What have we been doing....

After going through another phase of denial and anger after this post, I picked myself up with more determination and with new perspectives. Well, there's still around 9 months to go before she will go to primary school. There are still many things we can do.
I did some research on proper environment for the kids, and convinced hubby into the plan. Initially, our study room was the small room downstairs. It is a small room where I have all my books and materials in bookshelves and drawers, plus drawers and baskets for our clothes. Yup, the place is cramped, after I added in a table for the kids. For awhile, we make do. Then the 'studying' itself goes into the living room (where the TV is). With the kitchen and TV in sight, I had to chase after them when doing flash cards sessions, and I had to keep my eye on the girl when I am teaching the boy. The living room turned into a big play room for them.... with toys all over the place, and it's sure hard to get them to clean up everyday.

Well, after one morning of hard work....

I have a whole room just for their lessons. I try to minimize the things I put in here, since I am not planning to lock the door. ( I'll see how it goes in future) 

The windows provide ample light, and when the sun is not 'angrily' looking in, I'll open the windows for fresh air. The long table is where I do one to one activities with them and during flash cards sessions. The small table beside the shelf is for them to do their own work (with my supervision - my boy still tends to ask for my approval in everything that he does). I am going to bring their work boxes system into this room soon. The boy has been begging me for them. There's a small trampoline at the other corner where my girl will jump and play on when I am having one to one with brother. I use yoga mats in the center of the room where they can do floor activities or just reading. The radio for our 'quiet' music is also in the room. 

The new study room used to be our bedroom. So we have moved back into our master bedroom - back onto proper beds instead of on the floor. :)

Some photos I managed to take. Now that it's school holiday, it is time for fun revisions

Match the words to its' number/ count and match. 

Both doing puzzles on the mat.

I am slowly adding more activities into their day. So far, they are only doing flash cards, puzzles and story time. (I am happy to add that my girl now takes the initiative to hand me books to read as she sat on my lap. She participates in the story telling by pointing to pictures we are talking about.) Now I need to think of a way to get them to take turns with mummy for story time - coz they are both interested in different books and the girl refused to participate when it's brother's selection of books. Well, the difference of boys and girls are sure evident here.... which means I have to get different themed books to cater to both of them. Oh well!

Story Time #5

Here's a list of books we are reading this week. Some has been his favourites for quite sometime.

The First Step Bible. I am trying to finish this book, but Jay keeps on going back to some of his favourite stories.
I think this book will be loved for a long time.

His all time favourites. He can even tell the stories - in his cute, multilingual  way.

Phonics readers. He loved the pages with the flaps and surprises.

Eric Carle books. I bought these from Scholastic book order.
They are cheaper than buying on line. I must say after I read them, I
understand why everyone has been  loving his books. They are such wonderful books.

Story time for 4 Year Old consists of 4 stories of spaceships, bunnies, animals and farm.
I didn't really like the book 'Say boo', mainly because I can't relate it to our culture here, and it's about ghosts.

Story Time #4

Jay has been asking for story time more frequently these days. Sometimes story time is his reward for being good, or just to have a nap. (he rarely naps nowadays, and sleeps early at night)

A lovely sing and read book.

Jay loves counting the pictures presented in the book. Learnt quite a bit of new vocabulary.

Hi, hi, kept telling me that his teeth is not loose like Clifford. He learnt  sizes, colours and the names of the characters.

He loved this book, but I needed to do more research  on the bugs. Din even know some of the names of the bugs . I'm thinking of getting an Encyclopedia for toddlers for him (and for myself too)

Simple book.  Reinforces colours and rainy day nouns.

Jay loved this book. He can even tell you the story - in his own words.

* Joy, as usual will be around, (hopefully listening,) and sometimes came near to have a look at the pictures when she heard me saying something that interests her. That's good enough for me. I think.  

Story time #3

Books we are reading this week.

I have lots of expansion ideas from this book. We will be using this book more often.

Since we are learning the letter T - truck.

Both the kids love this book.

A phonics reader. I just read it to them for fun. Hope they  manage to catch some of the rhyming. 

Jay has been learning about the functions of the body. He can even tell me his tummy is for the food to go, so that he don't feel hungry.  : )
So  I tried this book. It's still a bit difficult for him, so I only managed to read the first half part of the book. Not too bad.

Story Time (2)

Our book for this week.

This book has been residing in the car for the past week, with Joy looking at the pictures and me reading some of the pages she showed me. Jay, being the busy body, listens in and chirps in with lots of questions and 'suggestions'.

Story Time (1)

I am going to post about the books I have been reading to my children. I myself loved reading and I hope to pass on this hobby to them. I have read somewhere that early exposure to good literature will instill in them a healthy habit of reading for knowledge. It was not easy initially, as I am not used to reading aloud. Reading with children needs more than just being able to read. I need to be excited about reading, with different tones and expressions and I have to think of all kinds of questions to attract my audience. It somehow helped me to train my brain to think out of the box. Let me see, I'll try to list the steps I do with my children.

1. I start off with looking at the pictures on the cover and talking about the pictures excitedly. I scan through the book to look at the pictures too. (this usually attracts Jay's attention)

2. Then, as Jay snuggled close, I will read the title and wonder what is the story about. Jay can always come up with funny suggestions.

3. Since we are a multilingual family, I had to read the book in 2 different languages. 

- First, I will read in English with some translation in Chinese.(to maintain their interest)

- Then, if the kids are interested, I will read the story again in English. If they are not, we will just browse through the pictures and leave it for next time.

A book about different types of trucks.

Jay loves these 2 books about trucks. I had to read at least 4 times before he allow me to go on to the other books.

Joy loves this. Maybe its because it has butterflies, stars and moon. But at least she is willing to sit nearby  to listen to me reading and explaining the pictures. She will even point to the pictures in response to my questions.

A good book with repetition Jay even repeated the sentences after a few pages. And he also repeats in chinese + actions... 

Another of Joy's favourite - fish, dolphins, under the ocean

A fun rhyming book for counting. Jay only got interested with the different colours and near the end of the story (when the sun comes out)