Today Kids are with their grandparents. So that's normally the day I clean up the house. I went through Emma's drawer and I saw the questionnaire she was asked in the middle 3 class. I read that before and it made me laugh. Now I read it again, it makes me think. I should let her know more about her parents.
My Daddy:
How old is your Daddy?
Two fourteen. (mmm...214? too old, 28? too young)
What color is Daddy's Hair?
Black. (That's correct. Sweet heart.)
What does Daddy like to Eat?
Chili. (Another good answer. Daddy likes the spicy food.)
What is your favorite thing to do with your Daddy?
Play ball. (That's not true. Daddy hardly pay ball with her. But she likes to play ball when she was three. At home, I play with her; At grandparent's house, her grandpa plays with her. Maybe she just cant think of anything that Daddy plays with her.)
I love my Daddy because....
He gives me toys. (That's true. Daddy is the one who buys her the new toys and mommy will just let her do the window shopping at the store.)
What's Daddy's favorite color?
Blue. (Not exactly. She thought all the boys like blue and Daddy is boy, so Daddy will like blue too)
What work does Daddy do?
Make friends. (Daddy brought the co-workers to home sometimes and we told her that's Daddy's friend at work. So Emma thought Daddy's work is to make friends. Later We will tell her Daddy is working on computer. (Software engineer)).
My mommy
How old is your mommy?
12 (I do wish that's true, my dear. So I can go back to my childhood and have more time to play with you).
What color is mommy's hair?
Black. (You wont be wrong about this.)
What does Mommy like to eat?
Celery. (That's what you like to eat, honey. Mommy always prepare your food first so you dont normally get to see what mommy eat.)
What does Mommy like to do?
Watch T.V. (That's what you and your Daddy like to do. Mommy hardly has time to sit down and watch TV. I wonder why you got wrong on this.)
What is your favorite thing to do with your mommy?
Play ball. (That's considered right answer.)
I love my Mommy because...
She gives me great stuff. (Maybe she meant the yummy food or something?? I wish I could hear the answer like: I love my Mommy because she reads book to me)
What's mommy's favorite color?
Pink. (Again, she thought all the girls like pink. Mommy likes dark green color, that's the color of my first car and that's the color of life.)
What work does mommy do?
She calls someone else. (I'm working from home so she always sees me in conference call)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tips of taking a good pictures of kids
by Sarah Caron for SheKnows.com
Want to take better photos? We asked mommy bloggers from around the Web to share their tips and tricks for taking great photos. These women take and share many fabulous photos every week, so they have plenty of expertise to share.
Want to take better photos? We asked mommy bloggers from around the Web to share their tips and tricks for taking great photos. These women take and share many fabulous photos every week, so they have plenty of expertise to share.
Taking great photos is a wonderful skill, and many mommy bloggers have mastered it, sharing their art with the world on blogs everywhere. From beautiful portraits of children at play to mouthwatering snapshots of fresh, fabulous food, a world of wonderful photography awaits exploration online.
Here's what the mommy bloggers had to say.
TIP 1: GET ON THEIR LEVELTaking photographs while standing up might seem natural, but the results can look anything but natural in the end. Who wants to see their kids from a bird's eye view? Instead, Kristen Doyle ofDine and Dish and Culinary Snapshot suggests getting down to your child's level while taking photos. "Capturing them at that level creates a great photograph and an interesting perspective," says Doyle.
TIP 2: FIND YOUR STYLE
Different people photograph differently. Finding the style of photography you like is important. "Flip through cookbooks or magazines. Look at how other people do it to find your style and what appeals to you," says Katie Goodman, the blogger behind goodLife{eats}. What should you be looking for? Camera angles, shot framing, background ideas, etc.
TIP 3: LET KIDS BE NATURAL
Children don't sit still voluntarily very often -- it's just not their nature. Kids are up, running, playing and having fun, so capture them in their element! "Don't try to make them sit still, look at the camera and smile. Follow them around as they're acting naturally, and you'll be amazed at some of the great pictures you get," says Doyle. Set your camera to an action setting for best results.
