PACEM Eco Park, Antipolo

PACEM is Peace and Care for Earth Ministry
You can see butterfly farms, mini zoo, herbal garden, seashells museum among other things at PACEM.

Interested to visit PACEM? Here are additional details:

From Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 3.30pmOn Saturdays from 8.30am to 12.00noon.For inquiries pls write or call:********PACEM*********Center for Peace and EcologyAssumption Antipolo Sumulong Highway, Antipolo CityTel.(+63-2)696-3274 or 697-2354
P85/head

Photos and other info, please visit here.

Why we chose to homeschool, Ephemeralization and Classroom assessments

Canva lets me do impressive graphic design work!

Why we homeschooled

For about a school year, we enrolled our kids to a homeschool provider. These are our primary reasons:

1. To provide the best education to our ADHD-suspect kid
2. To ensure the kids don't only learn knowledge, but grow godly characters which we value more in our family
3. To ensure the kids apply all they have learned in all aspects of their lives - no double lives
4. Last line of defense - gave up career, homefront and kids are the only turf I would like to triumph on and I am not happy with what I am seeing
5. To accommodate the location transfer of our family

Guess what, after a school year, our family realized that it is not for us. Why?

1. Our kid turned out to be normal and fit for traditional schools
2. Our walk is more important than our talk, and I am worst at both. Really, there are times when I am so terrible that I don't even want to be me.
3. Our kids are still young that there are no secrets yet. Plus living within the same community as the school and their classmates' family allows us to know their classmates' families too and vice versa.
4. The kids have grown up to the point that they need more independence and therefore more time for me to pursue what I am passionate about
5. We have found a verdant and booming place and are choosing to calling this home

Buck Fuller's ephemeralization

ephemeralization to describe the notion that over time, the cost of producing anything approaches zero while its quality continues to increase… until eventually, we can do everything, with nothing ~Buckminster Fuller

I came across this great polymath during my early web design days. I hope that all basic education teachers and students know about him.

Classroom assessments
My undergraduate course for this semester is Assessment of Learning. My former college classmate is my professor. I'd say he is doing a great job. For this class, he asked us to write a reflection paper on classroom assessment. Here it goes.

Assessments are like medicine. They are necessary, but their intended users do not like them. 

Just like a bitter pill, I personally do not like classroom assessments because most of the quizzes, exams, recitations, reportings, research papers, group activities, and tons of homework I encountered involved heavy memorization of information that were stored in the short-term memory of my brain. These information, a semester or school year after, were forgotten and replaced with other memories.

Half of me considers this cyclical process an easier way out, a required compliance in order to further one’s goals in life that is still attainable to those who chose to take a different, less structured path of becoming a self-made man or woman without the necessary educational background. The other half trusts, relies and thrives on this established norm.

My former teachers used different forms of assessment to accomplish their work requirements. My friends and I have been blessed to have several teachers who valued us as individuals more than our assessment results. They remained helpful friends even long after graduation.

Best over good, Gatorade story, Writing a reflection paper

Choosing best over better over good
It's tough to become a good parent because kids force you to choose the best over the good and the better - when you feel like just sitting back and relaxing.

A lazy person like me makes a terrible parent. Instead of sleeping in the morning, I have to get up and help my kids prepare for school. Instead of serving my go to canned goods for a meal, I need to serve up healthy meals ideal for my active 8-year old boy. And so on.

I am so thankful for Ate Narcing. She has been making my life a heaven since she arrived.

How Gatorade Revived Itself

"This is my Jerry Maguire moment," she says. "I said, ‘It's okay if you want to fire me, but this is what we have to do, and we have to start saying no to a lot of stuff that retailers are asking us to do, that Wall Street is asking us to do, and we just have to serve the athlete and act like a sport-performance company. And it's going to be a long, hard journey.' And credit to him: He said, ‘Okay, we're in.' "

Read more here on how Sarah Robb O'hagan turned Gatorade into the sports hydration brand it is now. https://www.fastcompany.com/3018207/most-creative-people-2012/23-sarah-robb-ohagan

Writing a reflection paper
Enrolling in graduate school has me writing essays left and right. Reflection paper is a common type that I churn out regularly. The school has prescribed a way to do it:

1. Things you have learned from the topic
2. Way you have learned it
3. Things you learned which you were supposed to learn
4. How to apply things you have learned
5. Probable problem if you will apply it

Peer pressure and social norm captured in this video


BRAIN GAMES Hidden Camera: Peer Pressure from Joe Gabriel on Vimeo.

How important is preschool education

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/preschool-waste-of-time-money-2016-8

A growing body of evidence suggests that preschool doesn’t offer kids anything they can’t get more easily — or more cheaply — through other means.

Chris Weller wrote about that and looking back, I agree. Finland starts late, schooling their kids at age seven. Yet their education remains top of the world.

Early childhood remains important development milestone that society especially families should protect and maximize. Yet as parents, we should not stress it too much. Life is a marathon after all. Starting strong doesn't equate finishing strong. Letting kids be is better than denying them of their childhood because of early schooling.

I fell into this trap once. I saw my kid's natural timidity as a weakness. We decided to send her to school early to address this. The extra three school years didn't change her into the spunky gal I wish her to be. Yet now that she's much older, I hear positive feedback about how she gets along well with all of her peers. Her mild personality allowed her to blend easily. She has been asked to lead too, both by her teachers and classmates.

CAD - Child and Adolescent Development learnings

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The way other people behave and function is not about you. #itsNOTpersonal

Among the topic in CAD, what do you find the most interesting?
I really enjoyed the moral development theory of Kohlberg especially the Heinz dilemma because I find this theory most applicable for me. Babies and toddlers are self-focused and had to be taught about concepts of sharing and taking turns. However, as the child grows and becomes more exposed to society’s right and wrong, his or her morality and concern shifts from self towards others until it reaches the last level when the rule of law and universal principles are ascribed.

Among the topic in CAD, what do you find the most intriguing?
The psychosexual stages espoused by Freud is the most intriguing and amusing for me. I never really understood about it except for its infamous sexual undertones until this class. I find it intriguing that Freud was able to relate the stages of human development on its corresponding libido of a human’s body part - oral: the mouth, anal: the anus, phallic: the penis or clitoris, latent: little or no sexual motivation, genital: penis or vagina. His was a perspective hinged on sexual drives all throughout the stages of human life. I now understand why someone who is detailed-oriented is labeled as being ‘anal’ which is the second stage of Freud’s theory.

