Ever wondered about TCM but worried that your child may not drink it due to the smell/taste?
Many have not heard of Bach Flower Essences but it's proven effective for my family and students (& even my dog).
It's mostly odourless and colourless, just a few drops into your daily drinking water is enough.
The kids won't even realise that it's there!
There is a large range of different flowers with different properties. You can read more here: http://www.bachflower.com/.
"The Bach® Flower Remediesare 100% safe and natural and work in conjunction with herbs, homeopathy and medications. They are safe for everyone, including children, pregnant women, pets, elderly and even plants." ~ Quoted from http://www.bachflower.com/
Tried & Tested Remedies:
Rescue Remedy http://www.bachflower.com/Rescue_Remedy.htm
"This combination of Bach Flower Remedies is especially beneficial when you find yourself in traumatic situations, such as, stress, emergencies, after getting bad news, before an exam or job interview and all other kind of situations where we suddenly lose balance mentally. The Remedies quickly get us back in our normal balance so that we calmly can deal with any situation."
I normally give this to students before examinations. It helps to calm their nerves and allow them to be able to compose themselves for the big battle.
Cerato
"Those who have not sufficient confidence in themselves to make their own decisions. They constantly seek advice from others, and are often misguided" - Dr. Edward Bach
Clematis
"Those who are dreamy, drowsy, not fully awake, no great interest in life. Quiet people, not really happy in their present circumstances, living more in the future than in the present; living in hopes of happier times when their ideals may come true. In illness some make little or no effort to get well, and in certain cases may even look forward to death, in the hope of better times; or maybe, meeting again some beloved one whom they have lost." - Dr. Edward Bach
Hornbeam
"For those who feel that they have not sufficient strength, mentally or physically, to carry the burden of life placed upon them; the affairs of every day seem too much for them to accomplish, though they generally succeed in fulfilling their task. For those who believe that some part, of mind or body, needs to be strengthened before they can easily fulfill their work." - Dr. Edward Bach
The complete list of the usages of different flower essences: http://www.bachflower.com/38_Essences.htm
I normally purchase them online from here: http://www.iherb.com/Bach-Original-Flower-Essences
(USE YAF688 for US$5 off your first purchase!)
It's cheaper than purchasing from shops in SG. For those who are skeptical about online shopping or want to check out the real product before purchasing, you can get them from BROWN RICE PARADISE at TANGLIN MALL.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Teaching your child to read open his/her eyes to the world
Reading is a precious gift.
A child who can read can explore the wonders of books and magazines.
Reading can transport a child into an imaginary world.
Reading can allow a child to learn from the character's experiences and mistakes.
As a kiasu parent, I placed reading as a priority for my son.
Watching him pick up a book, reading every word accurately without help, is extremely rewarding.
No words can describe that feeling - when you realise your little baby is an independant reader and will go on to explore books on his own, diving into fantasy worlds and learning about past events.
How to get a 3yo to read?
Honestly, I never taught it would be possible.
When I bought books, I always harboured the thought that he'll only start reading them when he's 5yo or older. However, that did not stop me. I went on mad book sprees, buying whole sets of phonics readers, sight word readers, etc etc. Anything that I could get my hands on, I bought. My husband thought that I was mad. I convinced him that being surrounded by books (though he still couldn't read) will have a positive effect. And it did.
When he was younger, he would simply flip through the books to look at the pictures. We sorted out the books:
- Picture books (or books with interesting pictures)
- Simple phonics books
- Simple sight word books
- Tougher story books (sorted by difficulty level)
Picture books and simple phonics books were placed on the lower shelves, within easy reach.
As he flipped through the books, we pointed to the words and read clearly and slowly to him.
There are generally 2 methods to teach reading: Phonics & Sight Words.
I'm kiasu. We used both methods.
Phonics was picked up watching a very entertaining DVD: Leapfrog Letter Factory.
Followed with Word Factory and Code Word Caper.
He attended phonics lessons but what they were teaching was so basic, he went there to play, not to learn.
Sight words were learnt through DVDs and flashcards (DIY).
Simply go to Popular, get a book called 'High Frequency Words' and they have flashcards that come with the book too. 128 common words, sorted out into 4 terms and activities to match.
Then, get a pack of cards (around 250 - 300 gsm, A4 size will do) from Popular (near the shelves where they place the construction papers). Get a thick marker (preferably red or black). Write down common sight words on the cards and let your child play with them.
My son did not like use to 'flash' the cards like GD method. He loved touching the cards, flipping them himself. So be it. As he looked at each card, point and read to him. Yes, he did try eating the cards. We stopped him. He did try bending the cards, we stopped him too. After a while, he realised that the cards have to be handled with care. No bending, no eating, no drawing on it.
When outside, point and read whatever words/signboards you can. Get them interested in the words around them. It's FREE and FUN!
Make up silly songs to spell out words so that they can recognise the words too.
"One, One - O. N. E!
Two, Two - T. W. O!
...."
(Sung to 'Lu Lu Skip to my Lu')
Reading is really fun! You don't need alot of money or knowledge to empower your child with reading. Simply read with your child and encourage your child to read the simple words to you first.
Encouragement helps them to build up their confidence to read!
Also, set an example. Get a few books for yourself and start reading.
Children learn my example and you will be amazed when your child wants to read, just like you!
A child who can read can explore the wonders of books and magazines.
Reading can transport a child into an imaginary world.
Reading can allow a child to learn from the character's experiences and mistakes.
As a kiasu parent, I placed reading as a priority for my son.
Watching him pick up a book, reading every word accurately without help, is extremely rewarding.
No words can describe that feeling - when you realise your little baby is an independant reader and will go on to explore books on his own, diving into fantasy worlds and learning about past events.
How to get a 3yo to read?
Honestly, I never taught it would be possible.
When I bought books, I always harboured the thought that he'll only start reading them when he's 5yo or older. However, that did not stop me. I went on mad book sprees, buying whole sets of phonics readers, sight word readers, etc etc. Anything that I could get my hands on, I bought. My husband thought that I was mad. I convinced him that being surrounded by books (though he still couldn't read) will have a positive effect. And it did.
When he was younger, he would simply flip through the books to look at the pictures. We sorted out the books:
- Picture books (or books with interesting pictures)
- Simple phonics books
- Simple sight word books
- Tougher story books (sorted by difficulty level)
Picture books and simple phonics books were placed on the lower shelves, within easy reach.
As he flipped through the books, we pointed to the words and read clearly and slowly to him.
There are generally 2 methods to teach reading: Phonics & Sight Words.
I'm kiasu. We used both methods.
Phonics was picked up watching a very entertaining DVD: Leapfrog Letter Factory.
Followed with Word Factory and Code Word Caper.
He attended phonics lessons but what they were teaching was so basic, he went there to play, not to learn.
Sight words were learnt through DVDs and flashcards (DIY).
Simply go to Popular, get a book called 'High Frequency Words' and they have flashcards that come with the book too. 128 common words, sorted out into 4 terms and activities to match.
Then, get a pack of cards (around 250 - 300 gsm, A4 size will do) from Popular (near the shelves where they place the construction papers). Get a thick marker (preferably red or black). Write down common sight words on the cards and let your child play with them.
My son did not like use to 'flash' the cards like GD method. He loved touching the cards, flipping them himself. So be it. As he looked at each card, point and read to him. Yes, he did try eating the cards. We stopped him. He did try bending the cards, we stopped him too. After a while, he realised that the cards have to be handled with care. No bending, no eating, no drawing on it.
When outside, point and read whatever words/signboards you can. Get them interested in the words around them. It's FREE and FUN!
Make up silly songs to spell out words so that they can recognise the words too.
"One, One - O. N. E!
Two, Two - T. W. O!
...."
(Sung to 'Lu Lu Skip to my Lu')
Reading is really fun! You don't need alot of money or knowledge to empower your child with reading. Simply read with your child and encourage your child to read the simple words to you first.
Encouragement helps them to build up their confidence to read!
Also, set an example. Get a few books for yourself and start reading.
Children learn my example and you will be amazed when your child wants to read, just like you!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Empire Food Tingkat Lunch Review
Tingkat Lunch which was delivered on 21/7/2010 by Empire Food (http://www.empirefood.com.sg/) Ordered for 1 pax, $130 + $10 (rice) + $10 (microwavable containers, 20 days
(very flexi about which days, you can even choose once a week! I chose thrice a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
The guy I spoke to over the phone was also very patient in answering my questions and extremely polite.
3 dishes and 1 soup (before opening):
After opening:
The soup:
Loved the way they sealed it (like bubble tea).
Have ordered order tingkat before and they've always spilt the soup but this packaging is great.
Confirm no spillage!
2 large pieces of pork ribs. Loads of wolfberries floating around.
Definitely no MSG as I did not get more thirsty after drinking the whole bowl.
Upclose on the dishes:
Scallop (imitation) with vegetables
Nice gravy!
And for 1 pax share, I consider this rather generous as there were 4 pieces of scallops :)
Pork Chop
Soft and well marinated.
Abit salty when eaten alone but with rice, it was perfect!
Long Beans!
I love love love long beans.
The long beans were just nice, cooked but not too soft.
Still have some crunch and it's not yellow or smelling funky.
And it's not oily or salty. Very simple dish and it went well with the other dishes.
Overall, the dishes were nice.
The rice was a little dry but that was quickly fixed by dousing it with the soup.
The portions were huge. I only managed to finish slightly less than 1/2 and kept the rest for hubs to try when he came back for dinner. He liked it too! He's considering ordering it for lunch at his office since the canteen there is exp and the food isn't nice.
I would definitely order them again after these 20 days cycle is over (last day for this cycle is 3 Sep!)
Worth the price :) And definitely can be given to kids (my boy is 3.5yo).
Friday, July 16, 2010
Discovering Reading
Just yesterday morning, my son was reading aloud. I thought that I was hearing things. He was reading clearly and it was a proper story.
Stunned, I walked out of my bedroom, half-awake.
There he was, holding a book, seated on the sofa. It was the weekly storybook his school puts in his school bag to encourage the kids to read.
I was AMAZED. He could actually read the words without help!
There's some repetition but he could point out the words and read them clearly.
Upon finishing the book, he got a round of applause from my maid and me. He looked so proud.
Immediately, he dashed off to his room and picked another book.
HE WAS HUNGRY FOR MORE!
Well, he did not learn to read overnight. It was consistent hard work from us at home and the teachers at school.
What did we do with him?
We do not have a fixed 'structure' or 'syllabus' to teach him. It was more of experiental learning :)
Exposure is key and even if they do not seem interested at first, link reading to their fave topics/cartoons and they will start to love it!
Stunned, I walked out of my bedroom, half-awake.
There he was, holding a book, seated on the sofa. It was the weekly storybook his school puts in his school bag to encourage the kids to read.
I was AMAZED. He could actually read the words without help!
There's some repetition but he could point out the words and read them clearly.
