Being a kindergartener mom - webbing, preschool diary, invented spelling, wushu

Chair artwork - what if they go to your pants when you sit on them?

Just came from a PTC (parent-teacher conference) with husband to discuss my two kids' progress at school.

According to her teacher, my kindergartener is well matured in class. She acts like a big sister, assisting those younger and seem to be needing help; keeping quiet when someone is acting roughly. However, she is also soft-spoken and timid.

Origin of kindergartenThe first kindergarten was established by Froebel in Bad Blankenburg in 1837. He renamed his Play and Activity Institute to a ‘kindergarten’ two years later in 1840. That Bad Blankenburg Infant school used play, games, songs, stories, and crafts to encourage children’s imagination and widen their physical and motor talents. "Kommt, lasst uns unsern Kindern leben" Come, let us live with our children’ turned into the catchphrase of the early childhood education.

Webbing and other preschool tricks
Among her teachers' tips to further enhance what she has been learning at school are the following activities:

1. Webbing - TeachPreschool.org defines webbing as a tool that may be used to: 
   • Webbing - build on a basic idea.
   • Webbing - illustrates how each idea builds off another.
   • Webbing - helps you think outside of the box.
   A case in point may be talking about a certain topic, for example, whales. Then, whatever my kid associates with it, like seeing a baby whale being born in a YouTube video, and then moving on towards the subject with inputs coming directly from the kid. Learning that is personal is more effective, teachers said.
   
   What webbing activity have you tried with your kid?
   
   
2. Diary - Encourage your kindergartener to keep her diary, not to start a private life, but to encourage writing and spelling. With reading skills go along writing skills. Letting your child have her own 'notebook' enforces both skills.
3. Invented spelling - It is natural for kindergarteners to miss vowels when writing down words. Yes, you may call it JEJEMON but this one is acceptable and unintentional, unlike the horrible JEJEMON lingo which has permeated the Philippine society of today.
4. Right vs wrong warnings - Being wrong or right is subjective, and for little minds, it is better to give them scenarios and explanations of how things are done. Simply stating that something is wrong or bad does not help. Carefully lay out how she ended up doing what was wrong. You are given a warning because you shouted at your brother when you could have called his name softly.

Extra activities
One thing is certain, the kids will be starting on their new extra curricular activities soon. What I originally have in mind for my kindergartener is piano lessons. However, the choices available to us is a 5-15minute daily lesson which I find too short, or another one that is 1-hour every other day. The teacher in the latter is unknown to me, and I am not very comfortable with that.

So it might be Wushu lessons twice a week here at Quezon City, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5pm. Fee is P3k+/month exclusive of uniform, insurance and processing fee.

Feedback about my nursery kid
It has been a great relief that my youngest is fine at school. He's average. Before I enrolled him, my greatest fear would be that he would not pay attention to his teachers. Luckily, he participates in class and gives out correct answers. Areas to be improved were identified, like finding a dominant hand, strengthening his hand muscles, and listening and communication skills.

I think my role as a mom-teacher cannot be pushed any further that's why we might enroll him to Enopi for after-school practice sessions. I regularly give them worksheets to do at home and both of my kids grudgingly do them. I am too 20th-century for these digital learners.

Forming a letter 'T' with two cars

Enopi preschool
I have inquired last summer about Enopi, they are Korea's answer to Kumon, and they accept kids who have started attended formal school already. Their monthly charge is about P1600+/month which covers a two-hour per week schedule for one subject. They offer English and Math for preschoolers.

Focus on the main thing
Honestly, I felt low after hearing from my two kids' teachers. They were not bright stories at all. However, I am thankful still because at least we are given the chance to prepare and make adjustments with how to raise them to be the best that they can be, as God made them. I am a bit forced to emulate kids that show traits my little ones don't have - being outspoken and sociable. I fight myself though, thinking they are God's workmanship the way they are.

My heart's desire is to raise up kids who fear and love God and serve their countrymen rather than achievers who give in to the dark side of themselves.