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Give at least five (5) concepts that impact your life.
Havighurst’s Developmental Task Theory - Havighurst believed that the stages of our lives are marked with tasks involving physical, personal and social maturity that must be accomplished in order to have the security each stage required. I see this theory resonating in my life because these listed developmental tasks were very consistent to my corresponding problems and achievements. Also, it has given me a different perspective as to what could be crucial struggles some people may be facing.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages - Erikson talked about the various conflicting values for the different stages of human life, when these conflicts are addressed properly, children develop the positive values. I find this helpful because life is all about balance. Too much of one thing is never beneficial. Having a theory to remind you of these values is a welcome help especially to professionals with numerous concerns and responsibilities.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - The hierarchy of needs is a popular concept discussed and familiar across all fields of study, that is why it is very impactful. I remember Dr. Barrios using this theory as an explanation as to why church organizations conduct outreach activities such as feeding programs, medical missions among others in order to address the physiological needs of the community first.

Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory - I particularly find the more knowledgeable componenet of Vygotsky’s theory a strong validation that learning comes from various sources, not solely from the experienced teacher. This theory is very liberating because it recognized the myriad ways in which one may learn from and has taken the sole responsibility of teaching on the feeble shoulders of a teacher.

Chomsky’s Sociocultural Theory - According to Chomsky, language acquisition happens in the brain, because human beings are born with the capacity to learn language around them. However, since language involves various concepts, there are numerous teaching strategies that would improve language development among children.

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From the documentary “Waiting for Superman”, list five things you learned.
The documentary Waiting for Superman from director Davis Guggenheim is a commentary on the state of American public education system. I have learned the following five things from this film:
The poor quality of American public school
I have heard from many friends who have decided to migrate to America about the superior public school education compared to that of the Philippines. Admittedly, US’ public education is better than ours. We do not even have enough infrastructure to cover our Filipino students’ needs. However, this is the first time that I have known of how big a problem the US public education system. Though with numerous facilities and budget allocations, US public education is far from its superior quality it once boasts. The presence of dropout factories and lemon dance are public issues that every American need to be concerned about.

The impact of poor performing teachers
The documentary attributed poor student achievement to poor teacher performance. As tenured employees, public school teachers are regular employees with legal rights to compensation and employment benefits. They also enjoy due process from termination due to their poor performance.

Charter schools
Charter schools are special schools funded by US public fund but enjoy autonomy. The film highlights charter schools for their unique way of teaching and ensuring student success. US charter schools employ different methods and approaches to teaching which allow their students to learn better compared to their normal public school equivalent.

Lottery in charter schools
Since charter schools produce better students, parents choose it over normal public schools. This creates a supply and demand problem since there are limited slots for student enrollment. In order to be fair, charter schools offer lottery system. The film followed families trying it out to be picked in the charter school lotteries. Those who were lucky went home ecstatic, but the more numerous ones who failed to get picked went home frustrated and discouraged.

What the Philippines can learn from the documentary
Looking at how poor teacher performance translate to student performance, I am particularly curious how this issue plays out in the context of the Philippines. Though our dropout rates are high, it is not teacher performance but poverty that is the main reason considered. I am interested to know how public school teacher performance is guaranteed.

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Name three things you discovered about yourself based on the theories discussed.
I have learned that I favor the trial and error problem solving from Thorndike’s theory. Wrong decisions that led to mistakes are never to be repeated because they leave me scarred and wiser. In terms of processing the world around me, I tend to look at life the way Piaget’s cognitive development described his theory. I have an understanding of how things are, and as I know more about my world, my perception and reasoning changes and grow as well. Lastly, basing on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, I desire to achieve the goals I have set for my self working hard that I may develop self-esteem and consider myself a success.

On Human Resources Planning

Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. This wisdom rings true in the field of human resources particularly in the education landscape. Human resource planning for educational institutions ensures that the right number of people, with the right skills are in the right place and time (Rebore, R. (2012).

Human resource planning also involves assessment of the existing human resource available. It covers human resource inventories, projecting enrolment for five to 10 years, developing and reviewing school objectives and human resource forecast. Issues such as reduction in force, roles of the principal and laws influencing human resources affect human resources planning.

HUMAN RESOURCES INVENTORIES
In the context of human resources, inventory involves not just simply counting of
school personnel but cataloguing each employee and assessing individuals who possess potential for growth.

Human resources inventory also includes profiling of the current human resource. This profile provides complete details about the human resources such as name of employee, age, date employed, gender, job title, department, education and training received, special skills and certifications, if applicable. Administrators can easily get a bird’s eye view of the members of the team through the human resource profile. It also serves as basis for each position’s classification and comes particularly useful in hiring season or staff development. The human resources profile even provides the administration a quick peek into work issues such as employee turnover, job dissatisfaction and could as well future­proof the team about retiring personnel (Rebore 2012).

Personally, I am familiar with inventory as the manual counting of stocks and supplies. It is a pleasant surprise and a welcome learning to know about this human resource planning exercise, especially the human resources profile. Guidelines as regards collecting of the employees’ details, however, must be promoted to ensure that the details are accurately collected especially when filling up of the profile form is done individually. Controlled parameters must be clearly provided to get acceptable answers as categories about the profile are subjective in nature such as special skills and certifications.
Also, it may be a good practice to regularly update the human resource inventory not just annually, but any time there is a movement in the human resource such as resignation, retirement, promotion, participation in seminars, among other things.

Locally, what comes to mind is the National Competency Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS) which not only serve as framework for teachers and pedagogy in whole but lay out criteria for hiring and promotion for Department of Education and other educational institutions. NCBTS essentially aids in teacher human resource planning, recruitment, selection, deployment and recognition system. (Torno, B. 2006, September. Teacher Education and Development Program (TEDP) – National Competency­Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS) Philippine Education Reform.

credit to Escape the City

ENROLLMENT PREDICTION
Enrollment prediction is another aspect of human resource planning in education.
Since schools rely greatly on enrollment of students, it is of utmost importance to predict enrollment not only for physical preparedness but more so to prevent shortage of teachers. Factors affecting enrollment number include birth rate, retainment average, freshmen and transferees. The reporter provided three formulas to compute for enrollment prediction using the urban design method, excel model and the enrollment funnel.

