THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2019

CHILDREN’S DAY

“PARENTS have to know that
vaccinations do not stop at infancy.
According to the Health Ministry,
children are to receive vaccinations
up to at least 15 years of age,” says
Dr Rakhee Yadav, consultant
paediatrician at Ara Damansara
Medical Centre.
However, she sees a growing
community of Malaysian parents
who do not vaccinate their
children, and seeks to rectify their
fears and misconceptions
surrounding vaccination.
l Religious backgrounds –
Certain religious communities are
wary of vaccines for various
reasons. However, the Islamic
Medical Association of Malaysia
has released a joint statement with
the Department of Islamic
Advancement of Malaysia (Jakim)
to relieve parents of religious
worries regarding vaccines that are
in our National Immunisation
Programme.
l Suspicious ingredients –
Extra defence for the little ones
In Malaysia, it is recommended
that all children receive
vaccinations based on the
schedule set by the Health
Ministry under the National
Immunisation Programme. For
added protection, there are other
recommended vaccines that can
be obtained from the private
sector, which could be
administered in as early as the
first two months of a baby’s life.
Some important recommended
vaccines for your child are:
l Rotavirus – Used to prevent
severe diarrhoea that can lead
to death, especially in children
below five years old. The
rotavirus vaccine must be
administered when the child is
below six months of age.
Protection or poison?
Dr Rakhee assures the safety of
vaccine ingredients, saying, “Each
dose of vaccine takes months and
years to produce and is researched
to ensure its safety.” Parents should
clarify with their doctors on
ingredients if they are unsure and
need reassurance.
l Allergies – Allergies are one of
the only contra-indications that
allow a child to discontinue a
certain vaccination. However, side
effects such as fever, swelling and
lethargy are normal and do not
indicate an allergy.
l Autism myth – Dr Rakhee
attributes the autism misconception
to the fact that autism is generally
diagnosed when a child is between
one and two years old, which is
coincidentally the same time
l Pneumococcal – This
vaccine protects your child from
pneumonia, meningitis and
septicaemia caused by
streptococcal bacteria. In some
cases, these diseases become
invasive and can lead to death.
l Meningococcal – Malaysia
currently requires this
vaccination for adults who are
performing the hajj or umrah.
However, there are no
regulations for travelling
children. Therefore, it is best to
vaccinate your children if they
are coming along.
l Influenza – Malaysia does
not have a flu season as it is
prevalent all year round. An
annual shot is recommended
for all children below five years
the MMR vaccine is also
administered.
l Peer pressure – Dr Rakhee
has seen an increase of anti-
vaccination influences among
parents in urban areas. Usually,
one parent will choose not to
vaccinate their child, and soon
peer pressure will influence the
whole group to stop vaccinating
their children.
Focus on what’s important
Dr Rakhee explains that
vaccinations do not just eradicate
deadly diseases, but also work to
reduce complications and
morbidity in certain diseases. For
example, in varicella infections
(chicken pox), unvaccinated
old, pregnant mothers,
healthcare workers, people
above 50 years old and those
with chronic diseases to ensure
full protection.
l Chicken pox – Younger
children with chicken pox may
experience rashes, scars and
complicated lung, brain and skin
infections because of an
immature immune system. It is
therefore safer for the child to
get the same immunisation from
a controlled virus without the
need to experience the disease’s
effects. It is a myth that chicken
pox occurs only once in
everyone’s lifetime. Exposing a
child to the disease can cause
unnecessary distress and
medical complications
children get the full impact of the
disease, so they have to miss school
for longer periods of time, and
parents lose income when they
stay home to look after the child.
The only exemptions from
vaccination are for those with
medical reasons such as children
born with immunodeficiencies,
HIV and allergies to a vaccine or its
components, and those who are
undergoing chemotherapy.
Newborns and the elderly can get
vaccinated. Vaccinations do not
just protect the vaccinated, but also
those who cannot be vaccinated for
legitimate reasons. This occurs Dr Rakhee Yadav.
through herd immunity.
She calls for everyone to do their don’t just think of your own child,
part in protecting the community. but of society as a whole.”
“When it comes to diseases, your
choice to vaccinate affects n For more information on
everyone’s well-being. Therefore, vaccinations, visit immunise4life.my
Vaccine Age of vaccination
Pneumococcal Recommended to complete three doses within
(conjugate the first year of life starting at six weeks of age.
vaccine) Consult your doctor for the individual recommended
schedule according to the age of child receiving the
first dose.
Meningococcal Recommended for children travelling to high-risk
areas. Single dose administered after a child turns two.
Rotavirus Recommended first dose to be given after six weeks
of age. Consult your doctor for the subsequent
doses and intervals according to the manufacturer
recommendation.
Varicella/ For children 12 months onwards, with two doses a
chicken pox minimum of four weeks apart.
Hepatitis A For children above one year old: two doses given six
to 18 months apart.

