transition - AsiaLIFE Magazine

ask auntie emilyThree's A CrowdBy Emily HucksonDear Aunt Em: We live in anenclosed community wherethere are lots of children mydaughter’s age. She has tworeally good friends and playswell with each of them—separately. While playing withone the other day, the thirdfriend came over and startedwhispering with the neighbour.Soon the other two girls ranoff, giggling, while my daughtercame to me in tears. Whatshould I have done?- Love TriangleDear Love Triangle: It wouldbe normal to want to runacross the street, admonishthe girls for being mean toyour daughter and teach themabout empathy and respect.But take a deep breath anda few minutes to control youranger so you can handle thesituation more rationally.If this is the first time it’shappened, focus on yourown child by acknowledgingher feelings. You could say,“You were playing with Annaand having such a great time.It must have really hurt thatEmma came and took heraway from you.” Your daughterwill likely nod through hertears; it’s amazing what fiveminutes of acknowledgingfeelings and cuddling can doto make things right.Once she’s more composed,you might ask her,“What should you do next timesomething like this happens?”It would be great if she cameup with the idea of standing upfor herself rather than runninginside, for example, or beingable to tell her friend how shefelt.If this friendship trianglebecomes an ongoing problemfor your daughter, it would beappropriate to approach theother girls’ parents to shareyour concern. Be cautious,though, or they might feelyou’re telling them how tohandle their kids, rather thanasking for their support inresolving the issue. As in thesubject last month, you needto be sensitive to your ownvalues on discipline, and howyour neighbour might not bereceptive to those ideals.Email your questions aboutchildhood development toauntie-em@asialifehcmc.comphucteacherkd@yahoo.comPrivate and group classes are run afterschool three times a week by the friendlyMr. Phuc. Anyone over the age of five iswelcome to join in the course, which costsUSD $50 for 12 classes/month with a $25fee for non-members. Contact Mr. Phucdirectly on 0903 918 149.BABY EQUIPMENTBaby66B Cach Mang Thang Tam, D10A large store stocking a good range ofbaby needs, including toys, buggies, cotsand bottles. Prices are reasonable.BabylandSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Quality products including car seats, buggies,prams and travel cots and a good selectionof baby toys. Carries Avent bottlesand sterilizer sets, and a small range ofeducational books. Prices are higher thanthe other places, but so is the quality.Maman BebeVincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1Tel: 3825 8724www.mamanbebe.com.vnStocks an assortment of modern strollersand car seats. Also sells various utensilsand practical baby products. Small selectionof clothing for ages newborn to 14years.Me & Be230 Vo Thi Sau, D340 Ton That Tung, D1141D Phan Dang Luu, Phu Nhuan246 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3101-103 Khanh Hoi, D4287A Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanThe closest thing to Mothercare the cityhas to offer. Stocks a substantial rangeof apparel for babies including bottlesand sterilizers, cots (including travel cots),clothing, toys, safety equipment and more,all at reasonable prices.Me Oi1B Ton That Tung, D1A small shop adjacent to the maternityhospital bursting at the seams with everythingyou need for your baby. Clothing,footwear, bottles, nappies, nappy bagsand toys all at reasonable prices.New Parent StreetNguyen Thong Street, D3 betweenLy Chinh Thang and Ky Dong Street.An interesting array of baby formula andhard liquor. A one stop shopping cluster forfirst time parents.EDUCATIONABC International School2,1E Street, KDC Trung Son, Binh Hung,Binh Chanh Tel: 5431 1833abcintschoolss@vnn.vnwww.theabcis.comUK standards-based curriculum awards diplomawith IGCSE’s & A Levels certified byCambridge Universit examinations board.From playgroup to pre-university matriculation.Served by 80+ British teachers. Goodfacilities and extra-curricular activities.ACG International SchoolEast West Highway, An Phu, D2Tel: 3747 1234www.acgedu.comPart of the Academic Colleges Group’sinternational network of schools, ACGoffers comprehensive education fromkindergarten to senior high school and arange of extracurricular activities. Internationalcurricula (IB PYP and CambridgeInternational Examinations).The