Friday, March 30, 2007
MORE GAMES
While looking for online games for Nikki, we chanced upon a website: AddictingGames.com. It was a smorgasbord of games and Nikki spent most of the afternoon playing some of them. His current favorite is the Tauri Bedrock game. It's actually hilarious. Nikki is quite good at these type of games. Although he will encounter some difficulties, he could strategize and try different methods before asking for help. Well, I am not worried about Nikki playing online games. He is still very controllable and when I tell him, he can't use the computer yet, he does not put up a fuss or have tantrums. Because of this, I think he is all right. Who knows, he might be the next Bill Gates...=D
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
NIKKI AND A BEE
Nikki found this bee in their pool one morning. When he scooped it up in his cup, it was an instant lesson on bees. I let him look closely at the wings, the coloring and the size of the bee. He paid attention but after dumping the bee outside the pool, he went back to playing in the water. =D Oh well...
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
READY FOR KINDERGARTEN
I think Nikki is doing so great with our lessons here at home. He does not get bored with lessons and he enjoys answering his workbooks (which I know, not all students feel the same way). I just need to build his self-confidence a bit because Nikki gets so affected when he commits mistakes or when he is unsure of his answer. I tell him again and again, "Nikki, it's okay to make mistakes; it's okay to be wrong." I don't want him to think that he has to be perfect all the time. I want him to learn, to find out why an answer is wrong and why he should find better answers to some puzzling question. I want Nikki to be a thinker and not to just accept things as they are. So far, he is doing great.
When I saw this checklist, I knew that Nikki is on his way. It makes me feel good that despite not going to traditional school, Nikki is learning so much and is happy learning his own way.
.....
http://school.familyeducation.com/school-readiness/parents-and-school/38491.html
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
While there's no perfect formula that determines when children are truly ready for kindergarten, you can use this checklist to see how well your child is doing in acquiring the skills found on most kindergarten checklists.
Check the skills your child has mastered. Then recheck every month to see what additional skills your child can accomplish easily.
Young children change so fast -- if they can't do something this week, they may be able to do it a few weeks later.
Listen to stories without interrupting
Recognize rhyming sounds
Pay attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks
Understand actions have both causes and effects
Show understanding of general times of day
Cut with scissors
Trace basic shapes
Begin to share with others
Start to follow rules
Be able to recognize authority
Manage bathroom needs
Button shirts, pants, coats, and zip up zippers
Begin to control oneself
Separate from parents without being upset
Speak understandably
Talk in complete sentences of five to six words
Look at pictures and then tell stories
Identify rhyming words
Identify the beginning sound of some words
Identify some alphabet letters
Recognize some common sight words like "stop"
Sort similar objects by color, size, and shape
Recognize groups of one, two, three, four, and five objects
Count to ten
Bounce a ball
If your child has acquired most of the skills on this checklist and will be at least five years old at the start of the summer before he or she starts kindergarten, he or she is probably ready for kindergarten. What teachers want to see on the first day of school are children who are healthy, mature, capable, and eager to learn.
When I saw this checklist, I knew that Nikki is on his way. It makes me feel good that despite not going to traditional school, Nikki is learning so much and is happy learning his own way.
.....
http://school.familyeducation.com/school-readiness/parents-and-school/38491.html
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
While there's no perfect formula that determines when children are truly ready for kindergarten, you can use this checklist to see how well your child is doing in acquiring the skills found on most kindergarten checklists.
Check the skills your child has mastered. Then recheck every month to see what additional skills your child can accomplish easily.
Young children change so fast -- if they can't do something this week, they may be able to do it a few weeks later.
Listen to stories without interrupting
Recognize rhyming sounds
Pay attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks
Understand actions have both causes and effects
Show understanding of general times of day
Cut with scissors
Trace basic shapes
Begin to share with others
Start to follow rules
Be able to recognize authority
Manage bathroom needs
Button shirts, pants, coats, and zip up zippers
Begin to control oneself
Separate from parents without being upset
Speak understandably
Talk in complete sentences of five to six words
Look at pictures and then tell stories
Identify rhyming words
Identify the beginning sound of some words
Identify some alphabet letters
Recognize some common sight words like "stop"
Sort similar objects by color, size, and shape
Recognize groups of one, two, three, four, and five objects
Count to ten
Bounce a ball
If your child has acquired most of the skills on this checklist and will be at least five years old at the start of the summer before he or she starts kindergarten, he or she is probably ready for kindergarten. What teachers want to see on the first day of school are children who are healthy, mature, capable, and eager to learn.
