Sarah, the online game player

Sarah : Mummy, can i play barbie doll game? the one can change dress one? got hairband one, got bag one, and can change shoes one, got high shoe one and sports shoe one.... got sooooooooooooo many things one.... also can spin, and dance one? can or not, mummy?

Mummy : No, I must finish my work.

Sarah : Mummy, I good girl.... can i play or not?

Mummy : I said "No!" You rest a little while first. Mummy wants to do work.

And Sarah being Sarah.... being sooooooooooooooo persistent made mummy here angry and shouted at her to stop. :p

She cried a little while before she continued her act of persuasion.

She walked around me and said....

Sarah : Mummy I want to play game? Please? Can or not?

... while singing some nursery rhymes..... To Market To Market.... followed by Mary Mary Quite Contrary.... then followed by Row Row Row Your Boat.... Hickory Dickory Dock.... Three Blind Mice.... and then back to our conversation....

Sarah : Mummy "Three Blind Mice" is what? Huh, mummy? It's what? Mummy?

Well.... I just kept quiet all the while... hehehe... this mummy ar! I was actually blogging all these down while she talks.... :p

OK-la... i think she's been really a good girl.... so, the reward is... she can now play her Barbie doll game which she's been waiting for.

Well, this is the online game she plays...

http://icanbe.barbie.com/games.html#

... and the one with the "change clothes one" is.... http://www.barbie.com/activities/fashion/

hmmm.... maybe not.... how about.... http://www.barbiegirls.com/

Sarah : Why cannot find one?

............ ok, u know what? looks like as per this blog post, there were some changes made in the website. We couldnt find the page that she likes.... ie the "changing clothes one". So, she has to look for other favourites. Poor girl... :/

Actually... there are lots of free online games for kids, and even Barbie doll games are not just any games. They consists of matching games, sorting games, and lots more. It does educate the child, but of course, as parents, we must minimize the time for playing. Thus, the child learns to "wait", learns about following house rules as well as getting rewards when they behave well.

McD in a blue moon....

I had this conversation with Sarah in the car last night...... and this time, it's about McDonald's.... or is it?!

Mummy : Girl girl, from now onwards, we have to eat less of McDonald's you know? We can eat-la... but only once in a blue moon, OK?

Sarah : (after pausing for a while...) How about pink moon?

Mummy : (giggling...) pink moon? No pink moon. Once in a blue moon means you can eat it once in a long while. Not too much. Understand?

Sarah : Ohhhhhhhh....... then what now?

Mummy : Oh, it's yellow moon now!

Sarah : Ohhhhhhh..... not blue ar?

Mummy : No, it's not blue moon, it's yellow moon so we cannot eat McDonald's now ok?

Sarah : OK! :)

Well, why we had this conversation about McD? Cuz we realized lately that we've been giving in to our "craving" for McD. And it's not just Sarah. I have to admit, I too been eating that. Sometimes on a weekend, when we ask Sarah what she wants to eat, she'll reply either McD or KFC. Oh my... check out how kids can get so addicted with fast food... and even us adults!

Just writing for writing sake... :p

It has been about 1 and half months since I really shared about my life. I wouldn't dare say that I've been busy because I actually do have my own personal time as well, which I chose to do other things than to blog.

Why did I stop writing? In all honesty, I am a little lazy... especially when I do not need to wake up early to do my assignments now that I've completed my studies. I chose the extra time to sleep a little bit more. And sometimes, I just lost for words... to blog something which is deep and part of my life depends a lot (or mostly) on my emotions and my thoughts at that particular time. Sort of... no inspiration, then... just too bad-lah! :P

As I am writing this, I am actually suffering a little bit of a headache, and thought that blogging would just be the "cure" for now... maybe a bowl of cendol later too! kekeke....

No inspiration whatsoever, so I wont be writing anything "heavy", but just writing something to get my blog "alive" a lil. There are tonnes of folders of photos for me to filter and tell stories from (well, of course, mainly about my little princess), but sometimes procrastination wins the battle, sadly to say.