Australian International SchoolSaigonCherry Blossom 1 & Lotus 1, APSCCompound, 36 Thao Dien, D2Tel: 3744 6960Middle & Senior Campus21 Pham Ngoc Thach, D3Tel: 3822 4992enrolment@aisvietnam.comwww.aisvietnam.comAn international curricula and PYP/MYPcandidate school. Senior students followIGCSE and Cambridge A levels. Onlyschool in Vietnam authorized to deliverUniversity of New South Wales FoundationStudies grade 12 curriculum. Wellresourcedclassrooms, highly trained andexperienced expatriate teachers, outfittedfor academic, sport, creative activities.British International SchoolPrimary Campus43 - 45 Tu Xuong, D3225 Nguyen Van Huong, D2Secondary Campus246 Nguyen Van Huong, D2Tel: 3744 2335www.bisvietnam.comWith campuses all over the city and expansionunderway, BIS offers a mixture of bothEnglish and International curricula-basededucation alongside excellent facilities andextra-curricular activities. Senior studentsfollow the IGCSE and IB programmes.Canadian International SchoolSC 39, Panorama Building, Nguyen DucCanh, Phu My Hung, D7Tel: 5412 1549Residential Quarter 13C, Nguyen VanLinh, Phong Phu Commune, Binh Chanhwww.cis.edu.vncis@cis.edu.vnThe first Canadian international school inVietnam offers classes from kindergartento grade 9 for local and foreign students.Teaches core Ontario curriculum andawards Ontario Secondary School Diploma(OSSD), recognized by universities worldwide.Vietnamese programme taught bylocal teachers.German International School257 Hoang Van Thu , Tan BinhTel: 7300 7257info@giss.vn / www.giss.vnA bilingual school with native German andEnglish teachers. The language programis followed in both German and English,alongside the German curriculum. Extracurricular activities are available for allprimary school students.International School HCMC28 Vo Truong Toan, D2Tel: 3898 9100www.ishcmc.comOne of 136 schools around the worldto be accredited as an IB World School.Offers all three of the IB programmes fromprimary through to grade 12. The schoolis fully accredited by CIS and NEASC andhas a strong focus on community spirit andfosters an awareness of other languagesand cultures.International School Saigon Pearl92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh DistrictTel: 2220 1788/89www.issp.edu.vnOpening in August, 2011, the singlepurpose-built campus will cater for nurserythrough grade five. In the second year,sixth grade will be added. ISSP’s long-termstrategic plan includes complete middleand high schools. In the spring of 2011ISSP will host the Western Associationof Schools and Colleges (the largestAmerican accreditation agency in Asia).Accreditation will allow children to easilytransfer to schools abroad.The Little Genius International Kindergarten102 My Kim, Phu My Hung, D7Tel: 5421 1052Kindergarten with U.S.-accredited curriculum,modern facilities andattractive school grounds.Montessori International SchoolInternational Program42/1 Ngo Quang Huy, D2Tel: 3744 2639Bilingual Program28 Street 19, KP 5, An Phu, D2Tel: 6281 7675www.montessori.edu.vnMontessori utilizes an internationally recognizededucational method which focuseson fostering the child’s natural desire tolearn. The aim is to create an encouragingenvironment conducive to learning bydeveloping a sense of self and individuality.A wide array of curriculum/extra-curricularactivities are on offer including Bilingualprograms.Renaissance International School74 Nguyen Thi Thap, D7Tel: 3773 3171www.rissaigon.edu.vnIB World school, one of Vietnam’sinternational schools operating within theframework of the British system. RISSprovide a high quality English mediumeducation in a stimulating, challengingand supportive environment. The purposebuilt, modern campus has excellentfacilities.RMIT702 Nguyen Van Linh, D7Tel: 3776 1369Australian university located in District 7,offers a highly regarded MBA and undergraduatecourses in various fields.Saigon Kids Centre104A Tran Quoc Toan, D3Tel: 3932 5579saigonkidscentre@yahoo.comAn international childcare centre for childrenaged between two and six years old.Offers a homely and warm environmentfor children to play and learn.Saigon Language School02 Truong Dinh, D3Tel: 3933 0773 / 4www.saigonlanguage.comA professional language school thatteaches Japanese and Vietnameselanguage courses. Vietnamese grouplessons begin monthly.Saigon South International SchoolNguyen Van Linh Parkway, D7Tel: 5413 0901www.ssis.edu.vnAn International school environment offeringan American/international