Monday, March 26, 2007
FRUIT FACE
Ethan made this funny face out of the plastic fruits I bought the other day. I think this is a nice way to study the face. It is always harder to teach Ethan because I have to come up with creative ideas to keep him interested but when he gets really psyched about a lesson, it is sooo fulfilling. =D
Sunday, March 25, 2007
21 WAYS TO ENJOY BEING A MOM
I think this article is pretty helpful for some moms who can't find time for themselves (like me sometimes). But despite the stress, I still can't and won't give up motherhood for anything... =D
http://www.parenting.com/parenting/mom/article/0,19840,1601705,00.html?topic=l1369
1. When you're tired, hand your kids a brush, point to your head, and tell them to play beauty parlor. When you're really tired, pretend that you're Sleeping Beauty.
2. Take your mother to a spa. While you're both getting seaweed wraps, tell her all your favorite memories of growing up.
3. Take a bath with your infant. Make sure your husband is around for the handoff, so you can relax until the last minute. (Don't forget to smell your baby right afterward. Heaven!)
4. At the end of every summer, take a family photo for the holiday card (you'll be happy to have this accomplished once December comes). Every year, add a framed 11-by-14-inch print to your front hall. Your kids will be proud now and laugh later at the funny styles.
5. On St. Patrick's Day, dye the milk and eggs green and turn the furniture upside down so your home looks like total chaos. When your little ones wake up, tell them that the leprechauns came.
6. The next time you have to go to a boring kiddie activity, invite another mom-friend along. Hide wine in sippy cups for the two of you to nurse undercover.
7. Play Freaky Friday with your husband and switch roles for a day. Enjoy his renewed appreciation for his Super Mom wife.
8. In the dead of winter, fix some snacks, get under warm quilts, and watch Happy Feet on DVD. Tell your kids you love them even more than the penguins love their chicks.
9. Go to the beach in the off-season. Throw rocks in the water and collect shells. Put them in a vase and use it as shelf décor in your living room.
10. Skip the Raffi and Barney. Turn your kids on to Bob Marley, They Might Be Giants, and Gwen Stefani.
11. Take your baby out to the movies at night. (Infants love the dark, and loud trailers make them snooze immediately.) Then you can sip your soda and munch your popcorn in peace.
12. Buy yourself that fancy watch, strand of pearls, or whatever piece of expensive jewelry you've been lusting after. Justify your purchase by rationalizing that you'll pass it down to your daughter (or son's wife) eventually.
13. Take your kids to live music performances from very early ages. Cheap ones outdoors are great to start with in case you need to make a hasty exit (like when a diaper explodes).
14. Use your kids as an excuse to do the things you want to do, like going to silly feel-good movies, eating mac and cheese for dinner, and jumping in the moonbounce. Use your kids as an excuse to get out of things you don't want to do, like going to a wedding or office party.
15. Every Mother's Day, have a picture taken with your kids. Keep the photos all together — along with special cards, ticket stubs, mementos, and anything else that makes you feel good about being a mom — in a shoe box. (Of course, you must get those new shoes you love in order to do this correctly.) Every year, look through your Goddess Mom box and see how much your kids have grown.
16. Give your kids quiet time every day. Let them learn to be by themselves with books, crayons, or blocks.
17. Let your whole family take a day off and hang out in pj's all day long.
18. Rent Sex and the City on DVD, and reminisce about the days when you were single and the biggest problem you had was whether the "He" of the moment was going to call. Let the romance of your youth seduce you. Then remember that, despite your freedom, all you really wanted was to fall in love and have beautiful babies.
19. Pitch a tent in the backyard. Use it as your outdoor reading room. Or when there's a full moon, plan a family campout with sleeping bags, a transistor radio, and s'mores, of course.
20. Invent a house fairy. Give her a name, and tell your kids that she is always watching them and counting up their good deeds.
21. Listen for the deep, happy sighs that come after your kids play or laugh really hard. Tuck them away in your heart.
Babytalk, March 2007
http://www.parenting.com/parenting/mom/article/0,19840,1601705,00.html?topic=l1369
1. When you're tired, hand your kids a brush, point to your head, and tell them to play beauty parlor. When you're really tired, pretend that you're Sleeping Beauty.
2. Take your mother to a spa. While you're both getting seaweed wraps, tell her all your favorite memories of growing up.
3. Take a bath with your infant. Make sure your husband is around for the handoff, so you can relax until the last minute. (Don't forget to smell your baby right afterward. Heaven!)
4. At the end of every summer, take a family photo for the holiday card (you'll be happy to have this accomplished once December comes). Every year, add a framed 11-by-14-inch print to your front hall. Your kids will be proud now and laugh later at the funny styles.
5. On St. Patrick's Day, dye the milk and eggs green and turn the furniture upside down so your home looks like total chaos. When your little ones wake up, tell them that the leprechauns came.
6. The next time you have to go to a boring kiddie activity, invite another mom-friend along. Hide wine in sippy cups for the two of you to nurse undercover.
