Journey about raising up our lovely kids
Mothers Blog About Gen Z Kids
Free Test Papers
May 19th
I am just sharing with you on an update of this website – http://www.test-paper.info/. Some of you may be away of the free website providing primary school test papers. Well, it has improved its portal. Now, besides free test papers, there are articles, forum and many more. Some of the forums are very interesting – parents posting questions on their children’s test papers questions. Check it out!
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
May 18th
I have been wanting to teach my Genz Kid how to ride a bicycle but never succeed as he was too afraid to ride one without the training wheel.
Last Sunday, we brought him a bicycle (with training wheels) as an early birthday present for him. He was thrilled and was having fun with his new “toy” until yesterday, a few aunties laughed at him when they saw him riding the bicycle with training wheels. He was embarrassed and felt a bit down. I told him it was okay and the next time if someone makes fun of him because that, just tell them that you will remove the training wheel when you are ready.
I recalled how I learnt to ride a bicycle when I was young. In fact, my brothers & I were “trained” to ride a two-wheels bicycle when we were about 5 years old. I remembered our parents just told us to get on the bikes, then they would push us for a short distance, let go their hands and off we go… we fell down, cried a bit and then get up and try again ….
Today, I done some research on the internet and found some useful information on “teaching your kids to ride a bicycle”. I was surprised to note that our old way of learning to ride a bicycle is difficult and dangerous. The more “friendly” way is to remove the paddle or put the paddle down a little so that your feet can touch the ground. Let them go down a gentle slope…. Eventually, with practice, they will still learn how to ride a two-wheels bike but I think we should try to let the learning journey be as pleasant as possible.
Reading materials:
http://www.bikehash.freeservers.com/learn.html
Experience is making me a better parent
May 8th
Affirmation To Be A Better Parent
Although I read many books in preparation for becoming a parent, experience is making me a better parent every day. The book of reality is my greatest teacher. I embrace my life lessons with humility.
Every day, I am gaining knowledge from the mistakes I make. Sometimes, things turn out differently than I hoped. I learn from those moments and apply their lessons to my future behavior.
I am humble enough to apologize to my children when I react in a manner that is inappropriate. My children are discovering that, although I am not perfect, I am someone worth imitating.
As the kids get older, I look back with clarity and see areas that I can strengthen. I offer my advice to younger parents who seek it. Sharing my experiences with others saves them from making the same mistakes I made.
Over time, I am becoming slower to anger and quicker to forgive. I have such a powerful inner sense of peace that I am able to overlook offenses, exercising patience with others.
I am learning that time goes by so fast that I must hold on to every moment I can. I live in the moment and enjoy my children just the way they are.
With experience comes the clarity to distinguish those things that are worth dwelling over and those which are best forgotten. Experience increases my ability to take life in stride without allowing anything to steal my joy.
Today, I choose to embrace the lessons that life teaches me and apply them to my future behavior.
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. What lesson have I learned from my children lately?
2. Am I slow to anger and quick to forgive?
3. How can I turn mistakes into powerful lessons?
Newspaper at your Fingertip
Mar 29th
This is brilliant!
Want to know what’s happening in the world? Well, here’s a useful link to the newspapers in the world. You name it, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, they have it!
Just click on the country / city you wish to read the newspaper on and the newspaper headlines would pop out.
Now you can know what’s happening in other parts of the world at your fingertip. Enjoy reading !
Inter-Disciplinary Project Work (“IPW”)
Mar 5th
What does it mean when your child told you that he is having IPW week in school instead of his usual class routine?
“IPW” stands for Inter-Disciplinary Project Work and it seems that our primary schools are putting in more effort in promoting inter-disciplinary learning today. IPW allows students to understand a subject or topic in depth not through individual learning but through team work. Through research, discussion and brainstorming, it hopes to allow students to see things from different viewpoints.
According to my son, this is how I think IPW works:
- Grouping of members followed by appointment of leader by the team members.
- The team brainstormed on the topic they want to research and write on.
- Once the topic is decided, roles are assigned to individuals (e.g. editor, reporter, researcher).
