Play n Learn: My Boy Starts To Write

I know my boy can write number "1" at age 2+. After all, he is good at scribbling any lines or sketching any shapes of his favor. But this year, he starts attending a formal class (not playschool anymore) and he is taught to trace (yeap, not write from the root) the numbers and alphabets progressively.

To help him learn better, I put up a number chart onto the wall of our bedroom. So every night, he can point and read the numbers which he can recognise. Also, he is very keen on writing with Fisher Price's "Doodle" drawing board... but we are freaked when he can write number "2" as well. We are pretty happy to learn about his progress and wish he can do better at his own pace.

Keep it up!!!

Sing Me A Love Song

My boy turns 3 years old this year. He goes to Kindergarten now. He can talk better and sing better. For negative, he shows his anger if we scold him; he challenges our patience. Sometimes, he can be a little sweet boy; but sometimes, he can be a little monster.

Nevertheless, I am proud of him... especially he can sing many songs for me. He loves to sing. In recent, I hear him singing a new song. A theme song from Barney's MTV - "I Love You, You Love Me". But he can only pick few lines from this song. So I ask my hubby to search the song with lyrics from Youtube. Then I play the song and practise the lyrics with him. He takes 3 nights to sing it aloud words by words.


My best Valentine's gift is never such sweetest. (Hehe, my hubby was definitely defeated!!!) Thank you and I love you, my little lover!

Play n Learn: Phonic Letters Reading

Time flied. It's now 3rd term that my boy enrolled for the toddler program at Lorna Whiston. Once in a week and one hour per class. Unlike the Right Brain Programme, there's no specific teaching materials like flash cards or visual instruments. In the class, all toddlers will sit or stand or move around the teacher when she sings songs or reads a book or shows picture cards (ie colours or shapes). My intention is to let my boy to be familiar with the English language because all teachers here are qualified foreigners. Moreover, I notice that many young students with strong English background are attending their courses too.

By attending the class with my boy, I'm learning too especially the phonic letters (Note: Toddler programme can be accompanied by either one parents/care takers). Finally I googled the phonic letters which are same with his teacher as well as the live reading video via YouTube (as seen below). I just realised that it is Montessori phonics. Whatever method it is, I'm glad that my boy didn't feel stress to learn the phonics in the class. (Note: Teacher read along with the phonic CD while holding the phonic book in hand to show the students.) I could sing and read the phonics with my boy anytime. It's interesting.

Play n Learn: Count Little Fingers

These days we like to ask our boy do counting. Not using any math books. Since he knows the sequence of 1 to 10, we begin to introduce Math in his daily life. Like during reading, we ask him how many birds(image) on the page; during mealtime, we ask him how many plates on the table; during playtime, we ask him how many balls in the basket; during shopping, we ask him how many tins of milk powder in the cart. Let him count anything he can see and/or touch even though sometimes he makes error. Through many trials and errors,he picks up faster.

The most simple one, we just ask him to count how many fingers on his hand(s). (Note: This can be done anytime and anywhere like during a car ride or while queuing at the cashier) In my opinion, my boy is still young, he should enjoy learning process through fun methods. We try to promote "Zero Stress" in his early learning environment.

Play n Learn: About Colours

After spending more time with my 2yo boy, I have been teaching him some basic knowledges by stage at home. So far, I am quite satisfied with his progress. Amongst the subjects, I find "colours" is the most challenging part. Why I said so? For some colours, like pink and purple, or orange and red, they may look alike (depends on the printing quality and light reflection) in some cases. Besides, each main colour code can also be categorised from the lightest to the darkest shade. I don't expect my boy to recognise the names (words) but I just wonder how to let him identify the different colours through visual memory.

It took my boy 1 week to learn the colours (3 months ago). Firstly, in order to make him understand the concept of "what is Colour", I teach him from a book (strongly recommend this one: Bill Martin Jr/Eric Carle's Brown Bear, brown bear, what do you see?). Then I keep on practising with him via a set of colourful stacking cups (his toy during 8-12mths. How to play it with 2 yo? Question game, ie Can u tell me what colour is it? one cup by one cup to form a tower like pic above). At such age, his curiosity to learn new things is at the peak. My boy loves to share about his new "knowledge" with us. For instance, he sees a red car, he will say "it is red"; he sees a picture of green frog, he will say "it is green". Sometimes, if he spots a colour like grey which I don't teach him yet, he will ask "what colour is it?". Of course, children always get motivated if they are praised. I never forget to say "good boy" or "good job" as a little encouragement. To keep his effort up.

