Recently, the topic of choosing which Primary School for Junan is often brought up. Mummy thought I still have a lot time, but no, Junan will be in K1 next year and I would need to register him for P1 around mid of K2 (2011). So, if mummy wants to do parent volunteering, I should start now! Or am I too late already!?
So the shortlisting starts...
Jurong West Primary School
Rulang Primary School
Jurong Primary School
Rosyth School
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
I like this:
http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20090601-145228.html
The virus and my vow
BY CLARA CHOW
Mon, Jun 01, 2009
my paper
ATTENTION, H1N1 virus: Thanks to you, I'm being made to look like a lying parent. You, swine (flu), you.
Letme explain. A few months ago, The Supportive Spouse and I planned a trip to Tokyo. It would be our first long-haul family holiday with our three-yearold son, Julian - a feat we wanted to accomplish before our second child arrives in November.
We wanted to take train-mad Julian to a Thomas And Friends railway theme park near Mount Fuji.
For weeks, Julian and I looked forward to visiting Thomas Land in Japan. We found a video of the theme park online, and spent hours watching children board the toy-train rides and roller coasters. Several times a day, he would ask me: 'Are we going to Thomas Land now?'
I explained to him that we had to take a plane there, no small undertaking and one that required us to wait for his Dad to come home from the office.
To that, my inquisitive son asked impatiently: 'Is Papa taking a plane home from work?'
In the end, I showed him the calendar and counted the blank boxes between 'today' and the date of our departure late last month. When he seemed to understand, I gleefully congratulated myself on imparting an important lesson on delayed gratification. Then, the H1N1 flu began spreading in Japan.
The Supportive Spouse and I monitored the news about the outbreak, still harbouring hopes of making our trip. But when the virus surfaced in Tokyo, and friends and family expressed their concerns over our travel plans, we decided to cancel our trip and get a full refund.
The hardest part about our no-go holiday was the thought of letting Julian down. I didn't think a preschooler would quite understand the implications of a pandemic.
Trying to find a substitute for Thomas Land, we bought him his first ez-link card and took him on a journey to nowhere on the MRT. Desperate for him to enjoy himself, I hyped everything up ('Look! People waiting on the platform! Ooh, in-carriage announcement!' were some lame Mummy quips).
The dear child humoured me by checking out everything I pointed at with a happy smile, before falling asleep on my lap 15 minutes later.
If you think three-year-olds are easy to fool, think again. 'Can we pleeease go to Thomas Land?' Julian asked suddenly while I was driving one night.
I silently gripped my husband's hand, willing him to come up with an answer that would let our son down gently. The man, however, muttered something unintelligible.
Finally, I came up with a passable answer: 'Er. We'll have to call the people who run Thomas Land and ask when would be a good time for us to go, okay? Sometimes, the engines get sick, and people are not allowed to visit them. The engines have to get better first before they can see visitors.'
'Oh. Okay,' said Julian in a small voice. His disappointment was all too obvious in the confines of our car.
I doubt Julian will forget about my Thomas Land promises soon. Yet, tasting disappointment is important for him. As parents, we all want to protect our kids from unpleasant things and frustration. But childcare experts believe that such overzealous shielding may ultimately inhibit kids' ability to cope with rejection.
Dealing with these temporary setbacks will let my son grow emotionally, allowing him to acquire the grace and maturity to accept the things he cannot change, and the determination to change what he can.
So, please, H1N1 virus, I am praying that you will be eradicated soon. Because I have a promise to keep and a special place to get to, eventually.
The virus and my vow
BY CLARA CHOW
Mon, Jun 01, 2009
my paper
ATTENTION, H1N1 virus: Thanks to you, I'm being made to look like a lying parent. You, swine (flu), you.
Letme explain. A few months ago, The Supportive Spouse and I planned a trip to Tokyo. It would be our first long-haul family holiday with our three-yearold son, Julian - a feat we wanted to accomplish before our second child arrives in November.
We wanted to take train-mad Julian to a Thomas And Friends railway theme park near Mount Fuji.
For weeks, Julian and I looked forward to visiting Thomas Land in Japan. We found a video of the theme park online, and spent hours watching children board the toy-train rides and roller coasters. Several times a day, he would ask me: 'Are we going to Thomas Land now?'
I explained to him that we had to take a plane there, no small undertaking and one that required us to wait for his Dad to come home from the office.
To that, my inquisitive son asked impatiently: 'Is Papa taking a plane home from work?'
