exam - CURIO SG

"After weeks of hard work, treat your kids to a fun-filled adventure—they’ve earned it!"

Exams are finally over, and after weeks of hard work and dedication, your kids deserve a well-earned break. They’ve studied hard to bring their best, and now it’s the perfect time to reward them with a fun experience. Here are some must-visit spots this October that will make for the ideal post-exam treat for your kids!

Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience (31 Aug – 27 Oct 2004)

For a post-exam treat that will spark your child’s imagination and sense of wonder, consider bringing them to Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience. This surreal, colourful world of bubbles offers an unforgettable adventure for kids and adults. Making its debut in the Asia-Pacific region, straight from Milan, this immersive event takes visitors into fantastical bubble-filled landscapes, with countless opportunities to discover and interact with bubbles like never before.

Bubble Planet features more than 10 themed rooms designed to create an exciting adventure. In the LED Room, you’ll find an underwater world inhabited by glowing sea creatures, while the Bubble Ocean surrounds visitors with an ocean of living, floating balloons. The Giant Bubble Dome offers the sensation of stepping inside an enormous bubble, and the Bubble Bath Pit is a massive ball pit that promises hours of fun for kids.

There’s also plenty of cutting-edge technology to enjoy. The Soap Bubbles show, led by futuristic robots, puts an innovative spin on traditional bubbles, while the Sketch and Post room allows kids to see their drawings come to life in real-time. The Interactive Shop is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and capture fun moments with family photos. There are many more themed rooms to discover.

For an even more immersive experience, children can explore rooms featuring VR technology, a hot air balloon flight simulator, and mesmerising illusions. The entire experience lasts around 60 to 90 minutes and is located at Hall 8B, 9 Somapah Road, Singapore Expo, 487370. You can easily select your preferred date and time when purchasing tickets here.

The Art of the Brick: An Exhibition of LEGO® Art (31 Aug – 27 Oct 2004)

Recognised by CNN as one of the “Must-See” exhibitions, this world-renowned show has toured over 100 cities across 24 countries with its incredible LEGO creations.

At The Art of the Brick, you’ll discover how over one million LEGO bricks have been transformed into more than 150 stunning works of art. Highlights include a nearly 20-foot-long T-Rex, life-size human figures, and sculptures of various animals.

The exhibition also features LEGO recreations of famous masterpieces, such as Michelangelo’s David, Van Gogh’s Starry Night, and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Beyond viewing the art, kids can unleash their creativity in the playground area, where they can build their sculptures.

The venue is located at Hall 8B, 9 Somapah Road, Singapore Expo, 487370. To plan your visit, simply select your preferred date and time when purchasing tickets here.

Monet Inside: An Immersive Exhibition (4 – 31 Oct 2004)

If your kids enjoy art and technology, take them to Monet Inside: An Immersive Exhibition. This unique experience celebrates the work of Claude Monet, one of the most inspiring artists of the 20th century and a founding father of the Impressionist movement. It’s a fantastic way to introduce young minds to the beauty of art while immersing them in a world of colour and creativity.

Monet Inside invites visitors to dive into over 200 of Monet’s greatest works, projected on five enormous six-metre-tall screens. Accompanied by an evocative musical score, the exhibition transforms Monet’s art into a dynamic, living experience, where his vibrant colours and brushstrokes envelop you. The experience is enriched by the narration of Paul Durand-Ruel, offering insightful storytelling that brings a deeper understanding of Monet’s life and art.

For families who love taking photos, the exhibition offers plenty of opportunities to capture beautiful, memorable shots. Before leaving, don’t forget to visit the art shop, where you can find unique souvenirs inspired by Monet’s work.

Located on the 3rd floor, No. 600 North Bridge Road, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778, Monet Inside is the perfect way to spark an interest in art. Tickets are available for purchase now here, with the exhibition running from October 4 to 31, 2024. Don’t miss out on this enriching post-exam experience!

For more of the best places to visit with family in Singapore, check out March Holidays: 5 Epic Activities in Singapore!, Big Fun: Five Awesome Activities for Kids in SG, and A Playful Visit to the Museum of Ice Cream with Kids.

"Everyone is used to hearing maxims like “Stay Motivated!” or “Persevere! You can do it!” but no one tells us HOW."

Whether you have had to live through trying to motivate yourself through the ups and downs of the school year in 2020 or whether you struggle with motivation anyway, this article is for you. Everyone is used to hearing maxims like “Stay Motivated!” or “Persevere! You can do it!” but no one tells us HOW. So, we stumble along, try this and that. Truth is, there is a method to motivation, and the key to getting there is understanding the WHAT. What is Motivation?

The What

Educational psychologists espouse two main types of motivation, namely intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Ever become so engrossed in learning or doing something that you forgot to eat and didn’t even notice several hours slip by? Intrinsic motivation shows up when we have such an intense, genuine interest in the topic or subject that learning itself becomes a pleasure, and an all absorbing activity. Extrinsic motivation is when we have an external reward at the outcome of our learning. Good grades or a reward from parents for doing well are classic examples of extrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic motivation is of course, highly desired by us all, and it has been linked clearly with higher levels of academic achievement and better mental health. It’s impossible for us however, to conjure up intrinsic motivation whenever we feel like it. Calculus can’t always be done in a burst of inspiration, and neither can that history essay on World War II.

Some people use a mixture of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to push themselves. Enjoying the study of Shakespeare will be so much better with an A1 to show for it. Using a mixture of the two types of motivation is probably the best way for most students to push themselves and move forward.

The How: Intrinsic Motivation

Find a place where you study best, be it a cafe, your kitchen table or the school library, and stick to the few places where you feel both comfortable and undistracted.
Decide an order in which you will tackle your homework or study plan, whether it’s starting with the hardest bits first or the other way around, but have a plan.
Adults, nag less and praise more. praise creates intrinsic motivation when it’s heartfelt and celebrates effort (e.g. “you worked really hard,” vs. “you’re so clever”) and communicates encouragement, not pressure (e.g. “you’re doing really well, keep it up” vs. “you’re doing really well, just like I asked you to”)

The How: Extrinsic Motivation

They can be really really small rewards, but very useful. 45 minutes of studying followed by say, a bubble tea or 10 minutes of TikTok or a 15 minute power nap. Even ticking off a to-do list can provide a sense of accomplishment. Make sure it’s at least somewhat healthy or enjoyable without destroying your rhythm and focus, then get right back to studying.
Study in intervals and figure out the best combination for you. It can be 25 minutes of study followed by a 5 minute break or 75 minutes study followed by a 15 minute break. You do you.
Adults, talk to kids about their extrinsic motivations and then give them a little boost along the way, whether it’s hugs or Hawaiian pizza.

There are incredibly creative ways to keep your motivation going, and they do indeed carry on into adulthood and work life. Try different ways until you figure out what works best for you. Importantly, don’t kick yourself when you’re down. Everyone has bad days when they feel like they can’t get anything done. Move on to the next day, and try, try, try again.

Where to Bring Your Kids for a Post-Exam Treat