Hankuk Taekwondo

1. At 1.5 years old, dear son requested to join big sis for... Ballet. Ha! Or course hubby flipped both with laughter and curiosity. Along with in laws' objection, I gently pulled him away from it.
   
   
   After prying and prodding, seems like he saw the ballet class as something fun. Body movement with friends, what's not to like.
   
   
   After understanding what he wants, dear son turned the request into 'any class that will teach him to fight'. Of course, this bring in another parental challenge to emphasize to him that even if we sign him on any martial art class, it's only and must be only for self defense.
   
   
   After much shopping around, we found one that is suitable for our expectation, budget, and location. It's...
   
   
   Hankuk Taekwondo School
2. 246 Upper Thomson Rd, 574370
3. 6456 1355

   http://hankuk.com.sg

   
   

   The masters are nice. Polite and good with kids. Son enjoyed the class and has no objection to practice for grading. He started almost 2 years ago at 5 years old, and the interest is still going strong.

   
   

   Great for parents who wait, the location is on top of Udders Ice Cream (yummy alcohol tinted ice cream!).

   
   

   Grading is held quarterly at one of their branch. Great, because at least it's on a location familiar to us. However, I do see a possible point of improvement. Not sure on how they schedule it, but if we come at the appointed time, we have to be prepared for a 2-3 hours wait. So far their reason is that because each examiner has his/her own way. Some may do it fast, some slower. Well, four times a year, I whipped out a good book or an iPad, sat cross-legged on the floor, and wait. Bearable.

How Mommy Uses iPhone

I have been constantly amazed by iPhone. It really has a little brain of its own. A tribute to late Steve Jobs.

Especially in Singapore, almost everyone I know owned, is owning, or plans to own an iPhone. Quite phenomenal.

I've plan to write this post ever since I got my own. Approximately a year ago. Initially, I thought, it was the thrill of new gadgets. Now, a year on, I'm still very attached to the little tool.

1. I used it to track library due dates. Singapore NLB has its own apps, and being able to go online anytime anywhere has helped me a lot in avoiding overdue fines (imagine, being able to bring the list and finding the items at the same time :D)

2. I actually took photos of everything that I need instead of taking notes. My photo album consists of -on top of myriads of children photos- recipes, dictation list, important school announcement, enrichment courses calendars, answers to workbooks (so that I don't have to flip to and fro), ...

3. Entertainment on the go. Practically anywhere, the kids can play games and watch movies. Grrreat for waiting time.

4. Teaching tools. Some great apps teaches phonics, maths, Chinese, ... One of most often apps that I used as reference is the Pleco Chinese-English dictionary and Hanyu Pinyin chart.

5. 'Info-desk' at our fingertips. Combo with Lord Google, I can search anything under the sky. Example question from my 6 years old: why is there so much water on earth?

So, thank you, Mr. Jobs. You have touched so many lives.

[Through the Eyes of A Child] Can I get the roses without the thorns?

Teachable moments came everywhere, anywhere...

I wished I seized it.

But no... I've missed it.

However... it was indeed still an enlightenment, for me.

We were choosing flowers, and my daughter was desperate. She wanted to choose the roses, but was pricked by the thorns. Hence the question, "Can I get the roses without the thorns?"

I did explain to her that roses and thorns come as a package. It's so beautiful until it needs the thorns to protect it. That's it. I didn't go deep.

Instead, it left me pondering.

Life recently was not so well... Problem at work... stress at home in catching up with all the lessons.
So this is sort of a nice reminder... when we expect rosy moments, we should also embrace the thorny ones. Since roses and thorns are a package deal.

How Can I Tell Her About It???

A few days ago, I received a phone call while working. It's from our kindergarten teacher.

I held my breath as she announced the audition result through phone. Our daughter was not selected. :(

At the same moment, images of her eyes shining while practicing flashed through. You see... our little girl loves to perform. She wanted this part. She knew the text by heart, has been practicing even without me.