In the end, I showed him the calendar and counted the blank boxes between 'today' and the date of our departure late last month. When he seemed to understand, I gleefully congratulated myself on imparting an important lesson on delayed gratification. Then, the H1N1 flu began spreading in Japan.
The Supportive Spouse and I monitored the news about the outbreak, still harbouring hopes of making our trip. But when the virus surfaced in Tokyo, and friends and family expressed their concerns over our travel plans, we decided to cancel our trip and get a full refund.
The hardest part about our no-go holiday was the thought of letting Julian down. I didn't think a preschooler would quite understand the implications of a pandemic.
Trying to find a substitute for Thomas Land, we bought him his first ez-link card and took him on a journey to nowhere on the MRT. Desperate for him to enjoy himself, I hyped everything up ('Look! People waiting on the platform! Ooh, in-carriage announcement!' were some lame Mummy quips).
The dear child humoured me by checking out everything I pointed at with a happy smile, before falling asleep on my lap 15 minutes later.
If you think three-year-olds are easy to fool, think again. 'Can we pleeease go to Thomas Land?' Julian asked suddenly while I was driving one night.
I silently gripped my husband's hand, willing him to come up with an answer that would let our son down gently. The man, however, muttered something unintelligible.
Finally, I came up with a passable answer: 'Er. We'll have to call the people who run Thomas Land and ask when would be a good time for us to go, okay? Sometimes, the engines get sick, and people are not allowed to visit them. The engines have to get better first before they can see visitors.'
'Oh. Okay,' said Julian in a small voice. His disappointment was all too obvious in the confines of our car.
I doubt Julian will forget about my Thomas Land promises soon. Yet, tasting disappointment is important for him. As parents, we all want to protect our kids from unpleasant things and frustration. But childcare experts believe that such overzealous shielding may ultimately inhibit kids' ability to cope with rejection.
Dealing with these temporary setbacks will let my son grow emotionally, allowing him to acquire the grace and maturity to accept the things he cannot change, and the determination to change what he can.
So, please, H1N1 virus, I am praying that you will be eradicated soon. Because I have a promise to keep and a special place to get to, eventually.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Junan's 1st Performance!
You can see Junan standing nearest to the camera (back facing us) at the beginning of the video. He is holding an yellow scarf. Junan told me they are 'fishes' and mummy realised they are actually pretending to be whales in an ocean :)
* Video courtesy of Ernest's Daddy.
* Video courtesy of Ernest's Daddy.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Meet the parents session
Today's the 2nd 'meet the parents' session at JCK.
We browsed through Junan's work for the term and, as usual, mummy is v.proud of Junan's work.
Junan's teachers told mummy Junan is able to read most of the words taught in school, even recognises some Chinese words. Mummy is pleasantly surprise at Junan's progress and happy that my inconsistent effort in flashing cards, reading story books, scribbling on doodle boards and showing Junan (sometimes boring) educational dvds, actually yield some results! Feedback was relatively good except that Junan, being a boy, tends to be more mischevious.
:D
We browsed through Junan's work for the term and, as usual, mummy is v.proud of Junan's work.
Junan's teachers told mummy Junan is able to read most of the words taught in school, even recognises some Chinese words. Mummy is pleasantly surprise at Junan's progress and happy that my inconsistent effort in flashing cards, reading story books, scribbling on doodle boards and showing Junan (sometimes boring) educational dvds, actually yield some results! Feedback was relatively good except that Junan, being a boy, tends to be more mischevious.
:D
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
This is Mummy's 4th Mother's Day and this year, Junan finally understands that Mother's Day is about flowers, cakes and gifts, and of cos saying "I Love You, Mummy". Heh.. actually, every other day, Mummy will say "I Love You, Junan" and Junan will reciporate by saying "I Love You, Mummy" with a big *Muacks* :)
Ok, so Mummy told Junan it's Mother's Day and so Mummy going to buy a pretty cake for Ah-Ma and 外婆 because Ah-Ma is Daddy's Mother and 外婆 is Mummy's Mother. So we managed to get a pretty teapot yam cake from Break Talk for Junan's Ah-ma and the very popular Lychee Martini cake from Pine Garden for Junan's 外婆.
While we were on the way to 外婆's house for a mother's day lunch, Mummy asked Junan what does he want to buy with the 80 cents in his pocket (Daddy gave Junan the 80 cents earlier).
Mummy: Do you want to buy Thomas the Train with the 80 cents or do you want to buy a mother's day present for mummy and make mummy happy?
Junan: Buy Thomas to make Junan happy (that's very 'encouraging'!)
