teaching your toddler-preschool kid

[lilsaintsm0m]

yung anak ko mas maganda ang sulat pag walang dotted lines for tracing. Pag meron ganun bako2x sulat niya. Natuto lang siya magwrite using his drawing board when he turned 3 super galing na niya in writing. Di ko naman siya natutukan dun basta makita lang niya yung picture with words especially mga logo ginagaya niya. Marunong na siya mag lettering yung tipong 2dimensional? Ako highschool ko palang natutunan yun.

[mom_G]

^wow sis, ang galing ng anak mo!  yung akin, he gets bored tracing letters/numbers.  he knows how they look like so he prefers writing them on his own, kahit pangit tignan yung letters!  he likes writing or painting on a blank piece of paper kesa yung tracing or coloring books.  iba-iba talaga ang trip ng mga kids natin

[tiggerlily]

@hunny_ally: yan nga ang nireresearch ko now. kung ano ba ang mga requirements/certifications. kaso magka-cram na naman pala ako kasi need ko na pala magresearch about his school for grade 1. yaiks. we're planning on a chinese school since sa chinese school nag-aral si husband. alam ko maarte ang chinese schools sa kung san ka nagtransfer from e.

hindi kaya sya mahirapan na nag-aaral sya ng second and third language? although he speaks tagalog and english na ngayon. hmmm...

[helencons]

hindi kaya sya mahirapan na nag-aaral sya ng second and third language? although he speaks tagalog and english na ngayon. hmmm...

In my son's case (4.2 yrs old), he did not have a hard time learning a third language, mandarin. I must admit though that he doesn't speak much Filipino, but I know he fully understands the language 'coz he has Filipino-speaking playmates in our subdivision.  In fact, he mimicks his playmates on some occasions or asks me to translate english words to Filipino.  Going back to mandarin, he learns mandarin words quickly and retains it. He knows how to say simple sentences in mandarin and translates them in english for me.I took this as a sign that he comprehends the language and he can be quite particular about the way I pronounce the words, if I say it differently daw, it changes meaning.In school though, he is usually the only one who gets a star from his mandarin teacher, some of his classmates don't take too much interest on mandarin.They say younger kids can  take on new language easily than adults.I guess it helps if the child is interested in learning the language and you give him positive reinforcement for his efforts.I'm just thankful that he shows interest in learning mandarin, in fact, he savors the idea that he knows something that mommy doesn't know much.

[lilsaintsm0m]

thanks mom_G. Ilang taon na ba anak mo ok na yung ganyang simula sa papel basta nahiligan niya magsulat tuloy tuloy na yan kahit sa tracing di na siya tatanggi Yung anak ko nga nagulat pag pasok sa school sabi niya may linya linya daw yung book niya. HAHA. Nakakahinayang lang din kasi ang papel kaya minsan sa drawing board ko siya pinapasulat. So far sa lahat ng toys niya yung mga boards niya bugbog sa gamit.

[tiggerlily]

^^thanks sis! for him to learn chinese, kailangan siguro talaga na exposed pa rin sya sa mga nagsasalita ng chinese. i have no choice but to enroll him in a regular school. OR we're both enrolling in a language class para matuto.

[helencons]

^I've observed that it takes exposure and interest to learn the language.I have officemates who went to xavier and other well known chinese schools where they were taught chinese but they never really retained the language.I have a niece who can speak and write mandarin because she lives in singapore, but she only uses the language in school just to get good grades in mandarin where it is a staple in their curriculum.Outside school she doesn't want to practice it.

I do agree that its better if he has someone in his life who can speak the language with him. I also plan to study mandarin to keep up with my son. As of the moment, he converses with his mandarin teacher in school who welcomes his curiosity for the language.

[yapeegurl]

tiggerlily, I had the same concern regarding 3rd language. Since my son was 18 months old until the end of this year, November 2011, he was enrolled in an English class at Julia Gabriel Playgroup. Next year, January 2012, he'll be in Nursery 2. Since we're based in Singapore, Mandarin is part of their curriculum. I raised this concern with the school's Directress yesterday (open house nila and inenroll na namin for next year) since we do not speak Mandarin at home. First time ng son ko ang bilingual program (English and Mandarin). As per the Directress, having the child well rooted in two languages (English and Tagalog) helps him learn a third (Mandarin). However, if the child's exposure to two foreign languages is weak, then the 3rd language could work against him.

Since my son's English have been already established during his playgroup days at school and at home, we're slowly injecting tagalog words when we converse. But for next year, we're planning to enroll him in British Council classes maybe twice a week since half day lang naman ang school nya (7:30am to 1pm). I want his weekends free.