Now, he's very good at describe things that he sees especially on the road. He is so excited to tell us all kinds of transport as well as their colours ie blue bus, white van, red car, brown lorry or green taxi. It helps him to learn faster when the knowledge extends to the surroundings (not just limit to books and toys).

Play n Learn: More Puzzles?

Got a box of ELC's wooden puzzles during a sale last month (Original RM55 with 30% off). In fact, we have some puzzles in the house but they are all made of paperboard. Still, I prefer wooden toys which are tear/break/water-proof (longer lifespan=economic efficiency). This tin contains 4 nursery rhyme puzzles: 2 large size puzzles (4 pieces) + 2 small size puzzles (6 pieces) suitable for children aged 18 months to 3 years old.

*Per label's reference, puzzles are good for:

(i) Problem Solving: teaches little ones to work things out for themselves;

(ii) Fine Motor Skills: helps little ones use their hands for precise movements.

My boy is 2.5yo now. He is much more energetic but we don't see him eat more than before. He needs our full attentions to play/read/watch with him. Only able to gain our private time (work or rest) when he has gone to slumberland. As such, I'm hoping to train him to work things by himself like playing puzzles. It's time to let him be little independent and get ready for pre-school.

Play n Learn: Springwood Farm Quoits

It's another wooden toy set from ELC. Guess my hubby can't say anything once he read this post. Haha... a "beautiful lie" from a shopaholic mum. This toy is actually for kids aged 3-8. But I bought it when my boy was just almost 1yo. Too crazy? Not so, I feel lucky to buy it first because it's no longer available now. (Good enough for an excuse?!)

Farm Quoits is perfect to play outdoor and indoor. As the weather looks so extreme (hot and wet) recently, we don't bring our boy to the playground as to avoid him catching a cold. Finally I took the Springwood Farm Quoits out from our store and unpacked it last weekend. How happy he was to help me set up the quoits on the floor. But what he can learn??? Learn about the farm animals like sheep, rabbit, horse, chicken, duck and cow and also the numbers* (1 to 6). *Elder kids can learn to count the scores from their throws of rope over the animal targets.

It's a fun game to play together with kids for the purposes like family leisure and home parties. Per label's reference, this Farm Quoits is aimed for:
(i) Physical Development: helps little ones develop coordination, balance and strength;
(ii) Hand and Eye Coordination: helps little ones use their hands effectively and develop good reflexes;
(iii) Social Skills: helps little ones learn how to make friends and enjoy company.

Play n Learn: Our House Got Talent

My boy likes to sing in solo now. Recently he learns to sing Hokkien songs... Not a joke, he can sing the chorus part. So he always hosts his talent's show in our bedroom as well as in the car. Even he braves himself to sing for his grandparents, uncles/aunties and cousins upon request. What a little man he is!(Applaused) But when he gets too excited on singing... OMG, he'll be like yelling, not singing anymore!

Sharing here with one of his singing video clips - a simple counting rhyme of "Five Little Ducks":

Five* Little Ducks Went Out One Day
*Repeat with Four, Three, Two, One
Went Overhill and Far Away

Mother Duck Said: Quak, Quak, Quak...
Only Four* Little Ducks Came Back.
*Repeat with Three, Two, One, None

Note: Picture inserted at right - One of his Term 1's art projects in Toddler Program.
Teacher sang the above song which followed by some actions. So I will do the same when singing it to my boy. Children easily pay attention to the funny sounds or exaggerate actions or facial expressions that are involved in a reading or singing or dancing.

Although he can just sing one paragraph, we feel much satisfied about his performance. Absolutely never forget some big claps to appreciate his little talent show.

Play n Learn: Leapfrog's Tag Junior Set

My Boy's New Learning Tool: Leapfrog's Tag Junior

This January, I bought a set of Leapfrog's Tag Junior for my boy's 2y.o birthday. Other than this one, my boy has a Fridge's Phonic Magnetic Set (see right) from this brand.

