Montessori Zu Yan

Today's Why?

2011-07-07T14:42:00.001+08:00

Why the plant is thirsty?

Today's Why?

2011-07-06T14:43:00.000+08:00

Why the dinosaurs love to fight?

Registration for admission of Primary One in Malaysia for Childreb born in 2006

2011-03-26T00:30:00.002+08:00

http://www.yakchee.edu.my/main.htm

通告

二月 24, 2011 作者为 sjkcyakchee

Ruj. Kami : YC TG/06/2011Tarikh : 24.02. 2011

Kepada semua ibu bapa dan penjagaPermohonan Kemasukan Kanak-Kanak (Warganegara) Ke Tahun Satu Sesi Persekolahan 2012 Dan 2013 Sekolah Rendah Negeri Selangor

Dengan hormatnya merujuk kepada perkara di atas.

2. Sukacita dimaklumkan bahawa pihak sekolah akan melaksanakan urusan permohonan pendaftaran yang diarahkan.

2.1 Kanak-kanak yang lahir pada 2.1.2005 hingga 1.1.2006 untuk tahun persekolahan 2012.

2.2 Kanak-kanak yang lahir pada 2.1.2006 hingga 1.1.2007 untuk tahun persekolahan 2013.

3. Mulai tahun 2010 ibu bapa/penjaga boleh membuat permohonan pendaftaran tahun satu secara online melalui laman web Jabatan Pelajaran Selangor http://www. moe.gov.my/jpnselangor sebelum membuat pengesahan permohonan ke pejabat sekolah.

* SJK(C) Yak Chee adalah di dalam daerah PPD Petaling Perdana (B10).

1.Ibu bapa perlu membuat Perakuan Permohonan tersebut di sekolah yang dipohon dengan membawa bersama cetakan borang maklumat permohonan serta dokumen-dokumen berikut :

a) Sijil Lahir kanak-kanak berkenaan (asal dan salinan).

b) Kad Pengenalan ibu bapa/penjaga (asal dan salinan).

c) Surat Nikah / Surat Cerai (asal dan salinan).

d) Bukti alamat tempat tinggal (salinan asal dan fotostat bil elektrik / bil air / cukai pintu / perjanjian jual beli yang terkini).

e) Sampul surat putih bersaiz 4”x 9” (115 cm x 245 cm) bersetem 60 sen.

5.Jadual permohonan pendaftaran adalah seperti berikut :-

Tarikh : 1 hingga 31 Mac 2011

Hari : Isnin – Jumaat (Hari kelepasan am dikecualikan).

Masa : 8.00 pagi – 1.00 petang (Isnin – Khamis)

8.00 pagi – 12.15 tengahari (Jumaat)

Tempat : Bilik Rawatan Blok C

Ibu bapa yang telah membuat permohonan penempatan sebelum ini diminta balik ke sekolah sekiranya terdapat maklumat yang perlu dikemaskinikan.

Sekian, terima kasih.

”BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA”

Saya yang menurut perintah,

Ong Sead Ting

Guru Besar,

SJK(C) Yak Chee.

Puchong.

The world is just awesome

2010-09-08T14:26:00.002+08:00

Overheard this song from Discovery Channel, and we are singing and humming this song anytime, anywhere, the favorite part for ZY, chorus " Boom-di-ya-da, Boom-di-ya-da, Boom-di-ya-da, Boom-di-ya-da"

Sing on , have fun.

Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job!"

2010-09-08T14:23:00.000+08:00

Click on the title to read on.

Old-Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills

2010-09-08T14:21:00.001+08:00

Click on the title to find out more about old-fashioned Play benefit.

The Value of Unit Block Play

2010-09-08T14:18:00.002+08:00

Click on the title to find out the benefit of block play.

Registration for admission of Primary One in Malaysia

2010-08-24T15:04:00.001+08:00

http://www.yakchee.edu.my/main.htm

通告

三月 19, 2010 作者为 sjkcyakchee

编号 : YC TG/08/2010

日期 : 10.03.2010

致：2011 / 2012新生家长

2011 / 2012 新生入学报名及地址证实手续（网上登记）

本校奉教育局最新谕令，将从3月1日至3月31日，处理新生入学报名及地址证实手续。

2. 所有入学报名或地址证实只能够在有关孩童入学的前两年处理，本校今年将为以下的孩童处理上述的手续：

a) 出生于于02.01.2004年至01.01.2005年的孩童（入学年份为2011 年）

b) 出生于于02.01.2005年至01.01.2006年的孩童（入学年份为2012 年）

3. 从2010年开始，凡是要办理以上报名手续的家长须登陆以下雪州教育局网址申请入学登记：http://apps.emoe.gov.my/esppsel/pptahun1。成功上网登记过后，家长须打印一份已登记的表格，交给校方检查及核准。* 益智华小属于八打灵P区县教育局（B10）。

4. 2009年已在本校处理报名手续的家长也须重新上网申请入学登记，打印登记表格，并携带以下文件, 前来学校处理相关的手续：

a) 有关孩童的正本报生纸。

b) 家长的正本及副本身份证。

c) 家长的正本及副本结婚证书。

d) 一个写上名字、地址及贴上50仙邮票的4”x 9” 白色信封。

* 请在表格右上角须注明学校的登记编号（请抄写孩童报生纸后页的登记编号）。

5. 上述手续的处理日期和时间如下：

日期：2010年3月1日至3月31日（公共假日除外）

时间：星期一至星期四：上午8时至下午1时

星期五：上午8时至中午12时15分

地点：C座医疗室

截止日期为3月31日，逾期者自误。特此通知，谢谢。

Ruj. Kami : YC TG/08/2010

Tarikh : 10.03. 2010

Kepada semua ibu bapa dan penjaga

Permohonan Kemasukan Kanak-Kanak (Warganegara) Ke Tahun Satu Sesi Persekolahan 2011 Dan 2012 Sekolah Rendah Negeri Selangor Secara Online

Dengan hormatnya merujuk kepada perkara di atas.

2. Sukacita dimaklumkan bahawa pihak sekolah akan melaksanakan urusan permohonan pendaftaran yang diarahkan.

2.1 Kanak-kanak yang lahir pada 2.1.2004 hingga 1.1.2005 untuk tahun persekolahan 2011.

2.2 Kanak-kanak yang lahir pada 2.1.2005 hingga 1.1.2006 untuk tahun persekolahan 2012.

3. Mulai tahun 2010 ibu bapa /penjaga boleh mengisi borang permohonan pendaftaran tahun satu melalui laman web Jabatan Pelajaran Selangorhttp://apps.emoe.gov.my/esppsel/pptahun1 sebelum membuat pengesahan permohonan ke pejabat sekolah. * SJK(C) Yak Chee adalah di dalam daerah PPD Petaling Perdana (B10).