So anyways, "HI" to all my friends! Wish everyone a great weekend ahead and also great weeks and months ahead! :)

Teaching Alphabet Letters

Taken from : http://www.atozphonics.com/alphabet-letters.html

Frequently asked questions on teaching alphabet letters are:

• What is the ideal age to introduce the alphabet?
• What letters to teach first?
• Do I teach letter names or letter sounds?
• Should I teach capital or lower case first?
• Is it a good idea to teach the alphabet in alphabetic order?
• How do I actually teach alphabet letters?

So let's look at these individually, because the odds are there is at least one question above that you would like to know the answer to!

What is the ideal age to introduce alphabet letters?

This really does depend on your child. I would love to give you a definite answer, like - 'when your child is 3yrs and 45 days you may begin.' You know as well as I do that life just isn't like that! Some children will be ready at 2yrs while others are happy to wait until 5 or 6yrs. What I can say, is that if you follow the advice in'step 1' about what to teach BEFORE the alphabet, then it will happen naturally - you will instinctively know when you have 'reached the ideal' time to begin the formal introduction of alphabet letters. The decision ultimately lies with your child and not you! Just immerse your child in books, rhymes and phonemic awarenessactivities and the progression will be a seamless one. Most typically, a child is able to begin learning the alphabet around the age of 3 or 4yrs.

Do I teach capital or lower case first?

I have met teachers who swear by teaching capital letters first and yet others who insist on teaching lower case and then another group who insist on teaching both at the same time! Personally - I advise on teaching lower case first. Why? Because capital letters only account for about 5% of all letters in the written word and so it seams to make sense to pay more attention to the teaching of the lower case letters as these are the ones children will be introduced to first in their environment. After you have taught your child to recognize lower case letters, I would put up an alphabet frieze with both capital and lower case letters and talk about them. Let the child see them and compare them, play games of matching up lower case with their capital letters. Notice the importance of fun here - always make learning fun! While teaching my own children - I would use games to discreetly assess if they had grasped a phonics principle - there was no pressure of 'tests' so it was a win win situation. My children particulary enjoyed looking at the Letterland books.

Do I teach letters sounds or letter names?

I teach both at the same time. I would remind my children that animals are called by different names, such as a 'pig' or 'cow' but that they all make different sounds eg, 'oink' and 'moo'. So it is with alphabet letters, each has a name but also a sound. I would say "this is the letter 'S' it says the /sssssss/ sound as in sssun." Model the sound to copy and use words that are meaningful to your child. If you need a quick reminder of letter sounds here is a quick check list in the box to your right - some words end in the sound to help you isolate the sound you will be modeling for your child. Some letters have more than one sound, but at this stage we just introduce the first sound of a letter.

What letters do you teach first?

Here are some examples of how others teach letter order:

Alphabetical Order: Although knowing letters 'in' and 'out' of order is important, the main disadvantage of this method, is that a child is waiting a long time before they can start to read words with the letters they have learnt. You really can't read or write many words with the letter a,b,c,d,e

Random Order: For example, choosing letters of a child's name or family members can help give meaning to letters

Vowels: These are the letters, 'a,e,i,o,u and sometimes y'. Vowels are considered important because every word contains a vowel

Mixture of vowels and consonants: Consonants are all the letters which are not vowels. This way is often taught by phonic reading programs, such as Jolly Phonics. For example they start with the letters 's, a, t, i, n, p'. One of the benefits of this method is that a child is quickly able to 'read' and spell three letter words. These 6 alphabete letters make the following words:

Sat, tin, pin, pat, tap, tip, pit, sit, nit, nip, nap, pan

I personally choose to introduce a mixture of vowels and consonants, alongside teaching the alphabet song, so that they can see 'where in the alphabet' the letter they are learning fits into.

"I want means I want!"

Sarah : I want!

Mummy : No!

Sarah : I say I want!

Mummy : No!

Sarah : I say I want means I want means I want!!!

Yes, sometimes I have to go through this kind of conversation with my little girl. And sometimes I (and daddy too!) can be shouting at her at the top of my lungs! Can you imagine my day with this girl? That's only few hours at night. How about Yeh-Yeh & Nai-Nai with her during the longer hours of the day? Hmmm... Nai-Nai says she behaves worst when mummy is around. (Sigh...) She'll be following me to school one day to join the playgroup. I sure hope and pray that things will get better!