Storytellers

BabyCenter says
Your child's storytelling ability is growing now that he's using longer sentences rich with detail. His tales now have a clear beginning, middle, and end — at least most of the time. Most of all, they're nourished by a lively imagination that's reaching new peaks. Your child is learning that a quick story is a way to share information, to entertain, and sometimes, if he thinks fast enough, to get him out of a tight spot.

It has been almost five years that I have taken on the role of MOM full-time. Since I gave birth to first-born, I have quit my job and stayed at home to be with my baby.

After a year, I unexpectedly gave birth to another one and got even more convinced to stay at home and leave the workforce for good.


However, now that the kids are no longer babies, and have missed going out of the house regularly to go to the office, I ask myself again if it was the right decision and if I should not change my mind and work again.


I have accepted some short-term work, mostly done at home to keep my non-mommy brain alive. I long for that time, when the kids are busy enough with their own lives and I can have more time for me. And I already have thought out what I would do - farm.


In the meantime, I take great pride that my first born's teachers compliments of how well founded my little one is at school. Smart, caring, fun-loving.


Yes, this is why I stepped back. That my kids can step forward confidently when it is their turn.

My Underwater Story Book
During one long school holiday, my preschooler was given the assignment of creating a story out of drawings bound ala story book. I asked her what each page's drawing says and here's the story she submitted. When I find the time and muster my lazy muscles, will scan the storybook too for posterity:

Once upon a time, there was a boy who likes to play fishing game.

He got his fishing rod which came from his mom, from inside his house and he pretended that there was water.

Jay, the boy, likes to get fish. His favorite is the butanding (whale shark).

While fishing, a butanding pulled him down the water. Natanggal ang sapatos niya, kase nahila siya. (He lost one of his shoes because he was pulled under the water.)

Nung nasa ibaba na siya ng tubig (When he was underwater), he was pretending that he was a sea turtle. Just like the other sea turtles he saw.

And then, he stopped pretending that he was a sea turtle because he saw that his other shoe was missing.


He then saw a yellow dolphin with red tail and rode on its back. They will go up above the water, to reach the sky. Maybe, he will see his other shoe.

But, Jay fell from the dolphin. A yellow octopus grabbed the dolphin. The octopus wants Jay under the water so they can blow bubbles.

So Jay played bubbles with his sea creature friends. The butanding made the biggest bubble.

The butanding blew lots and lots of bubbles, until it became a giant bubble. The bubble was so big, Jay can fit inside it.

The giant bubble brought Jay back on top of the water, to his house. Then Jay said goodbye to all the sea animals. Then he remembered, that his other pair of shoe was there. And he put it on.

The End.

Carlos' OK
Our youngest has been very helpful with his sister's school work. He enjoys choosing photos of objects for his ate to learn to spell. When we found out from Maya's teacher she can read basic c-v-c, that's consonant-vowel-consonant words, Carlos was with me. He was very funny, he just said, in his usual funny, as-if-mature way, "Ok!"

Paradox of the times

Today we have bigger houses but smaller families, more amenities but less time. We have a higher education level and more knowledge but less common sense and competence to judge.

Flawed and fabulous
I am far from being the best mom, my kids model my worst behavior, so I really have no excuse. Yesterday though, my daughter made me so proud. She insisted that she cannot play with the iPod because she disobeyed one of our rules. My, oh my! We are doing something right, after all.



Daughter's being more and more helpful around the house too. Guiding her baby brother wash his hands, play, take a bath. My sister in law once remarked that daughter's so mature she will not be surprised if Lois starts dispensing sensible pieces of advice.

Her teachers notice the consistent maturity and love for learning. They once told me that they were surprised that Lois got a joke that they taught only the two teachers would understand.

Allergic to Cherifer Forter?
Rushed our little boy to the hospital one night over mild fever and red rashes. It was dengue fever season and I have heard scary stories from other parents whose kids were diagnosed late. I even know of a mom who died because of dengue fever.