I agree that being aware of population trends within the vicinity of an educational institution is helpful. Administrators and stakeholders must conduct further investigation every time there is a spike or dip in the actual enrollment number to understand the possible causes of the discrepancy in the number of enrollment versus the predicted number. Another indicator for enrollment prediction is the building of new communities nearby the school (Rebore 2012).

REVIEW OF SCHOOL OBJECTIVES
Due to the changing objectives of a school board, which may include introduction of new educational programs that require additional staffing and building allocation, school objectives must be reviewed as part of human resource planning in education. These objectives serve as the necessary foundation for the human resource planning. Consulting with the board who determines these school’s objectives is a wise move all the time.

The human resources inventories are essential in this point as it gives a clear and quick picture of the overall profile of the school’s human resources.

HUMAN RESOURCE FORECASTING
Simply, human resource forecasting is estimating the number of people and jobs
needed by the organization to meet its objectives.

From personal experience, this has always been the hardest part. Increase of available human resource due to hiring and employees coming back from maternity, sabbatical leaves are easy to control as administrators have knowledge about this. However, what is challenging is the decrease in a school system’s supply of human resources that may be due to death, resignation and dismissal. Especially for schools, this may be disruptive of the quality of service since immediate solution may not be quickly available unless a backup plan has been made in advanced. Issues such as supply of available and high quality labor may not always be favorable to the institution as more job candidates choose more profitable industries, or when good job candidates choose to stay at home with the growing kids since cost of living is easily managed with just one spouse working. The best scenario is to have the right number and mix of recruited individuals (not overstaffing) to meet the school’s objectives (Rebore 2012).

REDUCTION IN FORCE ­ ALTERNATIVES TO REDUCTION IN FORCE
Downsizing, layoff, staff reduction, pay reduction, reduced work schedules, required use of vacation, freezes, voluntary exit incentive, regular part­time or job share are some of alternatives to reduction in force. In times of economic difficulty ­­ when enrollment becomes low and budgets are not balanced ­­ or changes in the educational objectives, a reduction in force may be implemented.

A common policy observed among institutions is the last in, first out where the newest hire also becomes the first to go when reduction in force is implemented. Some legal alternatives to reduction in force that are observed include early retirement incentive programs or retraining employees for other positions that may be vacant. (Rebore 2012). Locally, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allows for termination of employees due to due to installation of labor­ saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment or closing of operation. Affected workers receive separation pay determined by the law (Book VI ­ Post Employment (2009, October 4).

THE ROLE OF THE PRINCIPAL
The principal is the agent of change, keeper and developer of culture. When it
comes to human resources planning, it is important that the principal is first to spot the dwindling down of enrolment figures. Short to say that the principal should always monitor the enrolment statistics of its school, and therefore always knowledgeable about enrolment prediction for each school year. This is important for capital, maintenance and staffing concerns.

In the instance of reduction of force, the principal can also be the one to prepare teachers for possible job loss. Indeed, s/he plays a vital role in the human resources planning process (Rebore 2012).

LAWS INFLUENCES ON HUMAN RESOURCES PLANNING
Local mandated laws applicable to human resources planning include
compensation ­ minimum wage law is implemented for the basic daily 8­hour work with DOLE determining the corresponding rate according to office location, sickness and vacation leaves, paternity and maternity leave, as well as the solo parent welfare act (Basic Philippine Labor Laws and Regulations).

These above mentioned local laws along with other government­ mandated labor laws are being offered to the employees of the De La Salle Araneta University along with other privileges and incentives. Some of these include monetary support to any staff taking graduate studies related to their work, wedding gift, and perfect attendance bonus among others. The school also observes the policy of hiring from within as much as possible (Employees Manual, DLSU Araneta).

I am grateful for this course and for my classmates and professor as through this, I am enlightened about the non­ classroom ­related processes of educational institutions.

One big realization I have discovered is that schools are not only teachers and professors. Like a regular office, schools and educational institutions have administrative staff, even cooks, IT staff and other specialists necessary in successfully operating day­ to ­day and human resources planning allows a school to be well ­equipped with meeting its objectives.

References
Basic Philippine Labor Laws and Regulations. R etrieved from
http://toolkit.sme.com.ph/human­resources/?page=human­resources­ht­15
Book VI ­ Post Employment (2009, October 4). Retrieved from
http://www.dole.gov.ph/labor_codes/view/7
Employees Manual ­ Dela Salle Araneta University. Retrieved from
http://www.dlsau.edu.ph/pdf/employees­manual.pdf
Rebore, R. (2012). The essentials of human resources administration in education. Boston, Massachussetts: Pearson.
Torno, B. 2006, September. Teacher Education and Development Program (TEDP) – National Competency­Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS) Philippine Education Reform. Retrieved from http://www.cfo­pso.org.ph/pdf/8thconferencepresentation/day2/Overseas_presen tation_NCBTS_and_TSNA.pdf

To Label or Not to Label Reflection Paper on Totoy Guro’s Special Education Labels in the Philippines

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Totoy Guro is a blog written by a Filipino teacher. It is a personal space on the Internet where he shares his insights, notes and personal experiences as an educator in the Philippines. The article listing Totoy Guro’s reasons for espousing the use of “labels” for children with special needs (CSN) is a good insight from a teacher’s perspective. Totoy Guro enumerated that using labels for CSN strengthens the teachers’ roles because labels identify the exceptional students’ needs in the classrooms. He also opposed the use of euphemisms for exceptionalities as this prevents people from truly understanding what needs understanding. He said euphemisms promote gossips and unfair labels among children, parents and even teachers. Instead, he recommended public and classroom discussions to educate everyone about exceptionalities.

Reading about students’ exceptionalities and special education (SPED) has opened my mind about the topic. The most experience and knowledge I have about it was a special classroom in my high school where the lone SPED teacher conducted lessons to students with disabilities. These students joined their class the same way regular students would, but gathered daily in the SPED room long after the regular students have gone home. Inside that room was a mystery unknown and uninteresting to me until now. 

