Structured play time with the boys

Life seems a little better recently as baby Nathanael settles into his routine. Started structured play time involving both Zech and baby. Some resources I use...

Black and white flashcards.

For reading time. The boys love Fuzzy Bee cos they can touch and feel the insects. A hand-me-down book from Zech put to maximum usage!

 

3D Chinese books for reading and a rattle for Nathanael to practise tracking with his eyes.

 



The boys' favourite - singing time! I've never imagined it to be so enjoyable. Zech usually sings 'Jesus loves me' and 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' with me as the accompanist. Sometimes, he plays on the piano and sings along while baby Nathanael sits in his rocker and looks on attentively. Zech is definitely contented with his only audience, Nathanael. Can't wait for the day when my boys can sing together.

 

Activities with Zech on busy days

Ever since baby Nathanael came into our lives, my daily schedule has been revolved around his feeding and sleep time. If he takes a nap well, I spend more time with Zech. But the problem is Nathanael doesn't usually nap well due to his reflux condition. So my time with Zech has been very much shortened. Nevertheless, we managed to squeeze in time to do stuff other than his usual puzzles and building blocks.


Drawing - Zech's fav activity. He's still drawing lines that I can't decipher and sometimes trying to write. See the train mosaic art ? I find it really interesting but Zech doesn't enjoy doing it.

He's more interested in foam art. A joint effort by mummy and son.

 

Zech has finally learned threading. He loves wearing the 'necklace' which is a form of motivation. Hm...he is quite a vain pot.

All time fav - Lego! He can build his creations independently now.

In the past month or so, he has been learning the alphabets using Leapfrog Letter Discoveries given as a gift by a special friend. It's just so amazing to see him learning ABCs in this way independently. And yes, he knows many letter names and its sounds now. Zech loves this electronic toy!

 

 

Life can get rather boring at home if not for sweet angels who come by to visit. Not just company for me but also for Zech.

 

Sandwich making party! The kiddos make their own ham and cheese sandwiches.

 

Lunch time!

 

This is most meaningful. Bonding with baby brother...

 

 

 









Zech + Nathanael

Our family life changed the day Nathanael was born. He was small as expected but a little fighter nonetheless. After days of worrying over his weight gain and jaundice condition, baby Nathanael is now steadily putting on the kilos. Since the last blood test done on Sat, his jaundice level is down to 8. Skin colour seems much better now. Thank God!

 

 

 

See the striking resemblance between the brothers at 3 weeks old? God's creation is truly amazing.

 

At home for 3 weeks now, everyone is trying to cope and adapt. I guess it must be really hard on Zech. He's on his own most of the time, which is good in a way as it cultivates some form of independence. Still trying my best to play with him every day.

 

Zech's very own personal lapbook. Gave this to him the next day after I was discharged. He loves dressing himself up!

 

 

 

 

 

Zech has been spending loads of time with his papa lately. Some of his escapades with Papa...

 

Water play @ Bishan Park.

 

 

To 'The Art of the Brick' @ ArtScience Museum. We realised Zech loves train rides more than the exhibition itself.

 

 

 



More activities are lined up for him this week. 'The Enormous Turnip' play on Thurs and visits to the museums this weekend. Not forgetting of course, Zech's bonding with the baby, which we need to work on.

 

 



Recommended activity books for toddlers

Recently, I've been visiting Popular bookstore once a week. The store really carries some Chinese gems that are easy on the pocket. I'm especially on the lookout for sticker activity books as Zech loves doing those.

This was given by Zech's grandmother sometime ago. Completed within a week.

Given by an aunt, Zech enjoys pasting the fruits and veg using glue.

Other books in the same series:

Sticker dots activity book. This is great at training fine motor and patience.

Some other activity books I've bought from Popular bookstore. 找不同 books are very cute and aid in visual discrimination. 好习惯童谣 comes with a CD. Initially, I thought it might be a bit boring for a 2 year old boy but Zech thinks otherwise. It's probably because he found his favourite rabbit eating carrots in the book. Anyway, whatever the reason is, he actually asked to listen to the CD earlier on today.

Bible sticker activity books from NTUC! Discovered by a friend who helped me to purchase these, Zech just loves the story of Moses, especially the 9 plagues. He likes pasting the frogs and locusts so much he keeps looking at this page almost every day.