TIP 4: PERFECT YOUR CRAFT
Focus on taking the best photo you can by approaching your photos the old-fashioned way: With firm concentration and good focus. "Conventional wisdom is to take several shots, but I think you should take as few as possible, and concentrate on what you see through your lens. That's how you learn composition," says Jennifer Jeanne Patterson of Unplanned Cooking. The benefit? You will hone true photography skills this way.
TIP 5: BUT DO EXPERIMENT
While concentration will help you hone those photography skills, taking multiple shots will help you find your style. Kate of Savour Fare advises that you take many photos as a learning experience. "We're so lucky in the digital age to have a lot of room for experiments and mistakes. Try different angles, different setups. If you don't like the result, then just delete," she says.TIP 6: LIGHTING MATTERS
Sure, many cameras come with built-in flashes. That really truly doesn't mean you need to use it. Why? Built-in flashes can cause the subjects of photos to wash out and look flat. Instead, go for natural lighting, and avoid head-on light, since it can cause deep shadows (definitely not a good thing!). "Think about the light: Directional light (from the side) is almost always more interesting than direct light," Kate says.
Finally: "No flash, no flash, no flash. This is a tip that's oft-repeated because it is frequently forgotten. If you can take your pictures outside, that is always first choice. If not, get thee to a window and get as much of the natural light that you can. And if you absolutely, positively have to use a flash, spend 20 bucks and invest in a Lightscoop," says Cate O'Malley of Sweetnicks.
How to Be Happier: Ten Tips for Being a More Light-Hearted Parent.
1. At least once a day, make each child helpless with laughter.
2. Sing in the morning. It’s hard both to sing and to maintain a grouchy mood, and it sets a happy tone for everyone—particularly in my case, because I’m tone deaf and my audience finds my singing a source of great hilarity.
3. Get enough sleep yourself. It’s so tempting to stay up late, to enjoy the peace and quiet. But morning comes fast. Along the same lines…
4. Wake up before your kids. We were so rushed in the morning that I started getting up half an hour earlier than my children. That means I can get myself organized, check my email, post to Slate, and get my bag packed before they get up. It’s tough to wake up earlier, but it has made a huge difference in the quality of our mornings.
5. I’ve been researching the hedonic treadmill: people quickly adapt to new pleasures or luxuries, so it takes a new pleasure to give them a jolt of gratification. As a result, I’ve cut back on treats and impulse buys for my kids. The ice-cream sandwich or the Polly Pockets set won’t be an exciting treat if it isn’t rare.
6. Most messages to kids are negative: “stop,” “don’t,” “no.” So I try to cast my answers as “yes.” “Yes, we’ll go as soon as you’ve finished eating,” not “We’re not leaving until you’ve finished eating.” It’s not easy to remember to do this, but I’m trying.
7. Look for little ways to celebrate. I haven’t been doing holiday breakfasts long, but they’re a huge source of happiness. They’re quick, fun, and everyone gets a big kick out of them.
8. Repetition works. A friend told me he was yelling at his kids too much, so he distilled all rules of behavior into four key phrases: “keep your hands to yourself”; “answer the first time you’re asked”; “ask first”; and “stay with us” (his kids tended to bolt). You can also use the school mantras: “Sit square in your chair;” “accidents will happen,” “you get what you get, and you don’t get upset” (i.e., when cupcakes are handed out, you don’t keep trying to switch).
9. Say “no” only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure. Put water in the toy tea set? Okay. Sleep with your head at the foot of the bed? Fine. Samuel Johnson said, “All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.”
10. When I find myself thinking, “Yippee, soon we won’t have to deal with a stroller,” I remind myself how fleeting this is. All too soon the age of Cheerios and the Tooth Fairy will be over. The days are long, but the years are short.
Have you found any good strategies to cut back on the shouting and to add moments of laughing, singing, and saying “yes”?