Totoy Guro’s piece on using labels gave me an overview of what regular students, CSN, parents and teachers stand about exceptionalities. SPED and exceptionalities are facts of life everyone should accept, deal and live with respectfully of one another. As a parent and future educator, I know that having correct diagnosis of students’ learning disabilities is beneficial for the concerned student, parent and family of the student and most especially, the teacher. It is the start of addressing the necessary accommodations, therapy and changes in order to make the CSN succeed at school.

Totoy Guro has freely used the term label to mean this diagnosis. However, I understand also the possible negative reaction of those who oppose the use of labels for the stigma and wrong connotations they give. The same way that our society today has opted for politically correct phrases and terminologies in order to appease people groups coming from diverse backgrounds and concerns. Adopting politically correct phrases though is synonymous to watering down the issue, if not totally evading it. The problems with using labels then is miscommunication and lack of respect for those who are different from us. Job 6:25 KJV says, “How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?” Right words set us towards the correct path. Arguments divide people, familites and societies. We need and deserve truth all the time, but we need to serve it with love, respect, understanding and encouragement all the time too.

Reference/s

T. G. (2011, September 3). MY LIST WHY “LABELS” FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ARE GOOD [Web log post]. Retrieved June 19, 2016, from https://totoyguro.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/my-list-why-labels-for-children-with-special-needs-are-good/#comments

Life Direction and Puberty

When life is gray, where do you turn?

High School Challenges

Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines awardee and Ateneo de Manila University’s first visually-impaired Filipina summa cum laude Roselle Ambubuyog summarized her life story in colors. Green for her childhood days, red when she became blind, white for that time when she has accepted her disability, yellow for those years that despite her blindness there are supportive people around her who helped her accomplish her dreams, and so on. For me, my high school years were gray. Gray because I have never been as unsure of my life as I was then.

I was clueless as to what to do with my life. I didn’t know what course to take because I didn’t know what career I would enjoy best. While my friends and classmates were sure as to the steps they want to take after high school, I was drifting along. I was copying whatever sounded great. I guess I was most hesitant to make the first mature decision of my life: to choose a college degree.

I was also most disinterested about life when I was in high school. Perhaps it was due to hormonal changes, but I was most sluggish then. Nothing appeared interesting to me. My days would be the same day in and day out. School was fun and I have numerous fun friends, but life was monotonous. Everything was boring, everything was gray.

Lastly, I remember that back in high school, during my third year, my father died. It was one of the saddest days of my life. My father, whom I love and respect very much got sick of emphysema and was in pain for quite some months. Several weeks before Christmas, my brother fetched us from the province with the bad news that our dad passed away. I was crying all throught our trip home.

It was amazing that high school life consisted only of four years, but led to more colorful and difficult yet rewarding life ahead. I am most thankful of God’s mercies on my life because looking back, it is clear to me that by His loving kindness I came out fine and triumphant after high school.

“People plan their path, but the Lord secures their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Living Heritage Academy - School of Tomorrow Home School

Another option for home school provider is Living Heritage Academy's School of Tomorrow. Some friends have done home school with them for almost 10 years already and they have good feedback. Here are some details I have found out about them.

School of Tomorrow Curriculum
PACES or the Accelerrated Christian Education curriculum which drew mixed reactions from friends and online responses upon checking. This curriculum allows a kid to work on his/her own pace, which strives to promote mastery of each lesson before moving on to a new one.

Getting Started with School of Tomorrow's Home School

1. Kids are required to take diagnostic test, at Php1K diagnostic fee per student, offered Mondays to Fridays from 730am to 4pm at the office of SOT in MJS Avenue, Manila Japanese School Levitown Executive Village Brgy. Don Bosco Paranaque City
2. Required documents for each child include:
   Report Card
   Birth Certificate
   1x1 ID picture in 3 copies
   

Fees for School of Tomorrow's Home School

• Php 15k registration fee per family which covers bond fee, orientation, academic adviser, annual fellowship every December (one-time payment)
• Php 2500 per student registration fee (recurring)
• Php 3k per student annual academic fee (recurring)
• Php 4k school materials (varies per level, may be payable in quarterly installment mode)

Other details about School of Tomorrow's Home School
Academic adviser are available for consultation through email, phone or personal visit. A one-hour orientation is offered to newly enrolling families, free of charge.


Details:
School of Tomorrow's Home School
MJS Avenue, Manila Japanese School Levitown Executive Village Brgy. Don Bosco Paranaque City
Getting there
In SM Bicutan, take tricycle in Bldg A. P36/special fare for the usual 10-20 minute ride.
Contact person: Ms. Dolores

Kids' World Homeschooling

Looking for alternative education for my kid/s I finally entertain the thoughts of homeschooling. Here are some reasons to go homeschool:

1. Parent has full control of kids' activities, lessons as well as topics to be learned
2. Protection from bullying and other negative social influences (I would include here having crushes, bullying, eating habits)
3. Ability to allow kids to focus on interest (kid wants trucks, parent may provide hands-on activity ala internship)

Kids World
Inquired about Kids World and here's what they offer according to Teacher Anne:

• Php15k per student yearly tuition fee
• Consultation with an academic adviser is at Php 600/hour
• Satellite offices for consultation and testing are located in North Greenhills, Cubao, Banawe and Fairview

Contact: (02)726-6563, (02)975-4676
Mobile: +633917-8380869

Kids World offers the following programs: Home Education, Home Study, SPED, and E-learning. Their academics cover K-12 (Preschool to High School). Other special course offers include Integrated Philippine History through Culture and Arts and Interactive Filipino with Baybayin. Source: Hapihomeschooler.com

Aguinaldo International School Manila

A friend told me about Aguinaldo International School in Manila. She said a friend's kid goes there and mentioned to her of the very affordable tuition fee. She knows I may transfer my kid/s.

Aside from having a multi-culture exposure, sports include soccer and swimming. Mandarin is being offered along with other languages.

