3 Homeschool Activities for 1.5yrs

As I've mentioned here, I am still trying to get my act together when it comes
to M's homeschooling program. I started yet again a few weeks ago when it
dawned on me that M had hit the 1.5yr mark. So far so good.

3 Homeschool Activities we've been doing lately:

1. Read Books
I now make it a point to read a few books to M first thing in the morning. We
usually read what's available but I try to buy one new book every two weeks.
We then rotate the books to prevent boredom from creeping in.

I know some people like to read to their children at night. Great too! It just
doesn't work as well for us. Reading books at night is more of a quieting
down before bedtime activity for us.

2. Read Playcards (Glenn Doman)
We're back to our playcards and M seems to enjoy reading them. I really need
to create new cards because we're almost done with the current set. We still
don't watch tv so an e-version is not yet in the plans.

I just realized that I never got to properly explaining what these playcards are
all about. I'll try to talk about them more in one of my next posts.

3. Play Play Play
I would love to say color or write but in reality, M doesn't seem to enjoy these
activities yet. It's usually a case of me doing the coloring with him playing beside
me. We've already gone through an entire coloring book and he still hasn't
warmed up to it yet. Looks like I'll have to try again next time.

M really enjoys playing at this point. Thankfully, Kuya Z is more than willing to
share his toys. The challenge is for Mama to create fun + learning play for M.

Other activities I've got lined up:
- Tot Trays: I am specially interested in the trays that are focused on teaching
  practical life skills. I've begun gathering materials and we'll be working on
  these soon.
- Math Playcards (Glenn Doman): Hmmm, I have to create them first!
- Singapore Math: I still have to figure out when and how to teach the concepts
  to M. If I'm in town this October 8, I'll be seeing you all at the Singapore Math
  Learning Festival at the AIM.
- More more more... I've been so blessed to have come across so much material
  online and offline. The possibilities are endless! It's now are matter of choosing
  activities that will help M the most.

Whaaat??? Flash Cards at 1.5 yrs?!?

The energy of a 1.5yr old is just mind boggling! Thankfully, there are times
in the day when M himself decides that it's time to slow down the pace a bit.
It's hard to miss, he will suddenly grab his books then sit on the floor to read.

I make it a point to read to M first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Any other time is free for all. Apparently, Mama's words are sometimes just
too slow for the pace that he likes.

I recently bought M a pack of the Dora the Explorer Preschool Flash Cards.
Sorry to burst your bubble, I too would love to be the perfect crafty mom.
But I'm not, I buy when there's no time and/or no energy to make.  The grand
plan was to use the flash cards for a future memory game. Of course, I couldn't
resist, I opened the pack and M and I now look at the shape and color cards
every so often. Later on, we'll rotate the cards and then look at the number cards.

Okay, I can imagine a few of you saying: "Whaaat? Flash cards at his age?!?
Poor M!" But I beg to disagree. He doesn't see them as flash cards in the literal
sense. I do believe that he considers the cards as just one of the stuff thats
around to play with and explore.

"How sure are you that these flash cards are not causing M psychological nor
emotional trauma blah blah blah blah blah???"
Well, his favorite shape is not circle, nor triangle…  But Baaackpaaack!
See, M is very much a kid who's having some fun :)

Giant Foam Blocks

M occasionally plays with his folding sleeping mat. He pushes it around, stomps

on it and hides behind it. I can only imagine what he'd be doing if he had his hands 

on these giant foam blocks! Unfortunately, they're not readily available here.

I've been toying with the idea of heading over to the Uratex Factory and having 

something similar done. However, that would translate to me owning another 

thing to sell, leave behind or ship out (depending on how attached we get to it). 

And, that's my dilemma. Oh well, maybe next time.

Images courtesy of Google Images

TED talk Arvind Gupta: Turning Trash Into Toys for Learning

Video courtesy of TED

Last week, I talked about 3 Ways of Getting Affordable Toys. Some of
you were not impressed: "You have a 1year plus toddler". Fine fine.

Today, allow me to introduce to you Arvind Gupta, an Indian Toy
Inventor who turns trash into toys. Do not knock it 'til you've tried it.
Arvind Gupta's toys are something else. The toys are simple enough
to make. It's what the toys can do that are amazing.

It makes you wonder, why hasn't anyone in the country thought about
something like this?