4. Ibu bapa yang telah mendaftar secara manual pada tahun 2009 dikehendaki juga mendaftar secara online dan mencetak slip permohonan. Slip permohonan tersebut bersama dengan dokumen berikut hendaklah dibawa ke sekolah :

a) Sijil Lahir kanak-kanak berkenaan (asal).

b) Kad Pengenalan ibu bapa / penjaga (asal dan salinan).

c) Surat Nikah / Surat Cerai (asal dan salinan).

d) Sampul surat putih bersaiz 4”X 9” (115 cm X 245 cm) bersetem 50 sen.

* Sila catatkan no. pendaftaran sekolah di atas sudut kanan slip permohonan (no. pendaftaran yang tercatat di belakang surat beranak).

5. Jadual permohonan pendaftaran adalah seperti berikut :-

Tarikh : 1 hingga 31 Mac 2010

Hari : Isnin – Jumaat (Hari kelepasan am dikecualikan).

Masa : 8.00 pagi – 1.00 petang (Isnin – Khamis)

8.00 pagi – 12.15 tengahari (Jumaat)

Tempat : Bilik Rawatan Blok C

Sekian, terima kasih.

如果以上事件已完成，此项通告作废。

Sila abaikan surat tersebut sekiranya utusan telah diselesaikan.

Zu Yan's favorite Alphabet songs

2010-08-18T22:00:00.003+08:00

A is for Alligator

B is for Bayou

C is for Cypress trees

D is the Dew

E is for Everything like F ferns

G Grass that's H Home to you

I is for Insects

J for Juniper

K Kelp

L Log

M is the Moon

N is Noontime

O is for Otter

P for Possum, he'll be sleeping soon

Q is Quicksand that's very tricky

R Rushes

S Snakes

T Tar that gets you sticky

U is the Universe that's V Vast

and W Why X marks the spot where I love to hide

Y is the Yellow bird that sings so sweet

Which brings me back to Z, and now my alphabet's complete. In the swamp.

Amazingly Beautiful Creatures Dancing Excites the Forest Glade, in my Heart how I do Jump like the Kudo Listen to the Music so Nice the Organ Plays. Quietly Rests the Sleepy Tiger Under the Vine tree at the Waters side and X marks the place neath the Yellow moon where the Zulu king and I did hide.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P,
Q, R, S,
T, U, V,
W, X, Y, Z!
Alphabet jungle
Alphabet jungle
Alphabet jungle
Let me take you to the
Alphabet jungle
Follow me from A to Z

Little girl: A is swinging like an ape
B gives a big bad roar
C is swimming by a crocodile
Wait, there's a whole lot more!

D takes a dive
E's getting splashed
By an elephant and his trunk
F and G stepped into quicksand
Now they're really sunk!

H is hungry as a hippo
I is swatting flies
J and K are playing jumping jacks
Underneath the jungle skies

L is lounging by the river
M's melting from the heat
The letter N comes out at night
And dances to the jungle beat

O is riding on an ostrich
P leads a parrot parade
Q got crushed by a rhinoceros
And R is running away

The letter S is really scared
Because of what it sees:
A t-t-t-t-t-tarantula
Is crawling 'cross the T's!

The letter U's unusual
It likes to hang around
V points the way to the waterfall
Where the W's are sliding down

X marks the spot where a treasure chest
Of Y's lies patiently
And right behind that zebra
Is a snoring letter Z

The key!

2010-08-16T21:48:00.004+08:00

It was 9:46pm.

I asked ZY "Want to go out to buy tomorrow breakfast?"

"Yes!"

"But I think most of the shop have closed by this hour."

ZY said "The key!"

Cadbury Eyebrows TV Advert

2010-08-14T23:26:00.002+08:00

ZY's favorite TV ads. Wherever he is, Whatever he is doing, once the cue started he will turn and watch it.

Bed Dressing

2010-08-10T15:00:00.006+08:00

ZY was having his imagination play alone by himself. Noticed he was lying down on floor with the cushion-pillow, covering with his blanket. Later, I founded these on floor, nicely arranged and folded blanket.

He has been helping me in bed dressing, tidy and fold blanket after he wakes up in the morning. So, this is the result.

Why all mummies dress up?

2010-08-10T14:57:00.008+08:00

Television was showing Fashion Catwalk Show. ZY asked "Why all mummies dressed up."

"It is a fashion show. They are models. They are doing catwalk for the pretty dress."

And he accepted the answer.

Google Founders Talk Montessori

2010-08-10T00:13:00.000+08:00

Breakfast

2010-08-07T21:58:00.002+08:00

1. Quick and healthy breakfast for kids - among all my favorites is Oat bran muffin.

Song for botany theme

2010-08-07T21:43:00.008+08:00

1. Preschool Education

2. MakingLeaningfun

3. The Green Grass Grows All Around

4. The Yellow Rose Of Texas

5. Sakura, Sakura, Japanese Song

6. In and Out the Dusky Bluebells

7. Mr Sun

I am a lonely little petunia by Arthur Godfrey

2010-08-07T21:27:00.008+08:00

This is a fantastic song.

Back in school teaching time, children love to hear me singing this song, they even requested me to sing the song and enjoyed especially the part " woo hoo, woo hoo," with hand rubbing eye showing crying.

I have been singing this song again these few days to ZuYan as the theme in his school for this term is Botany.

I was delighted when I found this. I love love all these classic all time children song sang by adult.

A Lonely little Petunia In An Onion Patch.

View more presentations or Upload your own.

GK Organics farm part II - Growing scallion

2010-08-07T16:06:00.008+08:00

ZuYan's scallion after two weeks.

We have transfer the scallion from its' own planting bag into this pot. I will use it in my cooking, and hopefully to maintain the plant's life as long as possible.

Taking about scallion, it was mentioned during the visit that these scallion contain an enzyme to help children's growth, so I did a search.

The scallion also known as spring onion, salad onion, onion sticks or green onion in many countries, is an edible plant of the genus Allium. It helps treat common cold, fights against fungal and bacterial infections. It also considered to act as a metabolic stimulant.

Need a detailed nutrition facts, click here.

And found this picture in wikipedia, all this while I thought the shallot is the root part but this picture showing the other way, amazing!

Tana Ramsay promoting Montessori Education

2010-07-27T15:56:00.006+08:00

Click at the title to watch Tana Ramsay promoting Montessori Education.

Organic Farm Visit Part I

2010-07-24T20:38:00.015+08:00

We have a trip to the GK Organic farm for Farm visit with luncheon package.

A talk about care of environment with slide show was given, then barefoot walk around the farm with guide explaining planting and information about plant. Children was brought around with sight, touch and smell experiences.

Hand on with planting scallion, and harvesting of sweet potato. Children get to bring home the scallion they planted and sweet potato they harvested.

Check out ZuYan's scallion growth next few day.

Planting scallion.

Getting ready for barefoot walk around vegetable farm.

The adults and children were separated into two groups with a guide for each group to tour around the farm. So, no photo was taken for ZuYan during the tour.

