What is Positive Focus®?
Positive Focus programmes are founded on the philosophy that a child's development must be balanced and well rounded. We believe in equal development of the child's mind, body, behaviour and emotional quotient. Our programmes integrates 3 major proven methodologies, mainly Neuro-Linguistic Programming ( NLP ), Music & Movement, and basic Yoga aimed specifically at the younger children.

Why NLP?
In basic terms, NLP describes the fundamental dynamic between Mind ( Neuro) and Language (Linguistic), and how their interplay affects our body and behaviour (Programming). The application of NLP helps parents understand better how the interplay between what they say, the tone in which they say it, and their body language affect the final impression of their communication with their child.
For example, words of encouragement and love from a harassed and stressed parent may be expressed with an inappropriate tone and/or body language. The child very often picks up the lack of congruency and the conflicting signals by the parent. What the parent thought is a positive affirmation of their love and concern is rejected by the child; and all too often the parent does not even understand why.
At Positive Focus, we develop a series of exercises and tools to help not just parents but children understand this process better. Appropriate NLP techniques therefore help both parents and children to become better communicators as well as develop a more positive attitude to life in general.

Why Music & Movement?
Research has shown that children exposed to the arts and music is more likely to fare better in academic, math and sciences. They also possess more self-confidence, higher social skills and have better physical and motor co-ordination.

Positive Focus introduces music and movement elements into its programmes not so much to prepare the child for formal music instrumental education in the future, but as an aid to improve the child's ability to express himself/herself spontaneously and creatively. Expressive communication via postures, movements and facial expressions as well as vestibular and auditory stimulation are enhanced through music & movement and dances. It is also a bonding agent that naturally invites cooperative and interactive endeavours such as taking turns, sharing and supporting each other's efforts.  Music, after all, is a universal language and one that even a baby in her mother's womb responds to!

Why Yoga?
Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. Its recent revival in popularity worldwide for both adults and children is evident of its benefits in helping achieve physical and mental equilibrium. The physical benefits include increased flexibility, strengthening of core muscles and improved balance and endurance, leading to overall better health. The mental benefits include a calmer disposition, better concentration and focus and mental resilience leading to a more harmonious and happy well-being.

Positive Focus yoga elements are naturally age sensitive. Basic yoga movements for babies and infants are heavily aided and led by the parent or caregiver. As the child grows older, more complicated and independent techniques are introduced. Yoga is also integrated into the programmes as an educational tool. For instance, the introduction of yoga poses mimicking different animals is used not just to improve flexibility and balance but appropriate movements, songs, rhymes and noises made by these animals are also used to give the child a wider perspective of the subject.

Q. Are there any age requirements for my child to participate?

Positive Infants 2 – 6 months:
The components of the programme are designed to set the foundation for the intellectual, emotional, social and physical development of your precious little ones by providing tools that parents can use any time to promote Baby’s learning potentials:-

• careful sensory stimulation ideas
• gentle yoga play
• lots of musical moments
• expressive communication
• directed parents form

Benefits:

• You will experience the positive changes that our unique program brings to you and your infants through these benefits:-
• Enhanced alertness
• Stronger immune functions
• Sleep better
• Improve appetite & digestive system
• Develop an active & healthy vestibular system that provides greater sense of balance and coordination.
• Parents are more confident about their Parenthood
• Parents are more attuned to Baby and themselves
• Develop a strong, nurturing bond
• Gain tools & choices to relax
• Develop a spontaneously positive vocabulary

An infant is born with around 100 billion brain cells, all of which are waiting to be connected. It is the connected neural pathways that determine the effectiveness of the brain. How many of these cells will be connected and how strong these connections will be are all dependent on the infant’s early experiences.
We provide parents extensive ideas to help Infants develop these pathways through positive experiences that are diverse, enriching and also enduring.

Positive Babies: 7 – 15 months  
This programme provides stimulating activities for both babies and parents through:

• Yoga play
• object play
• simple sign language
• exercises with songs and rhymes
• fun tools to capitalize on this vital developmental stage

The above endows you with the tools to promote learning potentials and holistic development of your babies.
Benefits:

• Increased alertness
  
• Stronger immune functions
  
• Develop an active & healthy vestibular system that provides greater sense of balance and coordination
  
• Sleep Better
  
• Feed better
  
• Nurtured to be more ready to receive new experiences, thereby gaining a greater and more effective neural pathway connections
  
• Develop wider movement vocabulary and competence
  
• Promote speech readiness
  
• Develop socially confidence
  
• Develop body & spatial awareness
  
• Parents are more confident about their Parenthood
  
• Parents are more attuned to their child and themselves
  
• Develop a strong, nurturing bond
  
• Gain tools & choices to relax
  
• Develop a spontaneously positive vocabulary

Positive Tots 16 mths – 3 yrs
This programme provides parents with the tools  to ease the 'terrible two' syndrome. At this stage, Toddlers' emerging curiosity and need to move, to explore objects, sounds and other external stimuli are critical to their development. This is also the stage where toddlers are beginning to communicate with the outside world through the use of elementary vocabulary and sign language.