So when we noticed that Carlos had red rashes on his legs, arms and back, combined with mild fever, I trooped to the Emergency Room. I consulted with other family members too, and they said just to be safe, it may be good to see a doctor.

When Carlos and I got to the hospital, her pediatrician's clinic is closed already so I just brought him to the Emergency Room. Doctor on duty said it was just a viral allergy and not dengue. Asked me to give him allergy syrup and give him a bath to relieve the itching.

Personally, I felt the hesitation of the doctor. I don't know, there's a different confidence our family pediatrician has which soothes me, and I didn't find it that night. I gave Carlos his medicine, but I delved farther. I thought which new things he were exposed to that might trigger the allergy. Then I came towards the culprit: Cherifer Forte and Ped-Cee Ascorbic Acid.

My little boy was perfectly fine before I gave him those medicine. And when I stopped giving him those supplements again, the rashes disappeared. Coincidence? I think not! It's mom wisdom. Not to discredit pediatricians, but mothers know our babies best. Together, we have healthier kids.


Lois' photography
Iphone's ease of use proves magnificent again. Here are Lois' recent shots around the house, guaranteed Photoshop-free:

Moving electric fan - a bit cropped I'd say? Hahahha!

Flower light

Hello Kitty wall sticker

I like this one - Eartha, their fluffy friend sea turtle

A trip to Laguna

It has been an annual tradition to spend Holy Week at Lobo Beach in Batangas, Daddy Paul's side of the family. Now that Lois is four-years old, she is excited to go to the beach. I could almost use it as a power controler over her. "If you don't pack away those toys, you will not join us to Lobo." It would definitely work.

But a parenting book Daddy Paul and I are reading suggests the other way. Say it once, walk away, follow through. I've tried it twice with Lois and result is a po-answering kid. The book works! And I haven't finished it yet.


The book, entitled Have a New Kid by Friday, however, is not for the weakling. It meant really sticking to the punishment you will give. The first thing I used with Lois was to deny her milk from her bottle. Yes, I was willing to let her go on a fast - because she was obviously hurting other people. She would intentionally hit his Kuya Doods, my nephew and sole employee, then say sorry after I reprimand her.

When I saw her hitting him again, I confronted the behavior. With my most serious face, I brought her to our 'punishment room' and told her she cannot have milk because she constantly hits Kuya Doods. I labeled what I was doing with her. "You're given a punishment because you keep on doing what is wrong, hitting Kuya Doods. It is bad to hurt people. And you don't say sorry then keep on repeating the same thing."

I've to admit it was hard. It required that I deal with Lois completely, all my attention to her. Then, given the punishment, I had to be tough. Giving in to her whines and cries would break the spell. In our case, Lois constantly bogged me for her milk, but I reminded her she cannot have her usual bottle until it was bedtime.

I guess this incident showed Lois who was in charge? Or perhaps, since I was firm, she learned Mommy Tams would really do what she said? Whatever reason, I am happier with Lois. She has become a more respectful daughter, and a responsible sister - at age 4.

Meeting Baby Skid
Before heading to Lobo, Batangas, we passed by Binan to finally meet and welcome the newest addition to the Guevara clan - Baby Skid, Kuya Bong and Ate Alyn's most precious firstborn.

It was amusing to find Baby Skid on top of the table. With his rocker cradle strapped to the chairs, week-old Skid was fast asleep very unmindful of us. Well, that's what newborn babies do a lot. He was covered, almost from head to foot and Mommy Tams took to removing his clothes, checking on him, perhaps too, reminiscing on the good old days when Lois and Carlos were like that. It was amusing that little Baby Skid was smiling. Whether it was gas or pure bliss, it was heartwarming to see him beam.

The kids, with the dad and Ma Dahls were checking the almost garden paradise which Skid would now call home. Shady trees, beautiful flowering plants, chirping birds, barking dogs plus huge turtles and tilapias all inside their compound. Inside too was the Coke room, where Kuya Bong and Ate Alyn display their humongous Coke memorabilia collection.