It is a quiet place where you hear only the bird chirping and insect sound.

Back to Bambini's house Day 2

2010-07-01T12:32:00.005+08:00

ZuYan expressed himself that he doesn't want to go to school today.

A little persuasion, I walk him into Bambini's House and he started to behave clingy. I diverted his attention at the pretend play corner. Miss Lydia show him the play dough and I sneak out... heard Miss Lydia saying " Your mummy will come and pick you up after your nap time."

So today, stay back upto 3pm...

Till then...

Back to Bambini's house Day 1

2010-06-30T12:23:00.006+08:00

After about 5 months, ZuYan is backed to Bambini's House.

No separation anxiety, easy going, I said to him "I will pick you up after lunch time" and left.

Why Daddy Pingu Snoring?

2010-06-24T11:02:00.007+08:00

ZY asked me during bed time yesterday night, " Why daddy Pingu snoring?"

I ask him to close his eye and sleep and I pretend to snore. He closed his ear and said : "very noisy"

***********************************************************************

I did a search on the internet, cann't find a suggestion answer for for a young child about why we snore.

Introduction to Golden Beads

2010-04-05T23:30:00.004+08:00

According to my handbook the sequence of exercises for Golden Bead Material are as belows:

Sequence of exercises

Exercise 1 - Teach names of quantities using beads.

Exercise 2 - Teach sequence of numbers counting through from 1-1,000.

Exercise 3 - Give practice in selected specified quantities using beads.

Exercise 4 - Teach names of written symbols using cards.

Exercise 5 - Teach sequence of written symbols building cards in sequence.

Exercise 6 - Give practice in selecting specified written symbols using cards.

Exercise 7 - Give practice in associating quantity with the written symbols using cards and beads.

Exercise 8 - Bird's eye view.

Exercise 9 - To give practice in the formation of numbers using unlimited beads and carrying out changing.

Date and Sequence that I presented to ZY

12/4/10 Exercise 1 - Exercise 1 - Teach names of quantities using beads.

15/4/10 Exercise 2 - Exercise 4 - Teach names of written symbols using cards.

18/4/10 Exercise 3 - Exercise 2 - Teach sequence of numbers counting through from 1-1,000.

20/4/10 Exercise 4 - Exercise 5 - Teach sequence of written symbols building cards in sequence.

23/4/10 Exercise 5 - Exercise 7 - Give practice in associating quantity with the written symbols using cards and beads (for 1, 10,100 and 1000 only).

04/5/10 Exercise 6 - Exercise 8 - Bird's eye view.

Exercise 7 - Exercise 3 - Give practice in selected specified quantities using beads.

Exercise 8 - Exercise 6 - Give practice in selecting specified written symbols using cards.

Exercise 9 -Exercise 9 - To give practice in the formation of numbers using unlimited beads and carrying out changing.

Mama busy

2010-03-30T13:01:00.004+08:00

Zu Yan was playing his PC game and suddenly he stop and came up to me and said " Mama busy" and wanted me to sit in front of the PC. Well, I sat and watching him running into kitchen, hearing he opening and closing the fridge door, then came out and ask me " Where is the orange juice?"

Ha ... that's his trick, he thought when I am busy and will not notice what he is doing and he can serve himself some juice.

Why didn't he came up to me and ask for juice, instead he is trying to divert my attention to get what he want.

Because I will restrict how much he could take or he would finished the pack of 1 liter juice in half a day.

Trial Day at Bambini' House

2010-02-01T10:32:00.004+08:00

Have been telling ZY and talk about school sometime ago, and brought him to visit Bambini's House 2 weeks ago.

When he was asked "Do you like the school?" "Yes!" Does he really means it?

So, today is the trial day.

I entered the environment with him. He was not so willing to let me leave until he found the pretend play corner and with the Directress approached him and talked to him and told, " Your mummy will come and pick you up after lunch." And I leave the environment.

Working with two Knobbed Cylinders

2009-05-26T14:38:00.001+08:00

Pouring beans from jug to similar container

2009-05-26T14:08:00.000+08:00

We are back with pouring beans again after we stopped for sometimes. But he is definitely able to handle the pouring well than before.

This is an easy and low cost activities. It can be ready in a snap.

Long rod : Walking in Maze

2009-02-26T14:20:00.000+08:00

Back in my teaching time, there are children who see walking in the maze like walking into a dark cave. Obviously, ZY has no problem.

Craft actitivities : Making Three Level Car Park

2009-02-24T13:37:00.009+08:00

I plan to make a Three Level Car Park with Zu Yan, so we started with painting the cardboard black. Zu Yan started the work, of course I am the one who make sure it is done.

Zu Yan's stop and left his first piece of cardboard to dry and fetch another piece of cardboard and start painting.

This is his second cardboard, he found he can write number "1" and sound out loud pointing to me " ONE". And he further request me to write other number for him.

Conclusion : Take every opportunity to show your child how to write at his own pace and desire when he want to learn. Demonstrate the direction of writing each number and letter slowly, so he could see and capture in his mind.

Montessori Little Helper Part V : Labeling Shipment

2008-08-25T23:48:00.005+08:00

Today, Zu Yan is 2 years, 4 months, 1 week & 5 days old.

We are busy with shipment these few day.

Zu Yan get to work with something new that is out of his daily lesson plan.

He enjoys, he has fun, he take his pride of what he had done.

What he had done? Gluing address label on to parcel, taping the parcel.

Of course it is a mess but he is so proud of what he had done.

Montessori with Hello Kitty stickers

2008-08-17T22:45:00.012+08:00

We went out this afternoon.

While travel in the car, Zu Yan was busy with the Hello Kitty stickers.

He has not been introduced to Hello Kitty yet. So, it is just an ordinary stickers for him. No"OOH-AAH" like he works with Elmo stickers before.

First, he sticks it on his hands and clothes. And I stick on his forehead, also on the nose and cheeks.

Then, he peels off and stick it back onto the sticker sheet.

Peel off, stick on, peel off, stick on. He started to get bored.

Then, I show him to stick it on the back of the driver seat.

That engaged him for awhile before he nooze off.

Thought of the day

When he peels off the stickers from the sticker sheet, I see fine motor skills and pincer grip exercises.

It is peanut for adults to peel off stickers but not a 2 years old where the fine motors skills and pincer grip are still developing.

He gets frusts when he could not peels off certain pieces.

And also, when he sticks the stickers back onto the sticker sheet, the matching concept applies, the visual discrimination applies, the pincer grip applies, the memorising of the position of the stickers when he peels it off.

There are pieces where I don't remember where to stick it back, Zu Yan points and says "There."

So, montessori with sticker, its low cost, easy to get, the child is in the good mood of play and learn.

Oh ya! Can manipulate into picture cards and do picture and shadow matching!

