2021 is the Year of the Ox. Find out what’s your child’s Chinese zodiac animal, ascribed attributes (plus some parenting tips) and what’s in store for the new year as we transition from one animal to the next.
Ox
Born In: 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Compatibility: Rat, Snake, Rooster
Lucky Colours: Yellow, Green, White
Personality: Oxen are diligent, honest, persistent and family-oriented. They prefer playing with siblings above anyone else. If your Ox child is an only child, try to arrange for regular playtime with other children so that s/he can feel something close to the brother/sister kinship.
Parenting Tips: Creatures of habit, Oxen do best with a set schedule and routine. Feeling useful motivates them, so get them to help out with the household chores and keep the rules simple and straightforward. If ever they need some disciplining, the broken record technique is a good tool. Just repeat the rule over and over again. Good news, Oxen are not prone to throwing tantrums.
2021 Predictions: Oxen may encounter unexpected challenges in their studies this year, which can leave them feeling emotional and stressed out. However, there will be promised stability as Oxen are inherently hardworking and determined, and this helps bring a sense of steadiness to their learning journey. Oxen may be more prone to catching minor infections this year, so try to exercise more often to keep that immune system up.
Tiger
Born In: 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Compatibility: Dragon, Horse, Pig
Lucky Colours: Blue, Grey, Orange
Personality: Tigers are courageous, brave and adventurous in spirit. They will have no problem putting their brilliant ideas into practice. If something is wrong, Tigers are definitely not shy to voice out, at the same time, they are willing to offer assistance to friends in need.
Parenting Tips: Tigers are natural leaders and they can wind up being bossy. Parents will have to impose discipline and remind them who’s the boss before they start to think that they are running the show. However, it is not easy for little Tigers to take advice. Try positive reinforcement instead; Tigers thrive on praise.
2021 Predictions: The overall fortune for Tigers is positive and stable, which means more energy to concentrate on learning and a great year to achieve progress towards educational goals. This year, Tigers will be inspired to become the best versions of themselves and explore a new hobby, sport or enrichment activity.
Rabbit
Born In: 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Compatibility: Goat, Pig
Lucky Colours: Red, Pink, Purple
Personality: Rabbits are gentle and compassionate souls. They may appear timid but deep down they are confident and strong, moving steadily towards their goals. They are not affected by others and tend to avoid conflicts.
Parenting Tips: While Rabbits may look innocent, they may develop a mischievous streak as they grow up. Keep cool with the criticism as they don’t do well with harsh discipline, even constructive criticism. Shower them with lots of love. They will pay it forward by being kind to siblings and other children.
2021 Predictions: Rabbits will also enjoy a great year in terms of education. They will be challenged to step outside their comfort zones. Despite the initial unease, these new experiences will help awaken new ambitions. Rabbits tend to be shy but the year of the Ox encourages bravery. It can boost confidence and help the Rabbit child make more friends.
Dragon
Born In: 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Compatibility: Rat, Snake, Monkey
Lucky Colours: White, Gold, Silver
Personality: Dragons, the mythical symbol of power, are no doubt confident creatures strategically planning their way towards success. They are talented with strong leadership skills and never slack off responsibilities.
Parenting Tips: As the most ambitious sign, little Dragons love pretending to be entrepreneurs. Set them up with a toy cash register and lemonade stand, or bring them along to work with you (if your workplace allows). With such innate qualities, dragons are naturally popular; many friends will flock to them. Therefore, it’s important to teach them at a young age to accept others for being different, saving them from falling into this zodiac’s proclivity towards snobbery.
2021 Predictions: Generally, there will be no major impact on the Dragons’ educational journey this year. Just a reminder, don’t become complacent and continue to focus on the big picture. Continue to keep a healthy lifestyle by eating well and doing moderate exercise every day.
Snake
Born In: 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Compatibility: Dragon, Rooster, Ox
Lucky Colours: Red, Yellow, Black
Personality: The Snake child is usually a deep-thinker, one who is skeptical about a lot of things. But when chaos happens, trust the Snake to lead others out of the woods with his/her quick-thinking skills and fast reaction speeds.
Parenting Tips: Be delicate and patient when trying to draw them out of their internal distress. A calm and stable home life is essential to a Snake child’s emotional well-being. Don’t force them to socialise until they have had time to warm up. It pays to send them to nursery or play classes early so they won’t be so reticent about their feelings and won’t develop a loner complex.
2021 Predictions: In the Chinese zodiac, Snakes get along well with the Ox. Therefore, the Year of the Ox will bring good luck to Snakes in all areas of life. Teachers, family members and friends will serve as the Snake’s lucky stars, providing relevant support at times in need such as studying for a test. A rewarding year for achievements could lead to exhaustion and fatigue, so be careful not to let that wear you out. Take a few quick brain breaks or try some yoga.
Horse
Born In: 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Compatibility: Tiger, Goat, Dog
Lucky Colours: Yellow, Green
Personality: Horses are free spirits, energetic and enthusiastic about life. Independent and outgoing, they are fond of being around children of all cultures. As the zodiac’s traveller, they are ready to explore the world since the day they are born. Extra child proofing will definitely be needed before they understand what are off-limits and dangerous.