During that time, he could not operate this Tag in a proper way. He just pressed the buttons or tapped the pages. As such, I keep this set away and let him read other books as usual. 3 months later... I think that he should be able to handle the Tag Junior. As per guide, Tag Junior is designed for children aged 2 to 4. I can't hold it for any longer. I decide to let him try it again.

This set comprises 2 books which are "If I Were" and "Curious George Color Fun". In recent, my boy just learns about colours so I choose the latter for him. I gave him a demo on how to use the gadget with the book. At last, he didn't let me down this time. He enjoys tapping it which makes many sounds then. Now he will tell me "Mommy, i want to point" when he wants it. He realises that the gadget can 'talk' once he points it to the icons found on each pages. "Mommy, you see, he talks and he sings!"

Play n Learn: Now I know My ABC

I was so touched when my 2 y.o tot could sing ABC's song without missing a letter. I could not sing a complete one until primary one. Luckily was my parents got me a good tutor to teach me from the basic. I'm not a pro in teaching but I wish to be a good mentor in his early education path.

In beginning, he always missed the letter "N" and "V". So I rectified him every time. I notice that he can tell the correct one after I highlight the "missing" or "incorrect" parts several times. Trials and errors actually make him learn faster.

Does he recognise the 26 letters? I'd say he is slowly picking them up... letter by letter. Like last week, he could say the letter "O" when he spotted any "0" (circle, zero number, letter O). At one point, he said the letter "Q" was "O" when he saw it from his daddy's car plate. Haha... Yesterday, he took out the letter "Z" from his foam playmat and said "it's zebra". What made me laugh about this picture (see right)? My boy pointed it and said "mommy, I got this "O" and I got this "Zebra"; but, my husband asked me "why Aussie?" when I took the picture of the two letters.

In recent, I like to record his small performances. For me, video is a live-memory that bringing more sentimental feelings about the past.
Let's watch the NG take + the Good take.

Play n Learn: Building Up A Mega-block Skyscraper

My boy's Favourite Block Game: Mega-blocks Box Set

My boy is lucky to be the youngest in his generation. His aunties have kept many toys and other baby stuff in good condition. For instance, this box of colourful mega-blocks is one of the family's treasures. It can be passed on for many generations.

Different shapes and multi-coloured blocks help toddlers to develop fine motor skills (touch, build and experiment) and also hand-eye coordination. In addition, it's a good game to train your little one's concentration and creativity by sorting the shapes and the colours to build his own creation.

There's one important code to teach your little one during playtime. "Tidy up" his/her toys. Putting toys in place (the toy's box or the shelf). In the beginning, we show them how and tidy up together. For our boy, we allow him to play one or few toys at one time and request him to clear away the current one before switching to another. So, don't forget to say "tidy up" when your little one finishes playing one toy.

Play n Learn: "Vroomm..." on a 3D Road Map

My boy's Favourite 3D-Playmat: ELC's 3D Road Map

Yes, it's a 3D playmat from ELC. The trees, the bridges and the buildings are all inflatable. Since having a child, I become a patron of Children stores, either apparels or toys, I like to check out the latest items.

"Think Toys" (or used to be "ELC") is top of my favourite children's Toy store. I bought this 3D playmat last year and opened it up on the floor. Unbelievable, 90% of the 3D figures are still inflated in good shape until today... imagine the inner air was pumped nearly a year ago.

Many think that this 3D playmat surely cost me a lot because the flat one is not cheap either. In fact, the price is lower than the other flat playmats in the store. Maybe it's made of plastic. I bought it for RM 69. Good deal, right? It's easier to let my boy learn about the buildings (ie hospital, shop, post office) which are presented in 3D form on this playmat. And learning on-the-road terms piece by piece.

Vroom, vroom, drive past a hospital and go straight to the roundabout... Watch out, there's a traffic light ahead! It's red light, STOP and WAIT... now it turns green, GO. Turn Right.

Play n Learn: Introduce Opposites

My boy is recovering from FHMD... no, he has recovered indeed. Yesterday, he not only finished a bowl of porridge but also ate 3 mini bananas. Glad to see him gaining some appetite. And today he's being active (mischievous too) again, talking a lot and playing a lot.

