On the way to Pandarella’s classmate’s birthday party, she informed me that she would like to invite her entire class to her birthday party. Before I said anything, she continued, “If you’re inviting my entire class, you’ll have to make sure the food is halal. Two girls in my class only eat halal food.” I…
Mid-Autumn Festival
I have already received and consumed my first box of mooncakes, courtesy of a kind colleague who knows that I like the fancy snowskin ones. I have been keeping up with the annual tradition of buying and delivering mooncakes to the elders in my family, and I’m now on the lookout for a set that…
The Singapore Presidential Elections 2023
If your children have asked you why 1 September 2023 is a public and school holiday in Singapore, here’s a quick fact sheet you can print out to guide your conversations with them, and at the same time, have them practice reading the sentences in both English and Chinese! They are deliberately designed to be…
Mandarin Play Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears 金发姑娘和三只熊
I brought Panderella and Pandarita to watch the play “Goldilocks and Three Bears” or “金发姑娘和三只熊” by The Little Company. I last brought Giant Panda to watch this same play in 2015. It was every bit as entertaining and engaging as I remembered it. I love bringing the little pandas to watch plays – there is…
The Hungry Ghost Festival （中元节）
Every festival, I keep a look out for books that tell stories about the origin of the event and the festivities that go on, particularly for books in Chinese about Chinese festivals. I feel it is important that children remain in touch with their culture and mother tongue, not solely for the sake of the…
Managing PSLE Stress
Students taking the PSLE this year would already be in the thick of things. I can feel it even though there is no-one in the family taking it this year, and I hear about it even in the office, with colleagues discussing their children’s progress and their struggles. While some students don’t seem to be…
Weighted Assessments Stress
Good morning everyone, it’s that period of the year for all school-going students in Singapore, where weighted assessments are due. Are your little pandas also struggling with all the upcoming assessments? My Giant Panda doesn’t seem fazed by exams nor deadlines, and that is what is stressing me out. I have no issues with tests…
Mama Panda Blogs 