Afterwards, I dialed my hubby. Wailing over the phone, I lamented to him... Oh no... how can I tell her? I told him that part of me was upset too... How can they not wanting my baby??? My ultra-reasonable other half reminded me that we're dealing with other parents' 'babies' too, here.

In the evening, upon reaching home, hubby quickly asked me, "How? Have you told her?". With a shrug I shook my head.

I waited for THE perfect moment, and soon it was bedtime. Inside my heart... there's a tiny but brilliant idea, a wish that perhaps, she'll even forget about it. In that way, perhaps, I won't need to let her down.

However, again, my great voice of reason throw another scenario... How if she heard it from her friends... That'll be even more fatal.

So I put her in my lap, and told her that her teacher called me. Immediately she stiffened. Not dilly-dallying, I told her that they've selected the other kid. As expected, tears welled up. As I hugged her and rubbed her back, I mouthed to hubby, "You see... you see...?"

We sooth her that it's not because she's bad... Simply because the other kid is better than her. It's okay to fail, because at least she has tried, gave it her best shot. And finally, she brightened up a tad hearing that there'll be plenty opportunity in primary school.

Drifting off to sleep, I smiled at the thought. Today, my daughter has learned to fail. Quite gracefully, I'd like to think. A vital life lesson well learned.

As for me, I learned that there will be no perfect moment to deliver upsetting news. It simply has to be done.

[Through the eyes of a child] If you put your mind into it, you can do anything you want

Recently, my six-year-old daughter told me while being coaxed to practice more, "I know... if you put your mind into it, you can do anything... "

Startled by this sudden surge of wisdom, I was quick to reply back, wide eyed and all... "Where did you learn that?"

And guess... her answer both surprised and soothed me at the same time.

"From the TV"

Well well well...

I remembered struggling to decide when she was a newborn whether we can let her watch TV. That's after extensive research that mostly uncover the evil side of the magic box.

Finally, I myself was lured into the temptation of adorable characters (anyway... hubby and I watched Hi-5 during our exam study in university... happily commenting all through about the comical aspect of the bunch. I wonder whether it's karma that bring our firstborn into loving the Nathan-Kathleen-Kellie-Charli-Tim combo so much in the first 18 months of her life).

So for us, TV is OK, as long as it comes from DVD/VCD. I am still a scared of all the commercials presented.

But slowly the kids found their way to Okto, a children channel in Singapore. Thankfully that happened after they are fully assured that no, they cannot behave like ones in commercials. And equally no, being on TV does not mean the toys or food can materialize at home. Whining or not.

So there... after the journey, glad to hear that children, too, get little nuggets of life wisdom from TV. :)

[It Works] Letterland

Long time ago, I was a little skeptical about Letterland. I thought of it as just another one of hyped-up-commercially-exploited creation.

However, we've been converted now.

[+]
1. Catchy tunes. My 3 years old son has been humming the tunes for a few months now.
2. Fun fun fun stories. Even my daughter cannot stop reading the book.
3. Bright beautiful colorful characters, both in illustration and in their story roles.
4. Well developed method of phonics introduction, making it easier for children to remember. 5. We did zoo-phonics with our first one, and we're impressed by the more wholesome approach. From single sound introduction, to digraphs, to more as we've yet to explore.
6. Letterland has almost everything we can think of. Games, workbook, storybook, flashcards,... To make learning continuous and fun.
7. They are available everywhere, not exclusive from the school.

[-]
1. Limited range of product in Singapore.
2. They don't provide free online games as other brands do nowadays.
3. Some stuffs are literally breathtakingly expensive.

Another one is minus for me, plus for my son. He can't stop doing the workbook. So one book was finished up pretty quickly. :)

[Good Brand] Learning Horizon

In a typically kiasu manner, I've dutifully gone around Singapore to search for suitable courses for my kids.

To share, my 'suitability' criteria: interesting for the kids, can be useful in near future, affordable, time slot is squeeze-able into our established routine, and the last one is added after many painful experiences. Last one is the school management.

