We were back to Malaysia during March school holiday. Ee Rynn was exposed to some of photos when I was young. She remember the picture where I sat on a colourful baby chair. She showed interest to know more about the place I grew up.
I took this opportunity to bring her to our (my parents) old house. This is the place I learnt about meaning of life, have countless laughter and tears and have lots of unconditional loves and patience from my parents and siblings. It was made of wood. The roof top is cover with 'atap'. The house wasn't made of a concrete like our neighbor. We are the only remaining old house where the rest of our neighbor has rebuilt their house.
When we reach, she was 'surprise'..
EeRynn: mommy, you mean you stayed here?
Mommy: Yes.
Ee Rynn: Who stayed with you?
Mommy: 'kung kung', 'poh poh', 'ta yi yi', 'yi yi' and 'jiu jiu'.
EeRynn: You mean, you really stayed here?
Mommy: Yes. Mommy stayed here when mommy was a baby until after university.
EeRynn: How old mommy?
Mommy: Erm.. (Counting).. About 28 years.
Ee Rynn: Mommy, this house is very old. What is that?
Mommy: Those are empty container to collect water. Besides the container is where 'poh poh' did her farming. She plants vegetable, onion, aloe vera, spring onion, parsley and 'cili padi' too.
EeRynn: mommy, can I go into the house?
Mommy: Sure, we wait for 'kung kung'. Ok?
EeRynn: Ok. Mommy, is this where your baby chair was?
Mommy: Oh yes, you remember :-)
I think it's good to bring her back to my memory lane. I think she sees the different of things she has now compared to mommy was young. I see it as a learning process for her to know more about 'my world'. She deserves to know. :-)
Monday, March 18, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Sensory Play - Noodle
As we were having noodle for lunch today, I have decided to give a portion to Ee Wern. This is meant to train her for self feeding and sensory play too.
It was fun watching her. She started touching the noodles. She picked it up and started to clench her fist. The noodle stick in her palm. She tried to get rid of the noodle from her palm by pulling it. The noodle was sticky and she was restless getting rid of it. We started feeding her some noodle so she knew it's food. She continues to explore and she babbles a lot throughout the process. I guess a lot of findings going through her mind.
This sensory play helps to develop hand eye coordination, concentration and child's independence.
It was fun watching her. She started touching the noodles. She picked it up and started to clench her fist. The noodle stick in her palm. She tried to get rid of the noodle from her palm by pulling it. The noodle was sticky and she was restless getting rid of it. We started feeding her some noodle so she knew it's food. She continues to explore and she babbles a lot throughout the process. I guess a lot of findings going through her mind.
This sensory play helps to develop hand eye coordination, concentration and child's independence.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
To Tie a Bow - Shoe Lace and a Box
I realized I need to create an opportunity for Ee Rynn to learn to tie a bow. As we don't have shoes with shoe lace, I bought a few pair of shoe laces and tie it to a box. This create the opportunity for her to practice.
It occupied her for hours! She started with tying it properly and went on exploring different things. According to her, she was doing beading, art and craft and before she 'finished' playing, she add a tiny card tied with pipe cleaner with 'I love you mom'. This is so sweet.
Ee Wern enjoyed playing with the box too. She was busy taking in and taking out cubes from the box. It occupied her and I get to relax.
This practice of tying a bow helps develop hand eye co-ordination, fine motor control, concentration, independence and to satisfy the child's need for order.
It occupied her for hours! She started with tying it properly and went on exploring different things. According to her, she was doing beading, art and craft and before she 'finished' playing, she add a tiny card tied with pipe cleaner with 'I love you mom'. This is so sweet.
Ee Wern enjoyed playing with the box too. She was busy taking in and taking out cubes from the box. It occupied her and I get to relax.
This practice of tying a bow helps develop hand eye co-ordination, fine motor control, concentration, independence and to satisfy the child's need for order.
Setting Limit For Children - Parenting Basic Part 2
God has clearly told Adam and Eve about what they could do at Garden of Eden. He also told them the consequence if they chose to disobey the rules.
As parents, we often set limit to our children too. Often, our children ask why we set limit to them and make their life difficult. It's parents' responsibility to set limits of behavior for their children, like God's limit to Adam and Eve.
In Dr James Dobson's book 'Discipline with Love', setting limits should be done in a firm and loving way. The limits should be told in a gentle and firm tone so our children understand the limit. Set clear limits and allow appropriate consequences to follow all behavior being good or bad. The good news is that the consequence comes from home and not outside world. Home should be a child first experience in limits and consequence. Upon implementation of the limits, parents may observed tantrums with tears or listened to angry argument. The best response to this dissatisfaction is firm but loving determination.