Programme Components include the following:

• yoga play
• interactive story time
• more fun and challenging movement exploration & expansion  of locomotive, gross & fine motor skills
• imitation / mirror play
• guided object exploration to promote verbal skills and develop ability to follow instructions
• imaginative play
• positive discipline (understanding and appreciating boundaries)
• expressive communication through postures/movements/body language/facial expressions
• directed parent-forum with learning goal highlights

Benefits:
Through our weekly classes, you and your toddler will discover the following benefits:

• Gain greater command of physical abilities, balance, flexibility and coordination.
  
• Gain inhibitory control skills- knowing how to stop oneself when necessary (self - control)
  
• Learn to regulate emotions through relaxation tools
  
• Develop confidence and independence
  
• Increase vocabulary and comprehension through awareness of facial and body expressions to support verbal expressions

Positive Kids: 3 – 6 yrs:
The central element - emotional management, is brought about by Yoga Postures (Adopted from the Parent's Choice Award winning YogaKidsTM), Integrated Yoga Therapy, fun brain exercises, weekly reflections of both practical and practicable ways to help children get in touch with, and understand, themselves, others and the world around them.

A  programme where children learn to direct their emotions and energy positively. Each lesson comprises of the following elements:-

• Yoga  / Integrated Yoga Therapy
• Movement through Music
• Spelling with Body Alphabets
• Expressive & Positive Communication
• Weekly reflections

Benefits:
This programme may not only result in calmer, balanced, healthy and focused individuals, but may surprise you with improved school reports for your child as well!

Learn emotional management tools to help them understand and manage anger, fears, frustrations and disappointment.

• Learn emotional management tools to help them understand and manage anger, fears, frustrations and disappointments.
  
• Direct his / her emotions and energy positively
  
• Develop a positive value system
  
• Boost self esteem, setting patterns of excellence for success and achievements
  
• Increase focused and attention span
  
• Stronger immune functions
  
• Develop strong, flexible, healthy mind and body
  
• Learn about anatomy and physiology
  
• Set a lifelong foundation for well-being
  
• Understand themselves, others and the global community better
  
• Enjoy parent-child bonding moments

Q. How much does it cost per class?

The typical cost for a 8-week series is $214 for Positive Infants Babies, Tots & $265 for Positive Kids.

Q. Can I come for a trial class?
Yes, you can attend a maximum of 2 trial classes at $26.75 per class.

Q. What if my child gets sick? Is it still okay to attend the class?
If your child is sick we ask that you please stay home. It isn't fair to the other parents and children. We can arrange for a make-up class subjected to class and space availability, or give you a credit toward a future session. You can have up to a maximum of 2 credits. If you attend the class and your child is sick, the instructor reserves the right to ask you not to participate.

Q. Can we pay for one class at a time?
Our classes are currently offered in a 8-week series for the following reasons:

• Each week, you and your child will continue to discover & further develop skills that will build on to your current capabilities and awareness.
• Repetition is the mother of skill. The benefits of Positive Focus® Programmes can best be seen with the cumulative effects of weekly practice and participation.  Many parents have commented that after attending several sessions, their child or children begins to positively and playfully practice the yoga play poses, songs or activities at home.
• We highly recommend that parents and children participate for at least one term to fully experience the benefit of the programme

Q. Is it okay for my spouse, family, friends, etc. to observe the class?
Please refrain from bringing visitors to watch class. The class is designed for one parent one child. It works best when the parent or caregiver is fully present & participating in the activities. Having more than one parent or caregiver can be distracting for the child in that your child might want to move from one caregiver to the other.
Children tend to react negatively in an overcrowded room.  If a parent or caregiver has to miss class, Dads are welcome to bring their child instead, or vice versa.

We conduct family classes from time to time, which are designed for both parents and a child. Please contact us to find out more.

Q. Do we need to bring anything special to class - or purchase any equipment?
Please bring your own Yoga Mat for personal hygiene purpose. Having your own mat invites both you and your child to continue your positive leanings in class at home.

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Positive Focus Pte Ltd © Copyright 2008