Upon finishing the book, he got a round of applause from my maid and me. He looked so proud.
Immediately, he dashed off to his room and picked another book.
HE WAS HUNGRY FOR MORE!
Well, he did not learn to read overnight. It was consistent hard work from us at home and the teachers at school.
What did we do with him?
We do not have a fixed 'structure' or 'syllabus' to teach him. It was more of experiental learning :)
- I created my own set of flashcards on PPT. One set had pictures on one slide with the corresponding words on the next slide. The other set had purely words only. It was more for expansion of vocabulary rather than reading (especially the pictures ones), but he picked up and recognised certain words from there. However, being a FTWM, I only have weekends to show this to him. And not all weekends as some weekends are spent at my mum's place. So, I printed out the softcopies into proper flashcards. Expensive but worth the effort as he likes handling the cards too.
- We bought some books that came with flashcards (sight words) from Popular Bookstore. He loved the colourful cards and used to play with them by just flipping through them and building 'houses' with the cards. Well, we did not flash the cards to him like recommended methods of Glenn Doman/Shichida. We simply read the word on the card which he was holding and looking at.
- I ordered some DVDs/VCDs on sight words and phonics. He simply loves them. His fave: LEAPFROG SERIES. He learnt all his phonics from there. He's able to do simple blending now and we do emphasize on that with him.
- Spell out any word he is interested in. He recently started to love pizza. Everytime he sees a pizza, he'll get so excited. Then we will spell 'pizza' (usually in a self-created, silly tune) and he will remember it very well! We tried this at the supermarket with fruits and numbers and it worked very well. He can spell from 1-12 and can also spell many other fruits. Not a consciencious effort to force him to learn to spell, just a fun tune while he's exposed to the particular item!
Exposure is key and even if they do not seem interested at first, link reading to their fave topics/cartoons and they will start to love it!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Learning the Abacus
My parents gave me weird looks when I told them that I'm taking up abacus.
My colleagues asked me if I'm mad.
My husband told me to do it if I like it.
My students thought I'm so cool to learn abacus at my age.
***
My purpose for learning the abacus is actually to coach my own son.
Why coach him personally when there are so many abacus classes out there?
Main reason: I could not find any suitable classes near us (in terms of location and timing). It's either that they do not take in kids so young or they do not have enough students to start the class.
So, I'm taking up the challenge.
Learning from scratch and obtaining Mental Grade 4 and Abacus Grade 5 within 1.5 months is not easy.
It took me 3 lessons (usual is 5 lessons) to obtain Mental Grade 7 and Abacus Grade 8. Quite good for a beginner (according to the principal teaching me).
***
Has abacus been useful to me?
YES! I noticed that I'm able to concentrate and focus better. Now, I can do mental calculations in a very noisy environment. I've learnt to shut off any distractions and focus on what I'm doing!
Even better, my mental calculation is so fast that I'm faster than my P5/6 students who are using the calculator. They just can't figure out how I did it! So I'm gaining a different form of respect from them too.
Don't worry about them not being able to use the school's method and such. I'm learning 3G Abacus (a patented system in SG - http://www.3gabacus.com/). It's incorporating number bonds like what they are teaching in Primary school.
After learning it for myself, I do see the relevance towards Singapore's Maths syllabus. I encourage students who have learnt it to make use of it to check their answers (I still make them write down every single step). And it's very similar to the method we teach in P3 to do mental calculations.
After I've mastered it, I hope to further enhance this unique abacus system to allow students to incorporate it into story/problem sums. And I really do hope that this would come true very soon!
My colleagues asked me if I'm mad.
My husband told me to do it if I like it.
My students thought I'm so cool to learn abacus at my age.
***
My purpose for learning the abacus is actually to coach my own son.
Why coach him personally when there are so many abacus classes out there?
Main reason: I could not find any suitable classes near us (in terms of location and timing). It's either that they do not take in kids so young or they do not have enough students to start the class.
So, I'm taking up the challenge.
Learning from scratch and obtaining Mental Grade 4 and Abacus Grade 5 within 1.5 months is not easy.
It took me 3 lessons (usual is 5 lessons) to obtain Mental Grade 7 and Abacus Grade 8. Quite good for a beginner (according to the principal teaching me).
***
Has abacus been useful to me?
YES! I noticed that I'm able to concentrate and focus better. Now, I can do mental calculations in a very noisy environment. I've learnt to shut off any distractions and focus on what I'm doing!
Even better, my mental calculation is so fast that I'm faster than my P5/6 students who are using the calculator. They just can't figure out how I did it! So I'm gaining a different form of respect from them too.
Don't worry about them not being able to use the school's method and such. I'm learning 3G Abacus (a patented system in SG - http://www.3gabacus.com/). It's incorporating number bonds like what they are teaching in Primary school.
After learning it for myself, I do see the relevance towards Singapore's Maths syllabus. I encourage students who have learnt it to make use of it to check their answers (I still make them write down every single step). And it's very similar to the method we teach in P3 to do mental calculations.
After I've mastered it, I hope to further enhance this unique abacus system to allow students to incorporate it into story/problem sums. And I really do hope that this would come true very soon!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Toothpaste for infants and toddlers?
I used to use Biotene's Baby First Teeth Toothpaste (Apple-Banana Flavour). However, their stock was unstable and prices in Singapore is crazy!
When he was around 1.5yo, we changed to: http://www.iherb.com/Jason-Natural-Earth-s-Best-Toddler-Toothpaste-Free-Gum-Brush-Strawberry-and-Banana-1-6-oz-50-g/17265?at=0
This is suitable for 6mths onwards :)
One of the deciding factors was because this product is ORGANIC, no flouride, no preservatives. It is from natural FOOD GRADE ingredients.
Now that he's older, we've switched to this:
http://www.iherb.com/Jason-Natural-Kids-Only-Toothpaste-Strawberry-4-2-oz-119-g/16292?at=0
This is suitable for 2yo onwards :)
He loves it and will not resist brushing his teeth.
We've taught him to gargle and spit but he does swallow occasionally, so we feel that it's still better to get an organic/food grade toothpaste for him at the moment. Might change when he's older (like around 6yo).
***
Don't forget to use discount code YAF688 to get US$5 off your first purchase!
***
When he was around 1.5yo, we changed to: http://www.iherb.com/Jason-Natural-Earth-s-Best-Toddler-Toothpaste-Free-Gum-Brush-Strawberry-and-Banana-1-6-oz-50-g/17265?at=0
This is suitable for 6mths onwards :)
One of the deciding factors was because this product is ORGANIC, no flouride, no preservatives. It is from natural FOOD GRADE ingredients.
Now that he's older, we've switched to this:
http://www.iherb.com/Jason-Natural-Kids-Only-Toothpaste-Strawberry-4-2-oz-119-g/16292?at=0
This is suitable for 2yo onwards :)
He loves it and will not resist brushing his teeth.
We've taught him to gargle and spit but he does swallow occasionally, so we feel that it's still better to get an organic/food grade toothpaste for him at the moment. Might change when he's older (like around 6yo).
***
Don't forget to use discount code YAF688 to get US$5 off your first purchase!
***
Skin Problems? ORGANIC SKINCARE TO THE RESCUE!
Organic skin care
His shampoo: http://www.iherb.com/Jason-Natural-Kids-Only-Extra-Gentle-Shampoo-17-5-fl-oz-517-ml/6204?at=0
This smells so great. My sweaty boy can still smell so sweet & yummy that I wanna eat him!
Grape smell
His bodywash: http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Baby-Organics-Shampoo-Body-Wash-Lavender-Chamomile-16-fl-oz-473-ml/21540?at=0
-> This is for the night bath cos the lavender and chamomile helps him to 'wind down' & relax to get ready for bed
http://www.iherb.com/Rainbow-Research-Baby-Oh-Baby-Organic-Herbal-Body-Wash-8-fl-oz/9067?at=0
-> this is for his morning/afternoon shower.
Contains lemongrass (which my mum's friend says is good for the skin, esp skin probs).
- Moisturise 3 times a day
He's using a lotion recommended by the doctor at NSC. Physiogel lotion.
Usually stock up when they have the twin pack promo.
He's no longer on follow up with the NSC doctor because there has not been any flare ups for the past 1yr plus
Diaper rash
Due to his ezcema, he had very bad diaper rash
We used Drapolene (no help at all), Desitin Creamy (hard to wash) and Pureen diaper cream (not too bad). But then we found CANUS GOAT'S MILK DIAPER RASH CREAM (bought from Amazon.com). It's superb!
Cleared up his diaper rash, then subsequently, no more diaper rash! And it's cheap. 1 tub is S$25 (include shipping). That 1st tub, is still in use today Last us for 3yr+.
***
Don't forget to use discount code YAF688 to get US$5 off your first purchase!
***
His shampoo: http://www.iherb.com/Jason-Natural-Kids-Only-Extra-Gentle-Shampoo-17-5-fl-oz-517-ml/6204?at=0
This smells so great. My sweaty boy can still smell so sweet & yummy that I wanna eat him!
Grape smell
His bodywash: http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Baby-Organics-Shampoo-Body-Wash-Lavender-Chamomile-16-fl-oz-473-ml/21540?at=0
-> This is for the night bath cos the lavender and chamomile helps him to 'wind down' & relax to get ready for bed
http://www.iherb.com/Rainbow-Research-Baby-Oh-Baby-Organic-Herbal-Body-Wash-8-fl-oz/9067?at=0
-> this is for his morning/afternoon shower.
Contains lemongrass (which my mum's friend says is good for the skin, esp skin probs).
- Moisturise 3 times a day
He's using a lotion recommended by the doctor at NSC. Physiogel lotion.
Usually stock up when they have the twin pack promo.
He's no longer on follow up with the NSC doctor because there has not been any flare ups for the past 1yr plus
Diaper rash
Due to his ezcema, he had very bad diaper rash
We used Drapolene (no help at all), Desitin Creamy (hard to wash) and Pureen diaper cream (not too bad). But then we found CANUS GOAT'S MILK DIAPER RASH CREAM (bought from Amazon.com). It's superb!
Cleared up his diaper rash, then subsequently, no more diaper rash! And it's cheap. 1 tub is S$25 (include shipping). That 1st tub, is still in use today Last us for 3yr+.
***
Don't forget to use discount code YAF688 to get US$5 off your first purchase!
***
Nature VS Nurture
Common question that many parents ask me: "How did you teach your boy? Is it inherited? Or nurtured?"
I really don't know. All I know is that I do my best as a parent.
When I was pregnant/breastfeeding, I took alot of fish and fish oils. Research has shown that increased DHA does help to increase mental capabilities.
So, I'm a kiasu mother, loaded up on those.
My recommendation: http://www.iherb.com/New-Chapter-Wholemega-Prenatal-500-mg-90-Softgels/22651?at=0
It is from 100% WILD Alaskan Salmon.