There are others in the same series. Trying to get the entire set as these store so much precious facts about the Bible. Reading and doing just add value in learning.

Preparing Zech for the arrival of baby Nathanael

As the day draws nearer, I talk to Zech about the baby every day. Be it kissing my tummy, saying hi or simply feeling for the slightest movement of the baby, these small actions are important for making him realise and know that his brother is real. In recent weeks, I started telling him what to expect when the baby arrives. Thank God I found, by chance, a book about the arrival of a new baby in the library just weeks ago. It tells the child not only what to expect but also how to be involved. The other book 'My dog, my cat, my mama and me!' is a fiction book I bought sometime ago and which I've been reading regularly to Zech.

Last week, while surfing the net, I chanced upon some great resources on preparing kids for the arrival of a baby. Inspiration struck and I set to work immediately on a new lapbook for Zech.

The stages of baby development and womb nomenclature cards were downloaded from  http://mamato3blessings.blogspot.sg/2013/04/expecting-baby-sensory-learning-tray.html

In the lapbook, I've included a puzzle. Printed the clipart from mycutegraphics.com then cut them up into a jigsaw puzzle. Incorporated a Bible verse so Zech knows it is God's command to love his brother and vice versa.

What does Zech like most of all? Baby items matching game of course. He enjoys not just matching but delights in naming each item too.

Another activity below has Zech lifting the flap to reveal the answer behind the question. He particularly likes the question 'Who is baby's elder brother?'. Well, the answer is of course Zechariah. Printed a photo of him which is why he loves to lift that flap to look at himself.

After seeing how much he is enjoying his lapbook activities, I decided to make a 'Zechariah lapbook' specially for him. It's his turn to be in the limelight.

Learning thru play!

Zech's learning journey at home is definitely not the type preschool offers. At least for now. He has no fixed curriculum. There's minimum planning on my part. We simply play and do activities which, in the process, enable learning and build up his character. Most importantly, he must enjoy doing them. If he doesn't, I'll put it aside and save it for another day. Reason? He might not be ready. Readiness is a BIG word in my learning path as a mother. My hubby sometimes questions me why I've not started teaching Zech the letters of the alphabet. But what's the point of teaching him ABCs when he can't write? Wouldn't he take a longer time to learn if I start teaching him now? When he's ready and able to write holding a pencil correctly, wouldn't it be faster for him to learn to recite and write the letters concurrently? There's so much I can do to teach just the letter A. I'm still a firm believer of comprehensive teaching and not touch and go, only to revisit the concepts again and again later. Besides, literacy is really more than just learning the letters.

Zech is definitely enjoying his childhood and I don't want to end it for him now. He's picking up many things through play, listening and interaction. So why is there a need for formal schooling? Not at his age I feel. He shall continue learning through play till he's ready to start school.


Pasting sticker dots. A good way to train fine motor skills. The activity book can be found in the Popular bookshop. With compliments from a sis in Christ.

Initially, I thought it was too challenging for him but was surprised he managed to paste the small sticker dots. Lots of patience needed though! Took him a few days to complete a pic!

An interesting game I found online from http://www.figur8.net/space-memory-activity/. This is part of the right brain training programme. Tried it out with Zech and he loves it.

Noah's Ark magnetic figures. He enjoys arranging and rearranging them on the cookie tray.

Christmas is over but I couldn't resist making another set for him. Found these cute figures from http://www.designdazzle.com/2011/12/free-paper-doll-printables-the-nativity-santas-helpers-and-more/.

Playing with pasta.

Zech had a good time scooping the pasta into the bowls, then pour them back into the tray again. 

It has been a great week so far. Zech's healthy and cheerful. We even made a trip down to the Bishan library and borrowed several nonfiction books. His favourites? Books on tractors and the disgusting centipede and of course not forgetting, the only fiction book 'We are going on a dinosaur dig'.

Something that Zech can't do without every day is listening to his Bible CD which comprises of Bible stories and songs. Recently, I hear him narrating and singing together with the CD. Such a joker! He would mumble lines he's not familiar with and suddenly, I would hear him very loudly and clearly when it comes to familiar lines.

Such are the joys of daily learning. I do realise time is just fleeting moments. Once Zech is past his toddler childhood, life will be very different for him and for us. It's up to us parents to enjoy and cherish every moment.