Who says maths has to be all dry lessons and no fun? With a bit of creativity, both parents and teachers can elevate the learning experience for students and leave them eager to learn more!  

 

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In this video, Jason Hiak, founder of Model Math, an enrichment hub by SAFRA and Matrix Math, shows us how they use DIY crafts and games to transform the conventional classroom experience into a fun and enjoyable session. 

Let’s play and learn!

Jason introduces two simple activities that you can try at home.

Activity 1: D.I.Y Calendar

Create a calendar that both you and your kids can fill up together.

On a blank piece of paper, draw a 6 x 7 table. Label the top with the month and days of the week, and fill up the grid with the corresponding dates. 

Step 1: Circle all the dates that fall on Wednesday in Orange

Step 2: Circle all the dates that fall on Friday in Purple

Step 3: Circle the current date in Pink

Step 4: Pose this question to your kid – “What is the date 10 days after today?”

You can be creative with your questions! 

Activity 2: Chef’s Recipe and Bar Graph

Let’s make a sweet berry smoothie with a mathematical twist! 

Prepare the following cut-outs:

• 1 Banana
• 4 Strawberries
• 3 Blackberries
• 2 Mint Leaves
• 1 Cup of Yoghurt
• 8 Ice Cubes

With a simple bar graph template (as seen in the video), have your children colour the grid based on the ingredient’s quantities. Dedicate a different colour to each ingredient! 

After your kid is done with the bar graph, pose the following questions:

1. How many more ice cubes than bananas did we use? 
2. How many strawberries and blackberries did we use in total?
3. If we add 4 more mint leaves into the berry smoothie, how many mint leaves will we use altogether?
4. A blackberry costs 5 cents. How much will we have to pay for the blackberries? 

Maths made fun

Math does not have to be a big snooze-fest. At Model Math, they move away from the conventional drill-and-practice methodology and instead utilise tools such as games, DIY activities and real-life case studies to impart fundamental arithmetic competencies in a manner that is digestible and engaging. 

Ms Christine Tan, who brings her daughter, Meagan, to Model Math at SAFRA Toa Payoh for K2 preschool classes, shares what new students can expect upon their initial enrolment.

“The kids will undergo a formative evaluation prior to their first class. That way, teachers can determine their current level of competence and pair them up with the most suitable module,” she explains. “I particularly like how structured their curriculum is and how they place emphasis on consistent practice.”

More importantly, she is heartened by her daughter’s newfound interest in mathematics. “It’s nice to see Meagan look forward to attending classes every week!” she says.

Sign your child up for a complimentary trial lesson at Model Math at modelmath.sg/programme/preschool-maths-proramme

Find out more about Model Math’s “Building Block Approach” in a primary school class here!

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Our young ones learn from a cultivation of experiences, observations and personal interactions, driven by their innate curiosity about the world around us. It is this intrigue that lights up the spark in the youngest of minds and drives the desire to learn. We pay a visit to a NurtureStars classroom at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang to observe its out-of-the-box approach to childhood education. 

Beyond its four walls

NurtureStars uses active learning to embody a child’s spirit of curiosity with a classroom that is as vibrant as it is experiential. Incorporating a multi-sensorial curriculum that is rich with narratives, songs, rhymes and theatrical drama, the preschool wishes for students to explore possibilities beyond the classroom, tapping into a limitless imagination. 

Critical thinkers and captivating storytellers at NurtureStars

Teachers from NurtureStars invite you to their classroom to see how an ordinary day looks like for their preschoolers. 

Activity 1: Roleplaying

With classrooms filled with props and costumes, there are plenty of opportunities for students to dress up and transform narratives into living performances! 

Young learners are encouraged to find a place in different scenarios to express themselves, while working alongside their fellow  “actors” and “actresses” to transform a story into reality. 

Activity 2: Storytelling

What better way to engage kids than with a good story? During these storytelling sessions, listeners will gasp, laugh and cheer as their teacher spins a tale animatedly. Often symbolic in nature, these stories not only impart crucial life lessons to their listeners, they also introduce words and phrases to beef up their vocabulary.

Activity 3: Coding

More than just a buzzword, NurtureStars has foundational coding classes that are intended to expand problem-solving skills as well as critical thinking capabilities. These sessions will require students to explore creative means to complete coding tasks. 

A classroom like no other

Having pioneered an exceptional curriculum that is both contemporary and experiential, NurtureStars has led over 330,000 SAFRA members’ children to grow into individuals equipped with oratory and critical thinking skills. 

With an outlet at every SAFRA club, parents can easily find a NurtureStars preschool that is both convenient and accessible. Begin this exciting learning journey for your child, where young go-getters can truly let their creativity illuminate the classroom!