Browse and buy stickers from ZY Sticker House at eCrater or ArtFire

Toileting on the chamberpot in an outhouse

2008-08-09T13:12:00.002+08:00

Peek-A-Pooh

Zu Yan is peeping through a carton box house to watch TV. Why is he doing actually?

He is on the potty doing pooh ...

...while watching TV

Did anyone study the history of flush toilet?
Read on and include in your lesson plan.
Zu Yan is experiencing toileting on the chamberpot in a nouthouse, of course those day had noTV.

I still remember those day when i was young I was toileting in the outhouse! Yes! Its truth!!!

So, find a big carton box and let your child experience it.

For those not interested to read on the history, never mind take a look at the ancient chamberpot and outhouse.

Montessori Zu Yan

2008-08-01T15:10:00.000+08:00

Finally, I decided to take away the "baby" in the blog title, make it " Montessori Zu Yan" with the blog address unchanged.

The Malaysia International Landscape & Garden Festival 2008

2008-07-25T22:47:00.008+08:00

Zu Yan waiting for shutter tram at the stop station in front of Bird Park and Orchids Garden.

Zu Yan posing in front of a scultured gardens.

Another field trip fo Zu Yan.

The Malaysia International Landscape & Garden Festival 2008 that being held at Perdana Lake Garden, Kuala Lumpur 19-27 July 2008.

Due to, I spended too much time on looking for the entrance and parking lot. We are unable to spend much time to feel the breath of freshness, see the world in hues of colours, experience it like no other and see a display of over 80 sculptured gardens.

Don't even mentioned about enjoying bargains at some 50 units of retail lots selling garden-related products.

Zu Yan enjoys walking along the path while admiring the scultured garden especially those have fountain and fishes in pool.

Zu Yan deleted some pictures while browsing his pictures in the camera.

We enjoyed riding on the shutter tram, the golf cart services that bring us the Lake Garden.

And we saw PURPLE CHILLI PADI. Zu Yan was excited about it because they are purple, the first colour that Zu Yan knew how to say and Barney is purple too.

We saw the KL Hop-On-Hop-Off Double Decker Tour Bus Services boards at Perdana Lake Garden Stop Station. One day, we will go "KL Hop-On-Hop-Off Double Decker Tour Bus" .

Next, culture theme should I choose "Transportation "?

Field trip to Pantai Remis, Jeram, Kuala Selangor.

2008-06-16T23:19:00.007+08:00

This ia a free and easy trip for ZuYan.
He points and shouts fish! fish! when we walk down and stop right in front of the sea.
No fish was seen, but he related the fish with the sea.

Zu Yan under the sun near to sunset time. He was digging in a pile of seashell with a twig he found at the beach.

He shows this anxious facial expression again like the one in Bagan Lalang, Sepang.

Collecting seashell with Granma.

What a big yawn! Feeling soooo relax at the beach.

Quiet Time with Ice Age II Stickers...ZZZZZZZZZZZ

2008-06-12T23:25:00.005+08:00

We are not listening to tape or reading books for quiet time tonight.

We works with the stickers.

I think this is the first time he really get a sheet of sticker from me.

I started to peel it off from the sheet and stick on his body parts and say the body parts while I stick on the stickers on his body parts.

He sat queitly and let me stick on at first.

When I had stick on almost the major part of his upper body parts, I peel it off and stick it back onto the sticker sheet.

He requested to do it again. This time he points and says the body parts and I stick.

He carried on to says toes and bottom of the feet, where I did not do it earlier.

Well, we discovered another good quiet time and play n learn ideas.

Practical Life : Cutting exercise

2008-05-26T17:59:00.005+08:00

Found a child safe, practical and usable scissors made of plastic for Zu Yan's cutting exercise.

Before this, I saw plastic scissors at some store but is not usable at all. The child will get frustrated by using those kind of scissors.

Exploration of order

2008-05-25T17:56:00.001+08:00

Another self initiated stacking and nesting activity done by Zu Yan using material from his surrounding.

Matching object to picture

2008-05-22T18:17:00.000+08:00

Matching model of dinasaurs to picture of dinasurs.

The activity was introduced to him two weeks ago and left on the shelf for him to work on.

During presentation, Zu Yan did not pay attention like an older kid do.
And I know, although he is playing and running around, he is watching what I am doing.
As usual, I will call him to see my completed work and share the joy of completing the activity.
Then invite him to try or put it away by acknowledge him where the material goes.

And wala.., today he took his initiative to work on the material and he matched them all correctly.

Zu Yan's complete work.

Zu Yan is matching the model dinasaurs to the picture of dinasaurs.

Listen to what your body tell you.

2008-05-12T16:45:00.003+08:00

For the very first time, Zu Yan pulled off his pants and sit on the potty all by himself.

I was doing washing in the kitchen, it was a surprise when I came out of kitchen and see his pants on the floor and he is sitting on the potty.

Proud to be the Member of National Library of Malaysia!!!

2008-05-11T16:27:00.022+08:00

Zu Yan sit and wait while his application is being process.

Zu Yan's Kad Pintar.

Pose infront of National Library Malaysia before we leave.

Books that we have borrow:

(Top- left to right) Just Like My Dad by David Melling, The House in the Meadow by Shutta Crum, Bunny and Bee's by Forest Friends.
(Bottom - left to right) What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steven Jenkins & Robin Page, Endangered Elephants published by Crabtree Publishing Company, Jack's Bed by Lynne Rickards and Rosalind Beardshaw.

Zu Yan points and says "6".

Zu Yan's favourite among all.

Exploration of order

2008-05-11T01:18:00.007+08:00

Zu Yan is arranging the cookies cutter in one line.

Scrubbing chair

2008-05-10T17:50:00.002+08:00

This is not a planned practical life activity for him.

I was scrubbing and washing the chair place in the yard.

As usual, he offers his little hands but the picture taken shown the opposite.

Sorting according to colours

2008-05-06T17:36:00.006+08:00

Zu Yan is sorting balls according to colours. Ball is given one by one to him and he is able to place the ball into the correct basket immediately. Then, I challenge him by giving two different colours to him at the same time. Zu Yan pauses before placing the ball into the basket and sometime he place ball into the basket of colour of another that given to him at the sametime.

This is not a plan sensorial activity for him. I was tidying up the store room and he came along wanted to play with the bag of balls. Instead of letting him throw the balls around the room I have pull out spare basket to do sorting according to colours.

As this is the first time to do this activity, I started by placing a few ball of the same colour in each basket, he knows immediately that he has to place the balls according to the colour in the basket.

Mistake make by me, I should not pointed out the pink ball that Zu Yan place into the blue basket. I should wait and observe his reaction if he could self correct.

To further implement this activity. The basket should change to same size and same color for all four basket but not the color of the ball or the same colour to the balls. That will bring the child's concentration to sorting colours without confusion from others elements.

We did not repeat the activity. Zu Yan has carry on working with ball by arranging the basket from biggest to smallest and push them around like a choo choo train.