WILD fishes have lower toxins like mercury or other heavy metals. So you need not worry about indirectly taking in toxins which might harm your baby.
This is good for preggie & BF mummies.
Well, I'm not breastfeeding anymore, but I still keep up this kiasu regime.
This is what I started for my boy: http://www.iherb.com/Childlife-Cod-Liver-Oil-Strawberry-Flavor-8-fl-oz-237-ml/8521?at=0
But he did not like strawberry flavour, so we changed to: http://www.iherb.com/Nordic-Naturals-Arctic-Cod-Liver-Oil-Orange-Flavor-16-fl-oz-473-ml/4192?at=0
Now I've changed to this: http://www.iherb.com/Twinlab-Norwegian-Cod-Liver-Oil-Unflavored-Flavor-12-fl-oz-355-ml/2417?at=0
Main reason for change is because this brand is certified free from heavy metals :)
Again, being extremely kiasu, I did not leave it up to 'nature'. We sent him for numerous classes, taught him at home and carefully selected his kindy. Teaching him at home is really fun. Exposure to wide range of vocab, encouraging him to speak up, creating games to play with him, etc etc.
Even if you have a tight budget, the key is EXPOSURE. Bring them to the park to learn about insects, plants and small animals that live there. It's free (probably pay for transport if the park is not near your place). Bring them to the supermarket to learn about fruits, vegetables, objects, etc etc. Supermarkets are the best place to learn the names of different items. It's FREE plus the kids get to TOUCH the items
Plus, I bought alot of educational CDs (VCDs, CD Rom) for him. When my maid is busy and has to cook/do housework, she will turn on for him to watch. Now, he has learnt to turn on the TV & DVD player himself. He will choose his own disks and play them to watch.
***
Don't forget to use discount code YAF688 to get US$5 off your first purchase!
***
I really don't know. All I know is that I do my best as a parent.
When I was pregnant/breastfeeding, I took alot of fish and fish oils. Research has shown that increased DHA does help to increase mental capabilities.
So, I'm a kiasu mother, loaded up on those.
My recommendation: http://www.iherb.com/New-Chapter-Wholemega-Prenatal-500-mg-90-Softgels/22651?at=0
It is from 100% WILD Alaskan Salmon.
WILD fishes have lower toxins like mercury or other heavy metals. So you need not worry about indirectly taking in toxins which might harm your baby.
This is good for preggie & BF mummies.
Well, I'm not breastfeeding anymore, but I still keep up this kiasu regime.
This is what I started for my boy: http://www.iherb.com/Childlife-Cod-Liver-Oil-Strawberry-Flavor-8-fl-oz-237-ml/8521?at=0
But he did not like strawberry flavour, so we changed to: http://www.iherb.com/Nordic-Naturals-Arctic-Cod-Liver-Oil-Orange-Flavor-16-fl-oz-473-ml/4192?at=0
Now I've changed to this: http://www.iherb.com/Twinlab-Norwegian-Cod-Liver-Oil-Unflavored-Flavor-12-fl-oz-355-ml/2417?at=0
Main reason for change is because this brand is certified free from heavy metals :)
Again, being extremely kiasu, I did not leave it up to 'nature'. We sent him for numerous classes, taught him at home and carefully selected his kindy. Teaching him at home is really fun. Exposure to wide range of vocab, encouraging him to speak up, creating games to play with him, etc etc.
Even if you have a tight budget, the key is EXPOSURE. Bring them to the park to learn about insects, plants and small animals that live there. It's free (probably pay for transport if the park is not near your place). Bring them to the supermarket to learn about fruits, vegetables, objects, etc etc. Supermarkets are the best place to learn the names of different items. It's FREE plus the kids get to TOUCH the items
Plus, I bought alot of educational CDs (VCDs, CD Rom) for him. When my maid is busy and has to cook/do housework, she will turn on for him to watch. Now, he has learnt to turn on the TV & DVD player himself. He will choose his own disks and play them to watch.
***
Don't forget to use discount code YAF688 to get US$5 off your first purchase!
***
Supplements? Health Food? Healthy Diet?
My son is currently 3.5yo. Breastfed baby until 18mths old and entered CCC once he turned 18mths.
2 months before he started CCC, my hubby and I decided to give him supplements to boost his immune system as I was running out of breastmilk at that time too (I stopped expressing/latching when he was 1yo. From 1yo till 18mths old, he was drinking frozen EBM which I managed to stock up in our chest freezer).
I actually chanced across iHerb while searching for Organic Mother's Milk (to help boost my breastmilk supply). Cheap and reliable :)
My usual shopping hunts for ORGANIC or NATURAL products:
- Supplements/Toothpaste/Shampoo/Bodywash/Snacks:
http://www.iherb.com/
(Use YAF688 for US$5 discount)
This website is reliable. I've been purchasing from them since JAN 2007. Loyal customer due to their reliability and efficiency. They direct ship to SG through normal mail (for light items) or DHL. DHL has been very flexi with delivery timings, even had a special delivery to me at midnight before cause I requested for them to send it to me immediately.
EXPIRY DATES for products all clearly listed on the website. Great for those who like to stock up (like me).
- Organic food: NTUC (AMK Hub), Brown Rice Paradise (Tanglin Mall)
- Occasionally: Vitakids (Paragon) -> They have the same things as iHerb. Sometimes too urgent and iHerb needs at least 3-5 workings days, so I will buy from Vitakids first. Price is 30-50% higher than buying from iHerb (include shipping charges).
In 2007, I started buying from iHerb.com. However, at that time, they did not have international shipping and we had to go through 3rd party shipping forwarders (www.vpost.com.sg or www.borderlinx.com). It added to the cost. Then in 2008, they started to offer international shipping, which meant that they shipped DIRECT TO US! I was hooked and have been purchasing from them ever since. I personally have recommended many mummies to purchase from them too and they have given me very positive feedback!
Let me share more information about the products I purchase regularly:
At first, we started off with this supplement: http://www.iherb.com/Childlife-Colostrum-with-Probiotics-Orange-Pineapple-Flavor-50-g-Powder-1-7-oz/10630?at=0
(FYI: GNC is selling this exact same product for $70+, even with their massive member discounts, you can't match the price you get from iHerb!)
Now, we've changed to this brand (cheaper due to large pack): http://www.iherb.com/Symbiotics-Colostrum-Plus-Powder-1-lb-5-oz/4091?at=0
They also have pill form for adults: http://www.iherb.com/Symbiotics-Colostrum-Plus-Capsules-240-Capsules/4090?at=0
It's COLOSTRUM and it's known to boost immune systems, just like how breastmilk helps to boost immune systems.
After my boy started, his CCC teachers commented to us on many occasions that my boy did not fall sick at all though many others kids are ill (cough and runny noses). They said that on an average, young kids who attend CCC will fall ill at least once a month. However, during his 1.5 years at that CCC, he only fell ill 3 times. Once was HFMD (very mild) and the other two times were bouts of flu where he was still active but we decided not to send him to school so that he won't spread it to other kids.
A few other mummies from a motherhood forum have also given positive feedback ever since they started their kids on it. In fact, they were so impressed they bought the pills for themselves and loved it. Feedback from them is that they do not fall ill as often (she mentioned she used to have constant sore/itchy throat) and do not feel as tired all the time.
Another product I love:
http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Sambucus-for-Kids-Berry-Flavored-8-fl-oz-240-ml/9342?at=0
It contains POLLEN, which is not recommended for young children as some might be allergic.
Another brand which is also sambucol but no pollen added:
http://www.iherb.com/Sambucol-Black-Elderberry-Immune-System-Support-Liquid-For-Kids-Berry-Flavored-4-fl-oz-120-ml/16697?at=0
Both brands are available at VitaKids if you are keen to take a look at the actual products. Due to the urgency at that time, we purchased our first bottle from VitaKids (so exp). Subsequently, we actually ordered from iHerb :)
In 2008, my son had a mild bout of HFMD. Someone in another forum recommended SAMBUCOL (Black Elderberry). This was very effective when my boy had HFMD. His symptoms were super mild and he ate, played and misbehaved as usual. Usually kids will suffer alot during HFMD with ulcers in the mouth/throat, unable to eat, unable to rest well, etc. My boy was a perfect monkey, other than the red spots and 2 small ulcers in his mouth. Many of my friends who tried it on their kids when they had HFMD also reported good improvement and lesser 'suffering' on their kids.
Now, when he shows sign of runny nose, itchy throat, cough, etc. I immediately give him SAMBUCOL. It is a herbal remedy that's good for viral infections. I do not give daily because it's rather strong.
Another product I love is PROBIOTICS!
Although this is easily available at supermarkets (Vitagen & Yakult), I do not like the sugar content in those products (I'm very strict about sugar content in my son's food).
So I give this:
http://www.iherb.com/Source-Naturals-Acidophilus-Powder-Freeze-Stabilized-2-oz-56-7-g/1012?at=0
It is heat stable which means it can tolerate shipping better. :)
This is taken by the whole family (my maid included) :)
Now, I know many parents think I'm mad by being so strict and fussy with my boy's diet.
Why are you so strict about his food?
- Healthy habits start from young.
My boy was not exposed to any form of seasoning until he tasted adult food at 2.5yo. And adult food for him is a rare treat (when we dine out).
He does not like sweet or salty foods now. Mac fries, without salt pls. Give him a sweet, he'll give it back to me. Jelly, only unsweetened ones. Potato chips, he'll use a tissue to wipe off the seasoning.
We dont't have to delibrately control his 'junk food' intake now that he's old enough to express what he likes & wants.
- I was not given vege regularly when I was young, so end up growing up to dislike vege. I don't want the same thing to happen to my boy. So we encourage him to take vege. He loves crunchy vege, so we give him long beans, french beans, cucumber, etc.
- Healthy diet = healthy child
Less oil, no sugar, no salt.
Before he was 2.5yo, all his 'junk food' like chips and fries are HOME MADE. Slice up the potatoes, pat them dry, bake in oven
Snacks = raisins, dried cranberries (also from iHerb: http://www.iherb.com/Eden-Foods-Organic-Dried-Cranberries-4-oz-113-g/13843?at=0), dried apricots, etc. I have a food dehydrator at home to dry fruits on our own too When he was younger, we puree fruits to make fruit rolls which I cut into small squares to give him as 'sweets'. It's like rewards for him when he finishes his meals
- Healthy snacks?
My boy eats organic cereals or those adult cereals (low sugar/salt).
Or plain cornflakes with fruits. Yum Yum!
For parents who do not mind giving their kids sweets, here's something to make you feel better: ORGANIC LOLLIPOPS! Made from natural fruit juices! http://www.iherb.com/Search?kw=organic+lollipop
I buy these for my students & they love them. Some flavours have a natural sourness to them and my students keep wanting more!
Guardian/Watsons do sell them, but the price is much higher!
They also have candy drops (sweets with the stick).