Friday, September 17, 2010
Teach your child to "care" about you (孝顺需要教育)
教导孩子回报我们给予的爱，跟我们爱他同样的重要。
这两天，两个孩子轮番生病，儿子高烧不退，半夜我抱着他滚烫的身体，看着他火红的面颊，即使知道没有什么大碍，做妈妈的总是担忧，睡不好觉。
下午載女兒出門溜冰，我有感而發的問她：
「媽媽照顧你們好辛苦喔！你將來會不會孝順我？」
「媽媽照顧你們好辛苦喔！你將來會不會孝順我？」
女兒傻呼呼的問：
「什麼是孝順？」
我說：「就是對我好、愛我啊！」
我說：「就是對我好、愛我啊！」
女儿很天真的从后座探头对我说：
「会啊！我会孝顺你！我将来赚的钱都会给你！」
「会啊！我会孝顺你！我将来赚的钱都会给你！」
（因为阿嬷常常问他们，将来赚钱会不会给阿嬷？所以女儿马上这样回答。）
我笑着说：
「妈妈不用妳给我很多钱啦！但是妈妈现在每天这样
很辛苦的载妳去上课、去玩，将来我老了，走不动了，
我希望妳也要记得每天来看我、载我去玩、陪我去看病。妳会吗？」
七岁的女儿马上接口：
「我会啊！我长大以后还是要跟妳 住在一起，每天都会看妳啦！」
接着皱起眉：「可是我没办法带妳出去玩耶！」
「为什么呢？」我问。
「因为我不会开车、又不认得路啊！」真是可爱的回答。
我忍不住亲亲她粉嫩的脸颊。
之前收过网络上转寄的一篇文章，大意是一位坚强的女性，
为丈夫、儿女付出，自己得了癌症，
却总是拒绝孩子与另一半的照顾，凡事自己来。
她的好友劝她，要练习让丈夫、孩子来照顾她，
因为，爱是要「教」的。
昨天，刚好又看到孙协志母亲的部落格，看到一手带大孩子的她，抱怨孩子不孝、不理她，
虽然孩子为她买房、买车，她却署名「孤姥」，两个字道尽了 年老母亲的寂寞。
当然，母子关系不佳有很多复杂的缘由，也不是单方的问题，
但我觉得显然最大的问题在于，这位母亲所认为的「孝」与孩子所认知的「孝」有很大的差异性。
的确，我们应该要教会孩子 怎么样来爱我们。
很久很久以前，有一次，我得了急性肠胃炎，晚上在浴室呕吐不止。
我一回头，看到四岁多的女儿，怯生生的站在我身后。
我当时本来想叫她不要管我，赶快去睡觉，后来转念一想，
便对女儿说：
「妳有没有看到妈妈在吐吐？妳怎么不问我『妳怎么了？』」
女儿很听话的照我的话问：
「妈妈，妳怎么了？」
我对她说：
「妈妈不舒服。妳可以替我拍拍背吗？」
她马上上前来，用她的小手拍拍我的背、还摸了摸我的脸。
我挤出微笑谢谢她：
「谢谢！妈妈觉得好多了！ 妳可以倒一杯水给我喝吗？」
她很乖的立刻去倒了一杯冷水给我。
至此以后，我女儿只要看到我有什么不对劲，一定会立刻问：
「妈妈，妳怎么了？」
我上个月在九份不慎摔到，女儿第一时间立刻来扶我，问我：
「妈妈，妳怎么了？会不会很痛？」
接下来的路程一边走一边叮咛我：
「妈妈，这边很滑，妳要小心喔！」令人分外感动。
同样的，我买了好吃的东西， 也会要求她留给弟弟、我、 跟爸爸一起吃。
看多了那种妈妈把鸡腿让给孩子吃，结果孩子长大以为妈妈只爱吃鸡头的故事，我深深引以为戒。
所以，当女儿第一次一个人把她 爱吃的生鱼片整盘吃光光的时候，
我狠很的责备了她。
现在，她吃什么好料，如果盘中 剩下不多，她一定会问：
「还有人想吃吗？」
或是：「没人吃的话，我可以把它吃完吗？」
再也不会自私自利的 一个人吃光光。
我一直很认同人本的一个观念，就是你花了多少时间在孩子身上，
孩子将来就会花多少时间在你身上。
你怎么对待他，他将来就怎么对待你。这点，从我公婆身上得到验证。
我婆婆含辛茹苦的养大三个孩子，三个孩子对她都很孝顺，
而我公公年轻时对家庭不太负责，现在老了，深怕孩子不理他，
但老实说孩子对他也真的没有什么感情。
不过，除此之外，我觉得做父母的，也有责任把真实的状况透露给 孩子知道。
无论妳是开心、愤怒、或是沮丧、挫折，甚至穷困、卑贱，
我觉得「掩藏」不是 一个好的教养方式。
爸爸妈妈不是完人，
我们应该学会承认我们也有错误、
也有无能为力的时候。
我们会老、也会死，同样的，我们付出的爱也希望获得回报。
教导孩子回报我们给予的爱，跟我们爱他同样的重要
Where do I get cheap used kids' books?
