A Different Kind of Classroom
In Bukit Timah, Elfin Ng runs a quiet but powerful space. Her studio, stART Studio, helps children feel seen, not judged. She uses art to connect with children who feel overwhelmed, unheard, or anxious. Many of these children have ADHD, autism, or emotional struggles.
Elfin is not just a teacher. She is a counselor, a mother, and a guide. Her goal is to help children and parents slow down, breathe, and rebuild trust.
Letting Go of the Pressure
Elfin speaks often about the harm of tiger parenting. She does not reject discipline. She rejects pressure that crushes.
She tells parents to stretch their children gently. “Stretching is fine,” she says. “Snapping is not.” Parents often want fast results. But children need space. They need warmth. They need support, not fear.
Elfin helps parents rethink discipline. Instead of raising voices, she teaches them to listen. Instead of chasing top scores, she teaches them to celebrate effort.
Stories That Stay With You
Elfin has worked with children who come from tough homes. One boy was autistic and angry. His parents, unsure how to cope, once locked him in a storeroom and played ghost sounds to control his behavior. Another child lashed out at a sibling, confused and overwhelmed.
Elfin doesn’t just observe. She sits with the pain. She draws it out through paint and play. She offers tools like visualizing anger or using art to express fear. Then, she helps parents see what their child is really trying to say.
She says healing starts when parents stop trying to fix and start trying to feel.
Art as a Bridge
At stART Studio, the art is not for display. It is not judged. It is not graded. Children paint to feel safe. They draw to express what words cannot carry. The Growth ART Program is not a normal art class. It helps children who feel lost or misunderstood.
Some children come in quiet and withdrawn. Elfin pairs them with activities that connect, not confront. Over time, children grow more open. Parents begin to understand them better. The results are quiet but deep.
“When a child paints with their parent beside them,” Elfin says, “they feel safe. They feel seen.”
Helping Parents Heal Too
Elfin works with parents as much as she works with children. She gives them progress notes. She helps them reflect. She listens without blame.
Many parents come with guilt. Some feel helpless. Others feel tired. Elfin meets them where they are. She shows them that small changes matter. A calm voice. A shared task. A single moment of eye contact.
These steps build new patterns. Slowly, the home becomes safer. Trust grows again.
A Book for a New Kind of Parent
Elfin is writing a book. It will help more parents understand her approach. The book will share true stories, simple tools, and clear steps.
She reminds parents: “Children are not projects. They are people.” Her message is simple. Progress matters more than perfection. Effort matters more than outcome.
She believes every child can grow if given care, not commands.
What $88 Can Still Do
During her podcast on The Golden Nuggets, Elfin was asked a tough question. What would she do if she lost everything and had only $88?
She answered with calm. “I’d offer my skills to parents,” she said. She would teach. She would help. She would serve.
That answer says everything about her mission. She does not lead with money. She leads with meaning.
Extracting Golden Nuggets
Elfin’s story is clear, honest, and full of hope. Here are the lessons:
- Children don’t need fixing. They need feeling.
- Art can say what words cannot. Use it.
- Parenting is not a checklist. It’s a connection.
- Healing starts at home—with small steps.
- Start with what you have. Help where you can.
Elfin shows us that big change starts with small acts. A paintbrush. A question. A shared smile.
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