• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • Transform borders Singapore immigration lawyer sulochanaTHE Singapore immigration lawyer to get your work permit
        • Driving in SingaporeDriving in Singapore – What you need to know
        • migration to AustraliaIs migration to Australia or NZ on your wish list?
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Things to do in SingpaoreWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • puzzles octoberPuzzle Pages – answers for October 2023!
        • horoscopes for julyMonthly Horoscopes – October 2023!
        • what's on in sydney theatre wickedA Wickedly Good Time – Things to Do in Sydney!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • special needs education clinic TLCNeed special needs education support for your child?
        • Yellow Aliens mascotWhere to rent Halloween costumes & more!
        • White Room photography studio in SingaporePortrait photography in Singapore: here’s some top studios!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • Looking for the best outdoor furniture in Singapore?
        • Home News: New furniture, home décor & services
        • solo exhibition in singaporeAmazing 3D-style artwork by Zhuang Hong Yi
        • Where to buy antiques or vintage furniture – Reviews
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • migration to AustraliaIs migration to Australia or NZ on your wish list?
        • The Latest Travel News & Hotel Deals
        • what's on in sydney theatre wickedA Wickedly Good Time – Things to Do in Sydney!
        • stamp duty investing in property5 Reasons to Invest in Property in Sunny Spain!
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • New Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Oktoberfest 2023 singapore - the places for food and beerHow to celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 in Singapore
        • Deviate wine bar in Dempsey Hill - we chat to owner Joe Keats of Petersons WinesThis Dempsey bar is a best-kept secret!
        • Crossroads cafe at Orchard - where to eat in Orchard Road - alfresco dining SingaporeTry alfresco dining & happy hour at this café at Orchard Road
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • anti-frizz hair treatmentFrizzy hair? We review keratin treatments and more
        • hairdressers in singaporeBest Hair Salons in Singapore for Haircut, Colour & De-frizz!
        • Fashion News and Sales in Singapore!
        • sensitive skin moisturiser skincare steps productsTried & Tested: Sensitive skin moisturisers, serums & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • dental facial orthopaedic and clear aligners orthodontics in singaporeA star in alignment – orthodontics and charity work
        • mould service in singaporeChoose the right mould removal service in Singapore
        • allergic rhinitis, allergy medication and insuranceFast facts on allergies, symptoms & insurance
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

6 tips for kids during the holiday season!

28th December 2021 by Amy Greenburg 2 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/imc-paediatric-doctor-in-singapore-tips-for-kids/

Preparing for another Christmas during COVID certainly isn’t what any of us had in mind. Here, a paediatric doctor in Singapore shares her top tips for kids – helping to support children and teens during the holiday season.

After a tumultuous year of lockdowns, restrictions, home schooling and a lack of travel, many of us are suffering from feelings of stress, isolation, disappointment and flat-out exhaustion from the ongoing pandemic. This “COVID fatigue” may prove particularly difficult at Christmas time, and as we near a new year with uncertainties about what challenges await.

Though some of us will be able to celebrate with long-missed family and friends thanks to the recent easing of travel restrictions, many of us will still have to explain cancelled Christmas trips and postponed holiday visits to our families. Of course, this can be particularly disappointing for kids and adolescents who depend on these family holidays to stay connected to loved ones back home, explains DR GINA DAHEL, a UK-trained paediatric doctor at International Medical Clinic (IMC) Children’s.

To help support your children throughout the festive season, here are six tips from Dr Dahel.

kids mental health paediatric doctor IMC

#1 Be a safe space

“Allow your child to open up and discuss their feelings by offering them a safe space. Regularly engage with your child and ask how they are doing; try not to dismiss their feelings and do acknowledge how difficult this is for them.”

#2 Be supportive

“Help your child work through his or her emotions and behaviour. Accept that, at times, their behaviour will be challenging. Help them to understand what they are feeling and why, and help them work through their emotions in a more constructive manner.”

#3 Build positive routines

“Try and ensure that there is structure to their day; for example, sleeping, eating and exercise. Routines are essential for children and help to keep them grounded and balanced.”

#4 Encourage their interests

“If your child has been limited in what they can do, then now is a good time to encourage them to find other interests and hobbies.”

#5 Focus on the positives

“It can be tempting to focus on what we cannot do. Instead, help kids find new ways to celebrate with loved ones. Use Zoom to organise a Christmas carol concert or a family Christmas quiz, or open up presents together with Grandma and Grandpa abroad.”

#6 Stay connected

“Holiday periods can sometimes amplify feelings of loneliness and isolation. So, it’s more important than ever to stay well connected during this time. Encourage your kids to regularly call family and friends, as this will help them maintain those vital social connections.”

According to Dr Dahel, it’s completely normal (and expected) for children to feel upset about missing out on holidays and family reunions. And, if they do get the chance to travel, it’s normal for them to feel that they are missing their friends in Singapore. However, she says that if your child is showing signs of sustained low mood, depression or anxiety, it’s important to seek medical advice.

International Medical Clinic
IMC Camden, IMC Children’s, IMC Jelita and IMC Katong
6733 4440 | imc-healthcare.com

This article first appeared in the December 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy

Categories: Health & Fitness Kids Tags: IMC

Amy Greenburg

Originally from Los Angeles, Amy is passionate about Netflix, sipping rosé at rooftop bars, travelling, and all things health and wellness-related. She enjoys learning about different health topics through her writing, particularly critical health conditions, food allergies, alternative therapies, and pregnancy and postpartum-related issues

You May Also Like

dental facial orthopaedic and clear aligners orthodontics in singapore

A star in alignment – orthodontics and charity work

mould service in singapore

Choose the right mould removal service in Singapore

Plantar Fasciitis and knee injuries from running

How to avoid these 6 common running injuries

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.