[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.

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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.

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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. :)

[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

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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...

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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.