Ethan K2 Graduation Concert

Click picture to see movie in RealPlayer

The movie is not taken properly, quite jerky. To minimise the effect, you can reduce the screen size to, say 45%. Click and hold the mouse on the bottom right hand corner of the screen and diagonally push up to reduce the screen size. Ethan acted in the "Rocket" and "Good Neighbourliness". Sophie also acted. Look out for her in the red star fish costume. Enjoy.

Thaddeus Chia has arrived

Thaddeus with brothers & sister

Thaddeus, born Aug 2008, is being carried by brother Zachary. Looking on is sister Sophie. Ethan is happy with joy.

Curtis turns One

Curtis turns one in June 2008. A belated birthday wish to Curtis.

Ruby & Mom in Singapore

Ruby in Singapore

In early June 2008, Ruby and mom came to Singapore for about two weeks. Together with her cousines, Ruby went to a chinese restaurant for dinner. Picture shows grandparents, Ethan, Zachary, Sophie and Ruby.

Sophie turns 2 today

Sophie turns 2 today

Sophie celebrated her 2nd birthday in school. After mom & Sophie has blown the candles, the cake was shared among her classmates and teachers.

Ruby Coming to Town

Ruby will be in Singapore in June

Ruby will be coming over to Singapore, with mom, in June 2008. Hope she will enjoy her first flight.

Home Activities

Zachary & Sophie - painting

Besides sleeping and eating, children at this age can never sit still. You either read them a story or provide some toys to engage them. After all this is done, you may want to provide some paint brushes for them to "create" their master pieces. What happens, if the TV is nearby and is turned on to their favourite Disneyland Channel? Oh, nothing happened, they still can enjoy two things at the same time.

Zachary turns 4

Zachary turns 4 today

Zachary celebrated his 4th birthday in school. As his mother is on overseas business, grandpa took the birthday cake to the school. He and his classmates have a chance to taste the cake after their lunch break. Of course Zachary has the opportunity to keep the two cars that come together with the cake. Happy Birthday Zachary!

Ruby has arrived

Born Feb-2008

Ethan, Zachary, Sophie and Curtis has a new cousin, called Ruby - daughter of Jay/Dorothy. She is getting on well in Seattle. A new beginning of parenthood for Jay and Dorothy.

Sophie Singing the National Anthem

Sophie singing Majulah Singapura

In child development center, besides eating, playing and sleeping, a child do learn social skills that will prepare them to a smooth transition when they enter the normal school in Primary one. Some of the activities I am aware of are the standard learning of the english and chinese languages including story telling, singing, drawing, swimming, outings to farms, gardens and performing in the center's annual "graduation" concert (for the K2 Class).

For singing, there are a lot of materials available, even in "Youtube". Try this Sing Along Trailer with your children.

Growing Up

A controlled Sleep & Play area

Curtis at 6-months (in Singapore)

As a child grows, his/her needs also grow. For a start after birth, a child only needs three things; to sleep, to eat and to feel secured. My last blog described the activities of a 16-month child.

What happens between the time a child knows how to roll-over to the time he/she can walk. We are talking about the period of a child from between 4-months to 12-months. My observation is, first the child will learn to roll-over, then to crawl (body touching or not touching ground), sit-up, walk (aided) then, the moment of truth, walk unaided.....run!

What is the best arrangement to provide for the above-mentioned development?
The simplest is just to allow the child to learn crawling on the floor (padded is recommended). The disadvantage of this simple arrangement is the fact that the child may pick up some small object and put it in the mouth.

A better arrangement is to have a controlled "development" or play area. What I have done is just to take two single beds, put them side by side to a corner (see picture above). These single beds are of low height and there is no problem in training a child to come down on his/her own (legs first) everytime they wake up on their own.

Sophie First Art Piece

Sophie, now at 20 months, is quite an independent child, according to her childcare teachers. One of the means to nurture creative minds in children is to expose them to music and the art. See previous blog. For a start, a child will enjoy any colour markers he/she can get hold on. Give them a piece of paper (A3 size) and they will produce a master piece to you.

Other variations include finger printing, water colour with brushes, etc. Be prepared to clean up the mess if you believe in nurturing your child this way.