caregivers Mei Ling from Crochet Connectz and Rachel from Gan Delights at the CAREcottage Bazaar, SAFRA Punggol
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Background: Shylyn, Isaac and husband Benjamin with (foreground) Dr Lim Hong Huay and her daughter Marianne at the CAREcottage Bazaar

Signature Creations by The Shy Crafter

Customers can purchase handmade polymer clay dinosaur creations by Isaac Chang, the resident teenage clay artist with ASD.

Customers can also choose from a wide selection of handmade polymer clay miniature food and floral earrings and accessories by Shylyn, mum of Isaac.

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Handicrafts by Isaac Chang, resident teenage artist at The Shy Crafter
CAREcottage
Handmade earrings and accessories by Shylyn, founder of the Shy Crafter

Learn more about The Shy Crafter at:

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CaringSG Seminar – Preparing for National Service (NS) for Enlistees with Special Needs on 17 Mar 2024

CaringSG Seminar – Preparing for National Service (NS) for Enlistees with Special Needs on 17 Mar 2024

Speakers at CaringSG's Seminar on Preparing for National Service, from left: COL (NS) Darren Tan, BG (RET) Ishak Ismail, PTE (NSF) Gabriel Tan, LCP (NSF) Joshua Yap and his mother Freya Lim
Speakers at CaringSG's Seminar on Preparing for National Service, from left: COL (NS) Darren Tan, BG (RET) Ishak Ismail, PTE (NSF) Gabriel Tan, LCP (NSF) Joshua Yap and his mother Freya Lim

Caregivers often face stress and uncertainty when their dependant goes through life stage transitions, such as enlisting in National Service. Hence, to empower caregivers with the knowledge to prepare for NS, we organised a seminar with SGFamilies, ACCORD, SAFRA Punggol and SPARK Singapore on 17 March 2024 (Sunday), 2:30 – 4:30pm at SAFRA Punggol.

Graced by our Guest-of-Honour Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law, and also Board Advisor to CaringSG, the event saw 128 participants who attended to learn about the pre-enlistment processes tailored for individuals with special needs.

Five invited speakers shared their experience and invaluable information on support mechanisms available to facilitate a seamless transition into National Service:

• COL (NS) Darren Tan, Family Coach and National Service Commander
• BG (RET) Ishak Ismail, Ex-Commander BMTC, ACCORD Member
• Freya Lim and LCP (NSF) Joshua Yap, mother and son
• PTE (NSF) Gabriel Tan, Administrative Support Assistant (ASA)

Caregivers who wish to learn more about the process can visit these links below:
CMPB – Pre-Enlistment Process
Enabling Guide

This is our second joint collaboration in our ongoing efforts to support caregivers with sons with special needs as they enlist in National Service. The first collaboration, a webinar in June 2023, can be accessed by logging into our member portal. 

In addition to the seminar, CaringSG organised a CAREcottage Bazaar, showcasing 6 stalls of artworks, creations of love, and dignity crafted by youths from our CAREcottage families from 10:30am to 5:30pm at SAFRA Punggol.

This event was organised and supported by 4 CaringSG staff, 2 CAREchampions, and 8 volunteers from SAF ACCORD and SPARKS.

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CaringSG 2023 Highlights and Memories

CaringSG 2023 Highlights and Memories

CaringSG 2023 Lookback 1
CaringSG 2023 Lookback 2

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National CAREConference 2023: Closing Address by Dr Lim Hong Huay

Closing Address by Dr Lim Hong Huay at the National CAREConference on 8 Dec 2023

Good afternoon, everyone. This is truly an honour to be here today. 

Ladies and gentlemen, caregivers and professionals, this is really a transformative event for all the caregivers in Singapore and I really want to thank you for being here today. 

This whole idea of a National CAREConference and CARECarnival actually started for me personally five years ago, In 2018, my child I have three children, two of them with special  needs the youngest, was diagnosed with autism and had to enter a special school. So, I had to give up my job and become a full-time caregiver.

At the same time, in the same year, my mother-in-law, a very close friend to me, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went on this journey of full-time caregiving as a mother of children with special needs and also a caregiver to a person with dementia and breast cancer. At that point in time I really felt lost. Wow, there’re so many services to navigate, and there’re so many things I need to learn even as a professional (because I’m a doctor). 

I remember I was looking at the mental health and the elderly sector. There were conferences for caregivers or persons with elderly issues, mental health issues, but there wasn’t anything much for persons with disability. 

So in 2019 November, we gathered a group of caregivers and we did the first ever CARE Carnival right here in the Enabling Village. And that was a time that I made a wish. 

I wished that one day, caregivers of persons with disabilities, caregivers of persons with mental health conditions and caregivers of seniors can all come together in one platform, in one day, at one time, and one heart, to look at caregiving as a role, as someone who is important in this nation of Singapore. And we’re able to then work with the professionals, work with the different stakeholders to empower this whole community of caregivers. Not differentiated, not in silos and not cut apart by their dependant’s needs, but we caregivers as one holistic person.