2 months before he started CCC, my hubby and I decided to give him supplements to boost his immune system as I was running out of breastmilk at that time too (I stopped expressing/latching when he was 1yo. From 1yo till 18mths old, he was drinking frozen EBM which I managed to stock up in our chest freezer).
I actually chanced across iHerb while searching for Organic Mother's Milk (to help boost my breastmilk supply). Cheap and reliable :)
My usual shopping hunts for ORGANIC or NATURAL products:
- Supplements/Toothpaste/Shampoo/Bodywash/Snacks:
http://www.iherb.com/
(Use YAF688 for US$5 discount)
This website is reliable. I've been purchasing from them since JAN 2007. Loyal customer due to their reliability and efficiency. They direct ship to SG through normal mail (for light items) or DHL. DHL has been very flexi with delivery timings, even had a special delivery to me at midnight before cause I requested for them to send it to me immediately.
EXPIRY DATES for products all clearly listed on the website. Great for those who like to stock up (like me).
- Organic food: NTUC (AMK Hub), Brown Rice Paradise (Tanglin Mall)
- Occasionally: Vitakids (Paragon) -> They have the same things as iHerb. Sometimes too urgent and iHerb needs at least 3-5 workings days, so I will buy from Vitakids first. Price is 30-50% higher than buying from iHerb (include shipping charges).
In 2007, I started buying from iHerb.com. However, at that time, they did not have international shipping and we had to go through 3rd party shipping forwarders (www.vpost.com.sg or www.borderlinx.com). It added to the cost. Then in 2008, they started to offer international shipping, which meant that they shipped DIRECT TO US! I was hooked and have been purchasing from them ever since. I personally have recommended many mummies to purchase from them too and they have given me very positive feedback!
Let me share more information about the products I purchase regularly:
At first, we started off with this supplement: http://www.iherb.com/Childlife-Colostrum-with-Probiotics-Orange-Pineapple-Flavor-50-g-Powder-1-7-oz/10630?at=0
(FYI: GNC is selling this exact same product for $70+, even with their massive member discounts, you can't match the price you get from iHerb!)
Now, we've changed to this brand (cheaper due to large pack): http://www.iherb.com/Symbiotics-Colostrum-Plus-Powder-1-lb-5-oz/4091?at=0
They also have pill form for adults: http://www.iherb.com/Symbiotics-Colostrum-Plus-Capsules-240-Capsules/4090?at=0
It's COLOSTRUM and it's known to boost immune systems, just like how breastmilk helps to boost immune systems.
After my boy started, his CCC teachers commented to us on many occasions that my boy did not fall sick at all though many others kids are ill (cough and runny noses). They said that on an average, young kids who attend CCC will fall ill at least once a month. However, during his 1.5 years at that CCC, he only fell ill 3 times. Once was HFMD (very mild) and the other two times were bouts of flu where he was still active but we decided not to send him to school so that he won't spread it to other kids.
A few other mummies from a motherhood forum have also given positive feedback ever since they started their kids on it. In fact, they were so impressed they bought the pills for themselves and loved it. Feedback from them is that they do not fall ill as often (she mentioned she used to have constant sore/itchy throat) and do not feel as tired all the time.
Another product I love:
http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Sambucus-for-Kids-Berry-Flavored-8-fl-oz-240-ml/9342?at=0
It contains POLLEN, which is not recommended for young children as some might be allergic.
Another brand which is also sambucol but no pollen added:
http://www.iherb.com/Sambucol-Black-Elderberry-Immune-System-Support-Liquid-For-Kids-Berry-Flavored-4-fl-oz-120-ml/16697?at=0
Both brands are available at VitaKids if you are keen to take a look at the actual products. Due to the urgency at that time, we purchased our first bottle from VitaKids (so exp). Subsequently, we actually ordered from iHerb :)
In 2008, my son had a mild bout of HFMD. Someone in another forum recommended SAMBUCOL (Black Elderberry). This was very effective when my boy had HFMD. His symptoms were super mild and he ate, played and misbehaved as usual. Usually kids will suffer alot during HFMD with ulcers in the mouth/throat, unable to eat, unable to rest well, etc. My boy was a perfect monkey, other than the red spots and 2 small ulcers in his mouth. Many of my friends who tried it on their kids when they had HFMD also reported good improvement and lesser 'suffering' on their kids.
Now, when he shows sign of runny nose, itchy throat, cough, etc. I immediately give him SAMBUCOL. It is a herbal remedy that's good for viral infections. I do not give daily because it's rather strong.
Another product I love is PROBIOTICS!
Although this is easily available at supermarkets (Vitagen & Yakult), I do not like the sugar content in those products (I'm very strict about sugar content in my son's food).
So I give this:
http://www.iherb.com/Source-Naturals-Acidophilus-Powder-Freeze-Stabilized-2-oz-56-7-g/1012?at=0
It is heat stable which means it can tolerate shipping better. :)
This is taken by the whole family (my maid included) :)
Now, I know many parents think I'm mad by being so strict and fussy with my boy's diet.
Why are you so strict about his food?
- Healthy habits start from young.
My boy was not exposed to any form of seasoning until he tasted adult food at 2.5yo. And adult food for him is a rare treat (when we dine out).
He does not like sweet or salty foods now. Mac fries, without salt pls. Give him a sweet, he'll give it back to me. Jelly, only unsweetened ones. Potato chips, he'll use a tissue to wipe off the seasoning.
We dont't have to delibrately control his 'junk food' intake now that he's old enough to express what he likes & wants.
- I was not given vege regularly when I was young, so end up growing up to dislike vege. I don't want the same thing to happen to my boy. So we encourage him to take vege. He loves crunchy vege, so we give him long beans, french beans, cucumber, etc.
- Healthy diet = healthy child
Less oil, no sugar, no salt.
Before he was 2.5yo, all his 'junk food' like chips and fries are HOME MADE. Slice up the potatoes, pat them dry, bake in oven
Snacks = raisins, dried cranberries (also from iHerb: http://www.iherb.com/Eden-Foods-Organic-Dried-Cranberries-4-oz-113-g/13843?at=0), dried apricots, etc. I have a food dehydrator at home to dry fruits on our own too When he was younger, we puree fruits to make fruit rolls which I cut into small squares to give him as 'sweets'. It's like rewards for him when he finishes his meals
- Healthy snacks?
My boy eats organic cereals or those adult cereals (low sugar/salt).
Or plain cornflakes with fruits. Yum Yum!
For parents who do not mind giving their kids sweets, here's something to make you feel better: ORGANIC LOLLIPOPS! Made from natural fruit juices! http://www.iherb.com/Search?kw=organic+lollipop
I buy these for my students & they love them. Some flavours have a natural sourness to them and my students keep wanting more!
Guardian/Watsons do sell them, but the price is much higher!
They also have candy drops (sweets with the stick).
Friday, July 9, 2010
Selecting the Right Preschool for Your Child
Recently, I recieved alot of emails from fellow parents asking about which preschool my son is currently in. I am really sorry that I am unable to share more information about this school as it concerns our privacy and our son's safety (we never know how is lurking around in the cyber world!).
However, I can share with parents on the criterions my hubby and I looked at when selecting a preschool for my boy.
1. Location
Depending on your childcare and work arrangements, this will be an important factor.
If you have elderly parents or maids looking after the kids when they are not at school, it is best to choose a school near home or a school with a reliable school bus service.
If your work is flexible or you are a SAHM with your own transportation and you don't mind travelling, then you can expand your scope of search to a wider area.
I personally chose the school bus option after searching the multiple preschools in Punggol area.
I did find 2 which I liked but they failed on certain criterions which I personally feel are very important.
Since the school bus picks up and drops off my boy at our void deck, it's easier for my maid and myself too.
2. Price/Budget
Not everyone earns a million a month, so you need to consider your family expenses/income before setting an amount that would be comfortable. I personally have a fixed budget for my boy's education (including enrichment classes) every month. Therefore, if I chose a preschool which had higher fees, I have to cut down on other enrichments.
There are preschools charging simply $80 per month or lesser and there are those charging $1500 per month or more. Again, you have to weigh the price you are paying versus the quality of teaching/materials and exposure to experential learning.
I personally feel that it's alright to pay alittle more for quality materials/teaching if you have the budget.
3. Materials/Quality of Teaching
As mentioned in the previous point, the quality of teaching and materials used during lessons is a very important factor. Some schools have their own trademarked systems while some will adopt/adapt other systems to use.
I personally prefer trademarked systems as there is a certain level or quality control when it comes to implementation of the program and the materials used. It might be more expensive but it's worth it.
As a very KS parent, I chose a preschool with a strong academic syllabus. My boy is in preschool for 2.5 hours a day. My wish is for that 2.5 hours to be filled with SOLID LEARNING. Not 'learn through play'. He can learn through play AT HOME, with me. I do plan activities for him like baking cookies, playing with fondant to decorate cupcakes, playing pretend, etc etc. Outings are also planned to let him experience hands-on learning with us. My main goal is for him to understand that SCHOOL IS FOR LEARNING, not play! Enrichment classes can incorporate play, but not in his formal preschool.
So, I chose a school with their own trademarked system and they are also very academic-conscious, they give the children extra work to ensure that they are ready for Singapore's Primary School system.
4. Caring Principal, Teachers and Staff
I love feedback from the schools so that we can reinforce values/rules at home too.
I chose a school where the Principal knows all the kids and parents personally. She makes the effort to talk to us about our values and the values they teach the children. I love it that they are very strict in terms of behaviour and manners.
I went down personally to observe how teachers punish the students when they misbehaved and found their techniques very successful. They will pull the child aside and explain why it's wrong to do it. Then they warn them that if they did it again, they will be asked to sit at the side of the classroom to observe the activities instead of being able to join in. IT WORKED! My mischevious monkey was tamed!
The school bus uncle is also fantastic. Sometimes they would arrive early when sending him back and we have not gone down yet, he will actually bring him up personally while the teacher accompanies the other children on the bus! This is EXCELLENT service!
And at times when I need to change the drop off location at the last minute (sometimes we would go to my mum's place instead), all I needed to do was to SMS him before they leave school and he's always so accomodating! He's so friendly with the students and my boy simply loves him. On days when my boy refuses to go to school (cos he would prefer to stay home to play with me or watch TV), we would just remind him that Uncle _____ is downstairs waiting for him in the nice school bus and he would spring up and run to the lift! I remember his reaction very vividly!
"Oh! Uncle ____ is here? He is driving the big school bus? I love it! Let's go, Mummy!"
5. Student-Teacher Ratio
In many popular preschools, each class has 15-18 kids and only 1 teacher plus 1 teacher assistant. I personally find it crazy because the room is very cramped and the kids do not get much personal attention from the teacher. At their tender age, personal attention is extremely important to weed out any potential problems like dyslexia and poor handwriting.
My boy's class only has 8 students with 2 teachers. He loves it and so do I! The teacher will write feedback in the communication book and very often, they will call or SMS me to keep me updated.