I've come to appreciate friendly school management office.
1. Simple admission and withdrawal rules (none of those few pages of fine print, which requires you to blah-blah-blah... but only in the even of preceding blah-blah-blah...)
2. Friendly helpful staff (none of those fierce stare with crumpled eyebrows, as if you're emitting some nonsensical utterance). And clean too... (<-- hastily added, remembering a few that manned the reception desk while blowing noses, cleaning up nails, *shudder*)


(Admittedly, sometimes I do make allowances for those that doesn't fit there. But only when the lessons are outstanding, and my kid depends on it)

Here is one with outstanding service. My son actually out-grew one of their program. And after trying to find others, we quited. But we only manage to stay away for a few months. I contacted them back, asking for new  classes. So now we're in again.

It is : Learning Horizon
Located at Yio Chu Kang Grassroot Club
http://www.learninghorizon.com.sg/contactus.aspx

And not only that, you can expect quality teachers there too...

Happy learning! :)

Daddy's Wisdom : Function of Stools in the Women's Shoe Section

On Sunday, we went shopping at Orchard area.

My daughter and I were looking at shoes in the women's area (she's my personal shopper).

Then, I saw both Daddy and son slouching on the stool near the wall. Both wearing the same bored, blank, expression (the kind of 'switched-off' peacefully face). The resemblance in the look was uncanny.

Of course, I burst out laughing.

Then, dear hubby proudly explained, 'I have explained to him. This is what boys do when girls look at shoes'.

Thank you very much. :)

[It Works] Berries World of Learning School

We are non-Chinese-speaking family. Both hubby and I know nuts on the language.

However, realizing the benefit of speaking the language in this everything-are-made-in-China age, we were quite adamant (until now) that our offspring pick-up our ancestor's tongue.

Background wise, my first born has tried 'Growing Up Gifted' bilingual enrichment class and Hua Language School before (both are located in United Square).

And since Nursery age we were introduced to a tutor who comes to our house once a week. She's also good, but I'm not sure whether she'd like to be broad casted here.

Last year, back from Parent-Teacher-Conference, I searched for more Chinese school to top up the home tutor. Because the teacher's feedback is that kid-no-1 oral Chinese needs improvement. So we contemplate between increasing the home-tutor frequency and an enrichment class. Finally we opt for class, where, by right, she can interact with her class mate. And... different exposure is good too...

Landed on Bishan's Berries.

[+]
1. They, at least they do give impression of, know their stuff. Curriculum, teaching materials are well prepared. Simple toys such as telephony-cups are included, which yield young kids motivation. If not to learn the Chinese, at least to go for lessons.
2. Teachers are kids friendly. Especially this year, I started 3 years old kid-no-2 too. He loves his teachers there now, after less than 2 months.
3. Gradually difficulties level is increased or mixed. Initially, I thought that they are teaching easier words to accommodate English-speaking kids. But I grew to realize that they are trying to strike a balance. Delicate work, but hey is works.
4. This impressed me. They have a unique system where you can collect lesson-voucher as MC replacement (can be used to offset next term fee). Taking make-up lesson at any day is highly encourage too. Arrangements are surprisingly easy. On top of the two method, we can also arrange one-to-one make up class with shorter class duration. With three option, it's difficult to waste the fee. Leaving me thinking, why didn't all school do the same...
5. The teachers do speak English. Even if it's simple English. Kids won't be so scared then.

[-]
Bad thing for me, but good for the kids.
Parents beware. Berries GIVES homework. Full stop. Every week, kids need to complete a homework which the parents are expected to mark.
Bright side, forcing me to learn too...

How? Let's leave it for another post, need to put two rascals to sleep now. They've been joking and joking on the bed.

[Post published edit] In June '13 haze, Berries has proven to be a good educational institute. They have reacted promptly to enable home based learning for the week affected by the haze. It is not required of them, but they did it. Three cheers for all service provider that goes the extra mile!