So this is really a dream come true for me to be able to come here today and give this closing speech. Thank you everyone for coming here, to put your hearts and your brain and your lives together to celebrate caregiving and acknowledge the love that every caregiver gives to our dependants. 

For all the caregivers out there, we see you care. And we care for you, too. For all the professionals who are out there, thank you for coming together with caregivers to learn and grow together. And with this Together effort, Singapore can truly become a more inclusive and caring Singapore in the future.

This CAREConference, it’s so enriching in half a day and I’m just thinking to myself, how can we cram it so much in one day? I made a secret wish today that we will have more CARE Conferences in future and maybe longer (in duration) with more topics, so that we can have more cross-pollination and more learning.

What I learnt today is we really need to take a holistic, integrative and ecological approach. It’s not just dependant-centric, there is a caregiver-centric aspect as well when we help caregivers of persons with disabilities, mental health, or seniors. We must also look into the ecosystem and integrate the services to help these caregivers to navigate this lifelong journey of caregiving. 

Secondly, for professionals, while you care for caregivers and care for our loved ones, you have to care for yourself too. So as caregivers, all we need you to be is to be a friend. We need you to first come alongside with us and be our friend first. Please take care of yourself friend. And next, we need you to be resourceful and also be humble and learn together with us. So we can all learn together. We can learn about the different caregiving approaches, different frameworks and different learnings from the different sector.

For caregivers, this is a call to action. We can only make the future better if we are part of that creation process. For caregivers, if you are new, join a support group. If you’re an experienced caregiver, strengthen yourself, be knowledgeable, and come back and serve. There are many caregiver support organisations so we do look forward to you contributing, and volunteering and putting in your lives to enrich other lives. 

And lastly, for family and friends, you are really the sensor and the eyes out there for every caregiver. We need you to be there to bring any caregivers who are struggling to come into the sector. 

Thank you so much everyone for being with us today. 

Lastly, I want to have a shout out for the CARECarnivals coming in the next three Saturdays. Please come and continue this joyful celebration of caregiving and learning together in the next three Saturdays at our CARECarnivals in Enabing Village, Kampung Admiralty as well as Heartbeat@Bedok. I thank everyone for joining this National CAREConference.

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National CARECarnivals 2023 for all Caregivers in Singapore

National CARECarnivals 2023 for all Caregivers in Singapore

A wonderful 3,000 caregivers and their loved ones joined us at the CARECarnivals, organised by AIC Singapore, CaringSG, NCSS and SG Enable, at Enabling Village, Kampung Admiralty, Heartbeat@Bedok over the past three Saturdays. We were so happy to see caregivers from all walks of life coming with their care recipients to enjoy the carnival.

At the first CARECarnival held at Enabling Village, Minister Desmond Lee shared the progress we have made over the past few years together with caregivers, supporters and funders. The heartwarming stories of many caregivers, and CaringSG’s Project 3i support (including CAREbuddy and Step One) were showcased at the carnival via media interviews, exhibits, videos, books and more.

Caregivers could visit the various booths to learn about resources available to enable them in their caregiving journey, such as caring for their physical health, improving their mental health, and joining support groups/networks. There were interesting activities to engage families such as journaling, clay art, henna, DIY cardholder, giant bowling, and food stalls distributing kacang putih, ice cream and popcorn.
 

If you’re a special needs caregiver looking to connect with other caregivers and support groups, join us at www.caring.sg/subscription.

Being a CaringSG member enables you to access our CAREconnect monthly webinars, request for CAREbuddy emotional support, check out other resources in our members’ portal, and receive regular email updates from us on upcoming events, member perks and services that are developed and curated for special needs caregivers and families.

Check out our social posts for more photos!

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Transition from Preschool & EIPIC to Primary School

Transition from Preschool & EIPIC to Primary school

Transitioning to primary school is a significant milestone for any child, and it can be especially challenging for caregivers and special needs children as environments, people and routines change significantly.

As a caregiver who has experienced this journey firsthand, I had the benefit of receiving guidance and emotional support during this transition which eased my son’s journey through uncertainty.

In this article, I’ll share some practical tips to help fellow caregivers navigate the path from preschool and Early Intervention Program for Infants and Children (EIPIC) to primary school so that you and your special needs child can prepare for this transition. This applies for both sons and daughters.

Tips for transition from preschool and EIPIC to primary school

1. Start Early Preparation
Begin the transition process well in advance. Visit the new school, meet the teachers, and familiarize your child with the new environment. If your child’s preschool or EIPIC classmates also happen to be attending the same primary school, letting him know could ease his anxiety.

2. Involve Your Child

Empower your child by involving them in the preparation process. Allow him to choose a backpack, school supplies, or even a special comfort item to bring to school. This involvement fosters a sense of ownership and encourages him to look forward to the new school.

