Women Lines

Shalini Kapoor is the Founder and Director of Little Artists, an art studio in, Singapore, which celebrates Art through children – to imbue their lives with colour, form, texture and composition. When Shalini established Little Artists, it was the confluence of two major passions-Art and Teaching children. She has special ability to train children in Art. She coordinates the entire art program, monitors the development /progress of all children and trains the staff at the studio. It is an entrepreneurial journey of 14 years which expanded without any marketing and advertisements channels but just on word of mouth publicity. At some point Shalini found it very challenging to manage the studio herself and then she started hiring teachers. Today there are 25 teachers working under her  both on full time and on freelancing basis. These teachers are professionally qualified in the field of arts and are trained specially as per requirement of the studio.A down to earth personality, Shalini finds enjoyment in every activity she gets involved, even she considers cooking as an art which has to be delivered with creativity.Womenlines is proud to share about Shalini’s journey in the field of arts with its readers-

1)Tell us a bit about yourself

I am an art educator and an entrepreneur, heading art studios which provide specialized art education to children (age 2 1/2 to 17) and adults. We provide full range of curriculum, at every age and stage, which is tailored to their abilities and aptitude, grow their skills, eventually train them enough to be able to succeed in school and later lead them to Art Colleges globally.I am a graduate of Sophia Institute Mumbai, specializing in Design and Art. Before embarking upon teaching, I was a full time fashion and textile designer for various buying houses, with clients like Gap, Banana Republic, Billabong, Levis, Pier 1 etc. I then took a career break to pursue my passion in fine arts and later specialized in traditional Indian art. Art has always been my passion, since childhood.I loved my career as a designer as it brought its own daily dose of excitement. However, when I came to Singapore, instead of taking up a similar job here,  I felt the need to do something that comes naturally to me and is fulfilling. I love children and had a natural ability to teach and understand them. Once I started, there was no stopping. The studio grew not because I had planned it that way but because of the response and support from keen parents. Little Artists is the outcome of parents’ appreciation and a faith in my teaching philosophy.

2.When did you start your company? Where? And what motivated you to start it?

I arrived in Singapore in 1996, as an expat wife, accompanying my husband in his career move.I started the studio in 1997. I felt there was a need in Singapore, for a good quality art education for children. When I saw how children were taught in different art classes, I could see something was missing.Another thing that got me involved in teaching is my love for children. They get along with me very well and I love their company. It is one of those non observable bonds that exist between me and children.I have always derived happiness from seeing a child develop and feel confident.I believe in everyone getting chances, so I do not give up on people or children. I know that if I have class full of kids, I would want them ALL to be successful. I believe in finding unique solution to each and every student’s problem. With all the chances I was given as a kid, I should give all of my students as many chances as they need to achieve their potential. We have had many special needs kids who had no hope in academics but were interested to learn art. With many years of learning now they have become capable enough to aspire to pursue art as their career choice. This is absolutely satisfying and motivating for me

3.Any challenges that you had to face in the initial days?

I never looked at my work as a business, but as a mission.  I consciously resisted the pressure to grow the studio at a rapid speed, in spite of high demand  at all times. We always took only those many students whom we can give full time and attention. My greatest challenge was that the demand of the program was always superseding the studio capacity. Many times parents would get upset after waiting for too long. I didn’t want to take students and don’t do my best as I carry a moral and professional responsibility.I had to also make sure that the staff working with me is also as committed and maintains the same quality of teaching.It was hard to find such people. Overall I have been fortunate to have worked with wonderful people who aligned themselves well to the ethos of the studio. Another challenging period was during the SARS epidemic and economic down turns, but we stuck to our values, did not retrench any staff, but used that period to enhance their skills.

4.How do you balance your personal and professional life?

I belong to a very close knit family and am very close to my parents. Therefore I would like my children to have the same feeling for me.  I believe in clear allocation of time for my personal and professional life.I have two kids 10 and 4. I spend daily quality time with my children, play with them ,help them with their homework’s or be present in their school  and social activity as much as possible. On the days I am not working I take them out or plan a day where they have a different kind of learning with fun. I love to paint with my sons or go to the beach cycling. I like to talk to them and listen to their day to day happenings.I believe in having a balance in life. It is very important to set your priorities, be organized and be disciplined. Nobody can be 100 % perfect every day, but I try my best to fill up my day meaningfully.