We're excited to have Baby Skid grow up. I'm sure the kids would definitely love to play, swim and run with him.

Weaned by Kate Winslet

Carlos has been taking his milk from the bottle for almost a month now. Thanks to Kate Winslet and the movie Finding Neverland.

Since birth until he's over two years old, Carlos has been breastfed. When his teeth came out at 9 months, we started giving him solid food. The bottle has been there eversince he was born -but was used when we were out or if ever I was gone for a long time. I remember that up till he was seven months, I've been pumping milk for use during those times mentioned.

Our first try at weaning him from the breast was before he turned two. I've been complaining about the long hours of feeding especially at night time. Plus I was trying to gain weight and we all thought that breastfeeding him was going on the contrary. Our strategy was to put a strong flavor - coffee, vinegar or soy sauce on my nipples. It worked a bit. As soon as he would taste the weird flavor, he would refuse to nurse with me. This strategy failed however because during nighttime, he would not take the bottle and refuse to feed from me thinking my breast still tasted yucky. So he would cry himself to sleep, leaving me sleepless.

Next strategy we tried was the one which worked for Lois. At age 14 months, we told Lois she could not breastfeed anymore because there was a baby growing inside mommy's tummy. Everybody kept on telling her this whenever she would ask for me until she took to the bottle already.

So for Carlos, we started telling him that mommy has no milk anymore so he should drink from the bottle. At this, he would always argue that he wants mommy. "Dede Kay mommy, meron pa," he would insist.

Until I got a cough and the most watched movie at home was Johnny Depp & Kate Winslet's Finding Neverland. The movie was about the play Peter Pan came about - which was written by plywright jm Barrie while inspired with many interactions with the daddy-orphaned kids and widow of Llewelyn Davies.

The writer kept his social contact with this jolly family despite disapproval of many. Mrs. Llewelyn Davies, a widow with four bright boys constantly meeting with a man was considered taboo.

Out of their imagined games and spirited interactions, Mr Barrie was able to write Peter Pan. However, at the opening night of the play, Mrs Llewelyn Davies was dying because of respiratory disease. There was a scene at the movie when it was found she was sick because she couldn't stop coughing. Her sickness overtook her until after the play's first run, she died leaving her kids orphaned.

Lois and Carlos took this that my cough could also lead to death. Whenever Carlos would ask for me, Lois would instantly remind him of the dead mom - which could be me. It went on and on until Carlos settled well with his bottle. Asking, "dede please sa bote #6."

Random Wonder

Lois and Carlos are growing so fast. Last night, while they were sleeping, I looked at them and saw how much space they were taking up on our family bed. The kids are not yet ready to move to their own rooms so we enjoy this chance to snuggle with them every night. :) To me, Lois looked like a 6-year old already.



This afternoon, while we were doing Lois' assignment - a book of Philippine animals they saw during their field trip at Avilon Zoo to be submitted a week after they visited the zoo, I was again amazed by our little girl.

I asked her to color the Philippine map provided by their teacher. She willingly obliged, choosing the color blue for the island of Luzon, yellow for Visayas and red for Mindanao. The amazing part, she knew the whole Luzon collection of islands! Palawan and the Bicol Region were shaded blue. She even told me that Bicol is where we can find the butanding or the whale shark, largest fish.

I was really fascinated that our little girl is learning in school, she's paying attention and she's absorbing the lessons she hears. Daddy Paul said that Lois once remarked about an anecdote we heard and shared with others - Winnie the Pooh speaking Visayan in Hongkong Disneyland.

On Children
Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

December 2009 in Photos

Christmas is more meaningful and special this year, now that both kids are bigger. Lois is a preschooler, and Carlos is a toddler. Quite some talkers. Here are things we conquered December 2009.

Ate Aliyah looking after the buffet table with the mermaid doll

Cousins too - Moi and Raymart. It's great that they are batchmates, my pamangkins.

Newest addition to our BIG family, baby Samantha Angela, named after Lola sa tuhod, Ine. Ren ren is big bro now.