3. Build routines for Primary School 
Consistency and familiarity helps our children adjust to a new routine. Ease him into his new Primary School routine in advance, especially during the weeks leading up to the transition. Gradually introduce changes in daily activities to help your child adapt to the new schedule.

Ideas to try:

  • Let him wear the school uniform a few days before school starts to help him get used to the sensory stimulus of the material. Teach him how to button and unbutton clothes, and manage zippers during toilet breaks or changing clothes. Purchase shoes with velcro if he is not confident of tying shoelaces.
  • Provide opportunities for him to pack and unpack his new bag and pencil case so he knows where his items should be kept.
  • Allow him to spend small amounts of money at the local coffee shop and teach him how to count the change.
  • Recce the school and route to and from the school so he knows what to expect every day.
  • Practise sitting in a classroom setting. Some EIPIC centers recreate classroom settings to enable children to figure out where to place their belongings, what to expect in the classroom, how the teacher may use a whiteboard or other teaching aids, and expected behaviour in class
  • Do a test run of a typical school day, from waking up early in the morning, going to school, and back home.

4. Storify and visualize
Source for social stories online (or create your own) and draw up a visual schedule for the various tasks your child will go through. Use simple language, photos, videos and visuals to explain the changes your child will encounter, including the new school, teachers, and classmates. Revisit the social stories frequently and let him explain the stories back to you to reinforce his learning.

Examples of social stories:

  • Preparing for school: brushing teeth, wearing uniform and shoes, ensuring bag and water bottle are brought along
  • Travelling to school: bus or MRT routes, drop-off points, walking to classroom or hall, time management
  • Attending school: name of teachers and class, location of classroom, expected behavior in classroom, asking for toilet breaks, how to talk to classmates
  • Going home: pick-up points, bus or MRT routes, time management
  • Other school matters: homework routine, packing his bag neatly for the next day, having a conversation with you about school
  • Emergencies: who to call when he feels sick or gets lost by accident, who he can approach for immediate help
  • Socializing: how to make friends, appropriate vs inappropriate touch, dealing with bullying, how to manage emotions

5. Communication with Teachers
Arrange a parent-teacher meeting with your child’s new teachers before school starts if possible, or early in the school year. Share information about your child’s strengths, challenges, and any specific needs they may have. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s unique needs, share insights from their preschool experiences, and establish a plan for a smooth transition.

You can ask your child’s EIPIC center to prepare a useful list of information about your child to share with the primary school teachers. Share visuals or routines with the new teachers that could help them anticipate and manage your child positively in the classroom. Ask for feedback and follow-up meetings to check on your child’s transition.

6. Prepare for Sensory Challenges
If your child has sensory sensitivities, work with the new school to create a sensory-friendly environment. Discuss potential triggers and effective strategies to address sensory challenges, ensuring your child feels comfortable and supported.

For example, as my son is a visual learner and may not pick up auditory cues when the teacher is addressing the class, the teacher paired him with a friendly classmate who would tap on my son’s shoulder as a physical cue to look at the teacher. She also let him sit near the front of the class so he would not be distracted visually by other movements.

As my son is also sensitive to sudden, loud sounds, we informed the teacher of his reactions and how to calm him down if he encountered loud sounds due to thunderstorms, construction or unexpected shouting. We also took time to explain to him how he could calm himself down with reference to the Zones of Regulation concept that he learnt in EIPIC.

7. Foster Peer Relationships
Encourage the development of friendships with his peers and foster positive social interactions by organizing playdates, participating in school events, and collaborating with teachers to facilitate inclusive activities. Being able to meet and chat with other parents can also teach us new skills and tips to apply to our challenges.

8. Celebrate Achievements
Celebrate both small and big achievements throughout the transition process. Positive reinforcement boosts your child’s confidence and helps create a positive association with the new school environment, his classmates and teachers, and enjoy learning.

We celebrated the baby steps towards independence, such as buttoning and unbuttoning uniform, noting down homework diligently, learning the names of his friends, playing soccer with other classmates during recess, saving up extra change from recess, helping out with class duties, and looking forward to attending school.

Enjoy the journey!

Transitioning from preschool and EIPIC to primary school for our special needs children requires thoughtful planning, communication, and collaboration with new partners. I hope that these tips will help you and your child enjoy this significant milestone of growing up. 

Be patient with your child, and yourself as well. Have fun and enjoy bonding together; having a positive attitude towards the new phase will influence your child too. 

Break down tasks into baby steps and pace yourself; you have gotten this far in life, and you can reach your next stage with consistent efforts.

– Julia Chan, caregiver of a boy who transited from preschool and EIPIC to Primary School

Learn more via CaringSG Webinars

CaringSG has run several webinars with tips and resources from professionals and caregivers on transiting your child from EIPIC to Primary School. These webinars and resources can be accessed by logging into our Members’ Portal > Profile > Video Resources.

 

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