Setting limits work exceptionally well for me. I found out that it's important for parents to follow through with what we have said on a consistent basis without anger or high emotion. I have personally changed over the years (have been praying to ask Him to remove my anger and replace it with His wisdom and love) to manage my reaction and my anger to disobedient. I have seen changes to the outcome when I am calm, firm, loving and gentle towards my children tantrums.
According to the Lesson 5 in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class, limits act like a 'security fence' for your children, helping her feel safe. The child who often tests the limits wants to know if her boundaries are securely in place. This is what I did and work well for me and has built trust between me and my children:-
1. Draw boundaries in a positive and loving manner
The child must know what is the boundaries. It's made know to them age appropriately.
Example: The child is throwing tantrum and reluctant to go to bed >> I know how you feel but it's your sleeping time now. You have to clean up now. I would repeatedly said it irregardless her tantrums. I will held her in my arm gently and lovingly and look into her eyes and said it.
2. Give logical age appropriate explanation
Example: Please buckle in your car seat so you will be safely protected. Please brush your teeth twice a day so your teeth and mouth are clean. Please apply sunblock before you head to the beach so your skin is protected.
3. Have eye contact and get her full attention when giving an instruction.
Example: Look at me, make sure you stay right with me at the exhibition hall. Come here sweetheart (hold them gently), mommy want you to clean up your mess.
4. Give praise
Whenever my child put in effort to demonstrate good behavior, I will praise them. They want parents' approval all the time.
Example: I can see you put in effort to...., you have helped me with... I am so glad to have you as my daughter/son..., you have clear the dining table, thanks for helping me...
Over the years, my children know that the boundaries we established is out of love and not to make their life difficult. My children know their boundaries are securely in place. We are very careful in setting age appropriate and reasonable boundaries. We are still being test by them daily. But the different is they accept with less tantrum and power struggle. They have learnt what is the acceptable behaviors at home. As consequence of that, they thrive in their daily life. We hope when they grow up, they will eventually set a wise limit for themselves.
As parents, we often set limit to our children too. Often, our children ask why we set limit to them and make their life difficult. It's parents' responsibility to set limits of behavior for their children, like God's limit to Adam and Eve.
In Dr James Dobson's book 'Discipline with Love', setting limits should be done in a firm and loving way. The limits should be told in a gentle and firm tone so our children understand the limit. Set clear limits and allow appropriate consequences to follow all behavior being good or bad. The good news is that the consequence comes from home and not outside world. Home should be a child first experience in limits and consequence. Upon implementation of the limits, parents may observed tantrums with tears or listened to angry argument. The best response to this dissatisfaction is firm but loving determination.
Setting limits work exceptionally well for me. I found out that it's important for parents to follow through with what we have said on a consistent basis without anger or high emotion. I have personally changed over the years (have been praying to ask Him to remove my anger and replace it with His wisdom and love) to manage my reaction and my anger to disobedient. I have seen changes to the outcome when I am calm, firm, loving and gentle towards my children tantrums.
According to the Lesson 5 in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class, limits act like a 'security fence' for your children, helping her feel safe. The child who often tests the limits wants to know if her boundaries are securely in place. This is what I did and work well for me and has built trust between me and my children:-
1. Draw boundaries in a positive and loving manner
The child must know what is the boundaries. It's made know to them age appropriately.
Example: The child is throwing tantrum and reluctant to go to bed >> I know how you feel but it's your sleeping time now. You have to clean up now. I would repeatedly said it irregardless her tantrums. I will held her in my arm gently and lovingly and look into her eyes and said it.
2. Give logical age appropriate explanation
Example: Please buckle in your car seat so you will be safely protected. Please brush your teeth twice a day so your teeth and mouth are clean. Please apply sunblock before you head to the beach so your skin is protected.
3. Have eye contact and get her full attention when giving an instruction.
Example: Look at me, make sure you stay right with me at the exhibition hall. Come here sweetheart (hold them gently), mommy want you to clean up your mess.
4. Give praise
Whenever my child put in effort to demonstrate good behavior, I will praise them. They want parents' approval all the time.
Example: I can see you put in effort to...., you have helped me with... I am so glad to have you as my daughter/son..., you have clear the dining table, thanks for helping me...