Haps, saan school pala si Hershey? We enrolled Kyle at Cambridge. They have Penmanship classes in the afternoon. That is, if you take up the full day class. Penmanship, art, drama, gym classes iyan na alternate. It's inclusive sa tuition fee. Mas mahal ng $200.ii

[tiggerlily]

Thanks mga sis. Hanapan ko ng solution ito. Sana nga interesado din matuto ang anak ko para hindi sayang ang effort. di ko naman kasi maitanong sa kanya e. trial and error pa kapag bata.

[hunny_ally]

mommies, feedback naman on how big schools conduct their entrance exams.

my daughter's current preschool is until nursery only so we're on a lookout now for a school for next year. i submitted her application in a school in makati last friday and medyo nagulat ako when they said that it's a combo of written and oral. nag-panic naman ako since writing talaga is my daughter's weakness.

[iceebaby]

mommies, feedback naman on how big schools conduct their entrance exams.

my daughter's current preschool is until nursery only so we're on a lookout now for a school for next year. i submitted her application in a school in makati last friday and medyo nagulat ako when they said that it's a combo of written and oral. nag-panic naman ako since writing talaga is my daughter's weakness.

My son had his entrance exam in OBMCI.  Weakness din ng anak ko ang writing/penmanship.  Late writer siya and weak talaga pati tripod grip niya till 4 siya (6 na siya now, and no prob).

For preschoolers, mixed of oral and written pero don't worry sis.  Kahit sa written, alam nila na may kids that have not mastered the writing yet so they'll explain first the instruction then itatanong sa kid ang sagot and if hindi pa kaya i-spell or write... they will assist.

In the case ng anak ko (for Prep na nga e). He passed and nagulat ako that he was able to answer well kahit na mahina sa mgo copy work and writing.

Nawala na ang kaba ko. haha! hope this helps.

[slickchick]

my son is currently in Kinder and Writing is the subject he despises most. i got his report card for the first quarter, and he's doing well (above 90) in his other academic subjects (Reading, Language, Math). sa Writing lang sya nagkaroon ng grade below 90. medyo mahaba rin name nya so nakakadagdag pa yun sa pressure na pinagdadaanan nya sa Writing class nya. i try to buy him attractive pencils (even yung scented ones!) para lang ma-engganyo sya magsulat. pero minsan talaga, lalo na kapag mahaba na yung writing activity nya, nauubos din yung patience level ng anak ko. any tips on how to make Writing more fun for kids? thanks po in advance! 

[iceebaby]

Sis, my 6 year old had problems din with writing.  Sobra! In Nursery - his grip (tripod grip) is weak (akala namin left-handed), at kinder - he hated copy work and didn't really want to write any letters/short poems.  Worse, we thought dyslexic because he writes letters backwards and sometimes even his nickname.  Mahaba din full name niya, kaya 1st name lang ang prinactice ko.

Now, nagulat ako.  He's in Prep and parang bigla nalang nag normal ang writing. They are also taught script na pero he loves it pa.  Nagulat ako talaga. From a writing hater to desiring to be so good in script/writing!

I stopped him from school for a year to do homeschool (he went to school at 3 kasi - I feel too early for boys).  I bought Handwriting Without Tears (hwtears.com) and what I learned there is to teach them structured writing of letters (not free writing to prevent reversals).  Also, they teach starting your letters at the top, all the time and have them rate their own writing (ask them which is their favorite letter they feel that looks really nice) - I give him a red pen pa (parang teacher).

Also we do 1 letter per week on writing (no stress on me and him).  We make letter shapes using Pocky sticks or pasta noodles.

I didn't let him do too much copywork that time.  We would just do literary things or creative writing.  I make the initial boring story, then he fills up his story in blocks by drawing the story.  Check this: http://mamamiakiddos.blogspot.com/2010/10/creative-way-to-make-kids-write-their.html

Then, free access to paper, sticky tapes, colors, pens at home whenever, wherever.

He picked it on and now he has learned to love writing.

Don't worry sis, kids have their own timing into these things too. We're just here to encourage them. Hay... challenge!

[tiggerlily]

^Yep! Talaga naman. Bigla na lang surprise! Marunong na sila. Nakakataba lang ng puso lalo na kapag ikaw ang nagturo.

[hunny_ally]

My son had his entrance exam in OBMCI.  Weakness din ng anak ko ang writing/penmanship.  Late writer siya and weak talaga pati tripod grip niya till 4 siya (6 na siya now, and no prob).

