BDO Foundation teaches financial education to kids through storytelling

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Saving money is one of the most important aspects in our life. Teaching kids how to save money may seem like a tough task. How can you make your child’s understanding of money fun and accessible? It’s an investment in knowledge which truly pays the best interest.

There are ways to empower the next generation, and that starts by teaching children the importance of saving from a young age.

A boy who succeeds in getting his dream toy, an enterprising high school student who uses her creativity to earn income, and a modified version of a well-loved folk song—these are just some of the content used to teach youngsters the value of saving money and preparing for the future.

Gandang Girlie Video - “Ganda ni Girlie,” describes how a high school student’s resourcefulness and creativity help her earn income even in her youth. 

The materials, which come in the form of videos, are part of the training tools developed by BDO Foundation, the Department of Education (DepEd) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to promote financial education among public school students from kindergarten all the way to senior high school,

Savings from her earnings 

“Young people are into watching videos. We thought it would be best to come up with financial literacy videos that would not just entice, but more importantly, educate them,” said BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito.

He also said the strategy to leverage storytelling and music was meant to provide entertainment while educating children on the very important subject of personal finance.

“The beauty of stories and songs is that they are easy to remember. Kids appreciate the materials better because they can easily imagine being the characters in the stories. This makes the materials so powerful in teaching and inspiring,” Deriquito continued.

Finishing touches for her springless notebook business

Five financial education videos for students have been released to date. These aim to catch students’ attention and enable them to learn about the value of money at the same time.

The said tools, developed by BDO Foundation in partnership with DepEd and BSP, were deployed to public schools nationwide by virtue of DepEd Memo No. 32, series of 2019, signed by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

Newspaper fund drive from her neighbors & sells it to nearby junkshops

The videos include “Walk Hard for the Money,” which tells of an elementary school boy who chooses to walk to school instead of commuting despite being given allowance. Along with other money-making efforts, these eventually pay off, allowing him to buy an electric scooter, which he later rides to school.

Another video, “Bente Bente,” conveys the same message to young school children to the tune of “Tong Tong Pakitong-kitong.”

Inspired by the Filipino folk song Magtanim ay Di Biro, “Umutang ay Di Biro” also uses music to tell older students to save their allowance, limit spending and pay debts on time.

Ice Candy business during weekends

“Ganda ni Girlie,” meanwhile, describes how a high school student’s resourcefulness and creativity help her earn income even in her youth. 

“Save to Have a Million: Junior Edition” discusses the right attitudes in handling money through a game show.

Other than the videos for the students, the financial literacy learning tools also include lesson plans, discussion guides, and financial education videos for teachers and non-teaching personnel.

“It is very important that the students start the habit of saving while they’re young,” Deriquito emphasized. 

“This is our strategy for greater financial inclusion among Filipinos in the long run.”

A survey conducted by global financial services firm Standard & Poor’s revealed that only 25% of Filipino adults are financially literate. This is lower than the global average of 33%.

Barbecue Outside her village area with the help of her relatives taking turns in grilling then selling it. 

“We hope that the videos encourage the students not just to live for the moment, but prepare for their future by saving and spending wisely now,” Deriquito added.

BDO Foundation will be developing more financial education materials together with DepEd and BSP in the future.

The foundation also has financial education programs for overseas Filipino workers and their families, army personnel and their families, and small farmers. Its programs will further be discussed in a web series on YouTube.

BDO Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank.

Hapee Kiddie together with Renowned Puppeteer Wanlu Teaches Kids on Proper Brushing in School Caravan

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Having dental caries, more commonly known as cavities, is one of the top public health concerns of not just adults, but kids too. According to the Department of Health, 92.4% of Filipinos have them. What is more alarming is that 97% of Filipino children suffer from cavities too. 

Students who suffer from cavities not only experience pain and discomfort but may also perform badly in school. Toothaches, developed because of the buildup of cavities, is the most common cause of absenteeism among schoolchildren. 