Mummy: (With a mock sad face) Do you want to buy Thomas or buy present for mummy?
Junan: (sheepishly pointing to mummy) Mummy!
That's very funny and mummy, of cos, won't deprive Junan of a Thomas.
Ok, so Mummy told Junan it's Mother's Day and so Mummy going to buy a pretty cake for Ah-Ma and 外婆 because Ah-Ma is Daddy's Mother and 外婆 is Mummy's Mother. So we managed to get a pretty teapot yam cake from Break Talk for Junan's Ah-ma and the very popular Lychee Martini cake from Pine Garden for Junan's 外婆.
While we were on the way to 外婆's house for a mother's day lunch, Mummy asked Junan what does he want to buy with the 80 cents in his pocket (Daddy gave Junan the 80 cents earlier).
Mummy: Do you want to buy Thomas the Train with the 80 cents or do you want to buy a mother's day present for mummy and make mummy happy?
Junan: Buy Thomas to make Junan happy (that's very 'encouraging'!)
Mummy: (With a mock sad face) Do you want to buy Thomas or buy present for mummy?
Junan: (sheepishly pointing to mummy) Mummy!
That's very funny and mummy, of cos, won't deprive Junan of a Thomas.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Bicycle Ride at Jurong Central Park
It was a hot, humid afternoon and Junan ended up with a few mosquito bites despite having a mosquito patch pasted on his tee (this is the 1st time the patch failed me, or mosquitos here are super strong?!)
In short, Mummy doesn't like this park.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
fruits finally
Junan is finally eating fruits. His choice of fruits now:
Apple
Pear
Orange
Lemon
Grapes
Plum
Kiwi
Watermelon
Papaya *
Mummy will cut the fruits into different shapes. Junan are into shapes recently so I will cut the fruits into shapes like square, semi-circle, quarter-circle, hextagon, triangle, etc.. and i noticed I'm able to get him to eat a few more pieces of fruits this way. The credit actually goes to Daddy for making Junan takes the first step to start eating fruits. However, Mummy will not elaborate on the details here.
* He took 3 pieces and ran away. More effort needed here.
Apple
Pear
Orange
Lemon
Grapes
Plum
Kiwi
Watermelon
Papaya *
Mummy will cut the fruits into different shapes. Junan are into shapes recently so I will cut the fruits into shapes like square, semi-circle, quarter-circle, hextagon, triangle, etc.. and i noticed I'm able to get him to eat a few more pieces of fruits this way. The credit actually goes to Daddy for making Junan takes the first step to start eating fruits. However, Mummy will not elaborate on the details here.
* He took 3 pieces and ran away. More effort needed here.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Take child safety on the road seriously, like in US
Here's a posting by a concerned mummy on SMH forum. I'm sure she would like me to pass on the message. See her last 3 paragraphs on what she observed in Singapore. Things here haven't changed much since she wrote to Straits Time in Feb 2007...
=================================
Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 1:44 pm:
Dear mommies and daddies out there...just want to share the following with you. ...a letter I wrote to the Straits Times last sat on child safety, and watch the Video below on how a healthy, happy 3 year old died because he wasn't in a right carseat.
I hope that all of us will take the safety of our children seriously, and get good safety seats for them!
--------------
Feb 3, 2007
Take child safety on the road seriously, like in US
ON DEC 1, 2001, the United States required that all children under the age of eight be secured in child safety seats in the rear of the car. Children below the age of one and 9kg must be seated rear facing and, thereafter, they can be seated front facing.
On Oct 1, 2002, Singapore imposed similar requirements, with slight differences in age requirements.
Having delivered my child in the US while on overseas deployment, I am all too familiar with US laws, which are drummed into parents through parenting shows, birth classes, magazines, etc.
The importance of using a child safety seat is also reinforced by hospitals, where parents are allowed to take their baby home only if they present an infant car seat that has been installed properly in the vehicle. Parents who are clueless as to how to install the safety seat can seek assistance at fire stations.
In Arizona where I had my child, motorists who do not use child safety seats are subjected to a civil penalty of US$50 (S$77) plus court-imposed surcharges, which come up to about US$300. The penalty varies by state, but all 50 states have laws on children buckling up.
The safety of children is held in high regard in the US, where it is almost impossible to find a child roaming freely in the rear seat or unrestrained in safety seats.
However, it is a different story in Singapore. In the two months since my return, I have seen countless cases where infants are carried in the arms of grandparents and parents while riding in the back and even the front of the car.