I hardly bought books. I read most of the information online.
But I still need the kids' books to read to my kids. As a frugal mom, I would not go to buy new books from store. I'm only willing to pay used kids' books hard cover for 50 cents and paper cover for 25 cents. I got the used kids books from:
1. Relatives: free. Find the relatives that have kids that a little bit older than yours, they have lots of kids gear that willing to pass on to you.
2. Yard sales: I only go to the multi-family yard sales and the one that close to my house. Or most of time you will just waste of your gas.
3. Library: My county library's kids section has one shelf of books that they want to get rid of, usually sell for average 50 cents a book, but not a whole lot. Still you are free to choose.
4. Craigslist:
But I still need the kids' books to read to my kids. As a frugal mom, I would not go to buy new books from store. I'm only willing to pay used kids' books hard cover for 50 cents and paper cover for 25 cents. I got the used kids books from:
1. Relatives: free. Find the relatives that have kids that a little bit older than yours, they have lots of kids gear that willing to pass on to you.
2. Yard sales: I only go to the multi-family yard sales and the one that close to my house. Or most of time you will just waste of your gas.
3. Library: My county library's kids section has one shelf of books that they want to get rid of, usually sell for average 50 cents a book, but not a whole lot. Still you are free to choose.
4. Craigslist:
Monday, September 13, 2010
Dr. Ginsburg: Building Resilience in Children
Dr. Ginsburg has identified seven “C”s of resilience, recognizing that “resilience isn’t a simple, one-part entity.” Parents can use these guidelines to help their children recognize their abilities and inner resources.
Competence
Competence describes the feeling of knowing that you can handle a situation effectively. We can help the development of competence by:
Helping children focus on individual strengths
Focusing any identified mistakes on specific incidents
Empowering children to make decisions
Being careful that your desire to protect your child doesn’t mistakenly send a message that you don’t think he or she is competent to handle things
Recognizing the competencies of siblings individually and avoiding comparisons
Confidence
A child’s belief in his own abilities is derived from competence. Build confidence by:
- Focusing on the best in each child so that he or she can see that, as well
- Clearly expressing the best qualities, such as fairness, integrity, persistence, and kindness
- Recognizing when he or she has done well
- Praising honestly about specific achievements; not diffusing praise that may lack authenticity
- Not pushing the child to take on more than he or she can realistically handle
Connection
Developing close ties to family and community creates a solid sense of security that helps lead to strong values and prevents alternative destructive paths to love and attention. You can help your child connect with others by:
- Building a sense of physical safety and emotional security within your home
- Allowing the expression of all emotions, so that kids will feel comfortable reaching out during difficult times
- Addressing conflict openly in the family to resolve problems
- Creating a common area where the family can share time (not necessarily TV time)
- Fostering healthy relationships that will reinforce positive messages
Character
Children need to develop a solid set of morals and values to determine right from wrong and to demonstrate a caring attitude toward others. To strengthen your child’s character, start by:
- Demonstrating how behaviors affect others
- Helping your child recognize himself or herself as a caring person
- Demonstrating the importance of community
- Encouraging the development of spirituality
- Avoiding racist or hateful statements or stereotypes
Contribution
Children need to realize that the world is a better place because they are in it. Understanding the importance of personal contribution can serve as a source of purpose and motivation. Teach your children how to contribute by:
Communicating to children that many people in the world do not have what they need
Stressing the importance of serving others by modeling generosity
Creating opportunities for each child to contribute in some specific way