Brushing our teeth has become such a usual part of everyone’s daily routine that we often forget the importance of doing it properly. Like most things, it’s better to do them right as young as possible. That is why Hapee Kiddie launched their Choose tobe Hapee with Hapee Kiddie school caravan with the goal of teaching our kids how to properly brush their teeth. With the tour’s unique and informative approach to teaching oral care, it showed the children that brush time need not be as dull.

The students were able to enjoy a special song number by Wanlu and Hapee during the Choose to be Hapee with Hapee Kiddie caravan tour. 

One creative way of educating children about their oral care is through a puppet show, led by renowned ventriloquist, Wanluand his trusty puppets, Nicolo and Hapee, where they further educated the students with their witty yet informative banter. 

“Every moment in the caravan was memorable to me. The kids were even hugging the puppets after the show, especially Hapee. I think puppeteering really is a more creative and effective way of communicating with the children. In fact, you can see in the faces of the children that they really understand what’s happening and what the puppet is talking about because they react to what the puppet tells them,” shared Wanlu, who recently won the Ventriloquist of the Year in Asia awarded by the US-based International Ventriloquist Association.

Popular ventriloquist/puppeteer Wanlubrought out Nicolo, one of his famous puppets, for the Choose to be Hapee with Hapee Kiddie caravan tour.

Using a life-size tooth and toothbrush, kids were able to see firsthand the steps they need to do to make their teeth happy and healthy. 

Kids were taught how to properly brush their teeth through fun demonstrations. Through the Hapee Kiddie Toothy Tale videos, they learned to brush three times a day using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and then brush for two minutes with circular motions.

Schoolchildren participate in the engaging activities of the school caravan by signaling two when asked for how many minutes they should brush their teeth. 

Wanlu is accompanied by Hapee, as they talk about the importance of brushing their teeth. 

They then tested their newly-acquired knowledge with engaging games, where they were able to nab prizes! 

Choose to be Hapee with Hapee Kiddie school caravan tours all across Metro Manila, bringing joy and spreading happiness to nearly 4,000 young kids aged 5 to 7 years old in 15 public and private schools.

To find out more about Hapee Kiddie activities and updates, visit Hapee Kiddie’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HapeeKiddiePH.

Edutainment Channel ZooMoo seeks to raise your kids' AQ

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What's your AQ? 

Environmental advocate Gregg Yan and lifestyle television host Kelly Misa-Fernandez,  with
Patricia Padilla, SkyCable Sales and Marketing Manager held the fun and educational session, and with kids activities at the Zoo Coffee of Ayala Vertis North last Saturday, February 9, 2019.

Gregg Yan,  Kelly Misa-Fernandez and Patricia Padilla, SkyCable Sales and Marketing Manager 

The event was a fun morning filled with kids activities, interesting animal facts, and discussions focused on how children can become good caretakers of the planet.

Have you ever worried that there’s so much stuff that’s unfit for kids to watch on tv these days? Parents and guardians need not to fret because ZooMoo provides a safe space for your little ones.

Made especially for kids with developing minds, the channel aims to help parents provide more kid-friendly entertainment for their preschoolers and make kids learn more about animals and nature.

What is ZooMoo?

ZooMoo believes that fun and learning go well together. This English-language based media channel nourishes children’s Animal Quotient (AQ) through its library of shows that capture their attention and awaken their imagination. ZooMoo provides deeper information about animals, their habitats, behaviour, and characteristics in a simplified yet visual way that are highly appealing to kids.

The channel comprises 1,500 self-contained shows combining spectacular wildlife footage with a range of puppetry, animations, and narrative techniques to create a unique viewing and learning experience for little viewers. ZooMoo’s programming lineup follow five themes: explore time, create time, play time, puzzle time and quiet time. The channel also carries a strong message of conservation to help kids become more compassionate towards the creatures we share the planet with.

Parental Control

With ZooMoo, parents are encouraged to share their child’s viewing experience which can be more interactive through the revolutionary ZooMoo App. Available to download on Google Play and AppStore, this innovative technology serves as a second screen where parents can allow their children to participate in the immersive world of ZooMoo shows on a tablet or smartphones even away from the home television. Children and parents engage in a world of games, music, puzzles and activities.

