Sunday, April 19, 2009

Develop A Bond

Points on developing a bond with our children as suggested by Pn Halimahton in her e-book Genius in 28 Steps are;

  • Establish mutual respect and trust
  • Try to spend a lot of quality time
  • Be consistent and reasonable when interacting
  • For older child, try to make him feel like he can confide in you virtually anything
  • Talk regularly with your child
  • Be thoughtful and reasonable when converse

Let us together try to practice all the above to our childrens.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

How To Develop A Bond

In my previous post, I shared on how we need to have a good understanding of our child's personality and interests if we want to teach them effectively. However, that is only part of requirement in developing a bond with our child, as they (our children) will also need to familiarise themselves with our habits and routines. Today I am going to write and share with all of you valuable tips that mother to Sufiah Yusoff the Malaysian prodigy, Pn Halimahton on how to develop a bond with our children.



According to Pn Halimahton bond is extremely important, because by establishing mutual respect and trust between you and your child will have a tremendous positive effect to the quality of your interactions with them, and make the task of teaching them much smoother.


Ok, got to go will try to continue on important points in developing a bond later.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Pratical Examples

It has been quite some time I've stop blogging. Well so many things come at the same time that required my attention this few weeks.


Today I would like to share with you all on several practical examples on how are we going to incorporate our children's hobbies or favourites in our teaching activities with them.

From the examples given by Pn Halimahton in her e-book Genius in 28 Steps I did try to practice it with my kids.


My second daughter Nur Shahmina is happy to spend many hours with PC, so I try to teach her alphabet recognition using the keyboard. I've mentioned in my previous post, my eldest Nur Shahindah is so in to drawings, but doesn't like to practice writing. So what I do is I tried to talk with her about why she particularly likes drawing, and why she doesn't like to practice writing. Her instance answer is "writing alphabet does not pretty". So now I know that she always like something that is pretty to look at or in other words interesting. As solution I asked her to first draw what ever she likes, than I guide her to write the name of the object she draw.


Sunday, March 22, 2009

Know Your Child

How to understand your older children

Pn Halimahton Yusof suggested us to find answers to the following questions.

What are your child's hobbies and interests and why does he enjoy these activities?

What are your child's favourite subjects and why?

What are your child's least-liked subjects and why?

What personality traits does he have that might hinder him in his studies (such as a low attention span or being uncommunicative)?

As far as his schoolwork is concerned, how detailed an understanding do you have of his strengths and weaknesses?

Do you normally know when your child is in the mood for studying?

to read more you can get the e-book "Genius in 28 Steps" at www.learnerade.com

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Know Your Child

It is essential for all of us (especially those mummy's out there) to know your child's personality, existing capabilities, and current mood in order for us to determine our child willingness and ability to learn at any given time.



Pn Halimahton Yusof in her e-book "Genius in 28 Steps" has specifically discussed several ways that could be practice by parents on how to understand your younger and older children's.

Those who have babies or toddlers, need to be more observant of our child's reactions whenever we perform a different actions. Babies use crying as their way of communication. We the parents need to learnt to distinguish each type of cries e.g. he might be hungry, angry, or in pain. Through this process we will eventually able to understand why the baby crying and this will let us to respond appropriately to them. Other than crying, an older babies will coo and babbles as a precursor to speech.

From noting what our baby likes to gaze it, we will be able to deduce the kinds of things he is interested. While from babies overall facial expression we could determine whether he is happy, sad, bored, tired, etc.

Mother of Sufiah Yusof also stated that one final point to note is that all children change and evolve over time, so our overall understanding of our child's personality and the way we interact with him must grow in parallel with his own development.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Part V : Miscellaneous




















Got some free time, so I decided to finish up overview of chapters in "Genius in 28 Steps". Final chapter labelled as Miscellaneous by Pn Halimahton Yusof. I personally likes this chapter as for me it is like a special note for all us especially all the mothers out there.







This final part gives us tips on how to choose and use good toys and books (Chapter 27 & 28). Lastly Pn Halimahton Yusof share with us few notes for busy people (working mother) and those who have to handle many children (Chapter 29 : Special Considerations).





Up there are some toys, books and other tools that I share with my kids to read, play and learn.
Mmm.. I personally found her notes on this last part especially the Special Consideration very helpful. As I have to handle three kids, who their age gap is so close (5,3 and 1 years), phew... those who are in the same boat with me will sure understand what am I trying to say here.







Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Part IV: Teaching Techniques





Not all of us are born to be a teacher or be able to teach others. But all parents are actually the best teacher for their own child. No matter what, in order for us to ensure our children success, beside their school teacher, we should also play the role as teacher in their learning process.








Part IV describing seven teaching techniques that we could apply in teaching our children daily.



We are our child's best role model. Chapter 20 in this Part IV better explaining this. We must demonstrate through our own actions anything that we want our child to learn.




Next, practice makes perfect. Chapter 21 explain to us how important it is for us to encourage our children to continuously practice what ever his or her new skills. As mentioned in the "Genius in 28 Steps" practicing will lead to mastery.


Some of Kak Da's art work



To ensure our children will grasp better understanding of what ever they learnt, we need to divide complex learning tasks into small, easy-to-achieve objectives. Pn Halimahton Yusof explain this as Divide & Conquer (Chapter 22).



After all the teaching we also need to get feedback from our children. Feedback here, does not necessarily comment from your children, it may also comes from your own assessment of your children expression or body language. This are among issues discuss in Chapter 23-Feedback.



