Messy Play: Gloopy Moments

Reya @ 2 and 8 months 

Reya @ Batu Caves Temple

It has been quite a long break from updating Reya's activity here. Its year end and holiday mood is on yet we still continue with our activities and home schooling. Reya is showing tremendous progress in fine motor skills and co-ordinations. We continues to work on music (rhymes, drums, dance and singing), painting, colouring, writing and pretend-plays. We also reads lots of books together.

On and off i add on messy plays and its usually when i have more time for clean ups, that we will indulge in this kind of mess. Gloop is a kind of sensory play that helps in boosting child's creativity. If you had not played gloop with your child then this is a must try! It will be super duper fun filled moments/activity (yes for both of us ;~)

What will you need:

2 cups of corn starch
1 1/2 cup of water
food colouring ( i used green)

Just mix all the above in a container and let them to play. Make sure the child is wearing the dress that you don't mind to get dirty and mommy can join the play too while describing the textures; slimy, runny, gooier, hard and powdery.

Reya explored the texture and powdery feel of the corn starch before we add in the water and colour. She  were pretty amaze to see how it turns out slimy and gooier after we add in water. As usual she continued to play on her own way while adding in more and more water.

Sensory plays promotes children to manipulate material and building up fine motor skills and co-ordination. Besides that it also build their self esteem and language.

Child Psychologist Dr Janine Spencer...

Giving children the freedom to play messily helps them develop their imagination and social skills. It boosts their confidence and helps them understand the world around them. That’s a small price to pay for a bit of mess.

Gloop in the making 

it is dry and powdery at first before mixing with water

She is using both hands here

 Thank you for reading.

Cheers!

Toy Centered Learning

It is widely known that toy centered learning can build imagination, promotes social skills, advances physical development and help child to work through emotions. Now mostly we are doing pretend play and the usual one will be doctor and patient. She will always wants to be a doctor and myself a patient. There will be rounds of checking, injections and feed medicine. Yes this Dr. is so cool that will ensure you eat your medicine before leaving the room.. 

Besides role play using toys to explain to her and this is another way that she can be kept engaged for at least 20 minutes.

There are few basic principles of child development and role plays. First it is important that toys are safe and suits their age. Toys also must suit children's interest to support the learning session.

Few photos and ideas from our session of toys centered learning:

Identifying fruits - match with flash cards 

she added tomato here.. had to explained that it is vegetable and she didn't bother. We have to work on categories soon...;-)

Identifying Sea Animals - match with flash cards

• She can now identify most of the animals and remembers it when ever i ask. It is surely an efficient and fun way to learn. 

Toy centered reading activities 

While reading the book we will usually play with the toys and explore while making sounds. Yes finally mommy will be exhausted with all the jumping and actions while telling stories but it worthwhile.

I sourced this books from BookXcess in Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya. They do have huge collections of books and role play sets that are reasonably priced. They also have online shopping and you can browse for more at http://www.bookxcess.com/.

Hope that you get an idea on toys centered learning and please share if you have one. Would like to do it for Reya.

Thank you for reading and dropping by. 

Writing Readines n Cut and Paste Activity

We have started to do lots of writing readiness activity. This will help to improve Reya's fine motor skills and gain early writing skills. I print most of my worksheets from www.kidslearningstation.com

This site is such a useful with an awesome collections of preschool worksheet. Here is some activity that she did:

She tries on her own the second one :-) 

and the 3rd one with up and down

we bought this from Ikea- they do have lots of painting and writing tools that is safe for children 

Once we finished with that  we did some cut and paste activity which is her favourite. This worksheet i downloaded from http://www.abcteach.com/

These sites are truly my savior as they have so much ideas and activities which i can do with Reya to enhance her skills and knowledge. I love to give Reya activities with worksheets like this as she is lots more focused and engaged. The traceable lines helps to improve on the eye and hand co-ordination as well. 

I were jumping happily in my heart as she was able to identify the shapes and paste accordingly though it didn't fit perfectly in the frame. Pheww.. mommy accomplished! 

I love homeschooling so dearly and it is my best spent time! to see she grows and acquire the skill and talent make me the happiest mom!

No Theme - Week

Yesterday we got back home very late. it is post Diwali holiday and we have not starts our school. I just wants Reya to get some rest but she were adamant that she needs homework. I had a feel that she is not so focused and we did simple activity. i have bought an exercise book for her to log all her activities. Though most of the times we will be doing on worksheets at end of the day i will paste it in the book to keep a log on what have we done.

This is Reya's Exercise book with Minion on it!!

Cut n Paste Matching Colors

Coloring Balls

We did matching numbers and stickers as below: what we need is lots of colorful stickers and the one in pictures as below i bought from DIY.

I just wanted her to do till the number 5 as it were getting very late and she seems not interested and true enough she stops at 3 and wanted to play some thing else... sigh:-(

"Reya play pistol", while grabbing one and starts to shoot. Session ended n we played pistol till she wants to sleep.