Children younger than eight years old can be seen seated in the front seat of cars, secured only by the seat belt, without a booster seat. Children can also often be seen playing in the back of the car, without booster seats or seatbelts. These incidents are accidents waiting to happen. It has been shown that infants and children not secured in safety seats can be injured seriously or killed in a crash, even at low speed. Parents' arms are not strong enough to hold and protect the baby in the event of an accident.
With the number of accidents increasing over the years, it is time that parents do more to protect their children while riding in a vehicle.
(FULL NAME REMOVED)
Please also watch this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ
=================================
Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 1:44 pm:
Dear mommies and daddies out there...just want to share the following with you. ...a letter I wrote to the Straits Times last sat on child safety, and watch the Video below on how a healthy, happy 3 year old died because he wasn't in a right carseat.
I hope that all of us will take the safety of our children seriously, and get good safety seats for them!
--------------
Feb 3, 2007
Take child safety on the road seriously, like in US
ON DEC 1, 2001, the United States required that all children under the age of eight be secured in child safety seats in the rear of the car. Children below the age of one and 9kg must be seated rear facing and, thereafter, they can be seated front facing.
On Oct 1, 2002, Singapore imposed similar requirements, with slight differences in age requirements.
Having delivered my child in the US while on overseas deployment, I am all too familiar with US laws, which are drummed into parents through parenting shows, birth classes, magazines, etc.
The importance of using a child safety seat is also reinforced by hospitals, where parents are allowed to take their baby home only if they present an infant car seat that has been installed properly in the vehicle. Parents who are clueless as to how to install the safety seat can seek assistance at fire stations.
In Arizona where I had my child, motorists who do not use child safety seats are subjected to a civil penalty of US$50 (S$77) plus court-imposed surcharges, which come up to about US$300. The penalty varies by state, but all 50 states have laws on children buckling up.
The safety of children is held in high regard in the US, where it is almost impossible to find a child roaming freely in the rear seat or unrestrained in safety seats.
However, it is a different story in Singapore. In the two months since my return, I have seen countless cases where infants are carried in the arms of grandparents and parents while riding in the back and even the front of the car.
Children younger than eight years old can be seen seated in the front seat of cars, secured only by the seat belt, without a booster seat. Children can also often be seen playing in the back of the car, without booster seats or seatbelts. These incidents are accidents waiting to happen. It has been shown that infants and children not secured in safety seats can be injured seriously or killed in a crash, even at low speed. Parents' arms are not strong enough to hold and protect the baby in the event of an accident.
With the number of accidents increasing over the years, it is time that parents do more to protect their children while riding in a vehicle.
(FULL NAME REMOVED)
Please also watch this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ
Mummy's Mood: Annoyed, Irritated, Pissed.
Someone(s) brought Junan for a drive. In a heavy vehicle. No car seat. Maybe not even belted up.
This is the 2nd time mummy felt so mad. 1st time was: Saloon car. Inexperienced driver. No car seat. Seat belt or no?
A certain someone need to ensure there won't be a 3rd time.
If you are still not aware, mummy is very particular (read: anal) about junan travelling in a vehicle and NOT being in a car seat. It's only when absolutely necessary that I would travel in cabs or any other vehicles (with Junan belted up, of cos).
If you still can't feel how strongly mummy feels about this issue about car seats & being belted up, read my previous posts:
http://jun-an.blogspot.com/2008/11/importance-of-5-point-harness-carseat.html
http://jun-an.blogspot.com/2008/05/high-maintenance-baby.html
This is the 2nd time mummy felt so mad. 1st time was: Saloon car. Inexperienced driver. No car seat. Seat belt or no?
A certain someone need to ensure there won't be a 3rd time.
If you are still not aware, mummy is very particular (read: anal) about junan travelling in a vehicle and NOT being in a car seat. It's only when absolutely necessary that I would travel in cabs or any other vehicles (with Junan belted up, of cos).
If you still can't feel how strongly mummy feels about this issue about car seats & being belted up, read my previous posts:
http://jun-an.blogspot.com/2008/11/importance-of-5-point-harness-carseat.html
http://jun-an.blogspot.com/2008/05/high-maintenance-baby.html
Sunday, March 29, 2009
D for Diarrhea
Junan has been having intermittent constipation for some time now. Due to the fact that he doesn't like to eat fruits. Not enough fiber in his diet.
So when PD told mummy that the cold he is having now will cause some vomiting (he did on Friday night) and diarrhea, mummy wasn't too concerned and still thinking how to resolve his constipation problem. Imagine my surprise when junan told mummy he wants to go to the loo and the minute we reached the cubicle, out came the watery stool.