Coping
Learning to cope effectively with stress will help your child be better prepared to overcome life’s challenges. Positive coping lessons include:
Modeling positive coping strategies on a consistent basis
Guiding your child to develop positive and effective coping strategies
Realizing that telling him or her to stop the negative behavior will not be effective
Understanding that many risky behaviors are attempts to alleviate the stress and pain in kids’ daily lives
Not condemning your child for negative behaviors and, potentially, increasing his or her sense of shame
Control
Children who realize that they can control the outcomes of their decisions are more likely to realize that they have the ability to bounce back. Your child’s understanding that he or she can make a difference further promotes competence and confidence. You can try to empower your child by:
Helping your child to understand that life’s events are not purely random and that most things that happen are the result of another individual’s choices and actions
Learning that discipline is about teaching, not punishing or controlling; using discipline to help your child to understand that his actions produce certain consequences
Dr. Ginsburg summarizes what we know for sure about the development of resilience in kids by the following:
Children need to know that there is an adult in their life who believes in them and loves them unconditionally.
Kids will live “up” or “down” to our expectations.
There is no simple answer to guarantee resilience in every situation. But we can challenge ourselves to help our children develop the ability to negotiate their own challenges and to be more resilient, more capable, and happier.
Overview of Stress
- There will always be stress in our lives.
- Stress is an important tool that can aid in our survival.
- Our body’s reaction to stress is mediated through a complex interplay of sensory input—sights and sounds—as well as the brain and nervous system, hormones, and the body’s cells and organs.
- Emotions play an important role in how we experience stress because the brain is the conductor of this system. The way we think about stress and what we choose to do about it can affect the impact of a stressful event.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Emma's magic show
Emma's silly magic show. I just want to test my new camera's video. Pretty good resolution.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
How did Emma stop sucking thumb
Emma sucks thumb since from she was still inside Mommy's tummy. We saw that from the ultra sound. She was still sucking thumb until she was 4. I think she might have gotten the Gene from her daddy. Her Daddy sucked the thumb all the way to 7 year old!
I had tried all sorts methods to break this bad habit by
Scare her: If you keep sucking thumb, your teeth will stick out like bunny and you will not be pretty any more.
Emma : But Bunny is cute.
Encourage her: See, you can do it, you didn't suck thumb. Good girl.
Apply the anti-bacteria soup on her thumb. This only work when she is in the car. She can't wait to get home and wash it off.
Put a ring on her thumb to remind her.
All these only work for a little while. I finally gave up. Then one day, Emma was jumping up and down on the Sofa and she accidentally hit her front teeth with her knee. One of her front teeth came loose. Daddy helped to put her tooth back to the position and asked her to lie down to rest. Scared of losing her tooth, Emma lie in the bed quietly with tears in her eyes. I warned her: You can not suck the thumb any more or you gonna lose your tooth. She nodded.
The following days, Emma still complained a little pain on her tooth. But that pain did stop her from sucking thumb. Then after a week, when her tooth is recovered, I didn't realize but suddenly one day notice: hey, my little girl is not sucking thumb any more. She forgot about it. The most stubborn bad habit is gone, Horray!
It's interesting how things work out sometimes.
I had tried all sorts methods to break this bad habit by
Scare her: If you keep sucking thumb, your teeth will stick out like bunny and you will not be pretty any more.
Emma : But Bunny is cute.
Encourage her: See, you can do it, you didn't suck thumb. Good girl.
Apply the anti-bacteria soup on her thumb. This only work when she is in the car. She can't wait to get home and wash it off.