Want to find out more about NurtureStars programmes? Enquire now or book a school tour today at 6320 0132. You can also find out more at safra.sg/lifestyle/nurturestars-preschool

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It isn’t too much of a stretch to name the piano as a musician’s formative instrument. Regardless of your musical inclinations, the piano functions as the foundational stepping stone to truly understanding music as not just an auditory pleasure, but as a theoretical discipline.

Featuring a newly renovated area, Yamaha Music School at SAFRA Punggol has also adopted the use of the new Yamaha logo. Introduced globally to coincide with the brand’s 70th anniversary in 2024, the prominent use of Yamaha violet reinforces the brand’s legacy, while the accompanying symbol, the “Do-re-mi sprout” represents Yamaha’s dedication to nurturing minds through music education. Together, the logo and symbol convey Yamaha’s philosophy of making music accessible and enjoyable for all, ensuring the brand resonates with music lovers worldwide.

In the video below, an instructor from SAFRA Punggol’s Yamaha Music School shows us a simple way to start learning the piano with a classic favourite – Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Learning your ABC’s with Yamaha

Like the English alphabet, there are various musical keys and notations on the piano that you will need to identify and understand before attempting to string together a harmonious melody. That said, once you have assimilated well to the basics, the possibilities are literally endless.

Lesson 1: Knowing the piano

The piano is defined by a repeating series of keys, which begins with the middle C. This order, better known as the C major scale, goes like this – C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Your right hand should be on the middle C.

Let’s play a few notes to hear how they sound! Begin at C and go all the way until you reach G.

Lesson 2: Putting together a simple melody

Here’s a simple tune to get you started – Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

First, begin with this order – C, C, G, G, A, A, G.

Move on to the second half of the chorus – F, F, E, E, D, D, C.

Put these two lines together and play!

Lesson 3: Both hands now!

Time to include some easy left-hand chords. For this song, we’ll utilise C major, G major and F major chords.

As you play the melody that was learnt in Lesson 2, the chords of C, F and G major can be used as accompaniment. It should go like this: C major > F major > C major > G major > C major > G major > C major.

Congratulations! You have just played your first song on the piano! 

A cornerstone of music learning

Established in 1966, Yamaha Music School keeps its curriculum relevant and accessible for the contemporary piano enthusiast. Yamaha instructors hold certifications ranging from ABRSM Grade 8 to music degrees. They are required to pass an audition and are trained before they are licensed to teach. With 11 music schools located around Singapore, Yamaha offers classes for children as well as adults, catering to anyone who loves and wants to learn to play a music instrument.

SAFRA members enjoy a 3% discount when they sign up for any of Yamaha Music School’s courses and programmes. Additionally, they are entitled to a 10% discount on musical instruments purchased, as well as an 8% discount on music books. New learners are rewarded with a one-time fee waiver of $50 (all at SAFRA Punggol only). More information at safra.sg/yamaha-music

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

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Combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is a sport that is fast gaining popularity in Singapore. Played in singles or doubles, it uses solid-faced paddles and a lightweight perforated plastic ball.

Categorised as a paddle sport, pickleball is played similarly to tennis where players trade shots until either side fails to return the ball. Played on a badminton-sized court, pickleball offers a moderate ball speed, making it easier for beginners, younger players and seniors to pick up.

Where did pickleball come from?

While the etymology of this sport is unclear, with some attributing its name to Pickles, the name of the dog belonging to pickleball founder Joel Pritchard, it is evidently a game born out of creative improvisation. Using an arbitrary array of sports equipment and facilities, the sport can be best described as a mash-up of some of the world’s most popular games. In fact, the first iteration of the sport began at a badminton court with a net height similar to tennis, and was played with paddleball paddles and a wiffle ball. 

How to play pickleball

Intrigued? To help you get started, pickleball Coach Su Li guides us through the basics in this video.

What you need

You essentially only need two things to get things going – pickleball paddles and a pickleball. 

A typical pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court. That said, the courts at SAFRA have distinct markers that allow the space to be used for both tennis and pickleball. 

Let’s play!

1. Stand behind the baseline and begin with an underhand serve from the right side of the court, aiming diagonally to your opponent’s service box.
2. The ball must bounce once on each side before you can start volleying. 
3. When volleying, remember to stay out of the non-volley zone, known as the kitchen.
4. When the serving team begins to serve, a rally starts. Only the serving team can score points, so if any faults occur during the rally, no points are scored and the serve goes to the opposing team, who will start a new rally.
5. Keep playing until one team reaches the point limit (usually 11 points) and wins by at least two points.
6. And that’s all there is to pickleball. Have fun!

Enjoy complimentary rental of pickleball equipment (paddles and balls) when you book the new pickleball courts at SAFRA Tampines, SAFRA Jurong and SAFRA Yishun. Visit safra.sg/tennis-pickleball-courts for more information. You can also play pickleball on SAFRA Mount Faber’s multi-purpose court, which you can book here.