On being obsessed with PINK!

Not too sure whether to be worried of this... but my girl is really really obsessed with the colour PINK!

There were times when she just refused to wear any other colour pajamas except her pink colour one and I will just get so mad at her that I put her pink pj aside and lied to her that her pink pj is in the washing machine (just to get her to wear other pjs!)

She loves the colour pink and I dont think there is anything wrong with it. In fact, I am so happy to know that my lil girl is a decision maker and I am truly proud of her. She knows what she wants and she knows what she likes and there seem not a shadow of doubt from her about it too.

It's just that... sometimes, it just feels a lil "too much". Sometimes I feel so "stress" about it. Why? Because her other clothes were abandoned and seemed so "wasteful". Well, that's just about clothes.... but you aint seen it all yet! She's just obsessed over PINK that everything she owns has to be pink. Well, I cant deny that sometimes I too gave in to her "wants". sigh...

I got her a dress this evening... and because it is not pink (according to daddy), she rejected it. My heart a bit broken la, but... what to do?! I thought it was a sweet and pretty-looking dress and probably perfect to be worn for her coming birthday. Well, it has some pink elements on it, but it's not like a really pink dress. Hmmm... I guess I have to learn my lesson. Looks like I cant make her like what I like. As a child, she has every right to decide what she likes and what she doesn't. I can, to some extent, make some decisions for her and guide her to make the right decisions too, but in understanding her (as an individual), I know she has some very important rights that I must respect! So, OK... looks like more pinky stuffs are coming her way... (of course I will also teach her the beauty of all the colours so she will accept them too! :))

In loving memory of my daddy who is in heaven...

Happy 10th Anniversary to Daddy!

It has been 10 long years and in those years, i graduated, earned my own living, got married and have a family of my own. Sometimes, i wished i could just be "daddy's little girl" again but life goes on.

I will always love you and cherish the moments we spent together. My children will learn and know that their grand-dad was a great man on earth! :)

The pix above was taken when he was a young college student (i think! hehe...). It's the only soft copy I have of him from my blogsite. Will hope to put up one of his latest photos later on :)

"OK, Thanks!"

Mummy was tidying up the room a little when suddenly, lil Sarah came in, gave me an angry look and said sternly....

Sarah : Mummy, cheh-cheh spoil my pin! (As always, the little ones at home will have their usual rounds of accusations and "fights"... just part & parcel of being kids!)

Mummy : Hmmm....

Sarah : Mummy, fix for me OK? OK? Fix for me OK?

Looking at how determined she was, I just went along with the flow of things and said....

Mummy : Mmm! OK!

Sarah : OK! Thanks! (Yup! That's what she said... I normally taught her to say "thank u", not "thanks"... but, she learns it well just by listening to our daily conversations!)

She walked out, still looking a lil angry but glad that mummy was there to mend things for her....

I just smiled to myself. It was really such a funny sight. She just looked so cute and "kepo"! Wished I could record all these actions on video. Hehe!

"Because of Christmas Day....."

Well, not a post about last year's Christmas or anything near that.... hehehe!

This is what happens when I ask Sarah (any) questions at all:

Mummy : Why you do that?

Sarah : Because of Christmas Day.... (singing to the tune of "Mary's Boy Child")

Mummy : Why are you so naughty?

Sarah : Because of Christmas Day....

Mummy : Asking questions that starts with "Why..."

Sarah : Because of Christmas Day....

Not too sure where she learn to answer like that, but it was really funny to get response like that from a 3-year old (soon to be :))!

And then I asked her...

Mummy : Where do you learn this?

Sarah : There.... the church one... outside the church one...

Mummy : O? You mean the song we sang in church?

Sarah : Yes! Outside the church one.... with cheh-cheh Andrea, cheh-cheh Ashley, Aunty Marilyn one.... wear the bear-bear one....

Okaaaay.... she has a really great memory! We had Christmas caroling last year and what she can remember, she explains it with her own words to me. At this stage, she understands that when you ask her a "why" question, the answer will bear a "because" at the beginning of the statement.