The next thing i knew was Junan saying "D for Diarrhea". No one told him that before. So he sort of figured it out himself. I'm beginning to see the fruits of those phonics lessons taught in GUG (& JCK?). I'm concerned about his diarrhea but I'm happy that he is learning :)
So when PD told mummy that the cold he is having now will cause some vomiting (he did on Friday night) and diarrhea, mummy wasn't too concerned and still thinking how to resolve his constipation problem. Imagine my surprise when junan told mummy he wants to go to the loo and the minute we reached the cubicle, out came the watery stool.
The next thing i knew was Junan saying "D for Diarrhea". No one told him that before. So he sort of figured it out himself. I'm beginning to see the fruits of those phonics lessons taught in GUG (& JCK?). I'm concerned about his diarrhea but I'm happy that he is learning :)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Totally Toilet Trained. Almost!
Junan crossed another milestone. He doesn't need diapers anymore, not even at night. We started toilet-training late, so mummy v. happy that he is diaper-free now. Just one last step.. is to let teachers know when he need to poo. Maybe he is shy. heh. but mummy believe he will soon be able to do that as well :)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
New pesticide guide - which fruits and veggies have the most?
http://www.examiner.com/x-621-Green-Business-Examiner~y2009m3d12-New-pesticide-guide--which-fruits-and-veggies-have-the-most
I like this report on pesticides and food... this explains to daddy why mummy don't like apple skin.
Full list of food tested at: http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php
US study finds carcinogens in kids' bath products
http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20090317-129181.htm
Full list of products tested: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-12-formaldehyde_N.htm#table
It's depressing to see such news reports but heartening to know organisations such as EWG (http://www.ewg.org/kidsafe) are advocating for a safer world to live in
EWG tracks new reports at: http://www.ewg.org/content/clip/14
Full list of products tested: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-12-formaldehyde_N.htm#table
It's depressing to see such news reports but heartening to know organisations such as EWG (http://www.ewg.org/kidsafe) are advocating for a safer world to live in
EWG tracks new reports at: http://www.ewg.org/content/clip/14
Monday, March 16, 2009
Change of Profile Pic
Junan has grown to be a little boy now and mummy decides it's time to change his profile pic...
In case you don't remember, this is his very first profile pic (taken on 3rd June 2007):
In case you don't remember, this is his very first profile pic (taken on 3rd June 2007):
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Food Additives
Mummy came across one website trying to create awareness of the harmful effects of Food Additives in processed food: http://www.kidsforlife.com.sg/
They have this very useful pocket guide stating the list of additives to avoid: http://www.kidsforlife.com.sg/pdf/additiveCrib_printout.pdf
Mummy is going to print this and to show this to anyone who tries to offer 'harmful' food to junan. The occasional 'treat' is ok but not something long term. Like the Hello Panda biscuits... the strawberry and chocolate version contain artificial food colouring. There was a period of time when junan ate these biscuits almost everyday. Mummy put a stop to it.
See mummy's previous posts on food additives:
http://jun-an.blogspot.com/2008/07/keeping-tabs-on-food-colouring.html
http://jun-an.blogspot.com/2008/10/eu-yan-seng-clinic.html (on the anti-histamine Aerius)
They have this very useful pocket guide stating the list of additives to avoid: http://www.kidsforlife.com.sg/pdf/additiveCrib_printout.pdf
Mummy is going to print this and to show this to anyone who tries to offer 'harmful' food to junan. The occasional 'treat' is ok but not something long term. Like the Hello Panda biscuits... the strawberry and chocolate version contain artificial food colouring. There was a period of time when junan ate these biscuits almost everyday. Mummy put a stop to it.
See mummy's previous posts on food additives:
http://jun-an.blogspot.com/2008/07/keeping-tabs-on-food-colouring.html
http://jun-an.blogspot.com/2008/10/eu-yan-seng-clinic.html (on the anti-histamine Aerius)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
No more HFMD and Back to School
PD certified Junan ok to go back to school on Wednesday (4/03). But because Thursday was Parents Day and Friday a no-school day. Junan went back to school only on Monday (11/3). So it was 2 full weeks of 'MC' for Junan.
The tough parts about this HFMD episode were (1) the fact the Junan refused to eat or drink the first 3-4 days. The only stuff he can swallow was ice cream and lauging cow cheese cubes. Took only 2 bottle of milk when he's hungry. Mummy was so worried that he would get dehydrated. (2) Junan being very very cranky. He screamed, shouted, cried at the instance of the tiniest discomfort, or when he couldn't get his way at anytime. Everything must be done accordingly to his way.