The ZooMoo app’s Parent Page offers personalized support for things parents can do with their children to help their learning.

With the advent of this new form of programming, ZooMoo helps kids to grow up with a better grasp of the animal world, making them good stewards of this planet.

It’s About Animals All the Time

One of the defining characteristics of ZooMoo programming is that it aims to improve a child’s AQ providing a deeper, more meaningful understanding of different animals and species including their natural habitat, diet, unique traits, and other interesting trivia.

ZooMoo recently hosted a panel discussion for parents and guardians on the importance of teaching their kids about animals and nature at an early age. The session discussed how parents can help children develop better AQ through different activities they can do at home, and how ZooMoo provides assistance as their kids learn.

ZooMoo’s program line up is packaged in an easy to understand format that is fun for both parents and kids. SKYcable subscribers can choose to add ZooMoo (channel 120) to their channel line-up for only P20 per month via SKYcable Select.

ABOUT ZOOMOO

ZooMoo is collaboration between some of the world’s foremost wildlife filmmakers, early childhood educationalists and technology developers. Its programming engages and entertains children with the wonders of animals, to stimulate and develop their innate emotional connection with the natural world. Some of ZooMoo’s well-loved shows are Leo the Wildlife Ranger, Lost!, Clawdia’s Amazing African Adventure, Piglet’s Adventure Machine, and Ninja Pop.

Blue Ant Media Asia Pacific is a wholly-owned subsidiary of international producer, distributor and channel operator, Blue Ant Media. The Blue Ant Media Asia Pacific channel portfolio includes Love Nature 4K, ZooMoo, Blue Ant Entertainment, Blue Ant Extreme and Makeful. 

Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor and channel operator. From our production houses around the world, we create content for multiple genres including factual, factual entertainment, short-form digital series and kids programming. Our distribution business, Blue Ant International, offers a catalogue of 3,000+ hours of content, including the largest 4K natural history offering on the market. Blue Ant Media’s international channel business offers a portfolio of media brands such as Love Nature (International), ZooMoo Networks (International), Smithsonian Channel Canada, BBC Earth (Canada), Blue Ant Entertainment (International), Blue Ant Extreme (International) and HGTV (New Zealand). Blue Ant Media is headquartered in Toronto, with operations in Los Angeles, Singapore, Auckland, Dunedin, London, Washington, Sydney, Beijing and Taipei. Blueantmedia.com.

Okada Manila's Child’s PLAY - ‘Purposeful Learning and Activities for the Young

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“PLAY stands for ‘Purposeful Learning and Activities for the Young.’

It is Okada Manila’s family- friendly indoor fun facility where child’s play is elevated to an engaging and enriching experience,” says Ivaylo Ivanov, Vice President for Hotel Operations.

PLAY, Okada Manila's highly innovative and incredibly exciting kids' play and games facilities was unveiled last Saturday, Feb. 10.

We all know that creative, sporty, exploring activities provide a positive outlet for children (and adults) to express their emotions, and this starts at a very young age. 

When inspired learning is all fun and games and will set the children up as a creative thinker in all walks of life.

Parents are often told that the best way to help their kids learn is by allowing their little warriors to explore and experience things first hand through play. Learning starts from the moment kids are born, so it’s very important for parents to be able to provide them with tools and platforms that will allow them to unleash their potential.

Play is one, if not the most effective way for children to learn more about themselves and the world around them.1 It is through play that kids start building a sense of self-worth and where they begin to learn the ability to concentrate and let their imaginations run free. Drawing, doodling, or even playing with dough or dolls, for example, encourage children to become more creative and express themselves more freely. Letting them build their own structures through blocks, shapes, and puzzles, on the other hand, help them organize things and develop their sense of logic.

 Allowing them to interact with other kids through free play help them polish their social and motor skills while also improving their strength and immunity.