- The team then works on the timeline & deliverables.
- Team members start work on their respective areas. • When at home, team members continue to do research (e.g. surfing the web).
- At next meeting, team members shared with one another on the information and materials they have collated.
- Team leader is to check and ensure timelines & deliverables are on track.
- Team to submit write up and do presentation on project on D-Day to teacher and class.
Sounds pretty similar to what we have done during our school days right? Yes indeed, just that the children today start to “work” earlier.
How to Hold a Pencil
Mar 4th
My friend who is in the teaching profession sent me this picture when I told her that my girl’s teacher commented that my girl was not holding her pencil in a right way. This picture clearly indicates the way we should hold a pencil and what we should avoid to do when holding one. In case you are keen, here you go … the correct method of holding a pencil. Cheers!
A blog on Mathematics in School
Mar 1st
A friend shared with me this blog by Dr Yeap who teaches at National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, which I personally find it useful and informative. It’s a platform to help parents and international teachers understand the way Mathematics is taught in Singapore schools.
An example of the question asked and answer by Dr Yeap as below (verbatim):
Question: A car needs 7 hours to travel from Town X to Town Y. A motorcycle needs 8 hours to travel from Town Y to Town X. The car leaves Town X for Town Y and the motorcycles leaves from Town Y to Town X at the same time. How long will it take for the car and the motorcycle to meet?
Answer by Dr Yeap: Speed Problems are frequently brought up. The earlier entries discussing Speed Problems. See below: So, how long will it take for the car and the motorcycle to meet. The standard joke is that we hope they don’t! That aside, we need to assume that the speed of the two vehicles are constant. If that is so then in an hour, the car travels 1/7 the distance in an hour and the motorcycle travels 1/8 the distance in an hour. The problem is solved when the distance travelled by the car and motorcycle add up to 1 whole. In an hour, total distance covered by both is (1/7 + 1/8) of XY. This works out to 15/56 of XY. In 2 hours, it is (2/7 + 2/8) of XY or 30/56 of XY. In 3 hours, 45/56. In 4 hours, 60/56. They would have passed each other in 4 hours. Can I leave it to you to complete the last step of the solution? It is by no means trivial but there are enough leads already.
If you have questions about mathematics learning, you can also send your questions to banhar.yeap@nie.edu.sg and the replies will be posted on http://www.askyeapbanhar.blogspot.com/
Hope you find this blog useful.
Choosing a Preschool
Feb 25th
What are the criteria you look out for when choosing a preschool for your children? Costs, distance, curriculum, teachers, environment?
My 3 years old Genz Kid is now in attending preschool in my neighbourhood. My 10 years old Genz Kid used to attend private preschool which required him to do some travelling. Why the difference, you may asked?
Well, the 2 main reasons are (i) there’s no good preschool in my neighbourhood; and (ii) since my son was the one and only then, my domestic helper can help fetch him to and from school. It’s a bit tricky now that my son is in primary school. I need to take into consideration a number of issues when sorting out my daughter’s preschool arrangement.
The advantages of the neighbourhood preschool? It’s cheaper and within walking distance. The disadvantages? They do not offer 2nd language for Nursery 1 so my girl is not exposed to her mother tongue (i.e. Mandarin) in school, they changes teachers too often and sad to say, their teachers do not speak proper English (my husband once thought he was talking to an admin clerk when in fact he was talking to a teacher). To make matter worst, my girl does not enjoy going to that school. If you asked her if she wants to go to the school opposite, it’s a firm “No” but if you ask her if she wants to go to her weekend Chinese enrichment class, it’s always a firm “Yes”.
I recently asked my son what’s so great about his preschool, he said he liked the teachers (whom I am still in contact with) and the environment. For myself, it’s the communication and professionalism of the teachers that impressed me.
I believe that in order for you to do / learn something, you need to have a liking in that thing first. Once you have the interest , you will naturally enjoy doing that thing. Same philosophy applies to going to school, you need to enjoy going to school first before you enjoy attending the lessons and learn.