With such a small student population, it feels more like a small family. We are updated very quickly on any upcoming events/news.
6. Homework
While many parents criticise the need for homework at N1, I personally find it good. It's just simple worksheets on writing numbers/alphabets which they learnt in school. Plus, they have storybooks to bring home to read.
It's a good habit to start them reading and understanding the need for homework since young. My boy will do his work WILLINGLY (read the post on how we motivated him to love homework: http://mwtuition.blogspot.com/). They also get rewards when they are able to read new words taught them (of cos we have to practise with him at home using flashcards).
7. Layout and Facilities
My boy's current school is split into 2 nearby locations within the same compound. I like this idea because they seperate the N1/N2 and K1/K2 students. This reduces the risk of outbreak of diseases such as HFMD. They also have their own toilets (some preschools do not have them, especially those located in shopping centres).
They also have a large outdoor play area (but it is currently under renovation, so they will go over nearer to the K1/K2 area for outdoor play).
8. In-house Enrichments
For busy parents, it would be good if the school has enrichment programs.
The preschool my boy attends has extra enrichments (of cos you will need to pay for the additional classes). These enrichment classes include piano, swimming, chinese, abacus, art, mental maths, etc etc. They also have school bus service to send the kids home after enrichment!
Due to budget constraints, I did not send my boy for their enrichment programs. However, they do have holiday classes for these enrichment programs and school bus service is still available even during holidays! To prevent 'after-holidays-return-to-school-sickness', I enrol him in the holiday classes. He loves them! He will come home chatting non-stop about his 'adventures'.
As parents, just remember...
At the end of the day, we want our kids to be HAPPY. No point forcing them into a school they do not like (even if we think it is the best).
I did put my boy for trial classes at his current preschool before we made up our minds.
However, I can share with parents on the criterions my hubby and I looked at when selecting a preschool for my boy.
1. Location
Depending on your childcare and work arrangements, this will be an important factor.
If you have elderly parents or maids looking after the kids when they are not at school, it is best to choose a school near home or a school with a reliable school bus service.
If your work is flexible or you are a SAHM with your own transportation and you don't mind travelling, then you can expand your scope of search to a wider area.
I personally chose the school bus option after searching the multiple preschools in Punggol area.
I did find 2 which I liked but they failed on certain criterions which I personally feel are very important.
Since the school bus picks up and drops off my boy at our void deck, it's easier for my maid and myself too.
2. Price/Budget
Not everyone earns a million a month, so you need to consider your family expenses/income before setting an amount that would be comfortable. I personally have a fixed budget for my boy's education (including enrichment classes) every month. Therefore, if I chose a preschool which had higher fees, I have to cut down on other enrichments.
There are preschools charging simply $80 per month or lesser and there are those charging $1500 per month or more. Again, you have to weigh the price you are paying versus the quality of teaching/materials and exposure to experential learning.
I personally feel that it's alright to pay alittle more for quality materials/teaching if you have the budget.
3. Materials/Quality of Teaching
As mentioned in the previous point, the quality of teaching and materials used during lessons is a very important factor. Some schools have their own trademarked systems while some will adopt/adapt other systems to use.
I personally prefer trademarked systems as there is a certain level or quality control when it comes to implementation of the program and the materials used. It might be more expensive but it's worth it.
As a very KS parent, I chose a preschool with a strong academic syllabus. My boy is in preschool for 2.5 hours a day. My wish is for that 2.5 hours to be filled with SOLID LEARNING. Not 'learn through play'. He can learn through play AT HOME, with me. I do plan activities for him like baking cookies, playing with fondant to decorate cupcakes, playing pretend, etc etc. Outings are also planned to let him experience hands-on learning with us. My main goal is for him to understand that SCHOOL IS FOR LEARNING, not play! Enrichment classes can incorporate play, but not in his formal preschool.
So, I chose a school with their own trademarked system and they are also very academic-conscious, they give the children extra work to ensure that they are ready for Singapore's Primary School system.
4. Caring Principal, Teachers and Staff
I love feedback from the schools so that we can reinforce values/rules at home too.
I chose a school where the Principal knows all the kids and parents personally. She makes the effort to talk to us about our values and the values they teach the children. I love it that they are very strict in terms of behaviour and manners.
I went down personally to observe how teachers punish the students when they misbehaved and found their techniques very successful. They will pull the child aside and explain why it's wrong to do it. Then they warn them that if they did it again, they will be asked to sit at the side of the classroom to observe the activities instead of being able to join in. IT WORKED! My mischevious monkey was tamed!
The school bus uncle is also fantastic. Sometimes they would arrive early when sending him back and we have not gone down yet, he will actually bring him up personally while the teacher accompanies the other children on the bus! This is EXCELLENT service!
And at times when I need to change the drop off location at the last minute (sometimes we would go to my mum's place instead), all I needed to do was to SMS him before they leave school and he's always so accomodating! He's so friendly with the students and my boy simply loves him. On days when my boy refuses to go to school (cos he would prefer to stay home to play with me or watch TV), we would just remind him that Uncle _____ is downstairs waiting for him in the nice school bus and he would spring up and run to the lift! I remember his reaction very vividly!
"Oh! Uncle ____ is here? He is driving the big school bus? I love it! Let's go, Mummy!"
5. Student-Teacher Ratio
In many popular preschools, each class has 15-18 kids and only 1 teacher plus 1 teacher assistant. I personally find it crazy because the room is very cramped and the kids do not get much personal attention from the teacher. At their tender age, personal attention is extremely important to weed out any potential problems like dyslexia and poor handwriting.
My boy's class only has 8 students with 2 teachers. He loves it and so do I! The teacher will write feedback in the communication book and very often, they will call or SMS me to keep me updated.
With such a small student population, it feels more like a small family. We are updated very quickly on any upcoming events/news.
6. Homework
While many parents criticise the need for homework at N1, I personally find it good. It's just simple worksheets on writing numbers/alphabets which they learnt in school. Plus, they have storybooks to bring home to read.
It's a good habit to start them reading and understanding the need for homework since young. My boy will do his work WILLINGLY (read the post on how we motivated him to love homework: http://mwtuition.blogspot.com/). They also get rewards when they are able to read new words taught them (of cos we have to practise with him at home using flashcards).
7. Layout and Facilities
My boy's current school is split into 2 nearby locations within the same compound. I like this idea because they seperate the N1/N2 and K1/K2 students. This reduces the risk of outbreak of diseases such as HFMD. They also have their own toilets (some preschools do not have them, especially those located in shopping centres).
They also have a large outdoor play area (but it is currently under renovation, so they will go over nearer to the K1/K2 area for outdoor play).
8. In-house Enrichments
For busy parents, it would be good if the school has enrichment programs.
The preschool my boy attends has extra enrichments (of cos you will need to pay for the additional classes). These enrichment classes include piano, swimming, chinese, abacus, art, mental maths, etc etc. They also have school bus service to send the kids home after enrichment!
Due to budget constraints, I did not send my boy for their enrichment programs. However, they do have holiday classes for these enrichment programs and school bus service is still available even during holidays! To prevent 'after-holidays-return-to-school-sickness', I enrol him in the holiday classes. He loves them! He will come home chatting non-stop about his 'adventures'.
As parents, just remember...
At the end of the day, we want our kids to be HAPPY. No point forcing them into a school they do not like (even if we think it is the best).
I did put my boy for trial classes at his current preschool before we made up our minds.
Are You Hiring A Competent Tutor?
Articles Contributed at KiasuParents.com [This article was written in 2009.]
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/are-you-hiring-competent-tutor
Just to share my experience so that parents can take note also.
I currently have a few P6 students whom I'm giving private tuition to and this incident is about another tutor whom the parents of one student hired as additional help to the child.
From what the parents and student tell me, this tutor is a young tutor who is doing her diploma currently. She claims that she is very good in Maths and can teach the student 'shortcuts' to answering questions. She goes to their place on weekends to help the child with work that he does not understand.
I was very happy for this student as I know they have limited budget and the parents managed to get more help as I personally feel that the student really need alot of help. I did offer free lessons at my home for him (my place is a few bus stops away from theirs) but the parents refused as they do not want him to travel just for tuition (I can understand because travelling can cause the child to be quite tired).
I really thought that this tutor is a blessing to the student until I marked this student's assignments (worksheets that were given by me), and I got a shock! The questions were all answered using simultaneous equations (not suitable for this primary school boy and definitely a longer way to answer the questions I gave). And when I asked my student if he understood the method she taught him, he said that the tutor told him the questions I gave are for secondary school, not primary school!
The maths syllabus has changed and now they use calculators at P5 and P6 and they also learn more topics in depth (area of circle, algebra). I was shocked that the teacher said that to him as the questions I gave are definitely P6 maths questions which my ex-colleagues (current P6 teachers in top schools) told me that such questions may come out at PSLE.
And due to her comments, this student now thinks that all questions are too difficult for him and he is not able to understand. Those are basic speed and distance questions which I have taught him before. He managed to solve the question correctly the first time with the method I taught him but the tutor told him it's wrong and taught him simultaneous equations (but the final answer is the same). Using simultaneous equation can be accepted but based on this student's level of understanding, he cannot comprehend how simultaneous equations work!
And this tutor also taught him a few other questions on area of hexagons in which she even got the method wrong. The worst part was her teaching him percentage and she simply deducted the percentages although they were percentages of different items!
I was quite upset that the tutor taught the student the wrong methods as it now means that he is very confused. I did feedback to the parents and they were not aware that the other tutor taught him differently and even told him that those were secondary school questions and he should not be doing them.
As a tutor, I will advise all parents to screen your tutors carefully. Check on your child's progress and work done during tuition. Do not leave it 100% to the tutor. If there are questions that the tutor claims cannot be done using techniques which are taught to P6 students, get your child to bring the question to school to ask the school teachers.
Do check carefully and hire a competent tutor for your child. Else, it'll be a waste of money, time and effort for your child to learn the wrong techniques.
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/are-you-hiring-competent-tutor
Just to share my experience so that parents can take note also.
I currently have a few P6 students whom I'm giving private tuition to and this incident is about another tutor whom the parents of one student hired as additional help to the child.
From what the parents and student tell me, this tutor is a young tutor who is doing her diploma currently. She claims that she is very good in Maths and can teach the student 'shortcuts' to answering questions. She goes to their place on weekends to help the child with work that he does not understand.
I was very happy for this student as I know they have limited budget and the parents managed to get more help as I personally feel that the student really need alot of help. I did offer free lessons at my home for him (my place is a few bus stops away from theirs) but the parents refused as they do not want him to travel just for tuition (I can understand because travelling can cause the child to be quite tired).
I really thought that this tutor is a blessing to the student until I marked this student's assignments (worksheets that were given by me), and I got a shock! The questions were all answered using simultaneous equations (not suitable for this primary school boy and definitely a longer way to answer the questions I gave). And when I asked my student if he understood the method she taught him, he said that the tutor told him the questions I gave are for secondary school, not primary school!
