This article was published on Jom on 27 February 2026. (Image credit: Shutterstock)It’s easy for a child to be diagnosed with autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when they’re five. Well, not “easy”. Nothing about...
Research and Resources
Category: Championing Childhood
Hurt Children Hurt Children
MOE has done exceptionally well at academics. So well, in fact, that this state of affairs has justified sacrificing other aspects of our children’s development - social-emotional learning, empathy, creativity, outdoor play, mental...
After Megan – One National Lead, One Front Door
Megan would have been 10 years old this year. In the wake of the Independent Review Panel on the Megan case, one truth is impossible to ignore: When responsibility for children is spread across multiple agencies, even dedicated...
Emotional Neglect: Singapore’s Most Common Childhood Trauma
If you only have a minute: Emotional neglect is Singapore’s most commonly reported Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), with 46.5% of Singaporeans reporting it in childhood according to IMH. Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN) is often...
Spare the Rod, Save the Brain: The Hidden Cost of Physical Discipline
If you only have a minute: Corporal punishment remains common in Singapore, even though many parents who use it do not believe it is effective. Research increasingly links physical discipline to negative developmental, mental health, and...
Childhood Verbal Abuse: The Scar We Can’t See
If you only have a minute: Verbal abuse is more than “just scolding.” When shaming, humiliation, threats, or contempt become a repeated pattern, they can profoundly shape a child’s sense of self and emotional safety. In Singapore,...
Words are Experiences: Reimagining Discipline for the Singaporean Home
If you only have a minute: Repeated criticism, shaming, and humiliation can shape a child’s stress regulation and self-worth, even when parents intend to guide rather than harm. Healthy discipline focuses on behaviour, not identity. Small...
From Tunnel to Total Vision: Taking Charge of Our Children’s Holistic Development
If you’ve only got a minute: Beyond Grades: Raising children is about more than just good grades. We need to look at their whole development. Feelings Matter: Help children understand and manage their feelings. Talk about emotions, teach...
Why should children be at the heart of policy?
If you’ve only got a minute: The Economic Reason: We can’t afford to waste anyone’s potential. People are our “only natural resource,” and fewer children are being born than ever before. The Scientific Reason: Our children only get one...
Respectful Parenting in Singapore: Accepting Our Children and Their Unique Needs
If you’ve only got a minute: Respectful Parenting means treating children with kindness and respect while setting clear rules. It’s Not About Giving In! Kids still need boundaries, just with understanding. Better Than Strict or Permissive...