Learning about colours

It was easy for Zech to learn and recognise the basic shapes but not colours. Decided to focus on one colour a week. Started with the colour red.

1. Sensory tray

Zech had a good time exploring the items. He used the red cup to scoop the red beans and poured some into the red plastic bag.

Nathanael wanted to be involved too so we took out one item at a time and let him practice grasping objects. Zech had lots of fun with the red packet which he pretended to take out money and gave some to me. Other items in the tray included cubes, shapes, foam music notes and instruments, rubber bands, toy fruits, tinsel. Throughout his play time, I repeatedly tell him the items are red in colour.

2. Using the shapes from the shape sorter and with red paint, I taught Zech how to print shapes. He had great fun as it was similar to stamping.

 

 

3. Cut an apple and showed Zech how God has put a star in the apple. He was fascinated. After telling him the apple is red, we ate the apples. Then we used the remaining apple to make apple prints. Was not very successful as Zech tends to press too hard so the prints did not come out nicely.

 

 

 

 

4. Zech used tongs to pick up red pom poms and placed them on the apples on the apple tree.

 



 

 



5. Made apple stencils for Zech by cutting out the apples on printed paper. This was easier for Zech as all he needed to do was to hold the brush and paint.

 

 

After feasting his eyes on red for a week, we are now moving on to the colour green. That is going to be good for his eyes. :)



Post Sea Aquarium activities

Off we went to the Sea Aquarium on a bright and sunny Monday morning!

Some sea creatures we love...

And of course many fishes too. Big ones. Small ones. Colourful and dull ones. Weird ones. You name it. They have it.

 

We couldn't help getting all crafty after the trip. Bought beads and wiggly eyes from Daiso.

 

Made a fish using a recycled CD. Fins, tail and mouth using felt.

 

 

Having loads of fun painting the starfish.

 

 

Final products with plenty of help from me!

 

Made an octopus using toilet roll. Zech enjoyed using the glitter glue though he found it hard to squeeze it out.

Wrote a journal in Zechariah's book. It's a book I've made for him since he was a year old. Have written quite a lot of entries starting from his birth. Zech would sit down and watch while I write. Have been keeping bits and pieces of stuff such as tickets to plays, brochures and even red packets etc. This time, I pasted the leaflet from the Sea Aquarium and wrote an entry together with Zech. Was surprised by his enthusiasm and active participation in contributing to some of the content in this entry. My boy has grown!

 



A worthwhile family trip! Definitely enjoyed it much more than the last time I visited the Sydney Aquarium two years ago.



Fun with play dough!

Zech had been asking for new play dough ever since I threw the old ones away. So one night, I decided to make fresh play dough. This time, the texture is much better than before. Love the feel of the play dough myself.

Play dough is becoming a part of Zech's daily play now. He loves squashing them in his hands.
Besides moulding the play dough into small balls, pancakes and sausages, I used it to hone his fine motor skills. Taught him to make a porcupine with toothpicks.

From my kitchen, I took out some spaghetti, penne pasta and cheerios. We poked the spaghetti through a small piece of play dough then thread the penne pasta and cheerios into it. Zech enjoys threading the cheerios.

Bought a set of cookie cutters from Ikea. Using these cookie cutters was the first thing Zech learned with play dough. This time round, we improvised a little by adding details onto the human shape.

More ideas can be found here - http://handsonaswegrow.com/pretend-create-learn-with-play-dough/

Storytelling eggs

Was inspired by a mummy's blog on storytelling pebbles. Brought back memories of school days as a teacher. A technique that uses creativity to tell a story in sequence with pictures as stimulus is a rather common method I used in teaching creative writing. Never imagined this could work for young kids. What amazed me was the ability of a 32 month old who can comprehend and enjoy storytelling in this way. Especially for busy mummies, this is very simple to prepare.

Searched for cute clipart from mycutegraphics.com. Printed and laminated them before placing each clipart in a plastic egg. These eggs were in fact Easter eggs.  Now I can maximise their use. :)

Got Zech to choose one egg at a time. As he took out the picture from each egg, I'd spin a story based on each picture. The main character in the story is of course none other than Zech. I guess that's why he likes this so much.

At the end, I'd lay out the pictures in order and repeat the story again.

Have done this with Zech a few times and every time we do this, the story is different. Sometimes, Zech even attempts to tell the story. The most motivating part for me is when Zech told me, 'This story is nice.' Realised it takes so little to make a child happy. We will be having these eggs around for some time.

A kid-friendly cafe @ Aliwal St

A very vintage looking café, there's something alluring in its ambience and outlook.

 

 

Brought Zech to Eat Play Love café at 28 Aliwal St (just next to Pahang St and near Arab St) together with a friend who brought her girl.

We wanted the kids to have some fun at the craft corner in the café. Thought it's really cool to have a craft corner for both kids and adults. You pay $5 (weekdays) and get to use the materials to create art pieces.

Came with a craft pack.

Had lunch first before play. $9.90 for set lunch. Main course and a drink. Had pineapple rice with fried chicken wings and spring rolls. Zech ate tomato baked rice, which he doesn't like because of the tomato. Tried the tiramisu in a jar. Thumbs up! Delectable and not too sweet!

 

 

Old school snacks are sold in the café. Bought this for Zech. But was disappointed to find its original contents changed. No longer chocolate balls, it now contains sweets and a small toy. :(

 Feel cheated.

 

 

After lunch, it was time to work those little fingers!

 

Guess what Zech was doing? Threading the penne pasta together to make a necklace.
 

Presenting Zech's matching necklace!

Another art piece done by Mummy and Zech!

 

Would definitely love to go back again. For the affordable food and to work those creative juices.



Garden walk

One of my favourite parks is HortPark. Although it's man-made, I find it a very well-maintained garden. Lots of plants and flowers and best of all, there are a few playgrounds for kids of different age. Brought Zech there last year and today we decided to have our garden walk there again. It was one of our most interesting and enjoyable walk under the hot sun.

Some interesting finds...

 

We also spotted a hummingbird, a nest on a tree, a lizard lookalike reptile, funny plants with names such as 'Mother-in-law's tongue' and 'Donkey ears', giant bumblebees and many different species of butterflies.

Guess what Zech was about to do?



Played with water of course!

Zech enjoying himself tremendously!

Not the most beautiful sunflowers but good enough to introduce to Zech.

In case you are wondering...Nathanael was sound asleep in his stroller. He slept the morning away. :(

A recommended park to families. Greenery, nature, unique plants, common plants and vegetables and kiddos' favourite playground all in a garden! We'll be back for more!

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.