Thank you for reading!!

Smart Reader Kids®

I have contacted Smart Reader Kids on their programs as i plan to add some new syllabus in Reya's education. It is besides the Opus Musical Programme which she is currently attending. Here i share the details i got from the centre for all moms out there.

Smart Reader Kids provide a systematic and complete programme for pre- schoolers from the age of 3 to 6 years old. They do provide 5 different programmes for children. The list of programmes are as follows:

1) Smart Reader Kids Enrichment Programme (Age 3-6 years old) (Mon- Fri)
2) Smart Reader Kids ++ (Age 3-12 years old) - half and full day care services
3) Tutorial Programme (Age 4- 12 years old) - Tuition class
4) Smart Reader Kids Islamic (Age 3-6 years old) to cater for holistic Islamic Education
5) Smart REader Kids Mandarin Medium Programme

Smart Reader Kids curriculum comprises the following subjects:

• Smart Reader English
• Smart Bacaan
• Smart Maths
• Smart Science
• Smart Hygiene and Moral
• Smart Art and Creative Work
• Smart Computer
• Smart Music
• Smart Kindercooking
• Smart Mandarin and Fardhu Ain are available as optional subjects

As for Reya she will be 3 years old next year and she have to start off with the Toddler Programme where play school is incorporated into teaching methodology, as a way to enhance her motor skills. This hands on training will be an essential component in the child's early learning experience through to higher levels. All subjects in the curriculum are taught based on levels which correlates to the child's ability level more than the age level. At this point, language subjects taught are based on students enrollment with the centre.

 At this point, language subjects are based on students's enrollment with the centre. Example:

3 years old enrollment- Toddler Programme
First year entry - Levels 1 & 2 (Beginner)
Second year entry- Levels 3 & 4 (Intermediate)
Third year entry- Level 5 & 6 (Advance)

All new comers will commence at level 1 regardless of the child's age. Therefore it is beneficial to have the child enrolled in Smart Reader Kids Programme as early as four years old.

The earlier the child is enrolled into the programme, the earlier he/she can complete all the levels.

These levels are applicable for the subjects of English, Bahasa Malaysia, Maths and Mandarin. Due to this uniquely designed curriculum, the child will have an easy transition when entering Year One in Primary School. 

English is the main medium of instruction and communication. Even though this is the case, children are also taught the relevance of their individual cultural and racial environments. Children participate in events and celebrations planned by the centre all year round. The classrooms at Smart Reader Kids are designed in such a way that it creates conducive educational environment for the kids.  

The ration of teacher to student is 1:12. School fees are fixed at RM 295 per month. There are also other fees such as registration, concert, sports fee, personal insurance and miscellaneous fee. 

Above informations are obtained from one of the centre in Sunway. Do visit their website http://smartreader.edu.my/, 

Any parents who have experience on Smart Readers Kids, please do share it here.

Thank you for reading.

Cheers!!!

Reya's Corner

This is a little sanctuary created with much love for my little girl and the whole idea of it is to cultivate reading habit and spend time far far away from tv..

Previously we were having tent at the corner and was quite boring. I moved all her book shelves and rack to this corner and she loves this corner so much! Every night she surely wants to spend time here once we are back home. I recycled the A4 boxes into permanent sensory bin. I also recycled her milk boxes into book pockets (we go green and recyle as much as can)..

Sensory Bin: Finding the Alphabets

We did sensory bin again and this time is finding alphabets. We will need the following types of flour to do this:

1) All purpose flour- 1 cup

2) Sooji/ Rava Flour- 1 cup

3) Milo- 1/2 cup

4) Foam alphabets and

5) big box/bin

At first put in the the foam alphabets in the box and layer with flours as above and it is ready for play..

Little Reya dig out every letters and put back in the box. While she does that i kept repeating the alphabets and she follows happily A, C, K.. it is not in order but important for identification of the alphabets. The idea of using various kind of flour is to get her to feel the different in texture at the same time. The ideas of teaching by using sensory bin is a real fun way. It helps to keep my little one engaged for longer period compared to the other methods. 

We will be doing more soon and one of the idea i have in mind is water beads and ocean theme! Will post that soon.

Thank you for reading!!

 

Shopping:Heaven of Pegged Puzzles and Children's Educational Toys

Last Saturday we visited K-Mode Marketing after reading it on a web. Truly it is a heaven for all toddlers educational needs, toys and other pre-schools items.

They have lots of wooden toys, art and craft, costumes, puppets, eva foams/sponges and lots of children's toys that are reasonably priced.

Here is the shop's address for other mummies out there:

K Mode Marketing Sdn Bhd 
No. 70, 70A & 70B Jalan Intan 1,
Taman Puchong Intan, 47100 Puchong 
Tel : 603 8060 7211 Fax : 603 8060 6233 

Here is what we bought:

Drum was not in my list initially. Musical hyped daughter and dad were adamant that it is cool and a must have.. okay gave in and yeah she really love it. 