These are just a few of the things inspired learning through fun and games can do to children. Interestingly, this is also the very same approach Okada Manila is taking as it promotes the holistic development of kids of all ages with the opening of the latest inclusive and multi- functional entertainment and leisure facility within their expansive location: PLAY at Okada Manila.

Inspired approach to creative learning

Just when you thought you’ve seen and experienced basically everything that established play spaces in the metro can offer, along comes a new “play arena” that promises a lot more for your children than just a fun-filled playday.

Kids, toddlers can move around the cushioned play space, they all have great fun as they slide down mini and giant chutes, conquer padded obstacle courses, put basketballs through a hoop, play pretend grocery shopping with other kids their age, and sing and dance to their hearts delight at PLAY, Okada Manila’s latest play space and multi- functional learning arena.

PLAY at Okada Manila goes beyond with a full line of dedicated learning programs aimed at enhancing the holistic development of children.

PLAY’s management team is led by certified expert coaches and licensed teachers trained to provide guests the highest standard of care and fun learning.

The facility offers dedicated learning programs designed to address the developmental needs of children, which include:

(1) Colors and Creations, An arts and crafts program designed to develop creativity and imagination by improving the use of fine motor skills through detailing, color coordination and artistic impression plus work behavior like sitting tolerance, focus and concentration;

(2) Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, a program aimed at enhancing the child’s development as they explore the world around them. This also includes sessions for caregivers to stay updated and improve their communication, child-minding and domestic engineering skills, as well as one-on-one sessions for specific academic tutorial (e.g., math, science, and reading) and special needs therapy (i.e., occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy);

(3) Music and Movement, which help harness and showcase the natural talent of kids through group sessions focused on dance, music, and the performing arts; and

(4) Life Skills, where kids are trained on classes that focus on practical matters, such as social graces, good housekeeping, creative writing skills, anti-bullying, natural remedies, aromatherapy, and personal nutrition.

PLAY is an All-out fun for kids, tweenies, and teens

“We know for a fact that allowing children to play, explore, and interact with other children, either in a free or structured manner, rewards them with a lot more beyond just a few moments of fun,” adds Vikki Aquino, Director of Spa, Fitness and Recreation. “That’s basically the idea we had for PLAY. We want to have a space where they can learn, grow, and understand more of the world around them, all while they are having fun and simply being the kids that they are.”

PLAY is designed to become a multi-functional platform that addresses the recreation and learning needs of kids aged 1-16 years old. PLAY boasts of eight (8) purpose-built play areas that will reward kids with the fun and adventure they crave for, no matter what age they are in.

At Okada Manila, there's :

• Wizard’s Den, an interactive video game space where kids use gestures to defeat mythical creatures;

• Mini Steps & Mini Me, a dedicated play and learning space for children aged 0-3 years old;

• Little Town, which allows children hands-on play in a banking, postal, school, grocery and home environment to gain valuable learning and practical experience of every day grown-up life;

• Little Park, a two-level playground and maze where toddlers can spend their limitless energy and explore their physical strength;

• Sports Zone, an active zone with artificial grass court for sports games;

• Janguru, a multi-level playground and maze for kids over 110 centimeters

• The Stage, where kids can unleash their inner performer and cultivate their singing, dancing, acting, and public speaking skills;

• My Party Place, a gaming and events space that can host birthday parties, corporate events, team-building activities, or any special occasion.

The facility, which can be accessed via the Coral Wing lobby of Okada Manila, can accommodate up to 300 guests at a given time. It will also have several other features, like child-friendly comfort rooms, an emergency response team composed of first-aid qualified PLAY coaches and marshals, a snack bar, a kiddie gift shop, and over 30 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to ensure that kids will have all the fun they want within a convenient, safe, and secure environment.

Every child grows and develops at a pace that’s uniquely their own. See them fulfill early life milestones while they slide down giant chutes, conquer padded obstacle courses, put basketballs through a hoop, play pretend grocery shopping with other kids their age, and sing and dance to their hearts delight at PLAY, Okada Manila’s latest play space and multi- functional learning arena.