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Earlier this year, EnergyOne Gym at SAFRA Punggol went through a major renovation to introduce a collection of Hammer Strength (HS) fitness equipment – an acclaimed provider of one-of-a-kind biomechanical strength training machines that are used by professional and elite athletes.

Read on for a step-by-step guide on how these top-grade fitness machines can help you maximise your workout, and the proper way to operate them.

Get your muscles pumping

Spotlight 1: HS Bicep Curl

By positioning your arms on the sloped pad, you allow your biceps to act as your primary momentum-builder. That way, your strength is fully concentrated on the focused area, which is great for building your biceps.

Spotlight 2: HS V Squat

Perfect for beginners or those with balance issues, this machine’s fixed track helps guide the user through a proper squatting motion that is intended to strengthen your quadriceps.

Spotlight 3: HS Abdominal Crunch

Designed to target the abdominal muscles, it is intended to help reinforce your core through a crunching movement.

Spotlight 4: HS Hack Squat

Mimicking the movement of a squat, it functions as a support for your back, keeping it in a fixed position to reduce strain on your lower back and knees. That way, you can focus on a deeper squat to build your quadriceps and glutes.

Spotlight 5: HS Glute Drive

Just as the name suggests, the Glute Drive drives momentum through the feet to lift the hips while supporting your upper back. It is especially useful in expanding your glute’s strength and size.

Spotlight 6: HS Lateral Raise

This machine focuses on the shoulder muscles to help build and maintain a balanced upper body physique.

Spotlight 7: HS Belt Squat

Having trouble with squats? The Belt Squat enables squatting without placing strain on the spine, with a focus on lower body muscles like the quadriceps and hamstrings. This is great for users with back problems.

The one and only

With 7 outlets located strategically in the SAFRA clubs across Singapore, EnergyOne has established itself as not just one of the nation’s most popular gym chains, but also one of Singapore’s most accessible and affordable fitness studios for the exercise enthusiast. EnergyOne Gym is constantly reinventing and rejuvenating the gym experience to continue meeting the wide-ranging and ever-changing needs of gym users.

Now that it is a Hammer Strength-certified training centre, users of EnergyOne Gym have these machines at their disposal, adding onto an already comprehensive arsenal of fitness equipment that seeks to uplift those who strive to be better versions of themselves. Come on down to EnergyOne today to find out for yourself!

Find out more about how you can make the most of Hammer Strength equipment at EnergyOne SAFRA Punggol to optimise your workout!

SAFRA members enjoy discounted rates at EnergyOne Gym. More information at safra.sg/energyone-gym/Gym-membership

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Darts is a skill that is easy to learn, but incredibly difficult to master. While it is a great late-night social sport, there is also a competitive element to it. Kept alive by a dedicated community of professional darts players, this unique social sport promises a lot of intrigue and hours of fun. 

Read on to learn some key dart-throwing techniques from a professional player to elevate your shots! 

A sport with a passionate fanbase

At Forest5 Darts Cafe at SAFRA Mount Faber, you can find plenty of competitive dart players who spend hours training for their next Super League. Fun fact – it is Singapore’s largest dart pub, which also houses the greatest number of local league teams. Equipped with 20 electronic dartboards, this darts training and recreation hub has plenty of space for both casual and competitive players to unwind over a few rounds at the dartboard. 

Grab your darts and start throwing!

Leslie Lee, professional darts player from Dartslive shares some nifty tips to help improve your form and accuracy.

Tip 1: Focus on your stance, grip, and aim

Regardless of your familiarity with the sport, it is crucial that you never stop throwing! Like any skill, practice is key. Make sure to always adopt the proper stance and grip so that your aim is focused and deliberate. 

Tip 2: Think before you throw

The best players are the most adaptable ones. Experiment with different throwing techniques so that you have a greater arsenal at your disposal. That way, you can react strategically to your environment. 

Tip 3: Equipment matters

As the adage goes, dress for the job you want, not the job you have. You can enhance your experience simply by using accessories of good quality. The last thing you want is for your gear to hinder your playing experience. 

Hitting the right notes

Forest5 Darts Cafe is set for a massive glow-up, with an upcoming revamp featuring six brand-new KTV rooms, a chic karaoke hall, and a classic pool table! This expansion will add 5,000 sq ft of space, cementing its status as one of Singapore’s largest darts bars, measuring a total of 8,000 sq ft.

Great news for both casual and competitive darts players – Forest5 Darts Cafe will be introducing even more dartboards, bringing its total to 38 electronic dartboards and 8 steel-tip dartboards. So get your darts ready, and prepare for a bigger, better and more contemporary Forest5 in October 2024!

SAFRA members enjoy 10% off their total bill at Forest5 Darts Cafe. For more information, visit safra.sg/amenities-offerings/forest5-darts-cafe

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