Parenting Tips: Just like real horses, this zodiac’s wild child loves to be outside, playing in the dirt. They hate being confined by rules, so plenty of freeform play and nature-inspired learning environments (like Little Urban Forest and IDRISSI Preschool) will be beneficial. Time management might be an issue for Horses; they won’t stop playing and socialising. Teach them to pay attention to the clock.
2021 Predictions: Though the stars of the Horse will clash with the Ox, the education prospects of Horse students will not be significantly affected. This is a good time to learn new skills and be equipped to achieve future academic success. Clashing with the stars of the animal of that year can spell trouble for the Horse’s health. To counteract these effects, pick up healthy activities and pay special attention to daily habits.
Goat
Born In:1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Compatibility: Horse, Rabbit, Pig
Lucky Colours: Red, Purple, Brown
Personality: Goats are the ones that usually treat their parents with filial piety. This gentlest one amongst the 12 zodiac animals is loving, kind, always cares about the feelings of others and rarely loses his/her temper.
Parenting Tips: If ever there was a zodiac sign that needed to be reminded of the “don’t talk to strangers” rule, it is the Goat. Generous to a fault, Goats are more than willing to share their toys or snacks with their playmates. They do love a special treat themselves too and they respond well to the reward system (click here for a printable one). But use this sparingly.
2021 Predictions: 2021 will be an uphill battle for little Goats. Remember to keep your chin up, your luck will improve towards the end of the year. Find constructive ways to deal with it, like creating a detailed study schedule and be more disciplined; positive long-term habits will lead to good academic achievements down the road. Good thing Goats are blessed with positive vibes that can’t be harmed by any amount of frustration or challenges.
Monkey
Born In: 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Compatibility: Dragon, Rat
Lucky Colours: Blue, White, Gold
Personality: The most defining trait of a Monkey is intelligence with a daredevil streak to match. These mischievous little pranksters are born with a brilliant mind that can win awards and praises from teachers. This can lead them to become self-centred and easily jealous.
Parenting Tips: Monkeys love to compete; let them join competitions where they can shine as individuals. One caveat: Monkeys can be clever and cunning; don’t get manipulated into favouring them. These children will only rebel if someone tries to tame their antics. A Monkey’s parent’s best bet is to enjoy the show.
2021 Predictions: Monkeys are bound to have many new adventures this year and there will be many decisions to make. They will be particularly popular in their social settings. Be prepared to collect a bunch of super cute DIY kids Valentine’s at school!
Rooster
Born In: 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Compatibility: Snake, Ox
Lucky Colours: Yellow, Gold, Brown
Personality: Roosters are bright and communicative. They are perfectionists who may rip up their drawings if they don’t like their Crayola masterpieces.
Parenting Tips: Disciplining Roosters won’t be difficult; these responsible little ones love to make mummy and daddy proud. Their natural sense of order makes them good bassists and drummers. Let them rock out the beat and pray that you can stand the noise!
2021 Predictions: Luck is on your side, Roosters. This is an excellent year to turn dreams into reality. Everything will be smooth sailing and opportunities will present themselves throughout the year. Remember to seize upon them! You will experience a general sense of optimism and be at your physical best.
Dog
Born In: 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Compatibility: Rabbit, Horse, Tiger
Lucky Colours: Green, Red, Purple
Personality: Loyal to friends, Dog are great listeners who can keep a secret. Everyone needs a Dog mate. They are naturally cautious so they could need longer before accepting new friends into their social circles.
Parenting Tips: This active sign needs to jump, climb fences and race around. Just keep a box of plasters handy, there may be a few casual bruises and scraped knees. They are also competitive, so sports of all sorts will captivate them. Don’t be surprised if this little athlete makes it to the national championships.
2021 Predictions: 2021 predicts a mix of ups and downs. Doggies, behave and choose your words carefully this year, or you might inadvertently get yourself into trouble. You do have to put in more effort than usual to accomplish your tasks. Just be patient with yourself whenever you experience setbacks.
Pig
Born In: 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Compatibility: Tiger, Rabbit, Goat
Lucky Colours: Grey, Gold, Yellow, Brown
Personality: Piggies are warm-hearted, enjoys cuddles and loves to enjoy life. They are generally easy children that adapts well to new schools and people.
Parenting Tips: Watch out for their naïve nature and self-indulgent tendencies. Having clear, enforced rules will help Piggies navigate through life without falling under the spell of a troubled peer. This comfortloving sign loves the smell of chocolate chip cookies or unicorn cupcakes baking in the oven. Let them help out in the kitchen, it’s great bonding activity.
2021 Predictions: Your 2021 is what you make of it. “If you snooze, you lose; and if you snore, you lose more.” You can either keep peace and do the same things, or you can push yourself to reach peak performance, giving your self-esteem a boost.
Rat
Born In: 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Compatibility: Ox, Dragon, Monkey
Lucky Colours: Blue, Green, Gold
Personality: Rats are cheerful and sociable. They get along well with everyone and are very generous towards their friends.
Parenting Tips: Competitive Rats enjoy learning new things and welcome challenges. Start them early with educational games or sign them up for a variety of enrichment classes. With siblings, they are loyal and protective. The same goes for their toys and other belongings too. So, do not donate their toys to charity without asking them for permission first.
2021 Predictions: There will be plenty of opportunities to try new things and grow. This renewed burst of energy will motivate you on your journey and help you excel on your new projects. Working alongside a study buddy will grant you additional strength for a positive learning experience.