PLAY is at Coral Wing lobby of Okada Manila., open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday to Thursday and from 10a.m. to 12 midnight, Friday and Saturday. 

Visit Okada Manila’s official website at http://www.okadamanila.com and take the first big step towards enjoying purposeful learning and activities for your young warriors at PLAY.

Gold Seas bento lunches that will make kids crave for more

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It can be quite frustrating for moms to find out that their kid’s school lunch was mostly left uneaten. Not only do spoiled leftovers translate to a waste of food, time and resources, it also deprives growing kids of the nutrition they badly need.

Fortunately, there is now a fun, delicious and nutritious way to persuade fussy eaters to clean off their packed lunches and that’s by preparing meals bento box style. All it takes is bit of creativity, basic cooking tools like cookie cutters, and a hearty and wholesome food base or viand like Gold Seas Tuna Chunks.

Bento box expert Kat Maderazo, @bentobyKat on Instagram, came up with several easy-to-prepare recipes using Gold Seas Tuna Chunks to help busy work-at-home moms find a way to encourage their little ones to finish their meals whether they’re away at school or at the comfort of their own homes. 

Gold Seas Tuna Chunks is an ideal ingredient in making bento lunches and also an excellent source of protein and energy for developing kids. Made only of the finest ingredients, it is rich in Omega 3 and DHA, packed with more lean tuna meat and has lesser oil content compared to other brands which means more wholesome, chunky goodness for the entire family. Gold Seas Tuna Chunks is also responsibly fished, Halal-certified and packed in lithograph cans using a strict canning process to ensure that each can is as safe as it is appetizing. 

Serve nourishing yet delicious bento box lunches to your kids that they will surely enjoy. Choose among the 6 Gold Seas Tuna Chunks variants -- Yellowfin Tuna Chunks in Olive Oil, Olive Oil with Chili, Springwater, Tuna Chunks in Herb and Garlic, Lemon and Pepper and Mild Indian Curry for your other healthy recipes.

Gold Seas Tuna Nuggets

Serves: 8 medium sized nuggets

Ingredients:

1 can of Gold Seas Tuna Chunks in Herb and Garlic 185g

1/2 cup flour

Japanese breadcrumbs (to coat nuggets)

salt to taste

Dip: ketchup and mayonnaise

Steps:

1. Drain 1 can of Gold Seas Tuna Chunks in Herb and Garlic. 

2. Transfer to a mixing bowl and break the tuna chunks with a fork.

3. Mix 1/2 cup of flour and season with salt.

4. Mold into nuggets.

5. Generously coat nuggets with breadcrumbs. 

6. Bake or air fry for 10-15mins until slightly brown. 

7. Arrange in bento box with rice, vegetables and fruit. 

Gold Seas Tuna Mayo Sandwich (snack bento)

Serves: 2 big sandwiches 

1 can of Gold Seas Yellowfin Tuna Chunks in Springwater 185g

3/4 cup of mayonnaise

Salt to taste

Bread slices

1. Drain 1 can of Gold Seas Yellowfin Tuna Chunks in Springwater.

2. Mix the chunks with mayonnaise. Add some salt to taste.

3. Spread generously on bread. 

Gold Seas Tuna Chunks

Gold Seas Tuna Chunks is the pure, healthy, and chunky tuna choice for you and your family! With only premium tuna caught through sustainable fishing practices, every can of Gold Seas Tuna Chunks is filled with wholesome tuna goodness you will enjoy to the last bite. Gold Seas Tuna Chunks is available in all leading supermarkets, groceries and convenience stores and are offered in 90g (solo) and 185g (sharing) variants. To get the latest news and updates, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @goldseastunachunks 

Getting Seriously Addicted With Math, Try S.A.M. (Seriously Addictive Mathematics )

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Mathematics is considered by many students to be a very difficult subject in school. Math is not an easy subject to love. 

But it is not impossible.

How can teachers make math an interesting subject?

The key is teaching kids how to appreciate math by showing them the right fundamentals which they can apply both in a classroom setting or when they are solving math problems on their own.