Put a ring on her thumb to remind her.
All these only work for a little while. I finally gave up. Then one day, Emma was jumping up and down on the Sofa and she accidentally hit her front teeth with her knee. One of her front teeth came loose. Daddy helped to put her tooth back to the position and asked her to lie down to rest. Scared of losing her tooth, Emma lie in the bed quietly with tears in her eyes. I warned her: You can not suck the thumb any more or you gonna lose your tooth. She nodded.
The following days, Emma still complained a little pain on her tooth. But that pain did stop her from sucking thumb. Then after a week, when her tooth is recovered, I didn't realize but suddenly one day notice: hey, my little girl is not sucking thumb any more. She forgot about it. The most stubborn bad habit is gone, Horray!
It's interesting how things work out sometimes.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Kids' breakfast
These are the breakfasts I made for Emma & Aiden
1. Sandwich (whole grain bread with a fried egg, ham and cheese inside)
2. Oatmeal cooked with milk or soymilk, add raisines.
It's a super meal, but they won't eat this too often. So I only cook this once a week so they won't get bored.
3. Fried egg with a couple of drop of soysource on it.
4. Eggs fried with some tomatoes.
1. Sandwich (whole grain bread with a fried egg, ham and cheese inside)
2. Oatmeal cooked with milk or soymilk, add raisines.
It's a super meal, but they won't eat this too often. So I only cook this once a week so they won't get bored.
3. Fried egg with a couple of drop of soysource on it.
4. Eggs fried with some tomatoes.
Discovery Place---one of the best places for kids to hang out for a day
Discovery Place in Charlotte uptown has just recently completed all the renovation project. The new discovery place looks really nice. The first floor has kid's play area and a lot of fun activities to keep Emma and Aiden busy for whole day.
Aiden just walks on this walking trail again and again practicing the climbing up/down stairs.
Magic balls...
This is my favority part:
We also watched the 3D movie "Dinasour" in the Discovery place theater. It looks so real. Emma can't help reaching out her hand to touch the animals that walking towards to her.
Aiden just walks on this walking trail again and again practicing the climbing up/down stairs.
Magic balls...
This is my favority part:
We also watched the 3D movie "Dinasour" in the Discovery place theater. It looks so real. Emma can't help reaching out her hand to touch the animals that walking towards to her.
Emma's drawings
All the kids are natural artist until they grow up. I never taught Emma or intend to send her to learn arts at the moment. I don't think she has any noticable talent for that but I just want her enjoy it.
1. Cup cake stand
Emma likes cup cake, she draws a cup cake stand. A girl in the cup cake stand is selling cup cakes, Emma (the girl outside of the stand) is going to buy one.
2. Vegies & fruits
Banana, Grape, Blueberry, celery, brocolli, tomato...
3. Beach
I'm going to beach! Emma paint this before we went to Carolina beach.
4. Biking
Emma enjoy biking with Lindsey, here are their bikes
5. Brother flower and sister flower
Emma never forget to add the rain drop everytime she draws flowers.
6. Chu Chu Train
7. Summer outdoor fun (5/31/2010)
Summer time is coming...
1. Cup cake stand
Emma likes cup cake, she draws a cup cake stand. A girl in the cup cake stand is selling cup cakes, Emma (the girl outside of the stand) is going to buy one.
2. Vegies & fruits
Banana, Grape, Blueberry, celery, brocolli, tomato...
3. Beach
I'm going to beach! Emma paint this before we went to Carolina beach.
4. BikingEmma enjoy biking with Lindsey, here are their bikes
5. Brother flower and sister flower
Emma never forget to add the rain drop everytime she draws flowers.
6. Chu Chu Train
7. Summer outdoor fun (5/31/2010)
Summer time is coming...
Emma learn reading
I have been trying different ways to teach my children to read. There is a lot to learn myself to be a teacher to my own child. Here are just some experiences I want to share.
