Mad school chase

So G attended kiddyabc for like 2 months. First week, she was crying very badly. Teacher told me she cried for one hour (it's a 2 hour playgroup) and then fell asleep. Anyway, to cut the long story short, we decided to change school because I observed quite a lot of unpleasant / unsatisfactory stuff amidst the Teacher scolding G and was not gentle and patient towards her.

And I visited:

1. Raffles House Preschool
2. NurtureStars
3. Liz Montessori
4. Startots Playgroup
5. Jessin Kindergarten
6. Creativo Learners
7. Wesley Child Development Center
8. Ykidz Montessori
9. Mindchamps Toa Payoh
10. Young Talents Preschool

And even checked out information on some preschools in Novena and Bishan.

And I also called and checked on Toa Payoh Methodist Kindergarten and Marymount Kindergarten for 2014 intake. Both registration are in May. And some of my mommy friends already secured a place for 2014! Incredible.

I was desperately searching, comparing and researching online reviews as well. All so because I could go and complete my certification. It was long overdue. I postponed it since G was 6 months old. And I thought she is ready for school. Apparently not so.

My mom was blaming me all the time for putting her to school this early and causing so much trauma to her. Yes, she had lots of nightmares, waking up in the middle of the night for milk, mommy and daddy and even became less sociable, more wary. (I said she used to sleep through right? Well, now she sometimes wakes up once around 4 or 5 am)

It has been tough on her. I decided to stop school for another 2 months before we put her in the new school again.

These 2 months, we spent lots of bonding time together. I always assure her that I love her even though she may not get to see me for a short while (like when grandma brings her out to the playground to play and I do housework at home). And that separation is only for a short while.

Reading time: she is now able to take books out herself and just flip to look at the pictures.

Sometimes she does roleplay and read the story to her students/children.

I made a nice and neat corner for her to do her Montessori play. 

Teaching her to take one tray at a time to work on and to return before taking the next tray.

Finally we managed to make the backlight work :)

Science experiment: Volcano Eruption 

Oh yes, the new school. I've paid deposit. $500 per month for every Mon, Wed and Fri 2.5 hour playschool. She's going to start next week. *pray hard all will be well* 

Teacher said once she settles well, we'll change to Mon to Fri daily 2.5 hours. Fees will then be $600. It's really quite high with no subsidy. Her 'enrichment classes' in the afternoon at Blue House, Shichida and Kindermusik will have to ceased because we really cannot afford them anymore. 

There are like 10 things on my mind at the same time (business, Perth trip, G's birthday plans, am I ready for #2, my certification course, my short term goals etc) last night and I couldn't sleep till 1 am. Then with her waking for milk at 4 am (I finally slept at 5 am) and then it's her wake up time at 7 am. I barely sleep much lately whether weekdays or weekends.

Anyway let's hope that this new school is for good. At least from now till the end of the year.

17 months old preschool

She will be going for a 2.5 hours playgroup everyday next month. 

She will be just 17 months old but the teacher said that she seemed more mature and can be independent, so she accepted G even though they have to be a minimum age of 18 months. G will be the youngest in class. 

School fees is about $200 per month.

Merry Christmas and she is 16 months old :)

We stayed home for dinner. Whipped up simple western meal for G and we had wagyu beef steak. She enjoyed her vegetables (potato, broccoli, carrot) in cream sauce and beefballs.

Words that she can say clearly now:

Jesus

Milk

Up

Down

Bye

Banana (Nana)

Butterfly (Budderby)

No no
Amen
Mama / Mommy
Papa
Grandma
Grandpa
Apple
Jump
Bus
Dog
Knock
Wow
Ball
More
Where?
Help
Beautiful (beatyfull)
Remember

And recently when I sing nursery rhymes, I stop and let her fill in the missing gaps.
Like...

The wheels on the bus go ___________ (with actions).
The horns on the bus go __________ (with actions)
The wipers on the bus go __________ (with actions)
The babies on the bus go __________ (with actions)
The mummies on the bus go __________ (with actions)
The doors on the bus go __________ (with actions)
The people on the bus go __________ (with actions)


She could sing all of the missing words plus actions.


And another thing we realised...

She has started to ask 'WHY?' now.

:))

14 months old

Wow it's been close to a month since my last update. G has been amazing. She surprises me everyday with what she can do. I think sometimes I underestimate her learning capabilities. In Shichida class this week, she could make the 'N' sound correctly.

Yes, we started Shichida. I just did flashcards (among other games) recently with her. Intially she couldn't sit still and would run about. After the 5 minute suggestion every night and with the energy ball exercise, she can now take 100 cards in one sitting.

My! it was tedious doing the flashcards. I, together w hubby's help made, 200 pieces. I had to google search the pictures, then put them into template. Print picture on one side and words on the other. Cut them out and laminate them. Then decide which stack to put them together and alternate them every other day so that it isn't boring.

Believe in your child. They can do so much more than you imagined.

We just shifted to our new place.

My typical day as a SAHM to a 13 months old girl

6.30 am - G wake up, drink milk, change her, clean up. Then she goes and do her own thing while I tidy the kitchen .and paper the floor.
8 am - preparation for G's breakfast, then breakfast (if she self-feed, we'll take 40 mins otherwise 30 mins), wash up, keep laundry and gobble up my breakfast.
9 am - do writing/drawing/colouring activity with G or read a book.
9.30 am - G's nap time (1 hour), I cook her lunch (mop if I have time), do the laundry, throw the trash, check my emails/hp.
10.30 am - she plays with her doll, bear (imaginary play), follows me around the house / mess things up here and there.
11.30 am - G' lunch. If we have time, will buy groceries/toiletries or go to the library.
1 pm - G's shower time. My shower time, read books
1.30 pm - G's milk
1.55 pm - G's nap time (1 hour), cook her dinner, if I have time, bake bread or cookies, wash up, get ready for outing, if I have time, 15 mins for me to lie on the bed to rest.
3 pm - change her, dash out for classes/playdates/gathering
4 pm - fruit snack
5.30 pm - dinner
6.15 pm - G's shower time
6.30 pm - G's milk
6.45 pm - prayer, book, massage, meditation
7 pm - put her down for bed.

Evenings and night time, I do the following:

spend time with hubby
more housework
check out recipes
surf facebook
research on child related topics
self grooming
pray
and sleep 11 pm, and later if I blogged.