In case you're serious about trying out Arvind's toys, here are some links
to help you get started:
- Arvind Gupta's book: Low Cost Equipment for Science and Technology
  Education free pdf
- Arvind Gupta's Free Films
- Arvind Gupta's YouTube channel

Pinay Mom Adventures Wordle

If a picture paints a thousand words then this Wordle is a snapshot
of the life and times of Pinay Mom Adventures.

Sensory Table Activity: "Jello"

Little M is now 1 year and 1 month. Apparently at this age, the little ones
start discovering their likes and dislikes. It seems Little M has developed a
dislike for mush. Wet and dry are okay. It's the soft and mushy that seems
to bother him. Thus, I decided to do a Sensory Table activity.

A Sensory Table is a "container" that kids can use for exploratory play.
I am using the word container loosely as I've seen people use tables,
plastic containers, cardboard boxes and just about anything that
is safe for child's play. Yes it is play but there is a whole lot of learning
behind it.

You can do many things with a Sensory Table. But of course there is the
age appropriate factor. Little M often attempts to put things inside his
mouth so I was challenged to work with edible materials.

Our first sensory table activity made use of red agar (also known as
gulaman). We had a small container of agar and a tray to catch the
goop that oozed out. Note to self: use a bigger container the next
time! Our play time lasted for around 5 minutes. Then M was off to
playing with other toys.

The December Daily Project

Today, December 1, allow me to revisit my 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days post.
Why??? Because it's time to decide on what to do with Artsty Fartsy
# 11- Make a 2010 Christmas Journal (inspired by Ali Edwards and Molly Irwin).

A few weeks ago, I was chewing on the idea of making a 2010 December
Daily. However, I knew I had to stay true to myself aka magpa-totoo ka!
I knew that there was no way that I could finish this beautiful project without
"inflicting self-hurt". So much to do, so little time! Thus, I have decided on a
"cheat" --- I will just do a December Daily Photo project! Let's see how that goes.


Photo Credit

shimelle

The Ladybug Picnic

Since my last post, M and I have been diligently listening to classical music
first thing in the morning. As I mentioned here, listening to classical music
is part of M's homeschool program. It's a no brainer really. The collection
lasts for approximately 30 minutes. The music just plays in the background
while we go about doing whatever needs to be done that morning.

The program "restarted" roughly 2 weeks ago. Today, I decided that it was
time to change the line up. I still start off with Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos
KV448 - D Major I. The succeeding songs are an assortment of Abc Songs and
Counting Songs. Of course, I just couldn't pass on the opportunity to share the
Ladybug Picnic Song with M! Thank you Sesame Street for the fond memories!

A Peek at Singapore Math

Recently, I dropped by my High School Alma Mater to get some papers.
I casually asked when the school would start teaching Singapore Math.
The Competitors have already started teaching it! Take note, Singapore
Math is something that can be taught in school or at home. hmm hmm
hmm.

Singapore Math is one thing I hope to teach M one day. What has caught
me off guard is the fact that "one day" is fast approaching. I really have
to be more disciplined about setting aside time for M's learning program!!!

Canon in D Rocks!

Warning to classical "purists" --- do not read further...

As I mentioned earlier, part of M's homeschool program is to listen to
classical music. Believe me, like everyone else, he doesn't pay attention
to it! It's just something that happens to be playing in the background .

This song is an exception. M had a big smile when he first heard Canon
in D (rock version).

You might want to listen to it. Who knows, you might like it too!

He's now 8 months old

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gozalewis

We've been BUSY!

I would have wanted to do a monthly progress report for M. But there is
this thing called LIFE.

A few days before M turned 5 months, life got exciting for all of us. Tatay
flew off for further studies. And that left me with all these things that
had to be managed. Thankfully, I found a work-at-home job! It does
get tiring, but I can't complain. We did ask for this!

So what's new with M? At 6 months, he started eating solids. At 7 months,
he was clapping his hands. Now at 8 months, he's a very happy crawler!
Sadly, the hustle and bustle is slowly zapping out his cute baby folds.

At 8 months, we have begun our homeschooling of sorts... We've gone
back to listening to classical music in the morning (just 30 minutes)...
We've started a simple baby signing program... We've started his reading
playcards... In the works is a foreign language "program"...

This is just regular baby stuff for him... How did that happen? Well....
Rule #1 - NO TV!!!!!! You'd be surprised at the numerous and varied
activities that can be done when TV is out of the picture.

More "kwentos" soon...

What's so important about today?