This lil princess is really growing up! I enjoy every bit of our conversations together. I was just thinking, we will both share a lot together later on when she grows up. I pray that our relationship will not stop at any stage but to grow as not just "mummy-daughter" but as "best-of-friends"! :)

Final Results Out!

Jeng! Jeng! Jeng! "Roll the drums!"

The time has come when I got my final results for the course I took, ie Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Very "professional" indeed! Hehehe! :)

2 months ago, I shouted out, "Merdeka!!!" cuz i completed my final exams and all my projects. I did not need to burn the midnight oil anymore to study and also to find time to complete my assignments which were always due week after week. It was almost hard to breathe at that time!

But now.... I turned and looked back and just breathe a sigh of relief. I am more happy now when I got my final results. I'm just beaming from ear to ear right now... :) Don't wanna boast but I think I did great! I'm undoubtedly happy that it's "sorta" over and I praise the LORD for being with me through it all!

Praise the Lord for an excellent results. My final result shows a CGPA of 3.75 and "Pass with Distinction" --> This will definitely appear on my cert later on! Looks like all the hard work pays off! :D

Neh... no mortar board for me this round... but it sure feels great to graduate from this course! :)

To God be the glory!

Journey to Learning Headstart Checklist

Hi everyone!

I came across this interesting checklist for parents! Use this checklist and try not to miss any of them out as you journey your way as a proud parent of your child this year. Let us all move on to a greater year of parenting and I truly wish you the best! :)

Parents, do you:
 Read with your child daily?
 Play word games with your child?
 Encourage your child to speak clearly and avoid baby talk?
 Encourage your child to express himself/herself?
 Encourage your child to count things around the house
(i.e. spoons or forks on the table, cars on the street, etc.)?
 Make time to listen to your child?
 Monitor your child’s television viewing habits?
 Help your child learn about the following:
 Bathroom habits
 Putting toys away
 Hanging up clothes
 Getting dressed independently
 Listening and following directions
 Eating a good breakfast each morning
 Knowing when and how to use a tissue
 Fastening clothing and putting on boots
 Accepting responsibility by doing small tasks
 Going to bed early and getting a good night’s sleep

Does your child know:
 His/her first and last name?
 His/her address?
 His/her parents first and last names?
 His/her phone number?
 The shortest, safest way to the centre or the number of bus he/she takes to the centre?
 Safety habits - crossing streets, obeying traffic signs, not getting into cars with strangers
 Common courtesy and manners that promote the development of friendships and sharing?

Does your child know how to use the following fastening items:
 Zip?
 Tie?
 Button?
 Snap?

Last but not least, a little write-up by Robert Fulgham that clearly defines the true meaning
of early childhood education:

All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Blessed New Year 2011!

Counting down now.... for the new year of cuz! :)

Cant wait for the new year... new beginning... new everything!

Praise the LORD for all the great things He has done for me and all the great things He's been storing up for me... releasing them to me in due time. Kekeke!

We serve a GREAT GOD indeed!

Have a Blessed New Year 2011!!!

Exhibition at MITC

Come come come! To see the smart pool n shades in melaka. Exhibition ends on 26th

My princess has grown tall! :)

"I win! I win! I can put oredi!

I win! I win! I getting taller and taller oredi!

I win! I win!"

She was jumping up and down while chanting these words. I then realised she did just that the moment she could reach her hand to a pen which was on a 5-tier Toyogo drawers.

She was really beaming with joy and I was very glad to catch her doing so. She is really a tall tall girl now, and she is expressing pure joy knowing that she achieved something today! :)

What happens when you jump up and down with a scissors in your hand?

Sarah was doing some paper-cutting... sort of art & craft... or more like just occupying her so I can do my own stuffs..... :p

..... but she started jumping on the bed with the scissors and lo and behold, mummy here was so angry that I started scolding her to stop and telling her how dangerous it is to jump with the scissors. She had this "educational talk" from me before so she understood every word I said... just that need some reminders....

..... our conversation went on like this after telling her how dangerous it was....

Mummy : If you get yourself hurt, mummy will be so sad you know?

Sarah : Then Sarah oso so sad....

Mummy : Yes, that's why when you have a scissors in your hand, don't walk around and jump around. OK? You will hurt yourself.