Over the years, my children know that the boundaries we established is out of love and not to make their life difficult. My children know their boundaries are securely in place. We are very careful in setting age appropriate and reasonable boundaries. We are still being test by them daily. But the different is they accept with less tantrum and power struggle. They have learnt what is the acceptable behaviors at home. As consequence of that, they thrive in their daily life. We hope when they grow up, they will eventually set a wise limit for themselves.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Growing Up - Ee Wern
February 2013 - 1 year old
Seeing you every day brings joy to me. At about 9 months old, you understand and respond when we say 'clap your hand, Ee Wern'. You started explore with you hand. You would stared at your hand and talk to it. This happened when you woke up in your cot. At about 11 months old, you would hands up your hand when we said 'Ee Wern, hands up'. It shows there are a lot if things going on in your mind which you can't express yet.
You love to look at pictures book. You would stared at it and 'bla bla bla' and 'ta ta ta'. Sometimes, you would even said 'uh' and ti ta ta ta ti ta ta', as though you were telling the story to me. You loves to take things out from the closet, fruit basket or emptied anything you can find around you. As you love emptying the basket, you like the sorting game too. At a year old, you would take in and out the cubes from and into the bowl. You would place it into and take out gently from the bowl.
Your skills of grabbing things is strong. When you grabbed a toy, it's hard to take it from you. At about a year old, you understand when mommy said, 'give this to mommy'. You would think for a moment and slowly hand it to me. That gesture was very sweet. When we said 'no more', you will hold up your right hand and shake it indicate the gesture of 'no more'.
Your ability to understand simple instruction amazed me. We would asked 'where's the ball?' And you would looked around and looked for it. When we said, 'please bring the ball to us', you will crawl and brought the ball to us. Besides the word ball, you understand 'banana, grapes, apple, orange, and kiwi too.
You love to point at things. Whenever you were outdoor, you would point and said 'ta', 'ti', 'te te' and so on. You want to tell us! We are very happy that you want to share your story with us. I love it when I asked 'where is mommy's nose?'. Because you would use your pointy finger to point to my nose.
You love music too. At about 11 months old, you would swayed your body especially when your sister dance in front of you. At first, you would observed your sister. At a year old, you swayed a little harder. Wherever you hear upbeat music around you, you swayed your body from front to back and back to front. We would sit back and watched. It was so cute.
You like sturdy things that you can grab, things that make sound when you shake and bright color items. You like to snatch our spectacle. When you touch something soft and sticky, you would react. We can see from your face that you feel 'yucky'. This happened when you touch your porridge, bake beans and pasta. Recently you discovered that water will drip from sponge when you press it. And you said 'uh' and showed me your findings. It was fun to be able to share your discovery moment with you.
You are a determine child too. Whenever you don't want something, you will use your hand to push it away or you would turn your face to left and to right. Therefore, training you from teats to soft spout is never easy. You would rather not drinking milk because of new changes. Recently, I want to train you to use sipper (hard spout), but you rejected it. Your ability to explore around safely amazed us. You would carefully explored on things around you. You would strolled safely around the sofa, TV bench and chair too. I never worried to leave you alone with Ee Rynn to cook or shower.
You love your sister. Whenever your sister play with you, you would giggled and laughed. But of course, you would scream when your sister took away toys from you.
We are happy watching you growing up every day. We love you.
Seeing you every day brings joy to me. At about 9 months old, you understand and respond when we say 'clap your hand, Ee Wern'. You started explore with you hand. You would stared at your hand and talk to it. This happened when you woke up in your cot. At about 11 months old, you would hands up your hand when we said 'Ee Wern, hands up'. It shows there are a lot if things going on in your mind which you can't express yet.
You love to look at pictures book. You would stared at it and 'bla bla bla' and 'ta ta ta'. Sometimes, you would even said 'uh' and ti ta ta ta ti ta ta', as though you were telling the story to me. You loves to take things out from the closet, fruit basket or emptied anything you can find around you. As you love emptying the basket, you like the sorting game too. At a year old, you would take in and out the cubes from and into the bowl. You would place it into and take out gently from the bowl.
Your skills of grabbing things is strong. When you grabbed a toy, it's hard to take it from you. At about a year old, you understand when mommy said, 'give this to mommy'. You would think for a moment and slowly hand it to me. That gesture was very sweet. When we said 'no more', you will hold up your right hand and shake it indicate the gesture of 'no more'.
Your ability to understand simple instruction amazed me. We would asked 'where's the ball?' And you would looked around and looked for it. When we said, 'please bring the ball to us', you will crawl and brought the ball to us. Besides the word ball, you understand 'banana, grapes, apple, orange, and kiwi too.