These are the steps I think I will follow if I do it again:
1. Alphabet.
You start with teaching her Alphabet letters when she start to talk a few words and she can understand quite a bit what you say. You can try that after your child is 15 months or older. My 20months old can read most of the Capital Alphabet now except some of the letters that he can not pronounce clearly such as: F, S, H, K, N, X but I can tell he memorize them and try to make the sound close to it.
2. Vocabulary cards.
You want to buy the one with one side picture, the other side big printed words. Don't buy the one with picture and word on the same side. You will never know she is reading the picture or reading the word. This can get her to know about 50 easy words. She need to have a minimum amount of vocabulary before she can start to read the book.
The key is to let her read the words in the BIG PRINTED form. I'm not satisfied that I can only find about 100 words card set online or store. I hope I can find 1000 words card set but I just couldn't find them (am I too greedy?). So I try to make some cards myself with paper, card boards. I also try to make a power point slide with one word on one slide and make a slide show. It works for a while. But eventually I have to admit: Using the words printed on the cards is still the best way to learn. You can't have a kid sit in front of the compute r 15mins every day. You want to have cards with you so you can ask her to read a few words whenever she wants to read.
3. Phonics
After she memorize about 100 words, I start teaching her Phonics. She also learn that from TV. That will teach her how to pronounce words herself.
4. Easy reader books.
Selecting the books that your child can start to read herself is essential. Words should be learn in the sentence, vocabulary cards should be used to enhance the memory.
These are the good books for a kid to start to read herself (Level 1)
1. Hop On Pop by Dr. Seuss
2. Are you my mother?
3. I can read with my eyes shut by Dr. Seuss
4. My many colored days by Dr. Seuss
5. Cat in the hat by Dr. Seuss
6. Good night moon
7. One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish
8. The foot book
9. Green eggs and ham
These are the level 2 books I used. These are simple and interesting stories and I really love reading them with Emma.
An I can read book series Level 2:
Owl at home
Frog and Toad all year
Frog and toad are Friends
Adventures of little bear
Mouse Tales
Little bear's visit
Days with Frog and Toad
When Emma get into level 2 reading, I don't use flash cards to teach her words any more, she can learn the words by reading. She can sound it out most of the words that she don't know.
Now she is on level 3 reading. I still have hard time to find the books for her.
I only spend around 15-20mins of a day to supervise her reading. The key is not how long you spend a day to read but more on how often you read. I made her read every day she is with me. Unfortunately, she has to spend 3 days a week with her grandparents so she only reads 4 days a week.
Online reading for 3-4 years old: www.starfall.com
<to be continued>
These are the steps I think I will follow if I do it again:
1. Alphabet.
You start with teaching her Alphabet letters when she start to talk a few words and she can understand quite a bit what you say. You can try that after your child is 15 months or older. My 20months old can read most of the Capital Alphabet now except some of the letters that he can not pronounce clearly such as: F, S, H, K, N, X but I can tell he memorize them and try to make the sound close to it.
2. Vocabulary cards.
You want to buy the one with one side picture, the other side big printed words. Don't buy the one with picture and word on the same side. You will never know she is reading the picture or reading the word. This can get her to know about 50 easy words. She need to have a minimum amount of vocabulary before she can start to read the book.
The key is to let her read the words in the BIG PRINTED form. I'm not satisfied that I can only find about 100 words card set online or store. I hope I can find 1000 words card set but I just couldn't find them (am I too greedy?). So I try to make some cards myself with paper, card boards. I also try to make a power point slide with one word on one slide and make a slide show. It works for a while. But eventually I have to admit: Using the words printed on the cards is still the best way to learn. You can't have a kid sit in front of the compute r 15mins every day. You want to have cards with you so you can ask her to read a few words whenever she wants to read.
3. Phonics
After she memorize about 100 words, I start teaching her Phonics. She also learn that from TV. That will teach her how to pronounce words herself.
4. Easy reader books.
Selecting the books that your child can start to read herself is essential. Words should be learn in the sentence, vocabulary cards should be used to enhance the memory.