S.A.M.’s Beginnings in Singapore

The people behind S.A.M are educators from the National Institute of Education in Singapore, led by Samuel Chia and Lau Chin Loong and a support team of Marshall Cavendish consultants. S.A.M or Seriously Addictive Mathematics is an international Singapore Math enrichment program with over 100 centres in 16 countries around the world including USA, Australia and Canada.

According to the TIMSS (Trends in International Maths & Science Study) survey, Singapore Math has been recognized as one of the most successful national programs in the world since 1995. The S.A.M program follows the Singapore Math Curriculum set out by the Ministry of Education and can either be a stand-alone or supplementary math program suitable for children aged 4-12 years old. What makes the SAM approach different from the other Singapore math programs in Philippines is that it is the only international Singapore Math program from Singapore.

Here in the Philippines, it was Enrich Asia which introduced S.A.M. to Filipino families. Enrich Asia is composed of professionals who actively scour the global education arena for new innovative approaches to engaging children and inspiring them to learn.

The Holistic Math Approach of S.A.M.

The S.A.M Approach to Mathematics combines the benefits of personalized coaching, which happens in the classroom in the company of other children with self-learning and self-discovery, which happens when work is taken home. The S.A.M Approach is designed to introduce new concepts in incremental yet sure steps to make learning easier.

During class, the trainers of S.A.M. introduce and explain the concepts and the lesson objective. The child then reinforces and applies this knowledge on his own at home through daily worksheets planned and prepared by SAM. Corrections or clarifications, if any, are done during the session the following week. 

The Values Instilled by S.A.M.

The advantage of S.A.M. is that it instills discipline, responsibility and independent learning within your child. These values are not just useful in his math subjects but could prove to be helpful as a child tackles his other school subjects.

S.A.M.’s Approach to Math

More than just rote learning, drill and practice, SAM aims to develop math skills going into the 21st century. These skills revolve around heuristics, logical reasoning, metacognitive understanding, modeling techniques and situational word problems. Rather than focusing on rote learning, quick fixes and maverick methods, the S.A.M program builds on kids’ foundation in Mathematics so that they can learn self-reliantly in their later years in school.

The once a week teachings provided by S.A.M. is a well-thought of process that guides yet steers a child towards learning math independently yet effectively. S.A.M. programs start children with an assessment, so they start at a comfortable point. Here, both their strengths and weaknesses are identified so the mentors will know which to polish or focus on. There are also no memorizations involved in teaching kids how to answer math problems, ensuring that understanding is the essence of every learning objective. 

And because what they learn are the concepts, the greater benefit is that the skills taught through S.A.M. stays with a person well into adulthood, where math ceases to be just a subject, and already a way of life. 

Our Lady of Pilar Montessori Center : The First Montessori School in Las Pinas City

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As the first Montessori school in the city of Las Pinas, we have been leading the way in advocating excellence in our education system. For more than thirty eight years now, we have continually evolved and improved our approaches to learning while maintaining our mission of equipping our children to become life-long learners. 

One main advocacy that we are spearheading is that fun and learning should go hand in hand. We believe that when we enjoy what we study and experience, the learning is exponential. This is the main reason why we are giving free summer programs to our community for more than 7 years now. We just wanted your children to enjoy and have fun.

For OLPMC, it is something to cherish, it is so remarkable to see the smiles on their faces. And it is at this point that we would like to thank each and every one who made OLPMC a part of your child’s summer experience. 

For those who would want to continue their learning experience with us for FREE, Our Bridge Programs will start on May 22, 2017. (English and Math)

We also conduct FREE entrance examinations from Preschool to Grade 10 from Monday to Fridays, 8:30-11:30 am and 1:30-3:30 in the afternoon. On Saturdays, 8:30-11:30 am only.

The role of Moms play in molding young athletes

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Parents help mold a young athlete, combining home, school, sports and leisure time can be difficult and they help focus young minds and provide the correct balance between activities.

Balance, agility and coordination skills are learned with emphasis on the fun, enjoyment and social aspect of the sport.