Phonics : Ants on the apple

2008-05-06T17:28:00.001+08:00

Zu Yan listening to the Ants on the Apple cassette with book.

Bucket for catching weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

2008-05-05T18:52:00.002+08:00

Wiping Zu Yan's ', wee' when accident happend is no fun at all, especially when I am doing my paperwork.

Sometime, he hold his wee when he realised accident had happen. Before I wipe up the first spot, accident happen at another spot, because he has not done at the first spot.

Most of the time, accident happen when he is sitting on the chair watching his TV program and he forget to listen to what his body tell him to do.

It is annoying!!!!!!

Finally, this washbowl is put to use to catch the "wee" under the chair.

When done, pour the "nutritious plant food" to the pots in the yard. RECYCLE!

Exploration of order

2008-05-05T17:38:00.000+08:00

Zu Yan arranges the model animals in a line with all the head in same direction.

Visit to the Aquaria KLCC

2008-04-27T22:10:00.001+08:00

Zu Yan looking up at Tinfoil Barb.

Zu Yan at Pay Less Books Warehousesales

2008-04-26T17:04:00.004+08:00

Books that we bought from the sale which cost RM1-3 each.

Zu Yan grab a book and find a box for his self amusement at the Pay Less Books Warehouses.

Happy 2nd Birthday

2008-04-12T20:43:00.002+08:00

Zu Yan 2nd Birthday Barney cake.

Zu Yan gettin gready for the birthday song session.
The airplane candle holder were missing after the party.

Zu Yan with his guests.

Zu Yan entertaining his guest with his material in his learning room.

Zu Yan's guest working on the sand art.

Mirror writing

2007-12-28T00:53:00.001+08:00

MO called up today to express her concern about her 4 year old son mirror image writing.

Example of mirror image writing are letter 'b' is written as 'd' or '9' is written as 'P'.

It ususally appears on a child's writing at about 4 years old.

She wondered whether it is due to the physical development at his infant age.

Because his physical movement was restricted in a playpen under the baby sitter's care.

That has triggered me to do a search on the internet.

Surprisingly, it reveals much more facts about the mirror image writing.

Leonardo da Vinci is one of the notable example for having written most of his personal notes in mirror images.

I came across cases of mirror image writing when I was working in kindergaten. One of the parent show her concern about mirror image writing in her 5 year old daughter.

Later, she came back to me and told me that she was writing in mirror image when she was young too. And this is coincided with my search results that mirror image writing is probably caused by inherited.

Below is the search from Wikipedia

Mirror writing is formed by writing in the direction that is the reverse of the natural way for a given language, such that the result is the mirror image of normal writing: it appears normal when it is reflected in a mirror. It is sometimes used as an extremely primitive form of cipher. The most common modern usage of mirror writing can be found on the front of ambulances, where the word "AMBULANCE" is often written in very large mirrored text, so that drivers see the word the right way around in their rear-view mirror—and understand why they hear a loud siren behind them.

Research suggests that the ability to do mirror writing is probably inherited and caused by atypical language organisation in the brain. It is not known how many people in the population inherited the ability of mirror writing (an Australian researcher estimates the proportion to be 1 in 6500). Half of the children of people with the ability inherited it. There are more left-handed mirror writers than right-handed ones, probably because left-handed people tend to have atypical language centres in their brain.

Stacking activity

2007-12-23T13:14:00.000+08:00

Another stacking activity done by Zu Yan using material from his surrounding.

I am the luckiest in the WORLD!!!

2007-12-04T22:41:00.005+08:00

This is the rarest opportunity that anyone would had.

Almost the whole set of the montessori classroom material landed at our house.

I bought all these used montessori material from a kindergarten.

Never thought that I will be able to buy them all but dare to dream to own them one day...and here there are.

I had arrange the whole set of Sensorial material and ready to snap photo.

Here he comes the owesome little model, just in time before I press the button .

I am the luckiest in the world.

Thank you Auntie Annie.

Thank you Auntie Swee Sun .

The 8 sets of dressing frame. Velcro, Lacing, Bow, Big button, Zip, Buckle, Hook and Eye, Small Button.

Montessori Little Helper Part IV : Sorting Newspaper with grandma

2007-11-27T16:18:00.010+08:00

A big thank you for grandma for being so patience to let ZY help out (or mess up) and understand what is helping meant.

Exploration of Order

2007-11-27T13:18:00.004+08:00

This is another activity Zu Yan likes to do with his fruit cutting material.

He likes to arrange them nice and orderly on the box, then invite me to share his joy of completing the work.

Montessori Little Helper Part II : Wiping table

2007-11-16T23:18:00.003+08:00

It is so much fun watching Zu Yan wiping the weaning table after his meal.

No instruction is given. I will say to him that we need to wipe the table after meal everytime he finish his food. He watches me and there he is.

Montessori baby : Development and Imitation

2007-11-14T22:27:00.002+08:00

18 month old Zu Yan imitating adult talking on the phone.

Bedtime Part II : Time for bed! Light off!

2007-11-07T06:14:00.004+08:00

Yesterday night, I tried to sleep Zu Yan with the bedside light on.

Guess what he did he sat up and crawl to the side of bed and off the light.
Then crawl back to his place, laid down.

That's good, he can incharge for the light off before we go to bed now.

Journey to Independence self

2007-11-06T16:45:00.010+08:00

Zu Yan sitting by himself having his hair cut.
I took this video by hiding.

I am glad that he could do this alone.

Grandma took him away and help to cut his hair without my consent.

At the end of his hair cut, he had reached for a comb and comb his hair which I did not capture.

The sweetest thing is ............

2007-11-03T16:43:00.002+08:00

This morning, Zu Yan giggles while he is still asleep.

It happened out of sudden and just once.

I waited for second giggle but nope, no more.

What a sweet things !

baby hairstyle

2007-10-30T15:11:00.001+08:00

Photobucket Album

Montessori Little Helper Part II : Helping with laundry

2007-10-28T16:46:00.004+08:00

One of the daily activity that Zu Yan will help out a bit is to unpeg.
I will let him handle his own laundry first.
He is 18 months old, do not expect him to do all.

Reaching for the peg.

Pulling out the peg.
He is not using his finger to press open the peg yet.

Watch and drop the peg.

Then, pulls off the laundry from the hanger and drop on the floor.

Should have provide him a basket for pegs and a basket for clothes.

Bedtime Part I : Comfy Bedtime

2007-10-23T22:50:00.001+08:00

It started on last Saturday night.

ZY still could not get into sleep at about 11pm.

If ZY don't sleep means I don't get to sleep also.

So instead of laying on bed waiting for him rolling around and fall into sleep.

I woke up, switched on light and sat up to browse through magazine.

I placed a pillow behind me and sat against the bed headboard.

ZY came and wanted to have a look at the magazine too.

So I sat him like how I sat too but he requested 1 more thing.

To pull the quilt to cover up his leg and wanted me to do the same.