5.What would you suggest to other aspiring women, who want to venture out on their own?

I would say be passionate about what you want to do and dedicate yourself to your work. Have a strong belief in what you do If you are good the rest will happen by itself.

6.Is there any person who has mentored /supported /inspired you

My husband Sanjeev has been my greatest source of support and inspiration He has always guided me to look at the big picture and not to let small problems deter me from my path. Being himself from Business Management School (IIMB), he has mentored me very closely in many aspects of my work. I do think that I would not have reached this far without him. He has been my true friend, mentor and guide and I dedicate my work to him.

My other source of inspiration comes from my mother who has always encouraged me to be independent and my dad, who is a homeopathic physician of national fame in India. He is a very hardworking and a positive man. He is 79 and still working. He loves his work and finds joy in curing cases which were declared incurable. He has taught me to find joy in what I do. According to him your work should be your greatest source of relaxation, and then you don’t need so many holidays!!

7.What do you have in the pipeline for your company?

I would want all children who are part of Little Artists to be successful and find their path in the field of visual art. I want the studio to be always a place of quality learning, for those who are seeking for real knowledge.Till we continue to meet the above two fundamentals, the studio can   grow and shape up organically to its potential.

A believer of quote “Painting is an extension of man’s means of communication, As such,it’s pure,difficult, and wonderful.”Shalini believes in giving back to society. She has done a lot of  work with SAMH (Singapore Association of mental health) as a visiting art therapist and has received rewards and recognition  for her services . She has  also contributed to  SCARF (Schizophrenia  Research foundation). Womenlines wishes best of luck to Shalini for her future!

Visit http://little-artists.com/index.php to know about Shalini’s venture.

Friends are for always and that goes for women too!

We need friends to laugh with, to dance with, with whom we can get that support which we cannot get from our families. Friendship is very important for our emotional health and particularly friendship with our female friends. We need girl friends for our coffee breaks, for night out, morning walks or even when we take our children to park.

Whole day passes out and we are acting like mothers, wifes, employees, daughter-in-law, only friends are there who care about our opinions and feelings. They also enhance how we feel about ourselves.

Sometimes we are so caught up in daily chores that our girlfriends  are the only person who reach down to us and let us slow down. They can share our experience, listen to our stories, tell us jokes, .

It does not minimizes our other relations but we need different relations for different reasons.

Our female friends are those with whom we find our precious moments to reprieve with. . We can let down our hair. We can let down our guard. We can be selfish. We can crack jokes. We can be ourselves and relax.

Friends are really precious to us so always take care of your friends!

Social responsibility is an ethical theory that every individual has some duties towards the development of the society at large!

Society progresses when growth happens evenly for all sections. It’s not necessary that every section of the society progresses together. As responsible human beings we should contribute towards the progress of the underprivileged section of the society. In order to continue with the concept in coming generations, it is very necessary that children should know about the concept at very early age so that they can carry out their responsibility very well when they grow up.

There are various ways through which social responsibility can be taught. First of all we have to become role model ourselves, so in order to teach our kids first practice what you want them to do. Become a member of a social organization. Start doing volunteer work and help the needy as and when required. In this way, parents make valuable contributions to both society and to their children’s own personal well-being.

Local food drives, in which various organizations collect  foods  which is distributed to families in need, are an excellent opportunity for parents to introduce children to concepts of social responsibility. Even young children are able to understand what it is to not have food. Humanizing the issue makes it less abstract and easier for children to empathize with those in need.

Social responsibility of respecting each other and working together in a group is also important lesson in life for children. They should be having the understanding to learn and respect the ideas of others in their classroom and work together happily with any group.

There are numerous ways and acts which we can carry out in our daily life to motivate our children to be socially responsible. We as a human are socially responsible for our environment, our surroundings, and our society , so work together for pleasant progress of everybody!

Myyoungchild.org is an Internet site for online stories about different good qualities.