After a quick Google search, I landed on the home page of Aguinaldo International School. The website has a detail as to how much the yearly tuition fee for 2012-2013 was. I called to inquire about transferring kids and here's what I found out:

• Incoming grade schooler needs to take a written exam
• Papers required include clearance from previous school
• Interview with the school principal
• P10k off for early enrollment (P38,800 for Pre school, P58,500 for Grade School) and miscellaneous fees included already
• Grade 1 schedule is 730am-230pm
• Near UN Avenue LRT Station which gets flooded

Parent's role, Missed playing with me, Benefits of swimming, No time for Strawberry Shortcake, Kid funny questions

Surrender your kids to God and spend the time necessary to uncover His plans for their lives.

Noticing that most of the kids' time are spent tinkering with the iPad, I once used it as a punishment tool.

One of the things I particularly admire about my girl is her obedience to rules and punishments, despite her upfront discontent about them. She's my rule guardian and punishment enforcer ally.

Me: No iPad for you until your birthday. (That was like a month of iPad-less days to go.)

Days and weeks went on and she would just look at her brother use it. She stood firm with her punishment, until I could no longer bear it and asked her.

Me: Don't you miss playing with the iPad?

Lois: No mom, I don't miss the iPad. I missed playing with you.

Swimming at the fine sand beach of Pagudpud

Swimming: Ideal exercise
Here are upsides to swimming I have recently learned:

• 30-45 minutes of swimming provide relaxation, toning, stretching and trimming down. Best if you can do different strokes per session. Back stroke is ideal for people suffering from back injuries and helps correct posture.
• 1 hour of swimming = 4 miles of moderate pace running
• 30 minutes of water exercises = 90 minutes at gym
• It's all about the water. Water pressure on our body is 800 times more than that of air. It's comparable to massage's pressure. Therefore, swimming improves blood circulation. It also helps even out cellulite.

No time for Strawberry Shortcake My girl received a Strawberry Shortcake activity book. She was eager to do them with me, but I declined since there was a deadline I was aiming for. It was also night time already. The following Friday morning, we could do them together. She reasoned out she has two classes - kinder class in the morning and piano lesson in the afternoon. The following day, Saturday, it's her schedule to use the computer and that's her Polly Pocket time. She definitely has no more time! 6-year old life questions Kids say the funniest things, right? They also ask the most difficult questions. Some of Lois' deep thoughts: What is heaven like? Why is their dad's middle name different from all the rest of us in the family? Ladies do not start fights, but they can finish them. Marie of Aristocats

Sick kids, women's purse, Shamcey Supsup, Preschool conclusion

Sick kids are the most difficult to take care of.

Recently, Carlos fell from the stairs while rushing down with his sister. They were racing. He skipped a step and fell head first. Good thing I caught him before he landed on the bottom most part. However, the incident broke his left shoulder, clavicle, the doctors call.

Good thing they were on a semestral break.

Days after this, he and his sister developed cough which I think turned into bronchitis. Health is indeed wealth.

Germs trivia
What a shock to read about women's purse as homes to E. coli and salmonella as well as fecal contaminants! Think about it, while using the rest room, there are times when there's no choice but to lay bags and purse on the ladies' room floor. Aside from this, our bags are with us on the train, the bus, the restaurant.

To prevent these germs from getting into our homes, wipe it clean every day with sanitizer. Yes, alcohol's a good choice, if you think your bag's surface won't get damaged with it. Cleaning your bags regularly help too.

Plus, wiping clean regularly used purse items like keys and mobile phones may keep germ-caused diseases away.

Source: Family Education

Shamcey Supsup

Shamcey Supsup made the Philippines proud last September when she bagged the 3rd runner up slot in the Miss Universe 2011. Last year, Philippines' candidate Venus Raj ranked 4th runner up.

While she was doing the pageant, me and the kids were headed for the LBC bankruptcy forum for depositors. Haven't heard from the bank nor PDIC again.

I was impressed with her brief yet intelligent answer about shifting religion for a man and am reminded by a quote by Maya Angelou:

 A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

• Shamcey is from General Santos, the home town of now legislator world class boxing champ Manny Pacquiao
• She graduated Magna Cum Laude in the University of the Philippines in Diliman under the College of Architecture, a 5-year course with a professional examination board exam. That means her general weighted average during her whole college life is 1.45 or higher. That's like getting a grade of 90+ (out or 100) in all her classes.
• She topped the Philippine Architectural Board Examination with a grade of 86.60%. Heard that she enrolled in a review center twice, and has a habit of re-reading textbooks several times over. Now that's a habit I want my kids to adopt!
• She was a consistent honor student, valedictorian in grade school and salutatorian in Makati High School.
• Her gym instructor commends her discipline. While training for the Miss Universe, she has to get fit to gain the 'right' abs. There would be times when exercising would be too difficult, but when she was reminded that she will represent the country, she gets motivated. She eats healthy too.
• She attends Victory Christian Fellowship.

Lois' conclusions

At the end of her Nursery 2 class, my eldest's class was told by their teacher that three among them will transfer to another class. Therefore, they will not be their classmates anymore.

During their school's break, we decided to enroll her to a Vacation Bible Class, which is like an extended Sunday School. She had her new teachers and classmates. She liked it, but not as much as regular school, she told me.

At the same time, we enrolled her brother to an orientation class in her regular school because he is a new student. He has to be familiar with a class' routine before the start of the official school year.

Due to this, Lois told me a conclusion she arrived at. "Mom, I won't be attending regular school anymore. I am one of the three students that teacher said will be transferred to another class." She was referring to the Vacation Bible Class as the 'other' class.

Creative lunchboxes, Lois Billionaire, No toothbrush near the toilet, stressed parent equals stressed kids

My two kids are not great eaters. Our family is not. So it's really a gift for me that their school encourages healthy eating - fruits and vegetables. Sometimes I get reprimanded by my own daughter. "Ayayay, Mommy! This is not healthy food."


Lunchbox staples
So I normally pack cut fruits - apple, mangoes, melon, watermelon. Bananas and grapes are sure winners.


I also serve them raw cashew nuts/peanuts mixed with raisins and cereals. On some days, they get peanut butter sandwiches shaped in triangles, ovals, squares and hearts. They love it!

I want to be a billionaire

To encourage doing things on their own, I started posting chore charts for my two kids. The reward was money. Since they love APPS, they may use their money to buy. I was particularly targeting my little boy to do this.