Ho! where did he get the idea to sit in such comfy.

Since that night, it became a new bedtime routine.

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A cow say "MOO", What sound does a mama say?

Baking? I can help!

2007-10-21T01:31:00.001+08:00

Few months ago, when I was watched "Bill's Food" TV show, Bill's daughter(I guess she is at preschool age) appeared in his show to do baking with him, pouring sugar, eggs, flour...

I told ZY : "Ooh! How fun it is if you could do baking with mama. But I have to wait for another 2 or 3 years before you could do that."

I bake today, he was watching me doing it in the learning tower. Guess what! He help to pour egg into the mixing bowl!

I was so happy!

He reached for the bowl that I am using to add in the egg into the batter.

So I passed him the bowl and he pour it in confidently.

"Wow! You did it! You help mama to do baking!"

Next! He is "CLAPPING".

Well! Seems I don't have to wait for that long for him to join me in baking.

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"SHY"..."HI"...

2007-10-16T06:23:00.001+08:00

"SHY"

Since he was a baby, when he meet someone that he is not familiar or someone he has not seen for sometime. He tends to place his face close to my shoulder.

What I did was introduce and tell him who the person is and it is OK and he or she is a kind or nice person.

I do not mention "SHY". This is call labelling. We do not label our children.

If your child is "shy" and you don't want him to be "shy" for the rest of his/herlife, helps him/her to get rid of it without saying the word to him again and again.

Till today he is doing the samething. But...

...after he warm up, that is, he can go and play without me around.

Patience! The right time will come.

***************************************

"HI"

ZY greets me! By raise up his hand to indicate as "Hi" to me when...

...I place him in the car from the left and then I get in from right.

...he was carry away by his dad then spottted me later, somewhere in the supermarket.

Oh no! He will raise and wave his hand when he see me when he was very young.

But I don't take that as saying "HI"...why?

I took those as happy sign when he see me but not for the purpose of greeting.

************************************************************************

I can help to pay

2007-10-16T05:57:00.002+08:00

Once again, ZY was with me at the cashier counter.

I was getting the money ready while waiting for my turn to pay in a queue.

Again, he must has a grab of coin/s in his hands if he saw it.

I gave it to him and told him " Please hold properly. Do not drop it."

But on second thought, if the coins drop and roll away...

I don't want the embrashing scene, run after the scattered coins and pick up the coins with one hand holding a baby and another with groceries and stroller.

I gave him a one Ringgit note instead. Luckily he was willing to exchange with me.

Before our turn, to get him ready I told him " We need to pay. Please give the money to kakak." Although I am not sure whether he understand or not.

Guess what he did!

Yes! He handover the note to the cashier! And I said thank you to him and gave him a smuck.

Guess what he did!

Clapping! He took pride of what he did again!

***Lesson learnt***

He has been watching what we did at the cashier counter everytime.

I have been telling him we need to pay at the cashier counter everytime.

So, one day, when the right time has come he did it.

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First Practical Life Activities in Montessori Classroom: Pouring Activities

2007-10-09T17:20:00.001+08:00

ZY is doing pouring !

I did not introduce that to him. It is all initiated by himself.

ZY was having dinner with us.

As usual, I will place a cup of water in front of him.

Today, after he took a sip of wate.

He ponited to another cup on the table, indicating he wanted the cup.

I passed it to him and sponteneously he started to pour the water from one cup to another.

Then, back from one cup to another.

He started the pouring activities by himself!

As this is a sponteneous activity, I manage to reach for a towel to place under the cups to catch the spills.

That is Montessori At Home! Just reach for anything you have at home.

"The First Practical Life Activities in Montessori Classroom" which meant to bridge the environment at home and in school.

The suggested age is around 2 1/2 years old.

Althought, I read it in my manual as stated above.

But, I never seen a young child doing pouring from cup to cup at home.

No need to say more.

Whose parent will allowed their children to do pouring at home.

"Stop that! You spill the water. That's messy!"

"Oh gosh! You are wet now!"

" What nonsense you are doing? Go and play with your toys!"

Ordinary parents don't see the power behind this "nonsense" pouring activities.

A child needs to focus and pay full attention to his entire body, concentrates to complete "pour without spilling".

Of course ZY is not this stage yet, he just turns 18 months old!

This activity promotes what Montessori says "integration of the mind and the body" which is the primary foundation for the child's "development of will".

The child discovers that he can conduct his body movements through the direction of his will.

When he is able to transfer his will to a life skill, this gives the child confidence.

He is confidence in facing challenging activities and realizing that he can practically accomplish any task as long as he wills it.

In summary or point form this is what pouring activity will helps
-It develop the child's eye-hand coordination.
-It develop teh child's fine motor skills and dexterity.
-It develop the child's concentration.
-It prepare the child towards indenpendece.

( Can pour himself a cup of drinks, no more pulling leg mummy mummy!)

And I can proundly tell you.

"ZY is pouring confidently from right hand to left hand. However he needs more practice to pour from left hand to right hand."

Emm.. sound like I was writing report for my children in Montessori School.

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Montessori At Home : Painting launch unofficially

2007-10-08T17:34:00.003+08:00

Montessori At Home : Painting launch unofficially.

Montessori At Home : Practical Life Activities - Using mini broom and dustpan

2007-10-04T00:51:00.001+08:00

Montessori At Home : Practical Life Activities - Using mini broom and dustpan

In the morning, ZY spilled the corn kernel.

So I introduce the mini broom and dustpan, show him how to clear the corn kernel using the mini broom and dustpan.

After using the mini broom and dustpan, I also show him where I place it.

I place it on the shelf in his learning room.

Routine of day carry on. Shower, marketing, lunch, nap.

Wake up, playtime, spilled the corn again.

He stood and look at the corn for awhile, then turn and walk into the learning room.

I go after him and peep outside the room.

He go directly to where the mini broom was placed.

He remember!

Then, what happend next?

You saw him in the picture!

*************************************************

Montessori baby : water play

2007-09-04T01:08:00.002+08:00

Nature Walk at Rimbun Ilmu University Malaya and Trip to Bagan Lalang

2007-08-26T22:13:00.002+08:00

Nature Walk at Rimba Ilmu University Malaya

Emm...so boring.

Hey! A lonely boy!

Hi! Can we go out for a movie tonight.

Young lady, please pay attention to the briefing.

Field trip to Beach Bagan Lalang

2007-08-24T22:45:00.002+08:00

ArchiDEx2007

2007-08-23T23:34:00.003+08:00

We went to Archidex 2007 at KL Convention Center, but only found that children are not allowed.

So, the father go in and we waited outside.

Zu Yan admiring the archi piece model.

Zu Yan was amused by the model structure.

A few snapshot of Zu Yan while we waiting at the corridor.

Malaysia International Fireworks Competiton 2007

2007-08-22T23:44:00.003+08:00

Good that Malaysia is having such an event in Putrajaya.

We manage to reach there right before the fireworks started.