Now, I’m really contemplating whether I should put my girl in my son’s preschool even though it means more money and require her to take school bus (the journey is about 20 minutes one way). On bright side, I can be assured that she would be in good hand with professional and experienced teachers.
Which would you choose if you were me?
For reading, http://preschool.sg/ (a website where parents shared their views and experiences on preschools, childcares, kindergartens & early educations in Singapore)
9 Ways to Forge Loving Ties That Last a Lifetime in Your Children
Feb 13th
Children have an amazing capacity to learn. They’re like sponges in the early years and they easily form memories that are cherished for a lifetime.
There are many things you can do in order to build loving ties that last. It’s a great way to teach your children trust and companionship. When you foster a positive relationship with your kids, it’ll be far more likely that they’ll continue to build happy and healthy relationships in the future.
Here are some ways to forge loving ties with your children:
1. Show your gratitude. You may feel gratitude for your children at every moment, but it’s what you project to them that matters. Make sure you verbally and physically show them gratitude. When you do, the message will come across clearly that you care.
2. Exemplify respect. Respect your children, just as you ask them to respect you. They’ll appreciate the saying, “treat people the way you’d like to be treated,” if it’s something that you practice as well.
3. Love them unconditionally. There will certainly be times when your children disappoint or anger you, but make it clear to them that you still love them even when you’re upset with their actions. It doesn’t mean you condone their behavior, but it does mean that you love them no matter what!
4. Make time for them. You’ll build stronger ties when you make time for your children and make an effort to participate in their interests. Ask them what they’d like to do and get involved in their life. This is a great way to enjoy some bonding time with your kids.
5. Encourage them. When your children face a challenge, it’s an opportunity for you to step up and help. Be there to nudge them in the right direction without being too pushy. Give them words of encouragement and let them know how much you believe in their abilities.
6. Help them build confidence and independence. Tell your kids that they can accomplish anything with a positive mindset. Encourage independence in your children so they can remain confident even in situations where you’re not around to help out.
7. Listen. Listen to your kids. They have many important lessons, ideas, and stories to share! When they know that you’re truly listening to them, they also know that you care and love them.
8. Make dinner together. Having meals together as a family is important because many times that’s the only time of day where everyone can be together. Instead of being silent or making small talk, use the opportunity to share love and support. Later in life, your children will remember these wonderful family dinners.
9. Schedule family time. Establish regular opportunities dedicated to building memories with your family. Let each family member choose an activity to enjoy together. Laughing and having fun together will help to build ties that last forever.
When you use these tips to show your family how much you care, the feelings are more likely to become mutual. Spend one on one time with each member of your family and get involved in each other’s lives to connect on a deeper level. It’s those moments of sharing that will last a lifetime!
Respect your Parents
Feb 7th
My friend, who is seldom in Singapore is facing some family problem – her brother and his wife are chasing their father out of the house. They instigated their children not to call their grandfather and ignore his presence. Worse of all, they scolded and shouted at him in front of their children.
I could not help but ask if this is the way we should behave and to teach our children to show their respect for the elderly? How do you expect your children to treat you with respect when you are treating your parents like “dirt”?
Children learn through role modeling. In school, they role model their teachers. At home, they role model their parents. If you treat your parents with disrespect, I do not know how you could teach your children to respect you as their parents. How can you justify that? Can you simply just tell them that they have to respect you because you are their parents and you brought them up, give them you best and you love them? They would probably answer you that they are treating you like how you have treated your parents!” Indeed, they are not wrong … this is how you treat your parents, so don’t expect your children to treat you with respect when you do not know how to treat your parents with respect.
Of course, there are bound to be disagreement between adults. You can disagree with your parents. You may, occasionally, argue with your parents. BUT PLEASE, don’t do it in front of your children. You might think there are too young to know what’s going on. Believe me, they know what’s going on even if they do not understand what you are talking but the tone you used tell it all. Children are sensitive creatures!
So parents, next time before you disagree with your parents, think twice. Make sure you don’t do it in front of your kids. And please, don’t tell them to “disregard” their grandparents as if they are nobody. You won’t want them to do that to you in future!
Remember the golden rule – “Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you”.