You love to point at things. Whenever you were outdoor, you would point and said 'ta', 'ti', 'te te' and so on. You want to tell us! We are very happy that you want to share your story with us. I love it when I asked 'where is mommy's nose?'. Because you would use your pointy finger to point to my nose.
You love music too. At about 11 months old, you would swayed your body especially when your sister dance in front of you. At first, you would observed your sister. At a year old, you swayed a little harder. Wherever you hear upbeat music around you, you swayed your body from front to back and back to front. We would sit back and watched. It was so cute.
You like sturdy things that you can grab, things that make sound when you shake and bright color items. You like to snatch our spectacle. When you touch something soft and sticky, you would react. We can see from your face that you feel 'yucky'. This happened when you touch your porridge, bake beans and pasta. Recently you discovered that water will drip from sponge when you press it. And you said 'uh' and showed me your findings. It was fun to be able to share your discovery moment with you.
You are a determine child too. Whenever you don't want something, you will use your hand to push it away or you would turn your face to left and to right. Therefore, training you from teats to soft spout is never easy. You would rather not drinking milk because of new changes. Recently, I want to train you to use sipper (hard spout), but you rejected it. Your ability to explore around safely amazed us. You would carefully explored on things around you. You would strolled safely around the sofa, TV bench and chair too. I never worried to leave you alone with Ee Rynn to cook or shower.
You love your sister. Whenever your sister play with you, you would giggled and laughed. But of course, you would scream when your sister took away toys from you.
We are happy watching you growing up every day. We love you.
Science Lesson from Ee Rynn
Friday, 8th March 2013 - 5 years 4 months old
We were chatting about her learning at school. As she told me about her fun moment, she asked: Mommy, mommy, do you know what is pectoral fin, dorsal fin, caudal fin, pelvic fin and anal fin? For a moment, I thought she was not speaking in English! I blinked and blinked.
So I asked what is it? She laughed and said: Let me show you! She took a piece of paper and draw a fish diagram and name all the fins! As she draw, she said they examined the fish in the school. When her teacher cut the fish, they examine the body and found out anal fin is near the anus. They found some 'poo poo' too. So I asked: Are the poops smelly? She answered 'no' with a smile (cheekily). I had fun listening to you, Ee Rynn. :-)
We were chatting about her learning at school. As she told me about her fun moment, she asked: Mommy, mommy, do you know what is pectoral fin, dorsal fin, caudal fin, pelvic fin and anal fin? For a moment, I thought she was not speaking in English! I blinked and blinked.
So I asked what is it? She laughed and said: Let me show you! She took a piece of paper and draw a fish diagram and name all the fins! As she draw, she said they examined the fish in the school. When her teacher cut the fish, they examine the body and found out anal fin is near the anus. They found some 'poo poo' too. So I asked: Are the poops smelly? She answered 'no' with a smile (cheekily). I had fun listening to you, Ee Rynn. :-)
Friday, March 8, 2013
Ee Rynn's show and tell in school
Ee Rynn is in K2 this year and she had a show and tell project on 1st March 2013. She chooses a topic of 'My favorite animals'.
We went to library and borrowed some rabbit books for her to understand more about rabbits. I knew nothing about rabbits. She started by writing down question so she can look for answers from the rabbits book. We work out the order of the informations and she wrote on papers for presentation. She was very excited. Excited about sharing the information she found. She even suggested to print out worksheet for her friends in school. She was really excited!
After her presentation, she told me she was very happy. I brought her to Kid's Kampong to feed the rabbits. This will complete her experience of show and tell. I am so happy for her.
We went to library and borrowed some rabbit books for her to understand more about rabbits. I knew nothing about rabbits. She started by writing down question so she can look for answers from the rabbits book. We work out the order of the informations and she wrote on papers for presentation. She was very excited. Excited about sharing the information she found. She even suggested to print out worksheet for her friends in school. She was really excited!
After her presentation, she told me she was very happy. I brought her to Kid's Kampong to feed the rabbits. This will complete her experience of show and tell. I am so happy for her.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Girls outing to Pasir Ris Kid's Kampong
I have invited her best friend, Izumi for outing today. I have decided to try to bring Ee Rynn, Ee Wern and Izumi. This was a test for me because I am alone with the girls.
Izumi arrived around 1pm. They had my home made chocolate chip pancake and ice cream. I adores the girls. The way they spoke to each other, the way they whispered to one another, the way they joke and the way they laugh put a smile on my face.