Most of it comes with either 40%/70% discounts. Definitely will visit again to shop more items..

Here are some of the pictures i managed to snap during my visit there.

For more information you can visit their website: http://www.kmodemarketing.com.my

Happy Shopping!!

Review on Grolier Logico Primo

Here is the Grolier's Logico Primo. We bought this a few months back and immediately introduced to Reya. She didn't show as much interest on this compared to Fun Thinkers earlier on. But we are building her interest and confidence slowly by giving her to do at least one card at a time.

Here is a little information on this fast, easy and fun learning system:

• Suitable for toddlers (age 2-> 5 years old)
• This products comes with a frame and 320 cards
• Among the topics of the cards are for brain development, concentration and perception building, and maths

It really helps to improve child's motor and gross co-ordination skills and able to teach them thinking out of the box. Here is some picture of Reya using it:

By using Grolier as early educational programme also enhances the use of right and left brain. Overall we are satisfied with this product and definitely worth the money. i spend lots of time doing educational activities with her whenever i'm not working and Logico Primo will be part of it.

Cheers!

Sensory Bin: Zoo

After coming back from Zoo visit, i decided to create a zoo sensory bin for Reya. As usual my two years old showed so much interest. We had a few items as below:

• Green sponges and scouring pad
• Plastic wild animals 
• plastic plants
• recycled empty box
• Plastic bugs

She were eagerly adding so many animals in them including dinasours.. later on.

Here is the zoo bin

What i manage to teach Reya is:

• animals lives in jungle and full of plants and trees 
• Wild animals are dangerous and they can attack and bite..(where she goes OOOoooooh)
• leaves and plants are in green color 
• scouring pad and sponges are rough

and the most importantly we had a great fun and time well spent!!

After a while of playing we carefully kept the bin for future use. I will be posting new ideas here soon.

Desperately need shopping spree to add on her items for more plays like this. We need lots of loose items such as water beads and ocean animals for a ocean sensory bin soon.

TOT: Tongs and Pouring

This weekend we did activities using tongs and fake eggs.. 1st round i showed her how to do and next she eagerly tried on her own and kept doing it..This is to build her co-ordination skills. We yet to do this using left hand.

She didn't drop any of them!

After that we switched for pouring water from jug and into various size of cups. This is her favorite! and expect to do more and more.

Doing it steadily!

We did a few rounds.. she kept pouring though the cups were full.Finally she understands that it will overflows when cups full and she needs to stop pouring by than. She showed so much interest in doing this and patiently learns.

Kiss her lots for today achievements. Amma luvs u baby!

Sunday at the Zoo Negara

Stone Painting

We did some stone painting this Saturday. Reya was so excited and kept asking for more stones after i ran out of them. 

Finally an activity that she can keep doing till the end and sit still for more than 10 mins! pheww. 

We used Crayola Washable hand paint, stones and leaves for this activity. Here i managed to snap some pictures. (Sorry for the low quality pics) 

TOT Trays

Currently i am involving my dear daughter to TOT Trays. I do believe that the trays gives my lil one to sense space. It is easier to make them understand the activity for the day and build focus and perseverance by using this tray techniques. Trays do give an orderly activities and yes! it is easy to clean up later on.

Items you will need for the TOT is mainly TRAYS (IKEA is the best place to source this; can get it in other stores as well)

I am constantly reminding Reya that trays are not toys and we mainly use them for school only. Our activity of the day usually comprises of the following:

- art and craft
- sorting
-counting
-matching
-gluing
-stickers

Will post some photos about trays in my next post.

Cheers!

Messy Play

I have started to include some outdoor messy play during weekends. Reya enjoyed playing outdoor and its a whole new thing for her to explore.

Here is the recipe to create a home made washable finger paint that is safe to play with..

• 1 cup all purpose flour

• 4 cups cold water

• Food colouring

 What to do:

1. In large pan mix flour and 1 cup of cold water.

2. Stir until smooth. 

3. Add 3 cups of water and cook over medium heat until 

thickens and bubbles. 

4. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

5. Add food colouring, cover and cool.

For me the dough turn up lumpy and not to runny.. (less water though) 

here are some pictures of our activities:

little gal so focused and only attracted to the red color

Besides that we also created some play dough using the recipes follow:

Cloud dough

• Multipurpose Flour ---> 8 CUPS

• Baby oil ---> 1 CUP (i used lavender scented one) and add few drops of food coloring (yellow, green and red)

Just mixed the above and play..

more ideas and source from: www.littletigergrowingup.blogspot.con

KidZoona Aeon Equine

We spent our Sunday at Kidzoona in AEON Equine Park. Of course it's not as oomph as the Kidzania n yes far more cheaper. RM 15 per entry on weekdays and RM 20 on Weekends. Reya enjoyed play and had a new experience playing games like the slider, air bouncer, ball - pool and paper town.

Here are some pictures taken when this little girl busy playing and running around

.