Search this:
From and including: Wednesday, 22 September 2010
To, but not including : Friday, 31 December 2010

And you'll get this:
- It is 100 days from the start date to the end date
- Or 3 months, 9 days
- Alternative time units:
8,640,000 seconds
144,000 minutes
2400 hours
14 weeks (rounded down)

~ courtesy of http://www.timeanddate.com

Countdown to 100 days

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cjsorg

President Franklin D. Roosevelt had such an impressive first 100 days in
office that all heads of states are now graded for the first 100 days of their
term.

The first 100 days counts in other things as well: first 100 days in a new job,
the first 100 days of school, the first 100 days of a project, etc etc etc…

Well, tomorrow is a 100 days of sorts… Depending on how you see it…
September 22 is the start of the last 100 days of the year… OR September 22
is the first 100 days leading to 2011… Wow! Where did the time go?!?

Self-assessment time!

How has 2010 been for you?
What else do you intend to do?
And yes, what does 2011 have in store for you?

Let me know your thoughts… I'm giving away a Php500 Sodexho Pass
for the most interesting comment… I'll announce the "winner" on October 15.

Yellow Thinking Hat

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherrattsam

"Students were deciding on issues they'd like to take action on. We used
the Yellow Thinking Hat to think about positive aspects of their life that
they could expand upon..."

This is something I should do more often...

Focus on the positive:
in me,
in others,
in my life,
in my surroundings,
in my experiences,
in my country,
in the world.

Choose, Act, Reflect

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherrattsam

"...Choose, Act and Reflect. As the students go through this unit, they
are keeping a record of their choices, actions and reflections by writing
on index cards and sticking them up. This is to get them use to thinking
about everything as part of the cycle, and to track their work."

3 Powerful words: Choose Act Reflect

Who Am I

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherrattsam

"This was the culmination of a unit about who each student is
as a person and as a learner."

This picture, "Who Am I?", says it all!

When was the last time you asked this question? Just a thought~
The answer is important to a child. But vital to an adult.

Baby M at 4months

http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog

My, how time flies! Baby M is now 4 months old!

M now sleeps on his tummy all the time. He used to have a slight
reflux problem. To remedy this, we let him sleep on his tummy
during the daytime. It was here that we were able to observe that
M already had neck control.

However, by his 3 months check-up, we were worried that his head
was getting flat. So, with the pedia's thumbs up, we let him sleep
on his tummy all through the night. I think there has been some
improvement in that area.

Before you react... Yes, we too were worried about SIDS! But we
were confident that by this time, he could already move his head
when he wanted. And, the pedia said, so long as there is nothing
on M's bed that could cause suffocation (pillows, blankets, toys,
etc), M would be okay.

2 days ago, M had an "AHA!" moment. Okay, call me crazy but it
was this look that he had. A realization that this is what it means
to roll over! See, he's done it before -> 2x on his first two weeks
and 1x in April. But, it's only now that he's understood that it's
a "skill". Now, he seems to want to do it every time he has tummy
time!

And today, he "shouted" when I was not paying attention.

Sorry if Im gushing all over. I guess I'm just being a proud mama!

More TV Equals School Trouble Later

http://www.flickr.com/photos/treehouse1977

"Toddlers who watch too much TV may struggle in school later,
with measurably lower scores in math, and they may get bullied
more than other children, Canadian and U.S. researchers reported
on Monday.

Less surprisingly, children who watched more TV at age 2 weighed
more by the time they were 10 and ate more snacks and soft drinks,
the researchers reported in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent
Medicine.

They said children who spend more time watching TV and less time
playing with other kids may lose valuable chances to learn social
skills.

Every additional weekly hour of television at 29 months corresponded
to a 7 percent drop in classroom attention and a 6 percent drop in
math skills, the researchers found.

"Despite clear, age-specific recommendations from the American
Academy of Pediatrics that discourage any screen media exposure
during infancy and less than two hours per day beyond 2 years of
age..." the researchers wrote." - Yahoo Health


Here's some interesting news. What's more interesting is that this
concept probably applies to other "high tech" kiddie gadgets that
were not yet available at the time that this research was made.

So what's the alternative? Good old-fashioned activities: tummy
time, singing songs, reading books and playing with toys are
just some examples.

Yes, you read that right. As parents, we have to relearn the lost
art of using one's creativity to come up with fun -- and educational
-- activities for our kids.

* This post first appeared here.