However, my plan backfired. My son was not at all interested in his chores nor his prizes. Instead, it was his sister who religiously checked and asked for her rewards. She was able to get quite a few, almost halfway her piggy bank, until she told me one day: "Don't give me anymore coins. I'm already a billionaire!"

Secretly giggling to her declaration, I confirmed if she knows what a billionaire is. "My classmate Edward said a billionaire is someone who has lots of money."

Yes, my little girl! You are indeed a billionaire.

Restroom tip

I first heard about this while riding the metro train to a meeting.

Flushing the toilet can cause germs to fly anywhere from 6-10 feet. At the very least, keep your brush as far from the toilet as possible, and protect it in a plastic container or holder.

Since we don't have the luxury of space, I have instructed everyone to pull down the lid before hitting the flush button. Hope that helps?

Child stress

My kids copy me, especially my bad traits. I am working hard on it. Though I haven't gotten very far. Lately though, when I read about the top causes of stress for children, I got a solid punch. I should really pull myself together when the kids are watching.

Parent having problems.
Fight with a friend or a sibling.
Taking a test.
Wondering if someone thinks you're attractive (teens especially).
Not having enough privacy.
Birth of a brother or sister.
Moving to a new school.
Re/marriage of a parent.
Not having enough money.
A teacher who doesn't like you.

Source: Mind/Body Medical Institute

1955 - 2011, Woman's belly, Customer Service Rant and A Class of Perry

The death of Steve Jobs this month, October 2011 was mourned by the whole world. As an Apple fan, I bid farewell to his contributions and passions which have changed a whole generation's digital preference. I envy his desire for excellence in all things, and his laser-like focus in doing and finishing a job.

May this world see many other Steve Jobs-like minded people in terms of that.

My 3-year old boy couldn't keep his eyes off this cereal box. He even asked me to watch videos in YouTube of girls like this. Yes, I really got a boy, alright!

Value vs. price
I used to look at the price tag alone, but one big thing that Apple changed in me is to look at the value of products. It's customer service is impeccable, which makes the whole experience of owning an Apple device really worth every cent. This identifies the success of Apple too, since its customers have been turned into brand ambassadors.

Lately, I have crossed out Max's Restaurant off my list since I was served damaged vegetables, they were well cooked but the carrots and cabbage had bruises on them. I am not a cook, but I won't serve those kind to friends. As a restaurant, they should have been more quality-oriented. I ordered a 20 pax seating and yet a simple request of heating the soup was not accommodated.

LG was another disaster. The Android phone bought there, two weeks after it has been purchased does not automatically rotate. Went to the concept store where we bought and was told that we had to visit another LG branch since their computer used to diagnose problems has been down for a week already. In short, it took us two weeks to have the phone fixed. Turns out something's really wrong with the board of the phone.

A customer is the most important visitor on our premises, he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

That same day too, eating in Tokyo Tokyo, I ordered for the fish donburi with egg giving the specific instruction for it to be well done. The order came and I got a half-done sunny side egg. I told the waitress of my earlier request and said that's really how they cook it. I tried to ask her if she can go back to the cook to request for it to be fixed. Some seconds later, she came back with the same egg and the reason that it can't be done. Why do I have to put up with this kind of treatment, I won't go to anymore Tokyo Tokyo.

Lastly, buying at a Baby Company Boutique, I had to wait for like 15 minutes in order for the previous transaction to end. The cash register was broken and they were doing it manually, with a trainee. Double whammy! I was already set to leave but husband said it's fine so we waited for our turn.

At this point I was already thinking if it's the Filipino mindset? But no, I get better service and customer relations in my local bread store.

All Perry
My youngest has started loving his school and his classmates. He's now able to tell stories of what happened in class. He does not dish out all these excuses to not go to school anymore. And lastly, he shows interest in writing, a task he used to hate a LOT.

I can still remember his story last summer when he was attending preschool orientation classes. He told me that his classmate named Perry was painting and some spilt on his socks, then another classmate named Perry was dancing very funny. While another one named Perry built a train toy using blocks.

I investigated on the names of his classmates. There was only one boy with the name Perry. He thought all of his boy classmates then were named Perry?

DENR's Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City

Inside that cage, perched on the dried log is a Philippine hawk eagle.

Last time I visited the place was when I was 12 years old. Back then, it was still known as the QC Parks and Wildlife.


Why we went there
It was no-school day for the kids because of the Quezon City day non-working holiday. For a change in scenery, we visited the park named after the Philippine president namesake Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife.

It's along Quezon Boulevard, a bit walkable from the MRT Quezon Ave. station if you don't mind sweating. However, you may take any jeep that passes that road and pay the minimum fare of Php8. It's in front of the Philippine Lung Center, and beside semi-private Lungsod ng Kabataan or Philippine Children's Hospital.

A lot of endemic animals may be seen at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife - I think all of them?

What to see inside Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife
For the Php3 for kids and Php5 for adults entrance fee, one may stay and roam around the huge park. I spotted some informal settlers near the forest trail, their houses looked like they are.

Don't expect Avilon Zoo level in terms of quantity of animals, and maintenance. The place is run by Department of Environment and Natural Resources. They have an office at the Visayas Avenue side of the park. That means government institution. You may park on this side, by the way.

The zoo is open until 4PM so we visited that first. However, I was distracted with some tall cages in between trees and found out what they were. The trail led to a series of bird cages that I think are 5-star for animals in terms of accommodation among all the zoos I've seen. Why? Because trees are inside and they are really tall and wide structures. The birds may fly a bit more freely.

This Philippine Hawk Eagle is not inside a cage, intentionally left there for picture loving Pinoys

The foliage in the place almost resembled a rainforest, giving the animals more shelter. Honestly, you wouldn't think you were in the heart of the metro if you're there.

The path also led to a nipa hut of various types of fish, a small pond of numerous turtles. There were unused swamp-ponds, and I was almost at the look out for crocodiles. Though I'm sure there aren't, it seems that's how forest-like the place is.


Overweight crocodile and snake
Inside the main zoo, there are cockatoos, eagles or lawin, Philippine Eagle Owls, Philippine Serpent Owls, bats, monitor lizards or bayawak - theirs looked very old and gaunt, crocodiles, snakes, monkeys.

This is a fine-looking animal, and looks like a Philippine meerkat. Though I'm not sure really.

