This set consists of 41 cards (including cover/title)
Card specs: A5, 300 gsm, double-side printing
Price: S$16.40
Price: S$16.40
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Fairy Tales Flash Cards
This set was tailored for Zhirui's preschool Spring Brainy Kidz. The teachers had planned a full month's theme on Fairy tales and children were engaged in free discussion on the topic and project work.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Arrival of Zhiyi 祉伊
As my edd crept closer, i wondered if my second child will be born on mid-autumn day, which is on my 39th gestation week.
Just on the 10 Sep, baby seemed to drop Mummy a hint on her arrival. It was Gong de's mid-autumn celebration that evening and part of the program includes a game whereby participants have to come up with a 3-worded chinese rhyme. Being an uncreative person, it is hardly possible for me to come up with anything.. until 'TINK'!.. "月圆好，好月圆，月好圆". Oh gosh! i just blurted out the words without much thought. Is it me or baby??
The next day, my father-in-law planned for the prayers on the evening, afterwhich we went to the dam at Yishun Ave 1 to 饮茶赏月. We had a chance to lit up and release two 孔明灯that night, each for Zhirui and Ruiyao. It was a memorable evening. The children was overjoyed to see their lanterns rose up to the moon.
Not many hours later when we got home, as i was almost getting into deep sleep, baby gave an unprecedented hard kick and right after, i felt something got pricked and water started trickling down my legs. Oh dear! My waterbag had burst.. In the wee morning hours of mid-autumn day, sb and i were behaving like octopuses, trying to plan our adventure ahead. My in-laws were asked to come over to look after Zhirui.
The beginning hours of my labour was unexpectedly bearable, at times so mild that i could sleep or even watch 'Tom and Jerry'. When contraction started to intensify, i asked for something to grab and sb pulled out the purple blouse which i wore to the hospital. As i cringe at the peak of the contraction pain, sb bluntly told me he knew what to name baby, "Zhiyi. I got the inspiration when i saw you grabbing the purple blouse." i could only force a smile. haa..
The most painful part of my labour lasted less than 2 hour and my gynae arrived in the nick of time to deliver Zhiyi. I was almost losing my next breath when Dr Chen asked me to push. After a few tries, Zhiyi finally arrived to this world. So i broke my record, this labour goes without a single pain-relief.
Zhiyi resembles her sister, only with her face rounder. Zhirui's eyes were filled with tender love when she first saw 'mei mei'. On the first night in hospital, Zhirui was tearful when she had to go home with Daddy. "I miss Mummy and mei mei." She sobbed as she told Daddy on the car journey home. Zhirui has indeed accepted her new baby sister into her life.
As for Zhiyi, welcome to our family. Thank you for reuniting with us on such a special occasion. 中秋节快乐！:)
Just on the 10 Sep, baby seemed to drop Mummy a hint on her arrival. It was Gong de's mid-autumn celebration that evening and part of the program includes a game whereby participants have to come up with a 3-worded chinese rhyme. Being an uncreative person, it is hardly possible for me to come up with anything.. until 'TINK'!.. "月圆好，好月圆，月好圆". Oh gosh! i just blurted out the words without much thought. Is it me or baby??
The next day, my father-in-law planned for the prayers on the evening, afterwhich we went to the dam at Yishun Ave 1 to 饮茶赏月. We had a chance to lit up and release two 孔明灯that night, each for Zhirui and Ruiyao. It was a memorable evening. The children was overjoyed to see their lanterns rose up to the moon.
Not many hours later when we got home, as i was almost getting into deep sleep, baby gave an unprecedented hard kick and right after, i felt something got pricked and water started trickling down my legs. Oh dear! My waterbag had burst.. In the wee morning hours of mid-autumn day, sb and i were behaving like octopuses, trying to plan our adventure ahead. My in-laws were asked to come over to look after Zhirui.
The beginning hours of my labour was unexpectedly bearable, at times so mild that i could sleep or even watch 'Tom and Jerry'. When contraction started to intensify, i asked for something to grab and sb pulled out the purple blouse which i wore to the hospital. As i cringe at the peak of the contraction pain, sb bluntly told me he knew what to name baby, "Zhiyi. I got the inspiration when i saw you grabbing the purple blouse." i could only force a smile. haa..