For preschoolers, mixed of oral and written pero don't worry sis.  Kahit sa written, alam nila na may kids that have not mastered the writing yet so they'll explain first the instruction then itatanong sa kid ang sagot and if hindi pa kaya i-spell or write... they will assist.

In the case ng anak ko (for Prep na nga e). He passed and nagulat ako that he was able to answer well kahit na mahina sa mgo copy work and writing.

Nawala na ang kaba ko. haha! hope this helps.

Thanks thanks! I was able to talk to the academic coordinator in my daughter's school and she said the test for her level Is very basic Lang naman. Mostly about letters, numbers, shapes and puzzles/patterns. I think this is something my daughter can manage even kahit written lol

They will have too a short interview daw. The coordinator said that it is important daw that she answers in complete sentences. I've been practicing her (actually since summer pa) on that. The coordinator said that she'll remind my daughter's teacher to coach her too during their one-on-one time.

[iceebaby]

Best days ahead, sis hunny_ally!

I was literally so worried din before the entrance exam, from summer din nagprapractice at even just a few minutes away from school we're reviewing (his name, birthday, etc...) na pinatigil na ako ni hubby.  Sobra na daw ako at kaya na ng anak namin yun. haha!

I believe, your lil one would do well too!

[slickchick]

Sis, my 6 year old had problems din with writing.  Sobra! In Nursery - his grip (tripod grip) is weak (akala namin left-handed), at kinder - he hated copy work and didn't really want to write any letters/short poems.  Worse, we thought dyslexic because he writes letters backwards and sometimes even his nickname.  Mahaba din full name niya, kaya 1st name lang ang prinactice ko.

Now, nagulat ako.  He's in Prep and parang bigla nalang nag normal ang writing. They are also taught script na pero he loves it pa.  Nagulat ako talaga. From a writing hater to desiring to be so good in script/writing!

I stopped him from school for a year to do homeschool (he went to school at 3 kasi - I feel too early for boys).  I bought Handwriting Without Tears (hwtears.com) and what I learned there is to teach them structured writing of letters (not free writing to prevent reversals).  Also, they teach starting your letters at the top, all the time and have them rate their own writing (ask them which is their favorite letter they feel that looks really nice) - I give him a red pen pa (parang teacher).

Also we do 1 letter per week on writing (no stress on me and him).  We make letter shapes using Pocky sticks or pasta noodles.

I didn't let him do too much copywork that time.  We would just do literary things or creative writing.  I make the initial boring story, then he fills up his story in blocks by drawing the story.  Check this: http://mamamiakiddos.blogspot.com/2010/10/creative-way-to-make-kids-write-their.html

Then, free access to paper, sticky tapes, colors, pens at home whenever, wherever.

He picked it on and now he has learned to love writing.

Don't worry sis, kids have their own timing into these things too. We're just here to encourage them. Hay... challenge!

thanks sa info and sa encouragement sis!  at least now i know, hindi lang pala ang anak ko ang may ganun attitude towards Writing. and ayaw ko na rin sya masyado i-pressure kasi baka hindi na makatulong sa kanya.

i read your blog post and it was really creative and entertaining at the same time. gusto ko itry sa son ko, kaya lang hindi pa sya masyado marunong mag-draw, though his imagination is really good and mas magaling sya sa verbal communication. pero sige, i will give it a shot once.. thanks again sis!! 

[marose17]

My sons are 4 years old and they're also not fond of writing.  But since I do not want them to have problems catching up in prep, I try to sneak in writing workbooks on weekends.  Tig-15 to 20 minutes lang para lang masanay sila.  I don't force them to finish a page if they seem tired na.  And I try to make it fun for them although very challenging ito because writing is not one of the fun things to do in so far as little boys are concerned.

The teachers in preschool are aware of my near-panic so they're trying to incorporate more tracing (the metal insets sa Montessori are good materials for practicing) and copying activities.

Mommies, the following activities also help to strengthen the tripod grip: cutting, fastening buttons, snaps and zippers, staplering (but be sure the child is supervised by an adult), solving jigsaw puzzles (kasi you have to use your fingers to pick up the small pieces), working with small blocks a la Lego, etc.  These are the other activities they do in school.

[DV]

^Kasama yang mini stapler with colorful staple wires sa art box ng anak ko. The other day, I was going to teach her how to use it but changed my mind; I have a vivid memory of stapling my own finger when I was about 4 ("What would happen if I..." TSAK!) . It was quite painful and shocking to see a staple wire stabbed onto my finger pad kaya I decided to put it away and teach her some other time. I couldn't trust that she wouldn't be using it while I'm not looking. 

[younis]

saw this online

Clear View Scoopers parang scissors sya

Easy Grip Safety Tweezers