Treehuts
Picnic areas are available for free, and if you're lucky, there are huge nipa houses where you may stay. They are really big, comfortable to fit 10 people.


Stage Area
There is also a stage where perhaps cultural shows are done. When we visited the park, a meeting of all-men and all-women groups were being held simultaneously. Surrounding the stage are seats enough to fit 100 people.


Man-made lake
From the stage, we were able to see a floating house on stilts on the man-made lake. Ill-prepared, I didn't let the kids wander off there thinking dengue-causing mosquitoes are present.


Who goes there
I was surprised to see lots of SLR-toting people, with made-up models with them. So this is where camera enthusiasts meet?

There were also lots of students in uniform - elementary, high school, college. Families with little babies have picnics too.


What I love best
There were many other mini-zoos around the place, right side of the main entrance. However, I didn't check them out. I was thinking bad guys may lurk and rob us? Or the kids may trip and the ground was not very clean, because of the rain.

There were a lot more that I didn't check. However, I was glad to chance upon the HARIBON with the Manny Pacquiao tarpaulin poster in it. I have read in the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife houses a Philippine Eagle because it is blind and therefore it may not thrive in the wild.

They need their clear vision to hunt for food. So the blind, young eagle stays there. It has the biggest cage, though it would be better to make it thrice bigger just to see it fly?

BMBE denial, panicky moms and proper way of praising, Fukuda Shihan, Alexa Mead, Malaria no more

Received text message from the Quezon City Hall's BMBE, that is Barangay Micro Business Enterprises, to call them up for the results of our application.

If approved, we will be exempted from BIR taxes such as income tax and the business will enjoy discounts when paying government taxes. Loans are also available at a very low and agreeable terms.

We applied early March 2011 and after about five months, the results are there. There was a provision in the BMBE Act that if the office in-charge does not finish the whole application process in 60 days, the application will be granted, to the benefit of the applicant.

We applied because we were developing the Baybayin App and thinking of the aral muna initiative. The tax breaks would be a big help for the new business.

However, upon reaching the second floor of the Business Processing Licensing Office of the QC City Hall, the one above the Treasurers' Office where there are rows and rows of red airport chairs and where you pay realty tax, the letter wad handed out.

Paula Hammond creates super thin batteries that releases energy rapidly

Our application was denied because we failed to convince them that our business is baranggay-based. It also argued that by baranggay, it should employ community dwellers - perhaps thef informal ones? The cashflow should be considerably micro too.

Didn't argue anymore. The person who handed the letter seems just there to hand out results. I'm sure if I contest the decision, I would have to write someone and ask for a re-examination and present photos, employment profiles and other convincing proof that your business deserves the tax breaks because it helps out the community in a very direct way.

Heard from a friend already that he got denied, and a previous talk with a QC BPLO guy revealed that they are carefully screening applicants because the benefits of BMBE are great.   


Living Strong
How would you like to live to the age of 98 as a 10-time black belt in martial arts? And to be a woman at that, is awesome. Or like Rhino of Bolt, Be-awesome!

Her motto: Be gentle, kind and beautiful, yet firm and strong, both mentally and physically.

98-year old Keiko Fukuda of San Francisco, California has been promoted to the highest-ranking in the Japanese martial art of judo, the Judan: the 10th-degree black belt. Considered the pinnacle achievement in judo, living legend Fukuda is the first female to possess this extremely rare title in history. 

Panicky moms
Just found out that almost all of my little girls' previous classmates - she now belongs to the morning class, attend after school enhancement classes. Either Kumon or music, martial arts, dance classes.

I think this is a response to the Chinese, Indian and Singaporeans way of preparing their kids to this digital age. The Philippine education is down in the rankings. So parents take it upon themselves to equip their kids with whatever they need to succeed. As much as they can afford it, enroll in it.

Personally though, my family's stand is to let our kids learn something new every year, until they have found whatever it is they are made for. We started last year. Lois enrolled in swimming classes. For this year, Lois hasn't chosen anything new to learn. Her trial wushu lessons proved very difficult that she doesn't want any of it anymore. Instead, Carlos, our newbie preschooler who's not scheduled to take on any after school classes is enrolled in one-on-one tutorials with preschool teachers from her school. He keeps on saying he doesn't want to go to school because he doesn't know how to write or draw.

So to improve on his fine motor skills, he goes MWF for 45 mins. It has been going on for two weeks now. So far I have seen him write his name.

A different make-up artist
Real people painted to look like they are in paintings - this is the art and passion of Alexa Mead. It takes real courage and determination to pursue a field that hasn't been done before, and for that I look up to this artist. It's art in reverse, don't you think?

Her hyper-realist, 3D paintings move. So only photos, video coverage and actual people experiences may prove her creativity - because when her subjects take a bath, all of those work are gone.

Stamping out malaria
A father lost her precious 11-year old daughter to malaria in one Senegal village. Distraught, he vowed that malaria will not kill children any more - through the use of mosquito nets. He rallied his community to use mosquito nets, and has campaigned towards the habit of cleaning the house, ridding stagnant water.

From 3,500 malaria cases per year to zero, this man, named El Hadj Diop, did it! Now with the rising instances of dengue in the Philippines, this may prove very inspiring if not useful to prevent dengue cases.

Hollywood's David Arquette was impressed with this Sengalese man's effort to fight malaria with mosquito nets

Proper way of praising
Nurture Shock, a revolutionary book about parenting taught me one good thing one afternoon while I was waiting for my little boy's afternoon tutorial.

Praise works, but it may also backfire according to studies by Dr.  Carol Dweck. Instead of telling kids how really well they are, focus on their efforts and praise that. This gives them control and reinforces the fact that hard work is something they can use to succeed.  Try these praises:

I'm sure you worked hard on these drawings.

I like how you keep trying.

Favorite iPad App, solar powered water bottles, sleeping bag coats, green bags from unwanted plants, and crave foods' healthy options

What happened to my kids?

How do you turn a treasure of games and entertainment tools into something beneficial? Allow use after a chose has been finished. That has been my rule in letting my kids use the iPad.

They love the gadget so much, even more than the old version because of the built-in cameras. They go crazy taking funny pictures of themselves through Photo Booth and recording video narrations.