Raising well-adjusted children

RAISING a child is challenging. Dr
Susan Tan, consultant child and
adolescent psychiatrist at ParkCity
Medical Centre, says, “You can
empower yourself by acquiring
knowledge via reliable resources
such as the Center on the
Developing Child at Harvard
University. With the Internet, the
information is literally at your
fingertips.”
Research helps us understand
the science of human development,
but we need to translate these
findings into everyday life so we
can start laying the foundation of
our children’s optimum
development and avoid pitfalls.
Successful parenting is the result of
a healthy attachment with your
children. This also determines their
lifelong health.
This relationship is the result of
the time you spend in consistent,
attentive and responsive
interaction with your child. How
you help soothe him when he falls
while learning to walk teaches him
how to self-soothe later in life and
get up when he “falls” doing
anything. This translates into
resilience as he grows up.
Science has also highlighted that
certain pitfalls, called adverse
poor academic achievement,
substance abuse and even a
shorter lifespan.
This is because just like how a
car engine will ultimately break
down when revved non-stop, a
brain and body that suffers from
stress over a long time will
similarly deteriorate, leading to
Key points to keep in mind
l Cultivating a stable, loving
relationship with your children
Dr Susan Tan. results in them feeling safe,
which encourages them to
childhood experiences (ACEs), can confide in you and thus helps
lead to poor physical and mental them develop good mental
health and should be avoided. The health
absence of responsive, caring l Spending quality time with
adults acts as a double blow to your child helps you strengthen
healthy brain development in your relationship with him. Set
children. ACEs that leave a “toxic” aside some time every week to
impact on children include child do something you both enjoy.
abuse and neglect, serious parental Avoid stressful communication,
illness and violence in the nagging or scolding during
household or community. quality time
The more ACEs a child l Accept your child for who
experiences without supportive he is. Focus on developing his
adults present, the higher the strengths by ensuring he gets
likelihood he will end up with appropriate education. This
problems concerning emotional helps him build self-esteem and
control, heart disease, diabetes,
disease and disorder. Young
children who encounter ACEs
sustain cumulative wear and tear
that affects the heart and
neuroendocrine system.
If parents obtain support for
financial and health problems,
they can hence be empowered to
meet the needs of their children
helps him accept his own
weaknesses
l Monitor his activities and
help him keep active through
fun family activities
l Help him adopt a healthy
lifestyle of making appropriate
food choices
l Teach him to manage
stress through methods such as
exercising regularly
l Be a role model for good
social, communication and
negotiation skills
l As he becomes a teenager,
treat him with respect as an
individual. Talk to him and
offer to help identify problems
he faces
l Look after yourself and
and nurture them appropriately
towards healthy development.
Watch the YouTube video titled
Adverse Childhood Experiences
(ACEs) to learn more.
n For more information or to get
in touch with a health professional,
call 03-5639 1212.
cultivate social connections for
your own emotional support
In addition to the above tips,
look out for warning signs your
child might display, such as losing
interest in activities he previously
enjoyed, behaving differently and
isolating himself socially. If these
changes interfere with your
child’s life at home or school,
contact a health professional.
Remember that it takes a
village to raise a child, and other
loving adult figures such as
extended family members play
important roles in nurturing
your child. Empower yourself
with knowledge to make a
difference.
2 Children’s Day
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Probiotics, as defined by the World
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growing kids can help improve their
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of gut microbiota.
However, WHO confirms that the health
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THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2019
This early establishment of
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feeding and use of antibiotics.
A disrupted gut microbiota
balance in kids may result
in weakened immunity,
diarrhoea, constipation or
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THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2019 3
4 Children’s Day
Developing the brightest sparks
BEACONHOUSE Newlands Early
Years (BNEY) is focused on
inspiring a sense of excellence in
education and life and building a
strong foundation in a child’s
early years to thrive in a fast-
changing and culturally diverse
world with open minds, and to
embrace their responsibilities
with confidence.
BNEY’s learning environment
helps recognise every child’s
unique growth and promotes
independence while also helping
children unlock a passion for
learning through metacognitive
exploration, problem-solving and
critical inquiry.
To ensure that children thrive,
diverse co-curricular offerings
educate the child totally, opening
the door to the wider world
through a framework guided by
the Cambridge curriculum. The
Early Years Foundation Stage
(EYFS) draws on research-based
learning practises, including a
wealth of knowledge and
experience from an international
and home-grown staff base.
Beaconhouse ensures inclusion
and support for every child to
progress well and plans activities
around the needs and interests of
each individual child whilst
working in partnership with
parents and guardians. Children,
parents and teachers all work in
partnership to make Beaconhouse
a community.
The result of an environment
that is abundant with love is a
community of engaged learners
To ensure that children thrive, diverse co-curricular offerings educate the child totally, opening the door to the
wider world through a framework guided by the Cambridge curriculum.
who are happy to actively learn
every day of the school week.
Beaconhouse’s outdoor setting
provides an idyllic extension to the
indoor learning environment. All
children access experiential
learning through child-centred
play. Its facilities, including
libraries, swimming pools (at its
SS2 and Bangsar schools), play
areas, atelier (art studio), little
chef’s kitchen and integrated
technology-supported learning
features complement active
learning.
Children are introduced to the
foundational core components of
education through the Little Tots
Programme. They are actively
encouraged to investigate the
world through play and become
active learners in a stimulating
environment. Beaconhouse
encourages creativity and helps
children develop the skills needed
for critical thinking.
The programme builds on
children’s natural curiosity, interest
and enthusiasm and values play as
the essence of learning. Children’s
learning and exploration are
organised through seven key
learning areas:
l Physical development
l Personal, social and emotional
development
l Expressive arts and design
l Communication and language
l Literacy
l Mathematics
l Understanding the world
Children are also offered the
opportunity to engage in
enrichment programmes, including
dance, robotics, speech and drama,
religious classes, tae kwon do and
additional tutorial classes for
Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia.
Nurturing future leaders
In the future, children will enter
a world in which they will be
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2019
Beaconhouse ensures
inclusion and support
for every child to
progress well and plans
activities around the
needs and interests
of each individual
child whilst working
in partnership with
parents and guardians.
Children, parents
and teachers all work
in partnership to
make Beaconhouse a
community.
evaluated on their critical thinking,
creative thinking and collaborative,
communication and leadership
skills.
These attributes help children go
far beyond academic success,
translating into a community of
responsible society members who
will share and help create a better,
happier world.
Your child’s future starts with an
education at BNEY.
n For more information, call
03-5632 2100 or email marketing@
beaconhouse.edu.my