Stories have always been a part of life for every kid around. In old times when there were joint families there grandparents were always having bundles of stories to share with little ones of the family. These stories touching various topics like importance of honesty in life, helping others, were quite helpful in teaching kids the basic values of life. In today’s times when most families are nuclear then site myyoungchild.org will definitely help parents to occupy their kids in some quality time spending on Internet. Information below is a sort of official information regarding site-

As a parent, do you get a sinking feeling when you turn on the television news and hear tales of children shooting children, of parents hiding their son in an attic to attract attention to their weather balloon invention, of famed performers and sports players spewing disrespectful comments—to say nothing of swindlers like Bernie Maddox?

Myyoungchild.org provides just the resources parents and educators need to help teach children values and ethics in a world that sometimes seems adrift.

Sixteen beautifully illustrated online stories present situations that 3-7 year old children can relate to: learning right from wrong, sharing at school, respecting friends and grandparents, telling the truth, being fair and responsible, developing patience, dealing with bullies, showing good manners and more. The stories on the easily accessible site use entertaining characters in situations that children can connect to their daily lives. Each story is followed by parenting tips targeted to specific social and ethical skills—tips that explain to parents at what age children can understand different moral concepts, how to talk to their children about these issues, and examples of how parents can help their children develop these values and ethics. A 3-minute online video illustrates through pictures and quotations the rewards of parenting, and is ideal to be used in a school setting with parents. Other educational sections on the website include suggestions for parents on how to teach literacy, suggestions for educators on how to teach values and social skills in the curriculum, and how to use the stories to develop literacy. All the materials on Myyoungchild.org can be downloaded and used freely with children, parents and educators.

Myyoungchild.org is a non-profit site developed by the Early Parenting Foundation. It was begun by Wilbur S. Edwards, a recent retiree from a long career in the educational video production market, who felt strongly that certain values were lacking in our society. He enlisted Nancy Morgan, an educational consultant he had worked with before, and Holly Bell, a preschool teacher and illustrator, to create the online stories. “Our stories give parents and teachers the tools so they can discuss important values with children such as honesty, integrity, respect, and civility—values that are so needed in our society today. Our goal is to help children make good choices and lead more satisfying lives,” says Edwards.

For more information, visit Myyoungchild.org or contact Wilbur Edwards of the Early Parenting Foundation at 847.381.0768.

A must visit site for every parent!

Recognizing children’s assets is another way which can helps us in moulding our child’s behaviour positively!

When we think of assets, we usually think about money in the bank or property, and natural resources like oil or gold. But every human being also has personal assets like gift of heart, mind, and that’s his true wealth. The more a person understands what these are and develops them , the richer his or her life will be. I came across this thought in one parenting book -”Every child is unique in himself. There may be particular talents, strengths, and conditions that are natural to follow when he or she learns. Being ineffective and going against a child’s grain is what squanders human resources. A willingness to wonder and be curious with a child about how to use his or her assets to overcome challenges increases effectiveness.”

There are different patterns which can help in determining those assets in our kids. Observe these features-

1.What are our child’s accomplishments?

2.What helps our child to concentrate , make decisions, and imagine new possibilities?

3. We have to give a thought on innate ways of thinking that our child excels at and is energized by.

It is emphasized in some parenting books that “Children whose assets have been recognized and supported are strong learners who trust their own abilities, they know and can explain how they learn and recognize what they need in any given situation. They can maximize both internal and external resources to satisfy those needs. They have ready access to their inventiveness, courage, intuition, and concentration. They know how to solve problem creatively, to care for themselves, to think well with others, to motivate themselves, and to evaluate their own performance. They know they matter, they know they are important, they know they can make difference to world”.

How much important is to recognize our child’s assets!

As a parent we have to shift our attention to child’s capabilities. Instead of worrying that our kid is not up to some performance like other kids, or giving generalized comments to our child with a thought of motivating him we have to  change our thinking pattern. We should notice what is true of our child’s capabilities, what he or she has accomplished, learned and achieved.  This recognition nourishes a child’s inherent sense of self-worth, the understanding that he or she possesses certain gifts, and it is her responsibility to share with rest of the world. (continued)