However, I believe Junan got the mild version of HFMD. He got only a few ulcers and several red dots on his hand and feet, but the sore throat must be quite bad. Things started looking better after 4-5 days. His case is definitely better than those horror stories that I see from the news with the child having to be hospitalised, etc., etc. Still, mummy don't wish to go through this again. No more HFMD please.
The tough parts about this HFMD episode were (1) the fact the Junan refused to eat or drink the first 3-4 days. The only stuff he can swallow was ice cream and lauging cow cheese cubes. Took only 2 bottle of milk when he's hungry. Mummy was so worried that he would get dehydrated. (2) Junan being very very cranky. He screamed, shouted, cried at the instance of the tiniest discomfort, or when he couldn't get his way at anytime. Everything must be done accordingly to his way.
However, I believe Junan got the mild version of HFMD. He got only a few ulcers and several red dots on his hand and feet, but the sore throat must be quite bad. Things started looking better after 4-5 days. His case is definitely better than those horror stories that I see from the news with the child having to be hospitalised, etc., etc. Still, mummy don't wish to go through this again. No more HFMD please.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
HFMD. my gosh.
The PD confirms Junan has HFMD today.
Mummy rushed Junan down to the clinic at 3.30pm today because he refused to eat or drink anything since morning. He seems to have a bad sore throat or ulcers. Still feverish. PD saw 5 ulcers in his mouth and 1-2 red dots on his hands and feet and declares Junan has HFMD.
Junan is getting very cranky. Screaming and crying and shouting at the slightest thing that gets in his way.
Mummy rushed Junan down to the clinic at 3.30pm today because he refused to eat or drink anything since morning. He seems to have a bad sore throat or ulcers. Still feverish. PD saw 5 ulcers in his mouth and 1-2 red dots on his hands and feet and declares Junan has HFMD.
Junan is getting very cranky. Screaming and crying and shouting at the slightest thing that gets in his way.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Feb - always a busy month for mummy..
Mummy has been working into the wee hours and back facing my laptop again at 8.30am the next day (that's after making sure junan settles down in school every morning). It was maggie mee for both lunch AND dinner one day... and mac for lunch AND dinner the next.
While mummy makes a mental check on the urgent tasks need to be done, Junan suddenly runs a fever at 39 degrees. And of cos, Junan is more important than any work.. which is why mummy didn't managed to do much work over the weekend (which means late late nights for the next few days).
After nursing junan yesterday night and today, mummy is glad that his fever finally came down (37.7 now). Hope he will be well soon.
While mummy makes a mental check on the urgent tasks need to be done, Junan suddenly runs a fever at 39 degrees. And of cos, Junan is more important than any work.. which is why mummy didn't managed to do much work over the weekend (which means late late nights for the next few days).
After nursing junan yesterday night and today, mummy is glad that his fever finally came down (37.7 now). Hope he will be well soon.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Vaccinations
Mummy came across this site below and was reminded yet again that I need to bring junan for the chickenpox vaccine. Mummy hates to procrastinate so will try to make it a point to arrange a vaccination for junan soon.
btw, mummy took this vaccine years ago and to date no chicken pox.
http://www.karrifamilyclinic.com.sg/search/label/Vaccinations
btw, mummy took this vaccine years ago and to date no chicken pox.
http://www.karrifamilyclinic.com.sg/search/label/Vaccinations
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Junan's School Work - My Friend
JCK likes to display the work of their students on walls of the school. And of cos proud mummy like me can't resist taking a photo or two of my dear son's work :) I believe the theme of this craft work is "My Friend" :)
P.S. The theme for this piece of work is "Me" instead of "My Friend" - 21/05/09
Monday, February 2, 2009
Legato & Staccato
JCK incorporates Kindermusik into their curriculum and this is something mummy is quite excited about. And when junan received his first kindermusik 'take-home' set, mummy played the CD that comes with the set and was very surprised when he can differentiates legato and staccato notes :) the teachers in school did a great job! Mummy can see junan enjoys doing the actions to some of the songs :D
here's the kindermusik link: http://www.kindermusik.com.sg/curricula_abc.htm
here's the kindermusik link: http://www.kindermusik.com.sg/curricula_abc.htm
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
separation anxiety?
junan cried when we dropped him in school today. this is the 2nd time so far. the first was last thursday. mummy is very puzzled because he was ok for the 2 months in just kids and the first 2 weeks at JCK he was perfectly fine. always happy and looking forward to school.