7. Play Freaky Friday with your husband and switch roles for a day. Enjoy his renewed appreciation for his Super Mom wife.
8. In the dead of winter, fix some snacks, get under warm quilts, and watch Happy Feet on DVD. Tell your kids you love them even more than the penguins love their chicks.
9. Go to the beach in the off-season. Throw rocks in the water and collect shells. Put them in a vase and use it as shelf décor in your living room.
10. Skip the Raffi and Barney. Turn your kids on to Bob Marley, They Might Be Giants, and Gwen Stefani.
11. Take your baby out to the movies at night. (Infants love the dark, and loud trailers make them snooze immediately.) Then you can sip your soda and munch your popcorn in peace.
12. Buy yourself that fancy watch, strand of pearls, or whatever piece of expensive jewelry you've been lusting after. Justify your purchase by rationalizing that you'll pass it down to your daughter (or son's wife) eventually.
13. Take your kids to live music performances from very early ages. Cheap ones outdoors are great to start with in case you need to make a hasty exit (like when a diaper explodes).
14. Use your kids as an excuse to do the things you want to do, like going to silly feel-good movies, eating mac and cheese for dinner, and jumping in the moonbounce. Use your kids as an excuse to get out of things you don't want to do, like going to a wedding or office party.
15. Every Mother's Day, have a picture taken with your kids. Keep the photos all together — along with special cards, ticket stubs, mementos, and anything else that makes you feel good about being a mom — in a shoe box. (Of course, you must get those new shoes you love in order to do this correctly.) Every year, look through your Goddess Mom box and see how much your kids have grown.
16. Give your kids quiet time every day. Let them learn to be by themselves with books, crayons, or blocks.
17. Let your whole family take a day off and hang out in pj's all day long.
18. Rent Sex and the City on DVD, and reminisce about the days when you were single and the biggest problem you had was whether the "He" of the moment was going to call. Let the romance of your youth seduce you. Then remember that, despite your freedom, all you really wanted was to fall in love and have beautiful babies.
19. Pitch a tent in the backyard. Use it as your outdoor reading room. Or when there's a full moon, plan a family campout with sleeping bags, a transistor radio, and s'mores, of course.
20. Invent a house fairy. Give her a name, and tell your kids that she is always watching them and counting up their good deeds.
21. Listen for the deep, happy sighs that come after your kids play or laugh really hard. Tuck them away in your heart.
Babytalk, March 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
IN ZAMBOANGA
We have been in Zamboanga for 3 days now. The boys have adjusted well to the new surroundings again. Nikki loves this place and chose it over Manila when I asked him which place he preferred. I am happy about that because I want him to be comfortable here. Ethan is is usual physical self. Because our house is spacious compared to the one in Manila, he could run and go from room to room as much as he wants. I think it's nice to see the boys doing so well. Nikki and I have already started answering his workbooks yesterday. We try to do the workbooks every other day so that he won't get too bored with it. I plan to go to town to buy some more materials for them to keep them busy for the next few weeks. Since we could stay in the garden pretty much anytime, we might get to do more arts and crafts for the next few weeks. I think this summer is going to be pretty fun! =D
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
MESS
It has been very hard trying to focus on lessons and teaching the boys things and doing activities. The house is a mess, the construction is noisy and there is dust and dirt everywhere. It really dampens the lessons so we try to either learn outside the house or at the mall. So far, the boys have been cooperative. When we are home, we still do some lessons in their workbooks or we watch some tv. But they really love going to the playground near here. Which is a good thing because I don't want my boys to be couch potatoes.
I'm not really worried about our situation because we will be flying to Zamboanga on Saturday and hopefully there, we will be able to be more focused on our homeschooling activities.
I'm not really worried about our situation because we will be flying to Zamboanga on Saturday and hopefully there, we will be able to be more focused on our homeschooling activities.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
FOR PARENTS
I think this article is very insightful.
http://www.parenting.org/archive/discovery/life_lessons/2003/Apr_May03_role_model.asp
Be a Character Role Model
One of the most powerful teaching tools parents have is modeling the behavior they want children to learn. In character education, that means "walking the talk," or being the person of high integrity you're helping children to become.
You may be a good role model now, but remember, you don't have to be sick to get better. Everything you do, and don't do, sends a message to children about your values. Be sure your messages are about doing the right thing, even when it is hard to do. When you slip (and all of us do), act the way you want your children to behave when they make a mistake - be accountable, apologize sincerely and work to do better.
The following "Parents' Pledges" were developed by the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition to help parents focus on specific behaviors they can model as part of their teaching. Perhaps they will be a source of inspiration for you.
A Parent's Pledge: Trustworthiness
I will be as honest as I want my children to be.