The maths syllabus has changed and now they use calculators at P5 and P6 and they also learn more topics in depth (area of circle, algebra). I was shocked that the teacher said that to him as the questions I gave are definitely P6 maths questions which my ex-colleagues (current P6 teachers in top schools) told me that such questions may come out at PSLE.
And due to her comments, this student now thinks that all questions are too difficult for him and he is not able to understand. Those are basic speed and distance questions which I have taught him before. He managed to solve the question correctly the first time with the method I taught him but the tutor told him it's wrong and taught him simultaneous equations (but the final answer is the same). Using simultaneous equation can be accepted but based on this student's level of understanding, he cannot comprehend how simultaneous equations work!
And this tutor also taught him a few other questions on area of hexagons in which she even got the method wrong. The worst part was her teaching him percentage and she simply deducted the percentages although they were percentages of different items!
I was quite upset that the tutor taught the student the wrong methods as it now means that he is very confused. I did feedback to the parents and they were not aware that the other tutor taught him differently and even told him that those were secondary school questions and he should not be doing them.
As a tutor, I will advise all parents to screen your tutors carefully. Check on your child's progress and work done during tuition. Do not leave it 100% to the tutor. If there are questions that the tutor claims cannot be done using techniques which are taught to P6 students, get your child to bring the question to school to ask the school teachers.
Do check carefully and hire a competent tutor for your child. Else, it'll be a waste of money, time and effort for your child to learn the wrong techniques.
Building Composition Skills
Articles Contributed at KiasuParents.com
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/more-composition-writing-tips
My suggestions to parents (things that I usually do with my tutees):
Make them start a journal
If they are the type that do not know what to write, give them a topic a day. I usually start off with giving them pictures (can be anything under the sun!) with some questions as prompts. Then there'll be a list of helping words/phrases related to the topic.
Depending on your child's age, you can get them to start with 10 sentences per day (P1/2) and slowly get them to increase the number of sentences. It's ok if their sentences seem very random & do not link at the beginning.
Start off with correcting basic grammar & spelling. Then if you spot a sentence that can be improved with better vocab or phrase, teach them & get them to jot it down in their journal.
You can also let your child take pictures whenever you go out & use those pictures as the topics. It'll be easier for them this way as they have personally experienced what they saw in the picture. You can also use photos from family trips, childhood photos, etc.
Read out loud
Children who do not like to read usually have problems with the words, which makes them hate reading in the first place. Ask your child to read out loud to you. If they are shy, start off with you reading 1 sentence, then they will read the next and alternate.
They feel less self-conscious if you are also reading with them & once you note pauses (meaning they do not know the word), quickly help them before they start to feel frustrated. Praise them & assure them that they are doing a good job. Not only are you encouraging reading, you are also encouraging them to practice their oral skills! Where to find so many passages to read?
You can buy model composition books or buy comprehension books & read the passages (the latter is better as the topics are usually general knowledge topics & it will help them in cloze passages & comprehension). Discuss about the topic of the passage you read. Prompt them with questions like:
"Do you think ___ did the right thing?"
"Was he brave/courageous by doing that?", etc.
If you spot difficult words, search the dictionary with them. It's a good skill to learn - searching the dictionary for meaning of words. It makes them curious & they are always amazed at how some words can have so many meanings!
Play a game
Play word games with your child. Start off with a word & the next person must give another word that has the same meaning or is related (e.g. butterfly -> wings -> colourful -> rainbow -> green -> leaves). Keep going till someone is stuck. It's very fun & their competitive spirit will spur them to learn more words. It also trains their minds to link objects/descriptions.
You can also write down the words (encourage them to spell) & make use of the words to form a sentence or story! Although the sentences/stories may seem 'crazy', it's really fun & gives them something to think about.
Self questioning technique
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
Usually we will teach children to write 3 paragraphs - Introduction, Body & Conclusion. But do the kids understand what is expected in each paragraph?
This is what a typical story would be like:
Introduction -> Who is in the story? When/Where did it happen?
Body (can be more than 1 paragraph) -> What happened? Why did it happen?
Conclusion -> How was the matter resolved? Closing sentence.
Sample written by my P5 student [Topic - Describe what happened when you were late for a very important event.]:
Perspiration was trickling down the sides of my [WHO] face, every step causes a drop that was dangling at my chin to splatter on the tar road. It was the day of my PSLE examination [WHEN] & I was on my way to school [WHERE]. I was pushing myself to run as fast as my legs could take me as it was 10 minutes before my first paper was about to start. As I was running, I started to reflect. I knew it was entirely my fault that I'm late, but I could not help but hold resentment towards them. The two immature & spoilt children whom I have to call my siblings [WHO].
I woke up this morning thinking it was six in the morning. The room was dark, the air was fresh and most importantly, my trusty clock had it's shorter hand pointing at six and its longer hand in the opposite direction. A quick check with the living room clock and my heart skipped a beat. It was actually 8am! I scurried back into my room, fantically changing my clothes, suddenly noticing my two younger brothers giggling at the bedroom door.
"What are you laughing it? I'm late for a major exam that determines the rest of my life and the two of you are giggling! You must have something to do with this!" I yelled in frustration. I guess my tone was nasty as my youngest brother started crying.
"We played with your clock last night after you feel asleep and we thought it would be fun to make you late for school since you slept so early," my youngest brother mumbled feebly with his knees shaking. [WHAT/WHY]
So it was them. I should have gotten my parents to wake me up. I should have gotten my friends to ring me in the morning. I cannot help but smack myself in the head, ignoring the fact that I'll be killing some much-needed brain cells. It was my fault for not making back-up plans in case the clock fails, but why must they play with my clock of all days?
I made up my mind to grill my siblings on the barbeque or tie them up on a tree after my examinations. For now, I'll have to run harder. The school gate was in sight! I dashed past security, past the school office & up into the school hall. 300 pairs of eyes suddenly suddenly looked up at me, all sweaty & disheveled. I had arrived in the nick of time, the teachers were just about to start the examination. I quickly took my seat and focused on the paper in front of me.
After the paper, I went straight home & called my parents. I was too tired with deal with my brothers physically. I told them everything over the phone and took a nap. When I woke up, I could hear screaming and crying. "Piak!" came the sound of the cane. I ran out of my room to take a look. My parents were caning my brothers for their mischief. My heart ached as I saw the cane land on their bottoms.
I quickly ran over to shield my brothers. My brothers clung to me like koala bears on a tree. Their faces were smeared with tears & mucus, their hands riddled with cane marks. Although they did cause me to be late for my examination, I still loved them. I begged my parents to stop as I've already forgiven them. After drying their tears & comforting them, I told them about the dire consequences if I had been a little later. They apologised and promised never to be mischevious again. [HOW] I also made a silent resolution to ensure that I have back up plans whenever I have something important [CLOSING SENTENCE].
May not be the best compo, but she managed to use some techniques I practised with her in which I'm pleased as this is a student who used to fail composition.
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/more-composition-writing-tips
My suggestions to parents (things that I usually do with my tutees):
Make them start a journal
If they are the type that do not know what to write, give them a topic a day. I usually start off with giving them pictures (can be anything under the sun!) with some questions as prompts. Then there'll be a list of helping words/phrases related to the topic.
Depending on your child's age, you can get them to start with 10 sentences per day (P1/2) and slowly get them to increase the number of sentences. It's ok if their sentences seem very random & do not link at the beginning.
Start off with correcting basic grammar & spelling. Then if you spot a sentence that can be improved with better vocab or phrase, teach them & get them to jot it down in their journal.
You can also let your child take pictures whenever you go out & use those pictures as the topics. It'll be easier for them this way as they have personally experienced what they saw in the picture. You can also use photos from family trips, childhood photos, etc.
Read out loud
Children who do not like to read usually have problems with the words, which makes them hate reading in the first place. Ask your child to read out loud to you. If they are shy, start off with you reading 1 sentence, then they will read the next and alternate.
They feel less self-conscious if you are also reading with them & once you note pauses (meaning they do not know the word), quickly help them before they start to feel frustrated. Praise them & assure them that they are doing a good job. Not only are you encouraging reading, you are also encouraging them to practice their oral skills! Where to find so many passages to read?
You can buy model composition books or buy comprehension books & read the passages (the latter is better as the topics are usually general knowledge topics & it will help them in cloze passages & comprehension). Discuss about the topic of the passage you read. Prompt them with questions like:
"Do you think ___ did the right thing?"
"Was he brave/courageous by doing that?", etc.
If you spot difficult words, search the dictionary with them. It's a good skill to learn - searching the dictionary for meaning of words. It makes them curious & they are always amazed at how some words can have so many meanings!
Play a game
Play word games with your child. Start off with a word & the next person must give another word that has the same meaning or is related (e.g. butterfly -> wings -> colourful -> rainbow -> green -> leaves). Keep going till someone is stuck. It's very fun & their competitive spirit will spur them to learn more words. It also trains their minds to link objects/descriptions.
You can also write down the words (encourage them to spell) & make use of the words to form a sentence or story! Although the sentences/stories may seem 'crazy', it's really fun & gives them something to think about.
Self questioning technique
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
Usually we will teach children to write 3 paragraphs - Introduction, Body & Conclusion. But do the kids understand what is expected in each paragraph?
This is what a typical story would be like:
Introduction -> Who is in the story? When/Where did it happen?
Body (can be more than 1 paragraph) -> What happened? Why did it happen?
Conclusion -> How was the matter resolved? Closing sentence.
Sample written by my P5 student [Topic - Describe what happened when you were late for a very important event.]:
Perspiration was trickling down the sides of my [WHO] face, every step causes a drop that was dangling at my chin to splatter on the tar road. It was the day of my PSLE examination [WHEN] & I was on my way to school [WHERE]. I was pushing myself to run as fast as my legs could take me as it was 10 minutes before my first paper was about to start. As I was running, I started to reflect. I knew it was entirely my fault that I'm late, but I could not help but hold resentment towards them. The two immature & spoilt children whom I have to call my siblings [WHO].
I woke up this morning thinking it was six in the morning. The room was dark, the air was fresh and most importantly, my trusty clock had it's shorter hand pointing at six and its longer hand in the opposite direction. A quick check with the living room clock and my heart skipped a beat. It was actually 8am! I scurried back into my room, fantically changing my clothes, suddenly noticing my two younger brothers giggling at the bedroom door.
"What are you laughing it? I'm late for a major exam that determines the rest of my life and the two of you are giggling! You must have something to do with this!" I yelled in frustration. I guess my tone was nasty as my youngest brother started crying.
"We played with your clock last night after you feel asleep and we thought it would be fun to make you late for school since you slept so early," my youngest brother mumbled feebly with his knees shaking. [WHAT/WHY]
So it was them. I should have gotten my parents to wake me up. I should have gotten my friends to ring me in the morning. I cannot help but smack myself in the head, ignoring the fact that I'll be killing some much-needed brain cells. It was my fault for not making back-up plans in case the clock fails, but why must they play with my clock of all days?
