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.
Showing posts with label tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tools. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
[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. :)
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. :)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
[It Works] Kumon Reading Workbooks
As all mommies, I tried many tricks, gimmicks, tools... that promised to help the kids' learning.
One VERY valuable lesson I learnt is that the tool (be it books, toys, flash card, games, etc) should be used at the appropriate time and age.
There is no magic formula to specify recommended time. Some suggests early morning. But to one mommy I know, her kids learning starts at 10 pm at night. For my own, I see their mood. Mostly I tried to coax them doing all workbooks in the morning, and for the rest of the day stealing teachable moments here and there.
Age wise, simply put, ... don't trust the box! :) But it can be a more-or-less guideline though.
On top, some tools are good, some deliver less than their claims.
Here's one good one: Kumon Reading Workbooks
[+]
1. Highly illustrative in colorful pages.
2. My favorite bit is that it progresses steadily throughout the lessons, so that the kids can learn at their own pace, and there is no big jump here and there. Nicely composed.
3. It is designed to be able to be done individually, without adult companionship.
4. And, since my daughter has finished the first book, I found out that they also teach grammar and all, eventually.
5. Printed on sturdy paper, ideal for writing, erasing, writing... scribbling...
[-]
Hmmm... It costs about SGD 10 per book.
By the way, my daughter is now five, going to K2 next year. I think I discovered this quite late. Feel free to try for your K1s.
PS : I am not in any way representing Kumon. This is a neutral opinion, from a mom to mommies out there.
One VERY valuable lesson I learnt is that the tool (be it books, toys, flash card, games, etc) should be used at the appropriate time and age.
There is no magic formula to specify recommended time. Some suggests early morning. But to one mommy I know, her kids learning starts at 10 pm at night. For my own, I see their mood. Mostly I tried to coax them doing all workbooks in the morning, and for the rest of the day stealing teachable moments here and there.
Age wise, simply put, ... don't trust the box! :) But it can be a more-or-less guideline though.
On top, some tools are good, some deliver less than their claims.
Here's one good one: Kumon Reading Workbooks
[+]
1. Highly illustrative in colorful pages.
2. My favorite bit is that it progresses steadily throughout the lessons, so that the kids can learn at their own pace, and there is no big jump here and there. Nicely composed.
3. It is designed to be able to be done individually, without adult companionship.
4. And, since my daughter has finished the first book, I found out that they also teach grammar and all, eventually.
5. Printed on sturdy paper, ideal for writing, erasing, writing... scribbling...
[-]
Hmmm... It costs about SGD 10 per book.
By the way, my daughter is now five, going to K2 next year. I think I discovered this quite late. Feel free to try for your K1s.
PS : I am not in any way representing Kumon. This is a neutral opinion, from a mom to mommies out there.
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