Today is public holiday and therefore my parents are free at home. In the evening, he asked his "gong gong" (grandfather or my dad) to take him out for a bicycle ride. "Gong gong" offered to fetch him on his big old bike, but my little boy insisted to ride his own small bike on the road. I tried to coax him in riding with "gong gong" but eventually we gave in. Why??

I said: Come on, ride on gong-gong's bicycle.
My boy: It is big bicycle, I don't want. I want this small one. (Then, he pulled his little bike to the porch.)

Weeks ago, he just learned to describe those vehicles which are bigger than his daddy's car as "big car" such as vans, MPVs and four-wheels. *He started to use "big" word after reading "Gruffalo's Child" - quote "big bad mouse". Today, he can differentiate the words of "Big" and "Small". Remarkably using "Opposite" to describe things and even to express his little logical mindset. Most obvious is he can answer with "Yes" or "No" to the questions.

As such, I think I could introduce Dr.Suess's beginner opposite cards to him very soon.

Play n Learn: BRIO's "Pick-A-Pair" Game

My Boy's First BRIO's Wooden Game: Pick-A-Pair

I knew this brand from a baby magazine which advertised its pull along wooden toys. See one at right.

I saw a wide range of BRIO's products at the oldest and largest 4-storey Toy Store in Japan, Hakuhinkan Toy Park which is located at Ginza. Hmmm.... what should I get for my tot. He has mega blocks at home and certainly he won't play pull along toy now. So what is suitable? At last, I saw the little black square box, Pick-A-Pair. I read the instruction. Oh, it is designed for enhancing memory skills. Guess this was what I looking for.

How do I play with my boy first? I let him tell the name of the animals printed on each wooden disc and then I ask him to find the same pairs before putting them back to the wooden box. He is still young to learn the rule of memory game. At this stage, he could train hand-eye coordination by matching the same pairs. Having fun too.

Home Project 1: Transportation (Final Look)

Finally, I had completed the 1st study project for my boy. Maybe I should get easier one next time so that he can do it by himself. Colouring? Guess so...

Step 1 - I copy and print few pictures (my one's in B&W) of Maisy's Transportation. (see previous article)

Step 2 - I paste the print-out pictures on a used paperbag (recycle any torn or unused paper materials) then cut each picture and word's label one by one. See right picture

Step 3 - I lay all nicely cut-outs on the floor and let my boy to tell the respective transportation he know. We play match-game, matching the transportation (the picture cut-outs) with the appropriate sound (the word's labels).

Later he happily took the plane and waved it in the air. I could hear him murmuring "aeroplane... aeroplane...fly in the sky". See picture left

The next thing, I rolled up the left-over paperbag to make a tunnel as well as the mountain. To do what? I was going to drive the train like Maisy in "Maisy's Train". (you'll understand it better if you have this book) I held the train cut-out and moved it up and down the mountain, then moved it through the tunnel and out to the station. See the paper train and the fake tunnel cum mountain.

Yeah, we both were so happy to take so many lovely rides on different modes of transportation within one day.

Play n Learn: Sing Along With Baby

Once my boy attends classes, our sing-along list expands as well. Some songs I have never sung before and some songs I can scarcely remember part of the lyrics. Uh uh, how to sing those new songs with my boy?

Thanks to the internet. I can search through the Youtube for children songs' video clips (my fave is Cullen'sAbc's) and I go to this website, www.bussongs.com to copy the lyrics. So easy + it's free.

Learn one here - "Fish Story":
One, two, three, four, five ? Once I caught a fish alive.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten ? Then I let it go again.
Why did I let it go? Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite? The little finger on the right.

Play n Learn: How To Learn Words?

It's great to read some blogs which are written by mothers. Like now, I'm looking for a method to get my little boy to learn words in a fun way. I know he's so good in picture memory. He can say the word if I show him the related picture; Or he can tell the next word/sentences if I read the opening (of each sentence). By hearing, he's learning; by looking, he's learning. But he's not learning by words.