November 2009 in Photos

That's bashful Vanessa and Carlos enjoying the air bed in Bulacan, Undas.

Costa Classica has added the Philippines as part of their Asian tour. Marvin, part of that ship, treated us to free lunch and tour of this 14-storey cruiser. Mabuhay kayong mga masisipag na manggagawang Pilipino. Sana dumating ang panahon, tayo na ang pasahero.

The Meridian grounds was transformed into a town fiesta, with many members coming in with their Filipino costumes.

Lois posing beside a Christmas tree, she's fascinated with Christmas trees, this girl.

Mr. Carlos, Mr. iPod boy

Kaitlyn Maher - American, Singer

She may be little, but her great confidence and singing prowess make her a giant. I like so much that she knows as early as 4 what she likes to do and is not intimidated to pursue it. I hope all kids would be like that, they would grow up able to discover who they are and what they are for.

September 2009 in photos - or something like that

Sling and Stone Web Design Employee Number 2 - Air Jordan

Pre-Nacho day. Now Marj and Tat's a trio with Ignacio... what's his second name?

Tony and Mau finally tied the knot - August 2, 2009

Desire to be number one

During Mau's wedding to Tony, finally! So happy for both of you. :)

It has been months since I last updated. Life has been so full for me I was not able to find time to write. With the change of address, Lois going to school, Paul and I enrolling in the gym and opening of the web design cum desktop publishing shop - which by the way is still not officially registered, hopefully ticked out of my to do's by this week- my target tasks have never been completed. I think it will take mid-next year until everything settles. Or maybe even later than that?

Competitive kids
We introduced the concept. Hoping it would speed things up with the kids but it boomeranged with bad consequences. Now the kids are always wanting to be the first. Carlos is such a big boy now he would sometimes leave Lois behind in doing stuff - eating, running, putting on clothes. That spells trouble because big girl Lois wouldn't let him be the first. And we cannot control the truth anymore, unlike before.

But there would still be times when it would work, like when helping Lois prepare for school, I would enumerate her classmates and imagine what they are doing as they prepare. That somehow eggs our lethargic Lois. I'm sure the strategy has a diminishing effect. Hopefully before it loses power, Paul and I have come up with a better solution.

Lois the writer
She writes! I am so proud of our lovely daughter. She's able to write her name! Ok, she has her own version of the letter 's' but she's able to write her name: LOIS, and letter P.

Lois: Standing line, big tummy
Me: What letter is that?
Lois: Small letter b. Beams while erasing her small white board. Standing line, big head, big tummy.
Me: What letter is that?
Lois: B!

Carlos is for car
Daddy Paul has been teaching the kids Filipino and English words. Ok, it was just Lois. But Carlos got so stuck with the car translation, he would offer it again and again.

Carlos: Daddy, kotse car.
Paul: Very good, Carlos!
Carlos: Daddy Poh Poh (yup, he calls him that!) car kotse.
Paul: Yes Carlos. Smiles.
Carlos: Daddy Poh Poh car kotse.
Paul: Smiles.
Carlos: Daddy Poh Poh car kotse.

My life in haiku
terribly busy
got no time to take a bath
living to the max

March 2009 In Photos

Foreman Bong at our soon to be finished condo unit

Lola Inang with camera-shy guests

Senior Citizen all

Birthday girl ML - Mam Lorna :)



Playing with macaronis

On the Road to 'Formal' Learning

We'll be enrolling Lois to Meridian International Learning Experience in April. Yes, we've taken the step towards school already. There is no question about the school anymore. We want the kids to learn to love God and our country, not just good old, education. This is also the reason why we'll be moving near the school. It's a lifestyle change for all of us.

Honestly, this was not our original plan. Our target was to send Lois to school by 2010 when she's already 4.5 years old. But things were changing. We were seeing Lois transform into a sponge with all the bad things getting absorbed. She would titter over John Lloyd's billboard in Edsa because she claims she is Sarah Geronimo. (Well, that's a bit better than being Marian Rivera, her original matinée idol.) She would be too shy when we're with other people. And she would hurt little Carlos as if he is not her relative.