When we reached Kid's Kampong, Izumi was excited. She loves to catch fish. After we paid for entrance fees, the girls ran to the 'longkang' fish pond. They went wild and catch. Their excitement chase the fish away. :-) Izumi was determine. All she want is to catch fish! Ee Rynn enjoyed too. She ran all over to catch those fish. It's fun to see them interacting to each other. Izumi tried to show Ee Rynn to catch fish. Izumi caught few fishes followed by Ee Rynn. They examined the fish. They shouted and said it's a dead fish! Ee Rynn commented it was a dead fish with its eye opened! I really love the way they explored and observed.
Ee Rynn and Izumi went to feed Koi fish. So many of them! Eventually, Izumi continue with her passion - catch fish. Ee Rynn went on to feed goose, ducks, rabbit, tortoise and chicken. She joined Izumi after her exploration with other animals. Izumi offered to catch some fishes for Ee Rynn. I love to see their friendship. Ee Rynn would offer to carry Izumi's bag. Lovely!
As for Ee Wern, she was an explorer too. She fed the ducks. She wanted to touch the ducks too. She would said uh uh, pa, ta ta, and a lot more. On the way home, the girls record their activities to their journal. I am amazed!
The girls continue their excitement at home. Ee Rynn and Izumi has decided to have imaginative play in the room. They take turn to be a mommy and baby. Ee Wern was tired and nap after the outing.
I had my quiet time. I am very happy.
Izumi arrived around 1pm. They had my home made chocolate chip pancake and ice cream. I adores the girls. The way they spoke to each other, the way they whispered to one another, the way they joke and the way they laugh put a smile on my face.
When we reached Kid's Kampong, Izumi was excited. She loves to catch fish. After we paid for entrance fees, the girls ran to the 'longkang' fish pond. They went wild and catch. Their excitement chase the fish away. :-) Izumi was determine. All she want is to catch fish! Ee Rynn enjoyed too. She ran all over to catch those fish. It's fun to see them interacting to each other. Izumi tried to show Ee Rynn to catch fish. Izumi caught few fishes followed by Ee Rynn. They examined the fish. They shouted and said it's a dead fish! Ee Rynn commented it was a dead fish with its eye opened! I really love the way they explored and observed.
Ee Rynn and Izumi went to feed Koi fish. So many of them! Eventually, Izumi continue with her passion - catch fish. Ee Rynn went on to feed goose, ducks, rabbit, tortoise and chicken. She joined Izumi after her exploration with other animals. Izumi offered to catch some fishes for Ee Rynn. I love to see their friendship. Ee Rynn would offer to carry Izumi's bag. Lovely!
As for Ee Wern, she was an explorer too. She fed the ducks. She wanted to touch the ducks too. She would said uh uh, pa, ta ta, and a lot more. On the way home, the girls record their activities to their journal. I am amazed!
The girls continue their excitement at home. Ee Rynn and Izumi has decided to have imaginative play in the room. They take turn to be a mommy and baby. Ee Wern was tired and nap after the outing.
I had my quiet time. I am very happy.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Chef Ee Rynn is in a making!
5 years 3 months old:
Ee Eynn has decided to help me in the kitchen today. I agreed as she was enthusiastic!
I enjoyed her company so much. She has brighten up my kitchen with her bubbly voice and laughter. At this age, she wants to try everything. She always said I know, I know before I finished my sentence. Looking at her enthusiastic, I ride along without any limitation in my mind.
I will cooked an extra dish for her if our main meal is curry. She has decided to cook chicken for herself. As I prepare the ingredients, I explained to her carefully. This included all the safety measure like don't go too near to the hob (when the fire is on), gently put the ingredients into the wok so the oil will not splash on her hand etc.
She enjoyed herself so much. Looking at the sparkle in her eyes, I am so happy and proud! Her enthusiastic and curiosity is so contagious!
She was so happy with her stir fried onion chicken that she finished her dinner the 1st!
Ee Eynn has decided to help me in the kitchen today. I agreed as she was enthusiastic!
I enjoyed her company so much. She has brighten up my kitchen with her bubbly voice and laughter. At this age, she wants to try everything. She always said I know, I know before I finished my sentence. Looking at her enthusiastic, I ride along without any limitation in my mind.
I will cooked an extra dish for her if our main meal is curry. She has decided to cook chicken for herself. As I prepare the ingredients, I explained to her carefully. This included all the safety measure like don't go too near to the hob (when the fire is on), gently put the ingredients into the wok so the oil will not splash on her hand etc.
She enjoyed herself so much. Looking at the sparkle in her eyes, I am so happy and proud! Her enthusiastic and curiosity is so contagious!
She was so happy with her stir fried onion chicken that she finished her dinner the 1st!
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