In fact, I received a set of Glenn Doman's flash cards from my sister-in-law which she bought for her 1st child > 10 years ago. Well, I flashed initially my baby boy with the graphic cards (in black & white) in first 6 months. But I didn't continue with the text flash cards (red coloured texts) when he liked to chew or tear the cards. Last night, I began to flash him with the single-word cards. While I flashed the cards (6 words), he held his books and impatiently asked me to read for him. Oh this reminded me about the another set of Glenn Doman's Math cards (from same person this year). Not to scare my little boy with too many "materials", I should take steps to do them.

Perhaps I need to get ready with the interactive methods of teaching my tot to learn words and maths (which inspired by other mum-bloggers). I will share about it later. Most importantly, we should aware that the younger the child, the easier the learning process.
"Before the age of five a child can easily absorb tremendous amounts of information. If the child is younger than four it will be easier and more effective, before three even easier and much more effective, and before two the easiest and most effective of all." - Glenn Doman

Play n Learn: Alphabets In The Kitchen

Leap Frog's Fridge Phonics Magnetic Set

Yes, you could set up any learning corners in the house with the help of some innovative educational toys.

I got this Fridge phonics magnetic set from Leap Frog. This little magnetic learning tool keeps my boy to play around with the alphabets' phonics song and the individual alphabet's blocks attached on the fridge. At least, I have a little peace of time to do my cooking or washing in the kitchen.

In the beginning, I just put the 1st five alphabet's blocks and slowly add another five more. One day, I heard him singing the ABC's song (from scratches) but now he could sing it better from A to Z.

*I hardly hear him sing Alphabets' song these days. Yaa, I seldom cook in my kitchen now. I need to get him to practise the alphabets' song more often.

Play n Learn: A Little Trick For Little One

My little boy used to like to jump on the bed whenever we put him to change diaper on it or to sleep... sure he enjoyed the bouncing fun a lot. Although it was funny to watch his "super jumps", we were scared if he would fall off or hit on the bed frame. Even we shouted "it's dangerous", he just continued to hop on and off with laugh.

Until a night, I said to my boy during bedtime "Jovie, mommy has something new to read for you tonight. Do you like to listen a new one?" and again I specified "yes, it's new one!" to get his attention. He nodded and quietly awaited.

Aloud I read this rhyme:
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed (Show up 5 fingers & Wave them*like hopping)

One Fell Off and Bump his Head (Show Index finger & Point it down, then hand Hit on the head)

Daddy Called the Doctor and the Doctor Said: (One Hand aside the ear *to make phone call)

"No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" (Pretend to Talk like a stern old man and Move the extended index finger side by side *as if a "No"sign)

With the accompanying body actions, my curious boy thought it was cool and so he excitedly followed the way I talk and act. And amazingly the last phrase had caught his attention the most. Why said so?? The following night, he stood on the bed and tried to jump, in split second, he turned back and said " mommy... mommy... mommy (his way to catch my attention), can not jump on the bed ohhh..." Yes, my little trick worked and he quite understood it. Haha.. he acts like me to say the last phrase when his big daddy hops onto the bed sometimes. Daddy, you're caught!!!

Another way to distract my boy from jumping, we both play a simple action song on the bed. Guess you know how to sing "Row row row your boat". Sit face to face, stretch the arms and hold on each other, stretch the legs and put side by side like a boat. Then sing the song by moving the upper body forward and backward together as if rowing the oars.... so merry, isn't it?

P/S: Watch the example from Cullen'sABCs video clips @ youtube.

Play n Learn: Get Funs with YouTube

Great funs!!! So much fun to be explored with the Youtube. I was surprised to find out the storytelling that performed by the authors themselves. We (my boy and I) have been reading the books and now we get to watch the live storytelling. So far, we enjoy to watch Bill Martin Jr's "Brown Bear, Brown Bear. What Do You See" and also Michael Rosen's "We're Going on A Bear Hunt". note: click on the titles to the links and enjoy the video clips from youtube.

I absolutely like this one too: Cullen'sABC's and sure you'll. If you need an idea to read rhymes or to tell stories to your little ones... just go to watch the videos on this website,http://www.cullensabcs.com or just search them from Youtube's playlists. Check them out! Let's learn more interactive activities and make the learning path be more interesting for our little ones.