Pn Halimahton express on how important it is for us to Go with the Flow in Chapter 24. We need to guide our children along the lines of their existing interests.


Image of mermaid again by Kak Da.

From my observation, Shahindah likes to draw. Among items that she likes to draw are images of girls, her mother, father and younger sister and brother. She also like colouring so much. While my "Adik" her interest is more towards computer operating, calculators and hand phone.

See you all in my next post for more information on "Genius in 28 Steps".

Monday, March 2, 2009

Part III: Fundamental Skills

It has been four days without any new post, actually I am so eager to share with all of you the next chapter of the "Genius in 28 Steps". Last few days I am quite busy with personal matters and office workloads.


Part III of the "Genius in 28 Steps" touched on the what are the fundamental skills that we need to equipped our children with. It consist of 7 chapters that is Chapter 13 to Chapter 19.


Chapter 13 explaining to us on how important for us to make sure that our children master the fundamentals skills. Among others are speaking, writing, focus and listening. This is to ensure that we develop a strong foundation for the rest of our kids education.


Chapter 14 to 19 shared with us on how we could help our child in developing their ability to focus, how to teach our children to develop comprehension & listening skills, how we could help our child develop the ability to speak with others, to express himself with language, it also explaining the important of reading skills and how we could instill the interest in reading in our child. Last chapter (Chapter 19) of this Part III share with us on how to foster independence in your child and how this is vital to our children success as an adult later.
Again those who wish to have their own "Genius in 28 Steps" e-book could go to www.lernerade.com this e-book will cost you around RM40 plus. Or else you could just follow this blog for the next update and review of the e-book.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Part II : Fun, Informal Learning



As a parents, have you ever wonder how to make teaching your children FUN? And I mean seriously fun!!! Or, do you know that we can incorporate the child learning with our everyday activities at home or our surroundings.
Part II of "Genius in 28 Steps" e-book consisting of four chapters (9 to 12) describing how to make learning fun and enjoyable especially for babies and toddlers. It also tells us what does it meant by informal learning. It also explaining on how kids will be more receptive to informal learning through play.
Chapter 11 in this Part II specifically discuss on the important of using a holistic approach in every aspect of our child's upbringing to his or her intellectual development.
Last chapter encourage and taught us to communicate often with our children. Communicate in a way that this e-book describe as constructive conversation.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Preface : Part 1 : You & Your Child








What makes me really love this e-book is it described the process of teaching by stages and part by part. It is divided into five major parts. Part 1 is about knowing you yourself (both mother and father) and your children.




After reading this part, now I am able to understand my kids more. For me, my eldest Kak Da is a little bit grumpy and sensitive person while my second one Adik is friendlier compared to her sister and easy going type. While Muhammad I am still in the process discovering his characters and personality.






In education point of view, Kak Da attention span is very good in the early morning, while Adik will be more active and attentive at night. So back to Part 1 of "Genius in 28 Steps" e-book (to buy this e-book you can log in to http://www.learnerade.com/) Chapter 1 will explain to you on how important it is for you to have a complete understanding of each of your child's personality. As this will help you to mould your teaching to suit them.



Chapter 2 and 3 describing how to develop a bonding or rapport with your kids and how important it is for you as their parents to continuously set a good examples to them In other words be their good role model.




Next, we as a parents should believe and never ever doubt our child's ability in learning. Patient is also a must when ever handling kids, especially if you have more than one. You could explore this in Chapter 4 and 5.




Last three chapters (6,7 & 8) explain to us that we should be consistent in the way we interacting with our children, preparation prior to any lesson or teaching session is crucial, as this ensure that we our self is in the right frame of mind as well as our children. Lastly in this Part 1 it reminds us not to accelerate the learning process but we must start early.













Wednesday, February 25, 2009

"Genius in 28 Steps" Overview

As promised yesterday, I should start my review of the "Genius in 28 Steps" e-book today. But before I go any further, I wish to highlight that for those who are eager to have the e-book by themselves you may go to http://learnerade.com/ to get the book.


Whether you are a busy working mother or full time mother at home (whom I guess even busier) this e-book offer practical tips for us to apply.


Ever came across your mind what type of book to choose for your kids? What toys is appropriate for certain age? What is effective communication? This book will explain the tips and techniques on every aspects of the learning process.


"Genius in 28 Steps" was designed in a way that you could skip to any chapter you want without having to read the whole book.


Lastly (for this post) it isn't just about raising child geniuses. It's more about helping our kids to make the most of their potential, giving them the best education that you can, regardless of their characters or personality or their circumstances in life.




My First e-Book




I am a working mother to three kids. I am blessed with two daughter and a son. The eldest Nur Shahindah (better known as Kak Da) will be four years old this April. Her younger sister Nur Shahmina already three years (just celebrated her birthday on 2 Feb). She usually adressed herself as Adik, even to her youngest brother Muhammad who was now 10 months old.



I always loved to browse the internet try to find tips from raising kids, managing my kids health, information on child education, where to go to for a family holiday, what to cook for dinner, searching for new recipes to latest fashion tips for young moms (I will be 30 this coming July, considered young huh or at least still tenagers at heart).
Then I came across a website host by mother to Sufiah Yusof, Pn Halimahton. I am so interested in following Sufiah's story till I subscribe to Yusof Family Newsletter. Feb 18, Pn Halimahton email me to inform of her digital book titled Genius in 28 Steps.
After viewing the free sample chapter, I fall in love to this e-book and it became my first e-book I ever bought. Wait for my next post for review of the Genius in 28 Steps.