I won't lie to my children or in front of them.
I will not treat honesty as a rule of convenience by excusing acts of dishonesty or deception as exceptions.
I will avoid hypocrisy like preaching against smoking, drinking or drugs while doing those activities.
I will demonstrate consistently the strength of my moral convictions by paying whatever price necessary to do what I think is right, risking loss of money, approval and even employment.
I will treat my word as my bond in all cases.
I will avoid legalistic escape hatches in dealing with my children, honoring the spirit as well as the letter of my promises.
A Parent's Pledge: Respect
I will listen with respect and treat my children's views seriously.
I will avoid selfish and petty behavior and power plays, especially where my children are concerned.
I will exercise self-restraint and maintain the kind of self-discipline I expect from my children with respect to violence, yelling or other displays of temper.
I will use only the kind of language I want my children to use.A Parent's Pledge: ResponsibilityI will demonstrate a willingness to admit when I am wrong and to take my medicine, and expect the same from my children.
I will avoid shifting the blame and making excuses regarding my own shortcomings or mistakes, and expect the same from my children.
I will assign reasonable age-appropriate responsibilities to my children and see that there are meaningful consequences if they fail to perform their duties.
I will insist that my children keep their commitments at home, at school and in extracurricular activities.
A Parent's Pledge: Fairness
I will not resort to arbitrary power to get my way when I have taught that general rules of fairness are applicable.
I will treat all my children equally and fairly.
I will be open and reasonable to discussion and criticism.
A Parent's Pledge: Caring
I will remember that my children are stakeholders in everything I do.
I will demonstrate compassion and respect for others, especially my children.
I will be visibly charitable and involve my children in choosing charities to support.I will not discount, belittle or trivialize my children's feelings and fears.
A Parent's Pledge: Citizenship
I will obey the law in all matters.
I will vote in all elections and perform other civic duties such as jury duty, testifying as a witness and reporting crimes as the opportunities arise.
I will conserve energy and avoid littering or other forms of pollution.
http://www.parenting.org/archive/discovery/life_lessons/2003/Apr_May03_role_model.asp
Be a Character Role Model
One of the most powerful teaching tools parents have is modeling the behavior they want children to learn. In character education, that means "walking the talk," or being the person of high integrity you're helping children to become.
You may be a good role model now, but remember, you don't have to be sick to get better. Everything you do, and don't do, sends a message to children about your values. Be sure your messages are about doing the right thing, even when it is hard to do. When you slip (and all of us do), act the way you want your children to behave when they make a mistake - be accountable, apologize sincerely and work to do better.
The following "Parents' Pledges" were developed by the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition to help parents focus on specific behaviors they can model as part of their teaching. Perhaps they will be a source of inspiration for you.
A Parent's Pledge: Trustworthiness
I will be as honest as I want my children to be.
I won't lie to my children or in front of them.
I will not treat honesty as a rule of convenience by excusing acts of dishonesty or deception as exceptions.
I will avoid hypocrisy like preaching against smoking, drinking or drugs while doing those activities.
I will demonstrate consistently the strength of my moral convictions by paying whatever price necessary to do what I think is right, risking loss of money, approval and even employment.
I will treat my word as my bond in all cases.
I will avoid legalistic escape hatches in dealing with my children, honoring the spirit as well as the letter of my promises.
A Parent's Pledge: Respect
I will listen with respect and treat my children's views seriously.
I will avoid selfish and petty behavior and power plays, especially where my children are concerned.
I will exercise self-restraint and maintain the kind of self-discipline I expect from my children with respect to violence, yelling or other displays of temper.
I will use only the kind of language I want my children to use.A Parent's Pledge: ResponsibilityI will demonstrate a willingness to admit when I am wrong and to take my medicine, and expect the same from my children.
I will avoid shifting the blame and making excuses regarding my own shortcomings or mistakes, and expect the same from my children.
I will assign reasonable age-appropriate responsibilities to my children and see that there are meaningful consequences if they fail to perform their duties.
I will insist that my children keep their commitments at home, at school and in extracurricular activities.
A Parent's Pledge: Fairness
I will not resort to arbitrary power to get my way when I have taught that general rules of fairness are applicable.
I will treat all my children equally and fairly.
I will be open and reasonable to discussion and criticism.
A Parent's Pledge: Caring
I will remember that my children are stakeholders in everything I do.
I will demonstrate compassion and respect for others, especially my children.
I will be visibly charitable and involve my children in choosing charities to support.I will not discount, belittle or trivialize my children's feelings and fears.
A Parent's Pledge: Citizenship
I will obey the law in all matters.
I will vote in all elections and perform other civic duties such as jury duty, testifying as a witness and reporting crimes as the opportunities arise.
I will conserve energy and avoid littering or other forms of pollution.
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