programin a large, spacious campus, to childrenfrom age 3 to grade 12. Great facilities,extra-curricular activities and internationallytrained teachers giving uniqueopportunities to learn.Saigon Star International SchoolResidential Area No. 5, Thanh My LoiWard, D2Tel: 3742 STAR Fax: 3742 3222enroll@saigonstarschool.edu.vnwww.saigonstarschool.edu.vnOffers a British primary curriculum approvedby Cambridge University and integratedMontessori programme for nurseryand kindergarten. Qualified, experiencedteachers and small class sizes cater toindividual needs and abilities.Singapore International School (SIS)Unit 808, 8th Floor CentrePoint 106Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu NhuanTel: 3997 957344 Truong Dinh, D3Tel: 3932 2807Ground floor, Somerset ChancellorCourt, 21 - 23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai,D1. Tel: 3827 2464www.kinderworld.netStudents play and learn in an environmentwhere the best of Western and Easterncultures amalgamate to prepare Kinder-World’s students for today’s challengingworld drawn from both the Singapore andAustralian curriculum. The school offersInternational Certifications such as theiPSLE, IGCSE and GAC.SmartKids1172 Thao Dien Compound, D2Tel: 3744 607626 Street 10, D2Tel: 3898 9816www.smartkidsinfo.comAn international childcare centre thatprovides kindergarten and pre-schooleducation for children aged between 18months and 6 years. A fun and friendlyenvironment, the school focuses on learningthrough play.Stamford Grammar214 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3Tel: 3930 73434Bis Phung Khac Khoan, D1Tel: 3822 3339www.stamfordgrammar.comenquiry@stamfordgrammar.comInternational kindergarten following aSingapore curriculum for children from18 months to 6 years of age. Taught byVietnamese and native English-speakingteachers. Outdoor play areas, swimmingpool, music and art & craft rooms wherestudents can play and learn in a safeenvironment.The American School172 - 180 Nguyen Van Huong, D2Tel: 3519 2223info@tasvietnam.edu.vnAn independent and private collage preparatoryschool with a highly individualizedand personalized program, The AmericanSchool of Vietnam offers a strong, USbased curriculum for Kindergarten throughGrade 12.ENTERTAINMENTDiamond Plaza34 Le Duan, D1The top floor arcade and bowling alley isbound to keep your little ones entertainedfor hours with an impressive array of videogames. Some child-friendly dining optionstoo, with Pizza Hut on hand, a KFCand a New Zealand Natural ice creamconcession.Gymboree Play & MusicSomerset Chancellor Court21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1Tel: 3827 7008www.gymboreeclasses.com.vnThe Gymboree Play & Music offerschildren from newborn to 5 years old theopportunity to explore, learn and play inan innovative parent-child programmes.Parkson Plaza39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1Arcade game after arcade game line thetop floor here with a bowling alley and adecent food court thrown in on the floorbelow. A good place to take the kids aftertrawling through Parkson’s numerousconcession stands.Vincom Center72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3936 9999A six-storey shopping centre that housesthe world’s most famous luxury brandsplus more than 250 fashion retailers andvarious restaurants. Each level has a coffeecorner to help weary shoppers recoupwhile looking over the city. Open dailyfrom 9 am to 10 pm.PARTIESA2196 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3Well-known toy shop that also does asubstantial line in fancy dress costumesand partywear. Also has a concession atAn Phu Supermarket.Beatrice’s Party Shop235 Le Thanh Ton, D1A lovely little shop selling everything youneed to throw your little ones a goodparty. A catalogue of entertainers showcasesa number of party favourites suchas magicians, circuses and more.Nguyen Ngoc Diem Phuong131C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1A curious shop stocking a range of handmadefancy dress costumes such asmasks, superman outfits and much more.The stock changes seasonally, so this isa good place to stock up on Halloween,Christmas and other holiday-specific partycostumes.The Balloon ManTel: 3990 3560Does exactly as his name suggests – balloons.Great service has earned this chapa reputation around town for turning upalmost instantly with a superb selection ofballoons. Also provides helium balloons.82 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 83