The most painful part of my labour lasted less than 2 hour and my gynae arrived in the nick of time to deliver Zhiyi. I was almost losing my next breath when Dr Chen asked me to push. After a few tries, Zhiyi finally arrived to this world. So i broke my record, this labour goes without a single pain-relief.
Zhiyi resembles her sister, only with her face rounder. Zhirui's eyes were filled with tender love when she first saw 'mei mei'. On the first night in hospital, Zhirui was tearful when she had to go home with Daddy. "I miss Mummy and mei mei." She sobbed as she told Daddy on the car journey home. Zhirui has indeed accepted her new baby sister into her life.
As for Zhiyi, welcome to our family. Thank you for reuniting with us on such a special occasion. 中秋节快乐！:)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
An outstanding change
Many children have habits which comforts them. Zhirui has one too, which originates from nursing to sleep. As many breastfeeding mums would fully agree, the easiest and most effective way of comforting a baby is to nurse him. Very often, we would nurse our children to sleep too.
After weaning off breastmilk, Zhirui adopted a new habit of suckling her bolster to sleep- resembling the action of nursing. We did not stop her since it comforts her and brings her to slumber quickly. She's still doing it one and half years down the road.
However, recently she 'mutated' the habit into stroking her upper lip. What's worrying us is that she is not just doing it before her sleep, but even during her waking hours, in her class, in car journeys..
We started reminding her to stop doing the action, but it would usually make her upset and she'd kick up a fuss. Her Daddy would use playful ways to tell her the habit is undesirable, like joking that it is a 'baby habit' or trapping her hands. I would usually use a serious tone to express my displeasure.
Two months into rattling, yesterday Zhirui made an astonishing move.. While putting her to bed, Daddy saw Zhirui trying to resist putting her finger on her lips. It was the first time we saw such conscious effort from Zhirui to change her habit. Amazing!!
This morning, we praised her immensely and gave her lots of encouragement for her effort. She smiled and i could sense that she felt proud of herself too. :)
Jia you girl, we (including baby) are all very very proud of your outstanding determination!
After weaning off breastmilk, Zhirui adopted a new habit of suckling her bolster to sleep- resembling the action of nursing. We did not stop her since it comforts her and brings her to slumber quickly. She's still doing it one and half years down the road.
However, recently she 'mutated' the habit into stroking her upper lip. What's worrying us is that she is not just doing it before her sleep, but even during her waking hours, in her class, in car journeys..
We started reminding her to stop doing the action, but it would usually make her upset and she'd kick up a fuss. Her Daddy would use playful ways to tell her the habit is undesirable, like joking that it is a 'baby habit' or trapping her hands. I would usually use a serious tone to express my displeasure.
Two months into rattling, yesterday Zhirui made an astonishing move.. While putting her to bed, Daddy saw Zhirui trying to resist putting her finger on her lips. It was the first time we saw such conscious effort from Zhirui to change her habit. Amazing!!
This morning, we praised her immensely and gave her lots of encouragement for her effort. She smiled and i could sense that she felt proud of herself too. :)
Jia you girl, we (including baby) are all very very proud of your outstanding determination!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Golden Jie jie(sister)-to-be
My second pregnancy came as a surprise. The symptoms, mainly morning sickness, was masked by bad coughs resulted from a flu bug spreading rampantly in Singapore during last Dec/Jan.
But somehow suspicion arises when the period was unusually late. Tested with a kit and given the positive line. Sb then told me, "I have known it because Zhirui told me a few days ago."
"Huh?? How?"
"One evening, she told me that baby is playing. And i guessed it."
It sounds unbelievable.. But according to old wives' tales, young children can indeed 'sense' their younger sibling and when their mother are pregnant.
Zhirui has been extremely cooperative during this period. She is not just caring towards me, but also her unborn sibling. To me, she would be mindful not to ask me to carry her or oblige to my request not to carry her as that will hurt Mummy and baby. She's also my private nurse who feeds me supplement pills. You can't imagine how thoughtful she is when she says, "Mummy don't run because baby is inside your tummy." Ooh..
