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Planting; Heal the Soul and Mind

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Research has revealed that the environment around us could either increase or reduce our stress. Our mood change according to what we see, hear and experience and thus affects our mind.

The stress of an unpleasant environment can cause more harm than good to our health but pleasing environment reverses that.

Regardless of age or culture, humans find nature pleasing. Here at Niwa Schoolhouse, we choose planting in our very own ‘Urban Greens’ to have the nature effect indoor.

When the Niwa-ians did the planting in May, we found that they enjoyed it despite having to touch the soil with their hands. Could this be therapeutic? We tried and it really does! When you go step by step in planting the seedlings from MicroGreens, somehow, you forget about the busy day ahead. Next you anticipate the seedlings to germinate and grow into full grown pea shoot where they will be food on our plate.

Looking at the plant growing a little every day with the help from our Niwa-ians, watering the plant and crowding around the area to shower them with love, the plant grow healthily. Not only the plant grow healthily, our mind are growing healthily too. This is one of the way we relief our stress in Niwa.

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The Little Niwa-ians’ Day Out to The Animal Resort

It was Field Trip day again for the Little Tots class. Everyone was excited!

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We were going to visit and interact with the different kinds of farm animals housed @ The Animal Resort. Come, follow us!

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The Little Tots: “Are we there yet? Where are all the farm animals??”

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Seven: “I wonder what’s in this water feature??”

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Tian Ming and Tricia: “Oooohhhhh….. It’s a small pond filled with little fishes.”

Our teachers said our first stop would be serving nutritious breakfast to the two legged animals namely the ‘guinea fowls’, ‘rooster’, ‘pigeons’ and ‘sparrows’.

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Teachers: “Niwa-ians, remember to crush the breadcrumbs into smaller pieces before dropping them onto the ground for these birds. Look at how tiny their beaks are.”

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Teacher: “Ree, are you ready to feed our little friends here?”

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Tricia: “This is what I have left….”

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Seven and Tricia: “Awwww…….Look at how cute this pigeon is.”

We were all pleasantly surprised to greet by a flock of geese half way into our feedings.

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Geese: “Honk! Honk! Honk! Honk!”

Moments later….. We moved on to the more docile two legged animals namely the ‘rabbits’, ‘guinea pigs’ and ‘quail bird’.

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Tricia: Ming Ming! I spotted two guinea pigs!
Tian Ming: Yes! And they are brown and furry!!”

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Blossom: “Lao Shi, I am ready to have a go at feeding the guinea pigs”

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Seven: “What adorable little animals they are. I can’t resist touching them!!”

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Tricia: “Do we have any remaining pellets to feed these fresh water fishes??”

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Desiree: “Lao Shi, what do you call this large bird that looks like ostrich??”

Cassawoary

This is a typical Cassowary commonly found in Australia.
Fun Fact: Cassowaries lay relatively large eggs just like the Emus.
Beware! Cassowaries are not so ‘friendly’ unlike the chickens. Be sure to keep a safe distance when you come up-close and personal with them.

The next sight made us forget our anxieties. It was Mr. Horse, a tamed domestic animal just like donkeys.
It had a pair of mesmerising eyes surrounded with thick, long and black cils.
But the most incredible thing about Mr. Horse was its friendliness.
It was the most majestic animal at the Animal Resort!

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Tricia was by far our bravest toddler!

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Seven: “I am second bravest!”

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Desiree: “I can’t imagine I am now inches away from the horse!!”

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Lao Shi: “凯欣,跟我们的俊马说你好!”

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Seven: “I want to try again!!”

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Tricia: “Horsey…. Here are some hays for you! Hope you’d like them!”

Evelyn

Look at how spontaneous our Centre Manager was!

Next was McDonald’s, a cozy branch lodged at Ang Mo Kio Park.
We felt like the luckiest bunch of toddlers on Earth!

Meal Time

Seven
Seven: “Ahhhhh…..”

Blossom

Blossom: “Fries with ketchup!”

Tian Ming

Tian Ming: “I love McDonald’s Nuggets!”

Tricia

Tricia: “Me too, love eating McDonald’s nuggets!!”

Desiree

Desiree: “What a food spread….!”


If you like us, please kindly help us to click ‘LIKE’ and ‘SHARE’for us to reach out to more parents who have the same parenting beliefs as us. We would love to meet you personally at Niwa Schoolhouse.

Give us a call at 6908 0855 TODAY!

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Putters ready! Go, go, go!

Come and join us as we entered Singapore’s first themed indoor mini golf course – LILLIPUTT!


Our Niwa-ians were all geared up for their physical game of indoor golf at LilliPutt!
IMG_8815“We are ready!”


Our SMRT Space MPV car arrived at the doorstep of Niwa Schoolhouse at 9.30am.

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“Let’s go!”

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“Yeah! The car is going fast on the expressway!”


After a long, long, long drive, the Niwa-ians have finally reached their destination – Lilliputt!

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“We are all ready to conquer LilliPutt!”

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“Where are the putters and the golf balls, Ms. Angeline?”

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“I am going to choose the pink golf ball.”