However, to limit their use, mommy has to give the go before they can use it. I may get it back from too if the time is up, or if what they're doing isn't nice anymore. Most usual conditions I give my 5-year old is to write her complete name in a whole sheet of bond paper. I interchange this with having her read a book, and she chooses the small picture books with just less than 30 words on them.

Living my dream
I have always carried this desire in my heart to be an entrepreneur. I am living the dream now, being a freelance web/graphics designer and an all-around raket-eer. Yet I am still not satisfied.

It could perhaps be because my business pursuits haven't taken off. My projects are fine, yet I am not literally running a profitable business with regular employees. My closest shot with being an entrepreneur is leaving the corporate world and exiting the rat race.

Perhaps a more compelling reason is the fact that, like Bill Gates, I would like to pursue more humanely projects. Money-generating activities that don't solely exist to collect paychecks but more importantly, to give back to those who have no idea how to make it.

Here are a few inspiring stories:

• Coat or Sleeping Bag

Explaining what the coat is, as quoted from Veronika Scott, the designer:

"self-heated, waterproof, and transforms into a sleeping bag at night.

It is made by a group of homeless women who are paid minimum wage, fed and housed while creating these coats made for those living on the streets. The focus is on the humanitarian system to create jobs for those that desire them and coats for those that need them at no cost. The goal is to empower, employ, educate, and instill pride. The importance is not with the product but with the people.

Find out more about this project: The Empowerment Plan

• Furniture and bags out of unwanted plants

Stools, bags, pillows and more woven from water hyacinth in Cambodia, by people living in that community. This is not just green, it is also community-friendly.

These invasive plants thrive and choke waterways causing floods and loss of agricultural produce. I have seen them floating over lots of Metro Manila's rivers and they are nuisance, to say the least. I laud what these designers have done and wish that more efforts towards this same direction be taken in different countries.

Know more about this designer here: Aissa Logerot

Solar lamps from recycled soda plastic bottles filled with water

I came across this ingenious invention through Tumblr and research how this seemingly simple trick is done:

In 2002, during a long electrical shortage, at Uberaba, São Paulo, Brasil, Mr Alfredo Moser discovered a way to gather sun light in the house through plastic bottles hanging from the roof. First shown at the Globo Reporter in the 25th May 2007.

Now, I am pleased to know that a lot of Filipino families have benefitted from the sun through the Isang Litrong Liwanag, a non-governmental agency which promotes this innovation that help empower poor families.


Sorry, Captain Hook
Avoiding the 'yes-no' response, we've been rephrasing our remarks with the kids. One day, daddy was asking little boy what would the crocodile say to Captain Hook when it gets near him.

Carlos: He'd say sorry.
Daddy: Why sorry?
Carlos: Because he bit his hand.

I didn't think of that.

Want tobacco? Have Silicon
Craving for something? Beat your taste buds with these healthier options.

Want cool drinks? Have manganese. This is abundant in walnuts, almonds, blueberries.

Want salty foods? Have chloride. This is abundant in fish, unrefined sea salt.

Want soda or carbonated drink? Have calcium. This is abundant in broccoli, kale, legumes.

Update on Enopi and wushu classes

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” ~ Albert Einstein

Both my plans of enrolling my two kids to Enopi and wushu were foiled this month. Better and more appropriate ones came along and I had to go with them.

My kids' school offered after-school tutorials with actual preschool teachers giving the lessons. I enrolled my 3-year old to academic tutorial there. Our schedule is thrice a week for 45 minutes per session. The fee is P2600/month.

I let my 5-year old girl do wushu for body exercise and peer interactions. However, she cried on our way to her trial session. I had to really beg her to just try. She obliged me but told me and the coordinator after the one-hour workout that she doesn't want to come back.

It will just be swimming lessons for her - again.

Un-birthday traditions, heart eggs, preparing for PTC ala Kenneth Cobonpue and Ferran Adria's El Bulli movie

How to make heart eggs

I grew up not celebrating birthdays. I understand my parent's reasons and I don't resent it, we are 12 in the family - not including the extended members. To not celebrate is the safest and most economical way to go for a farmer village family sending children to school.

With my own family now, we celebrate our birthdays very simply. Cake and a huge serving of spaghetti, though I prefer pansit. I cook great pansit! There would be times when we would invite some family and/or friends to share a meal with us at a place we haven't visited to commemorate the special occasion.



El Bulli
If you're a foodie, I'm sure you've heard of the greatest restaurant in the world. Closed six months of every year to prepare for the next season, reservation list is endless. The Spanish chef, Ferran Adria calls his cooking avant-garde, elevating it as an art. Isn't it amusing that he's no French?

You may want to catch this movie about him and his restaurant, which means The Bull. The guy is passionate and a perfectionist, which goes along, I think.

I once ate a chocolate bar infused with bacon bits. The maker studied and has been greatly influenced by Ferran Adria. I didn't like it, though it was fine. I didn't totally catch it.

PTC armaments
I haven't totally got passed the last PTC sessions, they kept a scar mark in my soul that will only be healed if I see my kids doing better. I thought, for the next PTCs I would be ready with my notes. I will observe my kids for their strongest and worst point to tackle with the teachers. The next parent-teacher conferences (PTCs) will be about both parties engaging over the kids' performance and how they may be better individuals.

Since then, I have been encouraging my kindergartener to read a book out loud daily, practice writing and choose iPad games that are educational. I have been stricter with our schedule, I admit. With or without a freelance project I see to it that the kids do activities that will build on skills they need to be better - not just at school but also in life in general.

I give punishments more often too, unlike before that I let things pass because I have other more important things to do.

Yes, the last PTC engaged me so much about parenting that tomorrow we'll be starting Wushu lessons even if it costs more than my monthly gym membership, which husband and I forego due to tight schedules, thank you very much.

Doing world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue's three questions: who am I, why am I on earth for and what am I good at - I am definitely, positively engaged in parenting.

Yeah!

Kid funny moments
Husband and little boy are in search for a barber shop. They've been sporting long hair-dos and want to have it trimmed. Pointing out the iconic spiral of blue and red to our preschooler, husband said "Look at that moving colors. Whenever you see that, it means it's a barber shop."

Our little boy replied, "Ah, like the 'loading' symbol?"

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.