To baby, she would 'sayang' (my bump), talk and sing and 'share' her food (through me) with baby.
Given such track record, I reckon she'll become no less than a perfect sister! haha.. :) Then again, Zhirui is famous for being a whistle-blower in school, i wonder if she would become more naggy than me in future. Baby, watch out! :P
But somehow suspicion arises when the period was unusually late. Tested with a kit and given the positive line. Sb then told me, "I have known it because Zhirui told me a few days ago."
"Huh?? How?"
"One evening, she told me that baby is playing. And i guessed it."
It sounds unbelievable.. But according to old wives' tales, young children can indeed 'sense' their younger sibling and when their mother are pregnant.
Zhirui has been extremely cooperative during this period. She is not just caring towards me, but also her unborn sibling. To me, she would be mindful not to ask me to carry her or oblige to my request not to carry her as that will hurt Mummy and baby. She's also my private nurse who feeds me supplement pills. You can't imagine how thoughtful she is when she says, "Mummy don't run because baby is inside your tummy." Ooh..
To baby, she would 'sayang' (my bump), talk and sing and 'share' her food (through me) with baby.
Given such track record, I reckon she'll become no less than a perfect sister! haha.. :) Then again, Zhirui is famous for being a whistle-blower in school, i wonder if she would become more naggy than me in future. Baby, watch out! :P
Monday, April 11, 2011
Understanding death
Zhirui could easily relate to death, under the context of food where animals were killed for food. This was probably because we are a vegetarian family. We took from the viewpoint that killing is not kind and let Zhirui feel compassionate about animals. From there, we explain why we do not eat meat.
She could accept her status very well. At times when she was offered a marshmellow or gummy that contains gelatine, we would explain that it contains animal bones and so we do not eat it. She readily says 'ok' and returned the sweet. I'm indeed proud of her for her determination against temptations.
Zhirui has a preloved book titled 'Granny'. The story is about the relationship between a little girl and her Granny, and how one day Granny pass away. I remember reading this book to her when she was barely two years old. During our first read, could somehow tell that she's trying to understand what it means by 'passing on' and why Granny is never coming back. During subsequent reads, she began to feel sad with teary eyes.
Recently, Zhirui's great grandmother (太婆婆) passed away. I did not tell her clearly what's going on when we attended the wake. I bet she only remembers her new-found friend Ariel jie jie. On the last couple of days eventually, we spoke to her at more length of the matter. As usual, she has many questions to ask about the new topic. "Why is Tai Po Po sleeping inside?", "Why did she die?"... She seems to understand the solemnity of the event when she displayed more appropriate/reserved behavior on the last day. Perhaps, this was so because she saw me weep.
Last Saturday, we went tomb-sweeping (扫墓) at Mandai Columbarium. It was for my mother. It was also the first time Zhirui went. (By Chinese custom, it is not good/auspicious for young children to visit such 'yin' places.) There had always been a sense of guilt lingering in me during the past two Qing Ming Festivals for not being able to bring Zhirui to pay respect to my late mother..
I've never mentioned to Zhirui about her maternal grandmother (婆婆) and that she had left this world long before she was born. Therefore when we asked her to call "婆婆" when praying, she did not do so. She must have felt very strange to acknowledge a person seen on a photo as her granny. On the second time when both sb and i knelt down with Zhirui to pray, she finally called "婆婆". My eyes felt wet at that instance. Zhirui, you are such a sensible girl..
She could accept her status very well. At times when she was offered a marshmellow or gummy that contains gelatine, we would explain that it contains animal bones and so we do not eat it. She readily says 'ok' and returned the sweet. I'm indeed proud of her for her determination against temptations.
Zhirui has a preloved book titled 'Granny'. The story is about the relationship between a little girl and her Granny, and how one day Granny pass away. I remember reading this book to her when she was barely two years old. During our first read, could somehow tell that she's trying to understand what it means by 'passing on' and why Granny is never coming back. During subsequent reads, she began to feel sad with teary eyes.