These are the good books for a kid to start to read herself (Level 1)
1. Hop On Pop by Dr. Seuss
2. Are you my mother?
3. I can read with my eyes shut by Dr. Seuss
4. My many colored days by Dr. Seuss
5. Cat in the hat by Dr. Seuss
6. Good night moon
7. One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish
8. The foot book
9. Green eggs and ham
These are the level 2 books I used. These are simple and interesting stories and I really love reading them with Emma.
An I can read book series Level 2:
Owl at home
Frog and Toad all year
Frog and toad are Friends
Adventures of little bear
Mouse Tales
Little bear's visit
Days with Frog and Toad
When Emma get into level 2 reading, I don't use flash cards to teach her words any more, she can learn the words by reading. She can sound it out most of the words that she don't know.
Now she is on level 3 reading. I still have hard time to find the books for her.
I only spend around 15-20mins of a day to supervise her reading. The key is not how long you spend a day to read but more on how often you read. I made her read every day she is with me. Unfortunately, she has to spend 3 days a week with her grandparents so she only reads 4 days a week.
Online reading for 3-4 years old: www.starfall.com
<to be continued>
Friday, September 3, 2010
Emma/Aiden says
Emma says.........
1. "I bully Aiden, that means I love him!"
2. "Aiden is a bully baby!"
3. Emma was born with big head and her head has been over 95% of range till now. Just like most of the Chinese, I do have the perception that a girl who has smaller head is prettier. I guess Emma somehow sense that, so one day she said:
"I wish I could pretend that I don't know Chinese, so my head will be smaller."
That makes me feel bad for quite a while.
4. Mommy sigh when Emma don't eat the dinner again: Emma, why are you so picky?
"Mommy, I'm picky, but I still love you!"
5. I don't buy the juice at home. I only buy some when kids are sick and refuse to drink water. So Emma sometimes likes to stay sick.
"Mommy, I'm still sick, so can I drink Juice?"
6. "Mommy, see, I can wear my shoes."
"All of the 4-year-old can wear their shoes" busy helping Aiden with his shoes, I didn't look at her.
"But Mommy, can other 4-year-old close the eyes and still can put the shoe in the right foot?" I turned to her, with eyes shut, Emma was putting her feet in the shoes proudly.
Aiden says.....
"Mommy, I want to call Grandma." I dial the number and hand the phone to Aiden.
Aiden (2 year old) is excited and talk to his grandma in the phone.
"Ya...choo--choo..Thomas...Mommy...Bye."
He is not satisfied yet after hang up.
"Mommy, I want to call Thomas"
"But I don't know Thomas' number." I said.
"1" He showed his tiny index finger with a big smile.
1. "I bully Aiden, that means I love him!"
2. "Aiden is a bully baby!"
3. Emma was born with big head and her head has been over 95% of range till now. Just like most of the Chinese, I do have the perception that a girl who has smaller head is prettier. I guess Emma somehow sense that, so one day she said:
"I wish I could pretend that I don't know Chinese, so my head will be smaller."
That makes me feel bad for quite a while.
4. Mommy sigh when Emma don't eat the dinner again: Emma, why are you so picky?
"Mommy, I'm picky, but I still love you!"
5. I don't buy the juice at home. I only buy some when kids are sick and refuse to drink water. So Emma sometimes likes to stay sick.
"Mommy, I'm still sick, so can I drink Juice?"
6. "Mommy, see, I can wear my shoes."
"All of the 4-year-old can wear their shoes" busy helping Aiden with his shoes, I didn't look at her.
"But Mommy, can other 4-year-old close the eyes and still can put the shoe in the right foot?" I turned to her, with eyes shut, Emma was putting her feet in the shoes proudly.
Aiden says.....
"Mommy, I want to call Grandma." I dial the number and hand the phone to Aiden.
Aiden (2 year old) is excited and talk to his grandma in the phone.
"Ya...choo--choo..Thomas...Mommy...Bye."
He is not satisfied yet after hang up.
"Mommy, I want to call Thomas"
"But I don't know Thomas' number." I said.
"1" He showed his tiny index finger with a big smile.
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