Sarah : Then me oso die already.... Then me oso got a lot of blood.... wek! (tongue sticking out...)

Mummy : (giggling softly...) Don't do it again, OK?

Sarah : OK...

In her lil pinky dress... & shoes!

We were at a friend's wedding and I dressed her in her favourite colour - PINK!

My dear Little Ms Pink in "action"!

Upon seeing this picture, she asked me, "Why so many pink colour, pink colour one?"

LOL! Looks like she just realized how pink she was! And yes, check out every of her pix with her trade-mark pose! :)

Little Ms Pink

I guess I have to change her nickname to Little Ms Pink from now on.... (just joking! :))

Well, the title speaks it all! She is just so "girl" now. Hahaha... When she was a little baby or at least when she was younger, ie below 1.5 years old, she seemed to like "boy's toys" such as cars, balls, etc... well, that was what I thought. Now, she has totally transformed into a "girl"! LOL! Not that she doesn't like cars or balls anymore but it's more like the choice of colours and toys are very much of a girl's. She now likes dolls, pretty nice hairclips (specifically pink coloured ones!) and she loves wearing skirt! It was unlike a few months ago, she was more of a "pants" person but now she likes wearing skirts... and it's not just any skirt. She likes skirts that could twirl easily and prettily!

Recently, we had some conversations regarding some things I should buy. The conversation went like this:

Situation 1

Sarah : Mummy, the ruler broken already...

Mummy : Broken? How did it break?

Sarah : (explaining with words + actions)...

I could't quite make up the words in perfect sentences but I understood what she meant :)

Mummy : Okayyy.... So how? Should mummy buy a new ruler?

Sarah : Mmmm! I want pink colour one!

Mummy : Ok... Mummy will buy you pink colour ruler! :)

Situation 2:

Mummy : I need to buy you a new toothbrush. See....

Sarah : Mmmm! Mummy buy for Sarah new toothbrush! I want pink colour one!

Mummy : Pink colour?

Sarah : Mmmm! Like kor-kor and cheh-cheh one!

Mummy : OK... Mummy will buy you pink colour toothbrush! :)

Situation 3:

Mummy : Girl, next time you have to sleep in your own room OK?

Sarah : Mmmm!

Mummy : You will sleep in your room. Mummy & Daddy will sleep in another room.

Sarah : Sarah's room pink colour!

Mummy : Yes, that's right! How about Mummy's room?

Sarah : Sarah's room pink colour. Mummy's room blue colour!

Yep! There you go.... that's little Ms Pink. She has turned into a lil pink princess
now. LOL! I guess she will have lots of pinky stuffs next time! :)

MERDEKA!!! FREEDOM!!!

I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo HAPPY! Finally, my 13 months course has come to an end... well, sort of... :p

Anyway, this is GOOD NEWS! I just finished my final paper.... awaiting results... it should be out by January... I guess... cuz for every semester's results, it has been delayed. So, am not too sure about this final sem's results. Anyway, I'm just so glad that this 13 months period has finally come to an end. I should be getting my Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Education by Jan/Feb 2011. Yippie! Can you see my grin??? Yep! Am smiling from ear to ear! Just so happy that I can move on and concentrate on other things.

My career has also taken another step up and there'll be so much more to do and learn in the coming year. There is no end to learning and in all honesty, I am enjoying every part of it! PRAISE GOD! :)

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my gracious Father in Heaven. I thank the LORD for all that He has done for me. I have also felt great favour upon my life, from different people around me. I know it is of God's intervention and grace that enabled me to walk this walk of faith, but yet full of challenges & excitement. I must say that the LORD is really so good to me that everything I went through and am going through has its purpose and I'm seeing pieces of jigsaw puzzles coming together. The work of art is beyond beauty. This master piece is something to give God glory for.

I'm truly thankful to God! And of course, not forgetting my hubby and my family - both my YEOs and my CHONGs! I'm really so blessed!!! :)

I also thank all my friends & colleagues & all that came into my life in different times of my life to be a blessing in one way or another. It's really beyond words could express... but hey, I'm really in this mood of gratitude... and so to all I know, you know who you are... THANK U! THANK U! THANK U! Lemme just give u a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGG HUGGGGGG! God bless!