Recently, Zhirui's great grandmother (太婆婆) passed away. I did not tell her clearly what's going on when we attended the wake. I bet she only remembers her new-found friend Ariel jie jie. On the last couple of days eventually, we spoke to her at more length of the matter. As usual, she has many questions to ask about the new topic. "Why is Tai Po Po sleeping inside?", "Why did she die?"... She seems to understand the solemnity of the event when she displayed more appropriate/reserved behavior on the last day. Perhaps, this was so because she saw me weep.
Last Saturday, we went tomb-sweeping (扫墓) at Mandai Columbarium. It was for my mother. It was also the first time Zhirui went. (By Chinese custom, it is not good/auspicious for young children to visit such 'yin' places.) There had always been a sense of guilt lingering in me during the past two Qing Ming Festivals for not being able to bring Zhirui to pay respect to my late mother..
I've never mentioned to Zhirui about her maternal grandmother (婆婆) and that she had left this world long before she was born. Therefore when we asked her to call "婆婆" when praying, she did not do so. She must have felt very strange to acknowledge a person seen on a photo as her granny. On the second time when both sb and i knelt down with Zhirui to pray, she finally called "婆婆". My eyes felt wet at that instance. Zhirui, you are such a sensible girl..
Back on blogging- Updates on new flashcard titles
Four months had swiftly past since my last entry. Had been busy making flashcards for ya tou's school- Spring Brainy Kidz and finding relieves for morning sickness.
Quite amazingly, i managed to create and deliver 13 new titles within 2 months for the school. These are actually new themes that the school was embarking on and the flashcards were needed to complement their teaching. I'm quite impressed by school's spirit to improve and renew their teaching resources and content.
Haven't had time to upload snapshots of these creations but they are available.
1) All about fairy tales
2) Popular princesses
3) Chinese legends (in Chinese)
4) Famous musical composers
5) Musical notes
6) Famous paintings
7) Elements of art
8) Performance arts
9) Visual arts
10) Art expression
11) Subject matter in art
12) Body parts
13) Bones
14) Internal organs
Closing this job and moving on, I realize i'm entering a new chapter of parenthood.. :)
Quite amazingly, i managed to create and deliver 13 new titles within 2 months for the school. These are actually new themes that the school was embarking on and the flashcards were needed to complement their teaching. I'm quite impressed by school's spirit to improve and renew their teaching resources and content.
Haven't had time to upload snapshots of these creations but they are available.
1) All about fairy tales
2) Popular princesses
3) Chinese legends (in Chinese)
4) Famous musical composers
5) Musical notes
6) Famous paintings
7) Elements of art
8) Performance arts
9) Visual arts
10) Art expression
11) Subject matter in art
12) Body parts
13) Bones
14) Internal organs
Closing this job and moving on, I realize i'm entering a new chapter of parenthood.. :)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Somethings about EQ
It was the parents-teacher conference at Spring Brainy Kidz two Saturdays ago. Teacher Ezah and Teacher Joy shared with us the progress of ya tou's development. I must say that the school has put in commendable efforts to present ya tou's portfolio with photos and videos of her in action. Great job teachers!
When mentioned about Zhirui's social development, Zhirui was given the comments "a compromising girl, but yet will fight for her rights". Wow!! A paradox! Sounds profound isn't it? Hmm.. that's probably what's call EQ.. the intelligence of knowing how to respond in different situations.
I've learnt through reading that bringing up children with good emotional intelligence (EQ) starts from letting them express and understand their emotions. Because EQ is a process of being sensitive to one’s own feelings, taking into account the feelings of others, and using these information to express an appropriate action to a given situation.
For example, when Zhirui cries or throws a tantrum, I'll guide her to identify and understand her emotions like this, "Zhirui, you must be feeling upset that Mummy didn't allow you to snack before dinner. If I were you, I'll be feeling unhappy too. Mummy is not disallowing snacking totally. You may have some biscuits after dinner if you are still hungry."
There are some other tips-
1. Refrain from reprimanding the child or suppressing or labelling her emotions.. something like, "Don't cry, if you continue to cry, I will not give you any biscuits." or "You are such a cry baby." We should respect everyone's feelings, including your child's.
2. Acknowledge their emotions. Zhirui has a fear for thunder. This is how i validate her feelings. "Oh yes, thunder can sometimes be very loud that it frightens us. Mummy gets frightened too at times. Just cover your ears if it's too loud."