I made up my mind to grill my siblings on the barbeque or tie them up on a tree after my examinations. For now, I'll have to run harder. The school gate was in sight! I dashed past security, past the school office & up into the school hall. 300 pairs of eyes suddenly suddenly looked up at me, all sweaty & disheveled. I had arrived in the nick of time, the teachers were just about to start the examination. I quickly took my seat and focused on the paper in front of me.
After the paper, I went straight home & called my parents. I was too tired with deal with my brothers physically. I told them everything over the phone and took a nap. When I woke up, I could hear screaming and crying. "Piak!" came the sound of the cane. I ran out of my room to take a look. My parents were caning my brothers for their mischief. My heart ached as I saw the cane land on their bottoms.
I quickly ran over to shield my brothers. My brothers clung to me like koala bears on a tree. Their faces were smeared with tears & mucus, their hands riddled with cane marks. Although they did cause me to be late for my examination, I still loved them. I begged my parents to stop as I've already forgiven them. After drying their tears & comforting them, I told them about the dire consequences if I had been a little later. They apologised and promised never to be mischevious again. [HOW] I also made a silent resolution to ensure that I have back up plans whenever I have something important [CLOSING SENTENCE].
May not be the best compo, but she managed to use some techniques I practised with her in which I'm pleased as this is a student who used to fail composition.
Right Brain or Left Brain?
Articles Contributed at KiasuParents.com
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/right-brain-or-left-brain
Being a teacher, tutor and mum, I've encountered this 'right brain or left brain' discussion many times.
My personal view:
Teachers in school do try to use a variety of teaching methods to ensure students with different learning styles will benefit from the lesson. Gone are the old days of chalkboard & textbooks. Welcome to the new generation of PowerPoints & videos. However, there are also limitations with 40 different students in each class.
'Brain training' may be good to stimulate your child's mind, but I personally feel that there's no need to make a big hoohaa over it by spending hundreds of dollars on it when there's no scientific proof that it does increase a child's academic or mental capabilities. I've attended many trial lessons with my boy and was rather 'disappointed' at the activities. The activities done can actually be carried out during normal play at home if parents are willing to make the resources (cards) or buy them. If you are not sure of what activities or resources to prepare, there are many books in the library with simple instructions and lessons planned out for parents. If you can't read English, there are many Taiwanese books on this topic at Popular.
Don't mistaken that I'm not encouraging parents to send your kids to classes, my boy attends many different enrichment classes but I personally feel that 'brain training' is something that can be done easily at home through incidental learning instead of during a structured lesson.
The activities in are exactly what I've been doing with my boy since he was born. It's also a form of parent-child bonding & some activities can even be done in the car travelling from 1 place to another! My parents used to do it with my siblings & me to pass time (so that we do not fight in the car). It's fun & they don't realise that it's a 'lesson'!
Anyway, I feel that discovering the individual child's learning style is more important than brain training.
If your child is a visual learning (like me), bright pictures/colours will help alot. Use of flashcards & posters around the house will definitely help.
I only 'discovered' my learning style in S3 when one of my teachers told me to try to close my eyes & visualise the textbook I've been studying from for over a year. I realise that I can actually picture the book in my mind & flip the book & search for info in my 'virtual textbook'. From there, I actually decided to use different colours to write/highlight different types of information & organised everything using colours & colourful Post-It notes. It helped alot. Even at higher education, I was still using this method. People think that I'm mad when I close my eyes to focus during exams but only I know what I'm doing: I'm digging for answers in my brain. My parents did not send me for any brain training classes, it just came naturally & I learnt to tap on it.
I have a friend who is a audio learner. She remembers better when she listens to someone read information. How did she study? Pay attention in class & ask her mum to read her textbook to her. While others were busy writing notes during revision, she created audio notes. She read out important information/concepts and recorded them. Played them back to listen while she's doing her homework and whenever she's free. I find that her relationship with her mum is really very strong although she's working in Aussie. She told me how she'll still hear her mum reading to her when she misses her mum while working alone in Aussie
My sis is someone who has no 'logical thinking'. She has poor sequencing & this resulted in her poor calculations. She learnt to add & subtract through 'rote learning'. Repetition & constant practices. She requires all workings to be worked out neatly, we can't skip any steps when teaching her Maths. And at each step, there can only be 1 change.
Example:
Normally I would just do this:
140 - 5 x 8 + 50 - 40 x 2
= 140 - 40 + 50 - 80
= 70
With my sister:
140 - 5 x 8 + 50 - 40 x 2
= 140 - (5 x 8) + 50 - (40 x 2)
= 140 - 40 + 50 - (40 x 2)
= 140 - 40 + 50 - 80
= 100 + 50 - 80
= 150 - 80
= 70
At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself as parents: What do you want for your child?
Do you want a brainy child who will be a Phd holder in future but does not have 'heartware' or family bonding? Or do you want an all rounded child, even if he/she may not be the top in our society?
Every parent's expectations are different. As long as you know that you've given your best to your child by loving your child, that's all that matters.
My expectation of myself as a parent is to give my boy the opportunity to explore & discover himself, thus the exposure to different learning opportunities in forms of enrichment classes (swimming, music, art, etc).
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/right-brain-or-left-brain
Being a teacher, tutor and mum, I've encountered this 'right brain or left brain' discussion many times.
My personal view:
Teachers in school do try to use a variety of teaching methods to ensure students with different learning styles will benefit from the lesson. Gone are the old days of chalkboard & textbooks. Welcome to the new generation of PowerPoints & videos. However, there are also limitations with 40 different students in each class.
'Brain training' may be good to stimulate your child's mind, but I personally feel that there's no need to make a big hoohaa over it by spending hundreds of dollars on it when there's no scientific proof that it does increase a child's academic or mental capabilities. I've attended many trial lessons with my boy and was rather 'disappointed' at the activities. The activities done can actually be carried out during normal play at home if parents are willing to make the resources (cards) or buy them. If you are not sure of what activities or resources to prepare, there are many books in the library with simple instructions and lessons planned out for parents. If you can't read English, there are many Taiwanese books on this topic at Popular.
Don't mistaken that I'm not encouraging parents to send your kids to classes, my boy attends many different enrichment classes but I personally feel that 'brain training' is something that can be done easily at home through incidental learning instead of during a structured lesson.
The activities in are exactly what I've been doing with my boy since he was born. It's also a form of parent-child bonding & some activities can even be done in the car travelling from 1 place to another! My parents used to do it with my siblings & me to pass time (so that we do not fight in the car). It's fun & they don't realise that it's a 'lesson'!
Anyway, I feel that discovering the individual child's learning style is more important than brain training.
If your child is a visual learning (like me), bright pictures/colours will help alot. Use of flashcards & posters around the house will definitely help.
I only 'discovered' my learning style in S3 when one of my teachers told me to try to close my eyes & visualise the textbook I've been studying from for over a year. I realise that I can actually picture the book in my mind & flip the book & search for info in my 'virtual textbook'. From there, I actually decided to use different colours to write/highlight different types of information & organised everything using colours & colourful Post-It notes. It helped alot. Even at higher education, I was still using this method. People think that I'm mad when I close my eyes to focus during exams but only I know what I'm doing: I'm digging for answers in my brain. My parents did not send me for any brain training classes, it just came naturally & I learnt to tap on it.
I have a friend who is a audio learner. She remembers better when she listens to someone read information. How did she study? Pay attention in class & ask her mum to read her textbook to her. While others were busy writing notes during revision, she created audio notes. She read out important information/concepts and recorded them. Played them back to listen while she's doing her homework and whenever she's free. I find that her relationship with her mum is really very strong although she's working in Aussie. She told me how she'll still hear her mum reading to her when she misses her mum while working alone in Aussie
My sis is someone who has no 'logical thinking'. She has poor sequencing & this resulted in her poor calculations. She learnt to add & subtract through 'rote learning'. Repetition & constant practices. She requires all workings to be worked out neatly, we can't skip any steps when teaching her Maths. And at each step, there can only be 1 change.
Example:
Normally I would just do this:
140 - 5 x 8 + 50 - 40 x 2
= 140 - 40 + 50 - 80
= 70
With my sister:
140 - 5 x 8 + 50 - 40 x 2
= 140 - (5 x 8) + 50 - (40 x 2)
= 140 - 40 + 50 - (40 x 2)
= 140 - 40 + 50 - 80
= 100 + 50 - 80
= 150 - 80
= 70
At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself as parents: What do you want for your child?
Do you want a brainy child who will be a Phd holder in future but does not have 'heartware' or family bonding? Or do you want an all rounded child, even if he/she may not be the top in our society?
Every parent's expectations are different. As long as you know that you've given your best to your child by loving your child, that's all that matters.
My expectation of myself as a parent is to give my boy the opportunity to explore & discover himself, thus the exposure to different learning opportunities in forms of enrichment classes (swimming, music, art, etc).
Help Your Child to LOVE Homework!
Articles Contributed at KiasuParents.com
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/help-your-child-love-homework
My boy has started at a new kindergarten for N1 and he has weekly homework plus reading tests. Just share what we have done to show some positive results.
I was so worried when the school told us that there's homework cos I was worried that he'll resist doing homework that we had a 'plan'. It was tough cos we wanted him to love homework and did not want him to feel forced.
First homework came on Wednesday. It was a writing practice on the number '1'. Then came the 2nd piece of homework, a writing practice on small letter 'a'. And there were flashcards for him to practice reading (both English & Chinese).
My hb, maid and I figured out a 'plan':
Get a nice comfortable table for him (new one). Told him it's his table for doing written work (allowed him to take rough paper to scribble and colour using the table before school started)
When he gets home, get him to empty his bag & when he takes out the homework, make the homework sound exciting ('Wow! You've got some writing to do! It's going to be fun! Mummy/Daddy/Auntie will do it with you after lunch ok?' or 'Clever boy is going to show Mummy/Daddy/Auntie how clever he is when he writes nicely!')
When it's time, get him to help set up the table (take his pencil case with his pencils and colour materials)
Allow him to do some coloring (either on the worksheet if there are pictures to be coloured or on another colouring sheet), then once he's enjoying it, ask him to write '1' to show us.
Allow him to do as many as he like (there were around 15 boxes of '1' he had to trace), he stopped after around 8 of them. I just let him take a break and told him to drink some water, have a biscuit (of cos wash his hands first) and continue after nap. Wake up from nap, he watched some TV, had his milk and snack and continued with his writing. Finished his homework on the same day.
As he did his work, my maid & I were praising him on his nice handwriting. Sometimes he did not trace properly, I'll just ask him if that looks nice and he replied 'it's not perfect!'. He took the eraser and attempted to erase (I say attempted because he did the action of rubbing the paper but the pencil mark was still there cos he does not know how to erase properly). Then he made sure all were perfect and we got him to put it back neatly into the folder and keep it into his bag immediately.