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“I think orange golf ball will be good for me.”

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“Purple is my lucky colour.”

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“I will take my Papa’s favourite red.”

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“Ok, simple white is the best.”

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“Yes, I can be the first to collect my putter.”

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“I am second.”

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“You need to hold the putter in this way.”

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“Hurray! We have our putters ready!”


The Niwa-ians got really lucky and received a complimentary training session from one of the coaches from LilliPutt. Yippee!

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“Children, you need to look straight when you putt.”

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“Oh, this is how you hold the putter.”

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“Next, you swing the putter gently.”

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“We will be careful when we handle the putter later.”

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“Please remember not to swing the putter above your knee level.”

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“WOW, this is amazing!”

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“Please remember the house rules of LilliPutt!”

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“Come on!! Let’s go and play some golf!”


Station 1: Singapore Changi Airport

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“If I focus, I can do this.”

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“Yes, I did it!”

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“Yes! The ball went through the tunnel.”

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“Uncle Matt, can you help me please?”


Station 2: Labrador Park

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“Ah… It is my turn to perform.”

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“Maybe it is good to have a coach with me first.”

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“Uncle Matt, where did the golf ball go to?”

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“Let’s try again!”


Station 3: Turf City

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“Hurray, it just took me one stroke to come here.”

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“This is too easy for me.”

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“Yes, I agree! I did it too!”

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“I still need some help from Uncle Matt.”


Station 4: Esplanade

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“I know this place. It is the Esplanade.”

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“I should concentrate.”

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“Uncle Matt, did I swing the putter correctly?”

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“No worries, I can do it by myself.”


Station 5: SMRT

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“Watching the SMRT train bringing my golf ball to the next station.”

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“Watching the SMRT train bringing my golf ball to the next station.”

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“Of course! I am going to putt my golf ball into the SMRT train now.”

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“You are right. My golf ball just went into the hole.”


Station 6: Suntec City

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“Look, the golf ball came out from Tower 2 after taking the lift.”

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“Now, I just need to putt the golf ball into the hole at the Fountain of Wealth.”

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“It is more difficult that I imagine.”

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“Never give up. I believe I can do it.”


Station 7: Singapore Bird Park

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“I need to putt the golf ball across the bridge.”

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“I have the same challenge as you, Jia En!”

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“It is not that difficult if you focus.”

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“Yes! Look! My golf ball is going to enter the hole!”


Station 8: Port of Singapore Authority

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“Aha, this is too easy for me.”

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“Slowly but surely, I am going to hit the jackpot.”

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“I believe I can do it like the boys too!”

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“Ok, let me think for a while. I need a good strategy.”


Station 9: Singapore Science Center

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“Just one putt and in the golf ball will go.”

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“I am targeting to get the golf ball into the hole with 5 strokes.”

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“Make it 4 for me then.”

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“Hurray! I can do it all by myself.”


Station 10: Singapore Zoo

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“Ms. Angeline, the hippo’s mouth is so scary at the Singapore Zoo.”

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“I think the tiger is much scarier.”

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“Look, I am in between the 2 animals and I am not scared.”

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“Yes, you just have to be brave.”


Station 11: Singapore Hawker Center

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“Ms. Angeline, I am hungry. There are so many yummy food at the Hawker Center.”

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“You just have to concentrate. See, I am almost there.”

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“I think I will ask Uncle Matt for help.”

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“One last try by myself.”


Station 12: Haw Par Villa

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“Oh dear, this is so tricky. I am already at my 5th attempt.”

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“Let me think, I think I should swing more to the left.”

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“Uncle Matt, HELP!”

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“I don’t need my Papa’s help anymore.”


Station 13: Big Splash at ECP

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“The golf ball has to take the lift.”

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“Yes, I will have to centralise it to make it easier for me.”

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“That is a brilliant idea. I should follow him too.”

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“I totally agree with all of you!”


Station 14: Padang

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“One more stroke to go.”

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“Come on, I am getting there.”

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“How do I get the golf ball into the hole now?”

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“I don’t know how to help you. I still need Uncle Matt’s help.”


Station 15: Boat Quay

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“Yeah, I am at Boat Quay now.”

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“Did the golf ball roll into the hole?”

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“Yes, I took 3 strokes to get the golf ball into the hole.”

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“I took 5 strokes but I am more confident now.”


Station 16: Singapore Botanic Gardens

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“Ms. Angeline, I can putt by myself now.”

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“I am going to send the golf ball through this tunnel.”

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“I saw this at Botanic Gardens before.”

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“I am left with 2 more stations. Hurray!”


Station 17: Mount Faber

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“Up the slope!”

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“Here is another try.”

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“This is so cool. My ball just went up the cable car.”

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“Ok, I am on my way to the last hole.”


Station 18: Sentosa

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“Ding-dong! I did it and I won a free game at LilliPutt!”

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“Uncle Matt, can you help me to win a free game too?”

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“Let me see if today is my lucky day.”

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“I can do this all by myself.”


One by one, the Niwa-ians conquered all 18 holes at LilliPutt and everyone went home as a big winner!

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“WE DID IT and we want to do it again!”