More new words for little Sarah

"You bathe first, so you can oi-oi with me...."

"I found my blanket already!"

"Tomorrow I wear skirt ar?"

"Tomorrow I can....(blablabla)!"

"Later you read to me, OK?!"

"Mummy, it's time to sleep already.... I off light ar?"

She's now using lots of "tomorrow", "later", "first" words... and she really seemed to use the words quite correctly too! I'm so proud of my little girl's ability to remember and use quite a large number of words and also form correct sentences at this stage.

Way to go, gal!

My busy busy busy month of Oct/Nov.

WOW! It has really been awhile since I blogged anything here. I guess before I do pen down much more about my life, I'll just very briefly tell all of you readers that the reason why I have not been blogging was because I have been very much busy with soooooooooo many things. (duh! what's new la?! :p)

And I'm now in the midst of my exams actually... 5 papers this semester (my 3rd and final semester... YES!) It's 4 down and 1 more to go! Woo-hoo! Well, just to rewind a little bit... October was a really crazy month for me because of my assignments. In the midst of my wedding anniversary and later my birthday (all during the same month), I had to go through these tough moments of my "student" life. So, what's the celebration for me? To just stay at home and relax! Seriously, that was all I asked for during this time. I guess it has really taken a toll of me - both my studies & my work. It was like my "final race" and I'm like almost giving up! Err.. well, not really... but it does feel like it at times.

And so, it was assignment deadline + revision for exams + work... they are all really really coming to "attack" me all at one time. I was really "dying" mentally, emotionally & physically. However, in my spirit, I was really praying for God's strength to sustain me.

Just......

..... during the same week, I had 4 important and urgent things to be done... and it's not just about multi-tasking. But time was a real factor. For the assignments that were due for submission... I made sure I finished all by Tuesday which is to be handed in by Saturday. Then, I studied a little on Wednesday, but my mind was totally out of focus! I need to prepare myself for a briefing on Friday to the principals & teachers for our Cambridge for Young Learners Exams, which was to be held on Sunday! Well, a bit anxious cuz it was my first time supervising the exams. At the same time, it was Parents-Teachers Day on Saturday (same day as my uni exams), which I couldn't attend. So, during all the bz-ness, I also had to prepare for the Parents-Teachers Day - both administrative side as well as being a computer teacher side ie some prints to be ready to be given to the parents on the day. If I plan properly, it should have them all done by Thursday because Friday is meeting day and a very busy day.

So, thank God everything went as planned.... After the meeting on Friday, I rushed down to the CYL exam centre at our REAL kids Bkt Jelutong to meet the centre exam manager. She wanted to make sure that we have prepared the hall for the coming exams. And so, after the meeting, realized that there were some other things to be done and so me and some very nice colleagues stayed back to get the place ready. And after that, it was like PEAK HOURS for Federal Highway traffic! OK.... and so, went through the bad bad jam for awhile there before I decided to turn in to PJ and hang around in KFC at Jln University to study there for a good 2.5 hours. Apparently, there was an accident at Federal Highway which caused the traffic jam which was really really really BADDDD!

Anyway, the study was really fruitful. Left KFC at about 9.30pm. The next day was my exams. First paper was alright. Thank God I managed to study as much I can for that paper. So after goreng here and there, came the 2nd paper in the afternoon. I didn't manage to study for that subject as I didn't had the time. It only carries 20 marks for this paper as 80 marks is given for the assignments. Guess what? It was very easy and straight forward. All the students came out the hall after 15-20 min. Hehehe. I really do thank God that I didn't waste my time (or no time at all) studying for that subject! :)

So that's for my exams. After that, it was the YLE exams on Sunday. All in all, I thank God that everything went on smoothly. I thank God for His favour upon me. It was a great experience even though there were some glitches here and there, but I really learn a lot.

And so after that busy week, it was last week.... and now this week.... So, I thought let me just share with you guys what's been happening to me... now that I can breathe a little bit. There is really so much more to share, especially about my little girl, and of cuz my new job scope. Well, wait ya... i'll be BACK! :D