So with great faith we scheduled for her assessment. I was hoping she could get to Nursery II already, so she will not be the oldest in her class. But her age by June does not meet the requirement. So I thought it's better that way, than be able to save up on a year and create a tortured pupil out of her. Off Lois went inside the Nursery I classroom while Daddy Paul and I were interviewed by the Directress of the School. She briefed us that Lois will be lovingly disciplined and that we should teach her English as by Prep, they will be introducing Mandarin already.

Funny, but I found myself fidgeting while Lois was inside the classroom. I was curious if she was participating, I was hopeful she was having fun, but I was also afraid that other kids might have told her something nasty that would make her hate school. It was just 30 minutes of waiting for Lois to finish her assessment, but it felt like the longest 30 minutes. Awww, I'm a parent of a pre-schooler I cannot believe it.

Learning on his own

BabyCenter.com says at age 16-months, kids could normally use up to 10 words. Well, our Carlos could easily dish out 20 words:

1. ball/shoot/dunk
2. bike
3. airplane
4. car
5. dog
6. taxi
7. bird
8. juice
9. mama
10. daddy/Poh
11. ate Lois
12. bubbles
13. hand/paa
14. tree/halaman
15. bye-bye
16. uh-oh
17. blocks
18. toys
19. cd
20. baby
21. light
22. moon/star/sun

No, I am not proud. I am euphoric. As the second-born, he did not receive the same attention and care as Lois. But he's ok. In fact, he's better. He shrugs himself up after he falls, he takes medicines without fussing, he eats ALL vegetables and fruits and he's happier.

What a blessed family we are.

No fun

After shopping for books at M/V Doulos, Grandma Dahls asked Lois:

Ma Dahls: Did you enjoy our Doulos trip?

Lois Sourly said: No!

Surprised, Ma Dahls asked: Why not?

Lois: Because the ship didn't move.

Ma Dahls: Why did it not move?

Lois: Maybe there's no gasoline.

Busy Mom

I don't know if Baby 2 notices it, but I've been spending lesser time with him lately. When I'm at home, I would usually be in front of the computer. I would only hold him when it's feeding time. Or if the nannies are finding it hard to send him to sleep.

Some days, I'm out of the house for meetings. Yes, small group sessions are ongoing again and I do not want to miss them. Plus meetings with clients. Uh-huh! Mommy Tams has web design projects rolling already. And these have been keeping me busy. I really like it like this.

I hope the kids' nannies would cooperate. They make it possible for me to work at home. Early this week they just told us they are leaving already. We investigated further and found out heart problems get in the way. Nanny 1 wants to go far. Maybe to escape someone? I really don't know the whole story, they're not telling. I don't want to intrude either. Nanny 2 cannot be left behind because they're relatives. God, bless these kind people.

Master of EnglishI've noticed that whenever we talk in English, Lois would babble away. Enough to make Dr. Seuss wriggle in excitement. Does English sound gibberish to you, Lois?

While riding a shuttle on our way home, I heard Lois singing along with the song Big Girl's Don't Cry by Fergie. She didn't know the lyrics, she was just babbling along. Oh my little angel, you are so funny!

Ravenous EaterNow that Baby 2 has his two front teeth (picture of Baby 2's pearly whites), I've been less careful in feeding him. Gone are the days when I would wait for three days before I introduce a new food to him. Everything that we eat, he eats as well.

They sometimes share a meal too, Lois and Baby 2. Yes, I know it's not hygienic. My pediatrician would frown at me, but it's convenient and teardrops-proof. I'm just so thankful Baby 2's healthy. He's not allergic to anything, he's gaining weight properly, and he's able to pull himself up already. He's a mighty crawler too, unlike her Ate Lois who skipped the crawling part. With the way he's been eating, I think he'll be walking in no time at all.

Baby 2's First Word: Papa