3. During emotional eruptions, i'll leave Zhirui to vent out all her frustrations (or may try deep breathing exercise when she's willing to listen). It usually doesn't last long as she knows this doesn't work on Daddy and Mummy. Once she finds herself back, i'll sit down beside her to discuss the emotions that went through and suggest some positive ways she could respond if such situation happens again. Lastly, ends it with a hug and a 'I love you Zhirui."
4. During day-to-day conversations, where opportunities come by, i'll share my emotions with her too. "Mummy is very glad that Zhirui waited patiently for me." or "Mummy is upset that you wasted water."
5. Story-telling helps me to introduce emotions to Zhirui too. She learns to understand the causes of emotions and how others feel under certain situation. In this way, i hope she will learn to emphatise and also be cautious of her own actions which can influence the feelings of others around her.
Sidetracking here, I realized that many Asian parents tend to get angry at our children's misbehaviour. This is inevitable. But it is wise that parents differentiate what a misbehaviour is, and what is not. For example, i don't think we should not be giving a toddler a dressing down when he messes the table up during a meal. Becos this is not a misbehaviour, but a natural display when children learn to feed themselves. Many a times, we view their curious exploration as naughtiness. So before you jump at your child, step back and think from the point of view of your child. If it is a mischief, go ahead with the discipline. If it is a harmless curiosity-driven behaviour, relax and let him experience the fun of self-discovery.
See Zhirui's new expression- *Angry face*
When mentioned about Zhirui's social development, Zhirui was given the comments "a compromising girl, but yet will fight for her rights". Wow!! A paradox! Sounds profound isn't it? Hmm.. that's probably what's call EQ.. the intelligence of knowing how to respond in different situations.
I've learnt through reading that bringing up children with good emotional intelligence (EQ) starts from letting them express and understand their emotions. Because EQ is a process of being sensitive to one’s own feelings, taking into account the feelings of others, and using these information to express an appropriate action to a given situation.
For example, when Zhirui cries or throws a tantrum, I'll guide her to identify and understand her emotions like this, "Zhirui, you must be feeling upset that Mummy didn't allow you to snack before dinner. If I were you, I'll be feeling unhappy too. Mummy is not disallowing snacking totally. You may have some biscuits after dinner if you are still hungry."
There are some other tips-
1. Refrain from reprimanding the child or suppressing or labelling her emotions.. something like, "Don't cry, if you continue to cry, I will not give you any biscuits." or "You are such a cry baby." We should respect everyone's feelings, including your child's.
2. Acknowledge their emotions. Zhirui has a fear for thunder. This is how i validate her feelings. "Oh yes, thunder can sometimes be very loud that it frightens us. Mummy gets frightened too at times. Just cover your ears if it's too loud."
3. During emotional eruptions, i'll leave Zhirui to vent out all her frustrations (or may try deep breathing exercise when she's willing to listen). It usually doesn't last long as she knows this doesn't work on Daddy and Mummy. Once she finds herself back, i'll sit down beside her to discuss the emotions that went through and suggest some positive ways she could respond if such situation happens again. Lastly, ends it with a hug and a 'I love you Zhirui."
4. During day-to-day conversations, where opportunities come by, i'll share my emotions with her too. "Mummy is very glad that Zhirui waited patiently for me." or "Mummy is upset that you wasted water."
5. Story-telling helps me to introduce emotions to Zhirui too. She learns to understand the causes of emotions and how others feel under certain situation. In this way, i hope she will learn to emphatise and also be cautious of her own actions which can influence the feelings of others around her.
Sidetracking here, I realized that many Asian parents tend to get angry at our children's misbehaviour. This is inevitable. But it is wise that parents differentiate what a misbehaviour is, and what is not. For example, i don't think we should not be giving a toddler a dressing down when he messes the table up during a meal. Becos this is not a misbehaviour, but a natural display when children learn to feed themselves. Many a times, we view their curious exploration as naughtiness. So before you jump at your child, step back and think from the point of view of your child. If it is a mischief, go ahead with the discipline. If it is a harmless curiosity-driven behaviour, relax and let him experience the fun of self-discovery.
See Zhirui's new expression- *Angry face*
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