Actually, our car cannot move any more further.

The road is full of cars.

ZuYan clapping when the fireworks started.

ZuYan was amazed by the fireworks!!!

ZuYan looks up on the cheering crowd.

Although we were very far away from the fireworks competition spot, ZuYan was excited with the little sparks he can see.

What if we are really under the fireworks display?

Getting to know nature

2007-07-20T22:46:00.005+08:00

Planting teaches children more than just how things grow.
It also educates them about the weather and why plants need soil, water and light.
It helps to develope a positive attitudes and feeling toward the natural environment, or being familiar with their environment.

Of course, as a 15 months old child, Zu Yan cannot not understand about the weather, soil, water and light.

It's a simple and easy experience for him to get to know nature.
I was amaze by the way he handle the shovel.
He had fun this morning.

15 months old Zu Yan planting scallion.

One for you, one for you and one for you.

2007-07-11T17:13:00.005+08:00

Yesterday night, I was eating wasabi pea. ZY noticed, walked to me and open his mouth wide.

"Are you sure you want this? It's wasabi pea. Hot!" He understand what "Hot!" means by touching hot water mug. May be not in the context of food. His mouth still wide open. I jugde the level of the "hot" of the pea and think he will be able to take it, worst he will spit out and stay away.

I popped one pea into his mouth. In seconds, he spitted out the pea. He did not walk away but reached for the pack of pea. Picked up a pea and send it into my mouth. One and after one after one till he finished the whole pack. He smiled and clapped.

ooh ooh ! up there!

2007-07-11T01:14:00.001+08:00

Since last week, I started to bring ZY out to the nearby playground so that he would get a chance to further refine his gross motor skill. All this while, we will just hang around in the house yard in the evening, where he could only walk around and sit on bench. He admired the plants, grass, cars passing by, neighbour walk pass but never never the birds or airplane flying over our head. He pay no notice when I told him "Listen, what's that sound? Look up there! An aeroplane!" " Look! birds!" Emm.. he looked left or right or somewhere else but not the direction of where my finger point to, not lifted his head to look up at all.

So, it is not the time yet. I did not keep trying and I think one day he will notice by himself. And, last Thursday, we were in the playground, as usual, I will stand back and let him lead the way. At one moment I was looking elsewhere and when I turn to him, he was pointing to the sky. There were two birds flying by. Hey! he noticed!

And, today, I was looking elsewhere again and when I turn to him, he was pointing to the sky and his lip squash up like a beak "Ooh! ooh!". There was an aeroplane flying over.

His awareness of surrounding has extend up to things happend over his head.

ZY's discoveries

2007-07-09T16:34:00.002+08:00

Quotation
"I have served the spirit of those children, and they have fulfilled their development, and I have kept them company in their experiences." Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, Chapter 27.

Zu Yan's stop and look at a snail while having nature walk in the park.
The snail does not kept him for long.
He continue his nature walk after looking at it for awhile.

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Spinning ball in container

Yesterday, it was during the lunch time.
While I help ZY to feed himself, he was having fun with a 1 inch diameter wooden ball and a rice measuring cup.
He held them one in each hand, showing them high and low, place on the table, place the ball into the measuring cup and pour it out...suddenly, he found that he could make the ball to circulate in the cup by using only one hand and wrist.
And he did it again and again. While he was walking, sitting on sofa, sitting on floor, put it away, came back to the materials, pick up and work with it again.

Today, he repeat the same experience but in a variation.
He place a bigger plastic ball into a round ice cream container and make the circular motion by holding the container with two hands.
Later in the evening, he was spunning around by himself for the first time (Does this got anything to do with the ball spinning in the container?).
He fell on floor, got up, spun, fell, got up and spun again.

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Elmo's Potty Time

2007-06-27T22:21:00.000+08:00

Come across this in VCD version at Jusco store.
Bought one for ZuYan's preparation for toileting.

This title in other format that found in Amazon.

Book

Music

VHS

First Birthday walk

2007-05-31T03:48:00.005+08:00

Birthday walk

One of the special occasion that a Montessori school has is to celebrate children’s birthday by having birthday walk. The birthday child will hold a globe and walk on elliptical/round line. A candle will be light up and place on a model sun in the center of the ellipse/circle. While the child is carrying the globe and walking on the elliptical line, his/her story will be told. Every one complete walk around the sun represent the earth orbit around the sun one round and means one year is past. If the child is three years old, he will walk for three rounds. The child get to blow the candle in the center at the end of his/her story is told. Then the birthday cake will be brought out and birthday song will be sang.

In some other Montessori school, they might have a birthday brass plate, which is polish by the birthday child in readiness for his/her birthday walk. The plate will hold up small tea lights, which are lit as the child completes each circuit.

To further raise the awareness of birthday and passage of time, photographs of the birthday child from birth at yearly intervals will be displayed. Some other idea are making a photo book , a basket of their favorite book, toys or things.

ZuYan’s 1st birthday walk

It is too young for ZuYan to understand about birthday, but I still decided to let him has his 1st birthday walk. He might not understand what is going on but it will leave a trace in his adsorbent mind.

An area in the living hall is designated and marked an ellipse shape with red masking tape. It will be left unpeel for ZuYan to practice walking on line when he is ready later.

The elliptical line was ready few days before his tiny birthday party. Instead of practice walking on the line ZuYan walk with the line between his leg as he needs to balance himself when he walk. ZuYan is able to walk freely around the house one month before his birthday. And that really give me a relief of carrying him around but tiring to follow him every corner of the house that he wanted to explore.

I wish to see ZuYan smile and toddle around the elliptical line on his birthday, it does not has to be a perfect one but he was tired when the birthday walk was started. He wanted to be held. Well! he did complete the circle with me knee down behind him and toddle around.

Other things that I have to mark the passage of time is his twelve monthly growth photo and a homemade tiniest cake and mini cupcakes.

Nothing much, only a memorable moment had been capture and to add a little spark in his passage of time.

Here is a video of a child's birthday walk I found in Y0utube.com

Montessori Little Helper Part I : Baking Birthday Cake

2007-04-13T22:47:00.003+08:00

ZuYan was in the kitchen mixing flour while I am baking his birthday cake for tomorrow party.

Sensitive period for order

2007-02-05T23:49:00.001+08:00

Sensitive period for order
This very important and mysterious period appears in a child’s first year and continues on through the second.

Zu Yan’s sense of order
I have try to maintain ZuYan’s daily routine in a same order everyday but forget about his sensitive period to order in his environment.

On the first day he came home with mummy from medical center, Zu Yan was placed in a crib in the living hall. At night, he co-sleep with mummy in mummy’s room. Second day, Nanny Cheng came in to help out. From that night till the day of eighteen Zu Yan slept in a crib (moved from living hall) in a room with Nanny Cheng. Day time, he slept in a bouncer or bassinet in living hall. On the night of eighteen, Zu Yan co-sleep with me again. That’s the night, the sleepless night started. He started to cry out until Nanny Cheng came in to cradle him over to her room.