Basketball has always been considered the unofficial national sport of the Philippines. Just count the number of basketball courts – makeshift or otherwise – in any given city or barangay and you can surmise how popular the game is among Filipinos. It is no wonder that more and more kids are picking up the sport at younger age.

To help nourish these young athletes’ love and skill for the game, Alaska has again launched the Jr. NBA Philippines 2017.

A partnership between Alaska Milk and NBA Philippines, the Jr. NBA Program aims to cultivate young athletes’ potential through a series of school and open basketball clinics, Regional Selection Camps, a National Training Program and the NBA experience trip. It also seeks to help these young talents form the habit of getting the right nourishment by drinking milk and through leading a healthy and active lifestyle. 

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), obesity has become one of the most pressing nutritional issues of Filipino children today with about five in 100 Filipino kids who are overweight. Alaska Milk emphasizes the need for children to start leading healthier, energetic and nutritionally-balanced lifestyles through programs like the Jr. NBA Philippines to entice kids to put down their gadgets and pick up a sport instead.

Photo: Vince Custodio Facebook 

And as moms, you can help your budding basketball player reach his or her star athlete potential.

Here’s how you can support your young champ from the sidelines. 

Demonstrate SPORTSMANSHIP. 

Not every game your champ will be in will be as clean as a whistle. Kids will be kids. So, don’t be surprised if they play rough sometimes. Teach your son or daughter to be the “bigger” athlete by taking the high road. If for instance, your kid’s team loses a game or an important point, teach him to refocus instead of losing steam. Train him to reassess what he could have done better and how he can apply it next time.

Learn the game further with your kid. Brush up on some Basketball 101 by going online, watching games or just asking other basketball fans. Before you know it, you both can comment on the directions of the point guard, critique the flow of the movement in the paint, and observe how the team executes zone defense and triangle offense like the best of them.

Emphasize the value of TEAMWORK. 

 Do you remember when you were a kid and you didn’t want to follow rules or just wanted to be let alone? Well chances are, your child will also have a spell and will refuse to go to practice. Be understanding, yet firm. Tell him that he is a crucial part of the team and that he should feel privileged to be part of it. Help him realize the importance of commitment and teamwork.

Cultivate a positive ATTITUDE.

One of the mistakes most parents commit is that they pressure their child to perform well and win the game. Don’t overburden your child by focusing on the outcome of their game. Emphasize to them that what is most important is that they are enjoying every minute of what they are doing. Allow them to discover the highlight of the sport and to fall in love with every aspect of the game because once they’re hooked, their dedication, passion and performance will follow.

Give time and space. Big name athletes didn’t excel in their sport overnight. They practiced, practiced and practiced. If you want your child to reach his potential, don’t be afraid to give him the time and space to practice. Let him dribble away during his spare time, watch and rewind recorded NBA games, or even bring his basketball with him wherever he goes.

Highlight the importance of RESPECT.

In professional sports, athletes are often pitted against each other. While your budding star athlete is still young, make him realize that his only real competition himself. Show him to benchmark against his own personal bests and not see or tag other athletes as “the enemy.”

You also need to become a good example. Leave the coaching to the coaches. Let’s face it, it’s hard to shake off the game even when you get home. Stop yourself from over analyzing each move point by point or from criticizing your kid’s play. Your job as parent is to be their quiet strength and their pillar of support – even when they lost the deciding point. Be an encourager and not their worst critic.

Remember, the most powerful yet simple thing a mother can do for a young athlete is to provide unconditional love and support. Nourish your child in and out of the court. Ensure that your child gets the proper food and nutrition while undergoing training. This helps them perform better by powering up their bodies to function at its optimum and has the “fuel” needed to recover after training day. Drink Alaska Chocolate Powdered Milk Drink. It has energizing nutrients namely, magnesium, calcium and potassium that keep young athletes' bodies in winning form.

And as always, be their number one fan by telling your kid you love them before or after every game, whether they win or lose.

With your love, support, and the proper training and nourishment, your son and daughter has the potential to make it to the big leagues. Help them reach their dreams.