is it separation anxiety? lack of sleep? bullies (i saw this boy pinched junan's face on the very first day of school)? teachers (but i know junan quite likes one of his teachers)? or maybe it's the usual crankiness before falling sick?
mummy is making a lot of wild guesses.. another mummy told me it's quite common for kids to cry after first few weeks of being ok in school. so i'm hoping everything is fine and my junan will be back to his cheerful mode soon! he is by default a happy boy u know.
is it separation anxiety? lack of sleep? bullies (i saw this boy pinched junan's face on the very first day of school)? teachers (but i know junan quite likes one of his teachers)? or maybe it's the usual crankiness before falling sick?
mummy is making a lot of wild guesses.. another mummy told me it's quite common for kids to cry after first few weeks of being ok in school. so i'm hoping everything is fine and my junan will be back to his cheerful mode soon! he is by default a happy boy u know.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
running nose and cough
9 Jan 09: Paracentamol
16 Jan 09: Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup.
21 Jan 09: Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup.
ok, junan has a sensitive nose. that explains the frequency of him getting running nose and cough.. and now that he is in a preschool environment.. and the air quality around here wasn't exactly the best.. mummy just hopes it will be a quick recovery for junan everytime.
16 Jan 09: Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup.
21 Jan 09: Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup.
ok, junan has a sensitive nose. that explains the frequency of him getting running nose and cough.. and now that he is in a preschool environment.. and the air quality around here wasn't exactly the best.. mummy just hopes it will be a quick recovery for junan everytime.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Preschool staff: TEACHERS or NANNIES?
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20081229-111020.html
Preschool staff: TEACHERS or NANNIES?
Tue, Dec 30, 2008
The Straits Times
By Mavis Toh
We don't get much respect. We teach one minute and clean bottoms the next. We don't get much pay too.
That is the collective sentiment of preschool teachers, at least going by a Sunday Times survey.
Indeed, when we visited a preschool centre in Jurong East recently, a teacher was busy at the reception area taking the temperatures of tots and checking their mouths for sores.
In a classroom, another teacher was feeding porridge to a group of toddlers. In the bathroom, a two-year-old boy was being given a shower by another teacher.
One of these preschool educators, Ms Lu Xiu Ye, 39, noted wryly that many parents see them as mere nannies.
'Besides teaching these children, we take care of their daily needs. But it's a thankless job, and parents don't give us much respect,' she said.
Issues like low pay, lack of skills upgrading and poor self-esteem have resulted in a perennial problem - a high staff turnover.
On the other hand, as announced in Parliament last month by Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, 200 more childcare centres will be ready by 2013. This is to meet the demands of working parents and those seeking early childhood programmes.
As of January this year, there were 739 centres.
Acknowledging the challenges facing the industry, Mrs Yu-Foo said these are not to do with 'the hardware but in attracting people' to work as childcare providers.
On Dec 14, the Workforce Development Agency appointed Regional Training and Resource Centre Asia (RTRC) as Singapore's first continuing education training centre.
RTRC will train more than 1,500 people over the next three years to meet the growing manpower demands in the preschool sector.
Five preschool centre managers contacted said low salaries, together with poor public perception of the job, have made it difficult to attract and retain staff.
In a survey of 5,000 preschool teachers done by the Education Services Union last year, 34 per cent wanted to leave their jobs within 12 months. More than half said their main grouse was the low pay.
Currently, teachers with diplomas in preschool education are paid about $1,500 to $1,800 a month. Those with certificates in preschool teaching get about $1,400 to $1,650.
They get diplomas and certificates from institutions like Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the RTRC.
At least eight people have written to The Straits Times Forum page recently calling for childcare teachers' pay and skills to be raised.
In her letter, former preschool teacher Marissa Teo, 25, said preschool teachers find it hard to multi-task, going from 'teaching one minute to cleaning backsides the next'.
Unlike kindergartens where the kids spend about four hours, the tots can log up to 12 hours at childcare centres.
Former preschool teacher Anuradha Ratty, 25, said many parents see preschool teachers as 'maid replacements'.
'They don't toilet-train their kids or bother if their kids come to school soiled. They expect the teacher to do all the work,' she said. She recalled working at a centre where teachers washed toilets during lunch breaks.
'We really don't mind if we are being appreciated, but we aren't,' said teacher X.L. Wong, 36. 'We don't get the respect primary school teachers get. We aren't seen as educators.'
The 10 preschool teachers contacted also spoke of constant staff shortage, with colleagues taking medical leave regularly.