Sleeping in the bassinet. Sleeping in the bouncer.

The first week of second month, I went back to my mother’s place with Zu Yan so that my mother could help out. Still Zu Yan had sleepless night, of course including me and my mother. I am back to my own house then, it took about two weeks for Zu Yan to settle and sleep at night. By four months old, the bassinet was removed and Zu Yan nap in my room during daytime. And, he took sometime to feel secure to nap longer hour. Started in January ( nine months old already), he nap in his playing room and sleep on a mattress on the floor at night. We have sleepless night for a month. He woke up in the night, crawls to the dressing table and practises his pulling skill. Finally, I decided to let him co-sleep with me again. And I noticed he will look at the wall light that he have been staring at since new born and also the newly install ceiling fan, quietly fall into sleep till the next day.

Phew! What a chaotic. I wish I would have started with napping in playing room and co-sleep with me at night. When I think back now, could it be the order of environment that made him sleepless. What do you think?

Last month (10 months old), it was after I changed the curtains in the living hall in the night while he was asleep. The next morning I placed him on the floor. As usual he will makes a few crawl and sits up to look around. The moment he looks up at the curtain he was uneasy and showing unsecure, and crawls to me. After a while, he was calm after comfort and explain by me. I don't think it is the colour of the curtain that make him uneasy. The curtain before is in pale orange, now is in light yellow with white floral pattern.

And there is another occasion which happend in the playing room. There is a power socket at low level. Zu Yan will has a close look, feel, touch daily. One day, he found that there is something wrong with the socket, he makes sounds like " eh, eh, eh" because DaDa had cover up the socket. See, a 9 months old infant can remember his surrounding.

About the use of bouncer, crib, bassinet which is against the Montessori principles? I will explain in my coming post.

The crucial year and sensitive period

2007-02-05T23:43:00.004+08:00

Quotation
"A child's different inner sensibilities enable him to choose from his complex environment what is suitable and necessary for his growth. They make the child sensitive to some things, but leave him indifferent to others. When a particular sensitiveness is aroused in a child, it is like a light that shines on some objects but not others, making of them his whole world."
Maria Montessori,The Secret of Childhood, Chap 7

There are four stages in the human plane of development.
First stage : 0-6 years, Second stage : 6-12 years, Third stage : 12-18 years, after about eighteen years of age there is no longer any transformation (Standing, 1984, p.108). Montessori identified the first period as the most crucial year in forming a child to prepared himself for his life.

Sensitive period is referring to the period when a child is sensitive towards a particular item or aspect. Generally, there are sensitivity towards small or detail object, sense of order, sensory perception, language, coordination of movement, and a time of social awareness. It is through these sensitivity the child learns to get to know his world and helps the child’s mental growth. For example, if the child is going through the sensitive period of small detail, he would seen noticing the ant on the ground. If the necessary action or opportunities were not given to the child during the sensitive period, the child would to learn, develop and refine the related skills again in the future with extra effort.

Zu Yan is sensitive to details when he notice the label at his pillow.
Zu Yan further explore the label at the pillow by touching and tasting.

Zu Yan was cooing when we talk to him.

At 4 months old, I enrolled Zu Yan (left) to the Baby massage class. Zu Yan is interacting with his friend, Yong Joe (right) who is 6 months old.

When Zu Yan is awake and quiet, he looks toward the window where the brightness come in.

The New Born child

2007-01-30T23:29:00.003+08:00

A new born child
"child who has grown in a place where it was protected from all assaults, from every change o f temperature, in a fluid created for its rest. And in an instant it has changed this dark and silent home for the hostile air. "

(Montessori,1966, p.21)

Zu Yan was placed on my chest right after he was born, strange! I don't feel like how i feel for watching a child is born in TV. I noticed his hands and feet are blue, very very pinky face and no words...

"... clothes are no necessary for a new born child, nor even during the first month of its existence."(Montessori,1966, p.22)

Zu Yan was swaddled and placed in this nursery room after taken from mama. According to dada Zu Yan opened his eyes and look around the room, then closed and be silent again.

"Its tender body is exposed to the harsh contact of solid objects and is roughly handled by thoughless adults" (Montessori,1966, p.21)

Posing with the Consultant Paediatrician Datuk Dr. S.C.E. Abraham.

Twenty-second day of life

Fifth day of life

An alien environment
“At birth a child does not enter into a natural environment but into one that has already been extensively modified by men. It is an alien environment …”
(Montessori,1966, p.21)

And that has explains the reason why ZuYan was frowning whenever he was awake in his first month of life. He was looking at us as “alien” and he is in an “alien” environment.

"Far better for a child would be a room shut off from the noises of the street, where there is peace and quiet, and where light and heat can be tempered a nd controlled." (Montessori,1966, p.21)

Feel so sorry that did not set up a proper place for Zu Yan to rest until early of this month. He was napping in our living room which expose to noises, light, heat for his first two to three months.

I read the book 4 years ago, by now I have forget most of the details. Re-read the book now, it makes more sense to me.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Montessori, M., (1966), The Secrete of Childhood, Ballatine books, New York.

The Walking Curricullum

2007-01-30T17:17:00.003+08:00

ZuYan moving side to side by holding the rail.

ZuYan pulling up and down at the rail.

Finally, a 5' long towel rail is mounted 18" from the floor in the learning room.

This will allows ZuYan to pull up to standing position and move sideways, hand over hand, foot over foot, at anytime, without help from me.

Christmas in Hong Kong

2006-12-29T21:12:00.005+08:00

It was a fun and easy trip.

The most worried part for me before departure is all the information about baby ear pain caused by air preesure in plane.

But everything went smoothly, no crying in the flight, no crankiness.
Zu Yan was having fun in the baby seat.
He plays peek-a-boo with the other passengers.
Stewardness adored him.

Be it at home, in a car or in a plane, this is my essential needs.
Chew on something!!! Grunch, grunch, grunch.

Zu Yan checking his attire and outlook in the lift mirror,
making sure he is cute enough to adore street people.

Lunch at Stanley street Hong Kong with Ah Gong.

What a nice smile and stretch when he woke up in the morning on "Yee Yee"'s bed.

No sleeping problem caused by change of environment.

Zu Yan sleeping soundly in baby slings while we are waiting for boarding at Hong Kong International Airport.

Kick off

2006-12-15T18:56:00.004+08:00

Yes, finally! Baby ZuYan's blog is launch! Since baby ZuYan is around, I could hardly find time to surf and read on. I have been reminding myself to raise baby ZuYan the Montessori way. With so many non-montessori elements around, it is not easy but possible...I think. It did came across my mind...How could I use my dear dear baby as experimental infant. It is all about "following the child" anyway, baby ZuYan will gains benefit from it.

Well, coming up are all about my thoughts and growing up of baby ZuYan.