The next day we actually got him started on the next piece of homework: writing 'a'. The start of the worksheet has some colouring activity (colour all the apples). So he started colouring (he chose the colour and colours out of line but we just let him be).
Got him to start tracing and he finished everything at one go. He was so pleased with himself! He got stickers as reward from me. After that, he actually went to his bookshelf, pulled out the book which I bought for him (tracing lines and small letters) and requested to do it too!
He's hooked!
We started allowing him to have the freedom to draw, colour and scribble in his book (I bought many exercise books for him) or on rough paper (I have a stack of recycled paper for him). Inspired by TAMARIND's girl He liked drawing/writing exercises and this made the transition to 'HOMEWORK' much easier. Plus he sees students at my place doing their work quietly at the study table, and it helps me to explain to him that everyone has to do homework so they'll be clever. You can create this by 'doing work' yourself! It could be just simple a word search or word puzzle or Sudoku! It's good to exercise our minds too.
If your kids are still young, do try to make it fun for them. Make them LOVE HOMEWORK. I keep telling my boy that he's so smart and clever because he managed to finish his homework. I think all kids want to hear that, whether their homework was well done or not. It's a good start cos they'll learn to take pride in their work.
If your kids are already school going children, do make the effort to praise them and reward them for doing their homework. It may not be very well done but you can still praise them for completing their work on time and tell them to try harder the next time so that they will feel proud of their work and themselves.
If we, parents, give a positive vibe about homework, I'm sure the kids will start to love it too! Let's start creating a love for homework in our kids!
P/S: I hated homework when I was in Primary school. But when I was in Sec school & my mum allowed me to redecorate my room & allowed me to choose my own study table, I started to love doing homework. It gave me a sense of pride to be sitting at MY TABLE - the table I CHOSE and LOVE - doing homework.
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/help-your-child-love-homework
My boy has started at a new kindergarten for N1 and he has weekly homework plus reading tests. Just share what we have done to show some positive results.
I was so worried when the school told us that there's homework cos I was worried that he'll resist doing homework that we had a 'plan'. It was tough cos we wanted him to love homework and did not want him to feel forced.
First homework came on Wednesday. It was a writing practice on the number '1'. Then came the 2nd piece of homework, a writing practice on small letter 'a'. And there were flashcards for him to practice reading (both English & Chinese).
My hb, maid and I figured out a 'plan':
Get a nice comfortable table for him (new one). Told him it's his table for doing written work (allowed him to take rough paper to scribble and colour using the table before school started)
When he gets home, get him to empty his bag & when he takes out the homework, make the homework sound exciting ('Wow! You've got some writing to do! It's going to be fun! Mummy/Daddy/Auntie will do it with you after lunch ok?' or 'Clever boy is going to show Mummy/Daddy/Auntie how clever he is when he writes nicely!')
When it's time, get him to help set up the table (take his pencil case with his pencils and colour materials)
Allow him to do some coloring (either on the worksheet if there are pictures to be coloured or on another colouring sheet), then once he's enjoying it, ask him to write '1' to show us.
Allow him to do as many as he like (there were around 15 boxes of '1' he had to trace), he stopped after around 8 of them. I just let him take a break and told him to drink some water, have a biscuit (of cos wash his hands first) and continue after nap. Wake up from nap, he watched some TV, had his milk and snack and continued with his writing. Finished his homework on the same day.
As he did his work, my maid & I were praising him on his nice handwriting. Sometimes he did not trace properly, I'll just ask him if that looks nice and he replied 'it's not perfect!'. He took the eraser and attempted to erase (I say attempted because he did the action of rubbing the paper but the pencil mark was still there cos he does not know how to erase properly). Then he made sure all were perfect and we got him to put it back neatly into the folder and keep it into his bag immediately.
The next day we actually got him started on the next piece of homework: writing 'a'. The start of the worksheet has some colouring activity (colour all the apples). So he started colouring (he chose the colour and colours out of line but we just let him be).
Got him to start tracing and he finished everything at one go. He was so pleased with himself! He got stickers as reward from me. After that, he actually went to his bookshelf, pulled out the book which I bought for him (tracing lines and small letters) and requested to do it too!
He's hooked!
We started allowing him to have the freedom to draw, colour and scribble in his book (I bought many exercise books for him) or on rough paper (I have a stack of recycled paper for him). Inspired by TAMARIND's girl He liked drawing/writing exercises and this made the transition to 'HOMEWORK' much easier. Plus he sees students at my place doing their work quietly at the study table, and it helps me to explain to him that everyone has to do homework so they'll be clever. You can create this by 'doing work' yourself! It could be just simple a word search or word puzzle or Sudoku! It's good to exercise our minds too.
If your kids are still young, do try to make it fun for them. Make them LOVE HOMEWORK. I keep telling my boy that he's so smart and clever because he managed to finish his homework. I think all kids want to hear that, whether their homework was well done or not. It's a good start cos they'll learn to take pride in their work.
If your kids are already school going children, do make the effort to praise them and reward them for doing their homework. It may not be very well done but you can still praise them for completing their work on time and tell them to try harder the next time so that they will feel proud of their work and themselves.
If we, parents, give a positive vibe about homework, I'm sure the kids will start to love it too! Let's start creating a love for homework in our kids!
P/S: I hated homework when I was in Primary school. But when I was in Sec school & my mum allowed me to redecorate my room & allowed me to choose my own study table, I started to love doing homework. It gave me a sense of pride to be sitting at MY TABLE - the table I CHOSE and LOVE - doing homework.
Why I sent my boy to ChildCare at 18 months old :)
Articles Contributed at KiasuParents.com
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/why-i-choose-sent-my-boy-childcare-18-months-old
I sent my boy to childcare at 18 months old.
Although I have a maid and my dad can help to look after during the day, I still sent him to childcare. Why?
At home, there's hardly any 'meaningful activity' during the day. He just plays on his own while my maid is busy with housework and preparing his food/clothes/etc.
My dad is not trained in education and does not know how to teach or what to teach. All he will do is play with my boy, bring him down for walks and let him watch TV. Nothing much learnt at home during the day when we are at work.
At childcare, my boy learnt to interact with other children. He learnt to share (something which is quite hard to teach at home since he's the only child at the moment). He learnt to be more vocal and verbalise his needs. He learnt to feed himself (something which may not happen with my maid and dad spoiling him at home). He learnt to pack up after himself (must put all the toys back at original place; though we enforce this at home, it's hard for him to carry it out. At school, all the kids do it together, so there's some peer pressure). He also learn to stand up for himself and defend himself when bullied. They also taught him to be very hygienic (must wipe up or wash up immediately after getting dirty).
Alot of 'softskills' which is hard for us to teach at home due to doting grandparents is taught in childcare.
Then there's academic knowledge too. They have storytelling everyday, song & dance, flashcards, art & crafts, etc etc. Their day is so fun filled. My boy enjoyed it very much.
Of cos the usual concerns of falling sick easily, getting HFMD, etc was there too.
We chose a SMALL childcare, not crowded, well seperated classes, good hygiene practices. In my boy's 1.5 years there, he got HFMD once but it was from church, not from childcare.
Before we started him in the CCC, we started him on some supplements to help boost his immune system. Probiotics, colostrum and multivits (due to his poor appetite at that time) were given 2-3 months before he started CCC.
He did not fall sick often like what others would mention. He only fell sick twice, once with HFMD, once with flu (got it from me & my hb).
Since we have extra help at home, my parents will take turns to pick my boy up at 5pm everyday instead of waiting till closing time, 7pm. My hb starts work rather late, so he sends my boy in at around 9+am everyday.
Now that my boy is older and easier to manage (more independant, will spend his time doodling, writing, playing on his own), we send him to a kindergarten (few hours a day). It's more academic focused, which is what hb & I want.
It's really up to individual needs and wants, plus how much your family can chip in to help
I think since it's SAHM or WAHM, for 3yo kid, can find a preschool for few hours a day instead of CC (Pre-nursery like my boy).
I know of SAHMs who send their kids to half day CC to have some 'alone time' and some time to catch up on housework. Some of them have A FEW kids at home (young babies), so they send the older ones to CC so that they can manage the baby in the day.
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/why-i-choose-sent-my-boy-childcare-18-months-old
I sent my boy to childcare at 18 months old.
Although I have a maid and my dad can help to look after during the day, I still sent him to childcare. Why?
At home, there's hardly any 'meaningful activity' during the day. He just plays on his own while my maid is busy with housework and preparing his food/clothes/etc.
My dad is not trained in education and does not know how to teach or what to teach. All he will do is play with my boy, bring him down for walks and let him watch TV. Nothing much learnt at home during the day when we are at work.
At childcare, my boy learnt to interact with other children. He learnt to share (something which is quite hard to teach at home since he's the only child at the moment). He learnt to be more vocal and verbalise his needs. He learnt to feed himself (something which may not happen with my maid and dad spoiling him at home). He learnt to pack up after himself (must put all the toys back at original place; though we enforce this at home, it's hard for him to carry it out. At school, all the kids do it together, so there's some peer pressure). He also learn to stand up for himself and defend himself when bullied. They also taught him to be very hygienic (must wipe up or wash up immediately after getting dirty).
Alot of 'softskills' which is hard for us to teach at home due to doting grandparents is taught in childcare.
Then there's academic knowledge too. They have storytelling everyday, song & dance, flashcards, art & crafts, etc etc. Their day is so fun filled. My boy enjoyed it very much.
Of cos the usual concerns of falling sick easily, getting HFMD, etc was there too.
We chose a SMALL childcare, not crowded, well seperated classes, good hygiene practices. In my boy's 1.5 years there, he got HFMD once but it was from church, not from childcare.
Before we started him in the CCC, we started him on some supplements to help boost his immune system. Probiotics, colostrum and multivits (due to his poor appetite at that time) were given 2-3 months before he started CCC.
He did not fall sick often like what others would mention. He only fell sick twice, once with HFMD, once with flu (got it from me & my hb).
Since we have extra help at home, my parents will take turns to pick my boy up at 5pm everyday instead of waiting till closing time, 7pm. My hb starts work rather late, so he sends my boy in at around 9+am everyday.
Now that my boy is older and easier to manage (more independant, will spend his time doodling, writing, playing on his own), we send him to a kindergarten (few hours a day). It's more academic focused, which is what hb & I want.
It's really up to individual needs and wants, plus how much your family can chip in to help
I think since it's SAHM or WAHM, for 3yo kid, can find a preschool for few hours a day instead of CC (Pre-nursery like my boy).
I know of SAHMs who send their kids to half day CC to have some 'alone time' and some time to catch up on housework. Some of them have A FEW kids at home (young babies), so they send the older ones to CC so that they can manage the baby in the day.
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