'It got to a point where I was running from the kindergarten to nursery to infant classes,' said Ms Lynette Khoo, 29. She also had to spend time after work to prepare lessons and tidy up the school.
The teachers feel that they should be given opportunities to upgrade their skills and knowledge.
Only 55 per cent of the 7,500 preschool teachers have at least a diploma and a pass in English.
To raise standards, industry entrants from next year will need five O-level passes, instead of three now, and a diploma. The length of the course will be doubled from 18 months to three years.
Dr Christine Chen, president of the Association for Early Childhood Educators (Singapore), said that previously, preschool education was pursued by 'anyone who loves children' because there were no entry qualifications.
That was a reason the pay was low, she said. 'But if we set higher requirements in teacher education and professional standards, salaries will improve accordingly.'
Agreeing, Cherrybrook Kindergarten supervisor Monica Lim said: 'Parents don't quite appreciate preschool education yet. But if you want quality, you have to pay for it.'
Ms Ratty's view is that the pay structure has to improve. In her five years of service, she received little or no bonus and her employer upped her pay by only $50 when she received her degree.
Many colleagues have moved on to new jobs that 'pay better and are less of a hassle'.
Mrs Eileen Hee, general manager of Just Kids Learning Place, said younger teachers usually do not stay more than a year.
'It's different from what they had expected and they can't accept having to clean up after the kids,' she said. Most of her longer-service teachers are mothers in their late 30s and early 40s.
Preschool teachers have another wish: assistants to help out so they can focus more on lessons.
Others said the schools should operate the way primary schools do, so as to command due respect and appropriate benefits.
'We are educators, not babysitters. The public needs to see us as professionals who lay the foundation for young minds,' said teacher Val Ho.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
fever and flu again..
Mummy wish i don't have to log junan's medicine so frequently, but here it is again...
sunday 21 dec:
paracentamol + brufen
monday 22 dec:
paracentamol + brufen
tuesday 23 dec:
fever seems to be gone but flu came. so tcm powder
wednesday 24 dec: fever is back so more paracentamol + tcm powder
thursday 25 dec: the cough seems to be getting worse. coughing constantly. the weird thing is the cough stops when junan is sleeping. mummy decided to switch to PD's medicine.. Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup. Cough immediately seems better. and the weird thing now is junan coughs while sleeping.. it's amazing to see how the different schools of medicine control/cure the symptons.. Still on paracentamol, just in case the fever comes back.
friday 26 dec: Cough is better, running nose worse.. Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup
saturday 27 dec: Cough a few times but having running nose is bad... Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup
so basically, we spent our X'mas in Penang and with Junan having a very bad cough..
sunday 21 dec:
paracentamol + brufen
monday 22 dec:
paracentamol + brufen
tuesday 23 dec:
fever seems to be gone but flu came. so tcm powder
wednesday 24 dec: fever is back so more paracentamol + tcm powder
thursday 25 dec: the cough seems to be getting worse. coughing constantly. the weird thing is the cough stops when junan is sleeping. mummy decided to switch to PD's medicine.. Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup. Cough immediately seems better. and the weird thing now is junan coughs while sleeping.. it's amazing to see how the different schools of medicine control/cure the symptons.. Still on paracentamol, just in case the fever comes back.
friday 26 dec: Cough is better, running nose worse.. Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup
saturday 27 dec: Cough a few times but having running nose is bad... Rhinthiol Promethazine, Ventolin Syrup, Actified Syrup
so basically, we spent our X'mas in Penang and with Junan having a very bad cough..
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Re: Colour Preference
ok, the sequence is Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple..
you know, initially mummy thought junan's preference for warm colours is just random, just him... but a few days ago, it suddenly dawned on me that all these colours are rainbow colours and they are in sequence! and of course junan doesn't quite know the difference between indigo and violet yet. To him, both are purple :) And after purple, comes white, black and grey.. and mummy is still trying to figure out why.
you know, initially mummy thought junan's preference for warm colours is just random, just him... but a few days ago, it suddenly dawned on me that all these colours are rainbow colours and they are in sequence! and of course junan doesn't quite know the difference between indigo and violet yet. To him, both are purple :) And after purple, comes white, black and grey.. and mummy is still trying to figure out why.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Standard Chartered Marathon 2008
Daddy at the Standard Chartered Marathon 2008.
This is his 3rd marathon so far. Maybe Junan can join him for the Kids Dash next year :)
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Colour Preference
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue...
Junan is very predictable (at least with colours). He will always pick the red colour pencil first (his favourite), then orange (his next favourite) and the list goes on..
