I am also considering Brainy Beginners Preschool for my daughter. Located in Prince Plaza condominium in Legaspi Village, Makati City, it is very accessible - a mere stone throw's away from Greenbelt 5.
The school follows a progressive methodology that incorporates learning through play. What sets it apart from other schools is the personal flair injected by its proprietor and head teacher - Teacher Richie. Teacher Richie works with both the parents and child to ensure that the child is learning at a pace that he/she is comfortable with, while at the same time, in line with the goals and rules enforced by the parent. This entails adjusting the learning process for each student - a daunting and meticulous task, and one that most endears me to the school. Another interesting approach is the presence of all levels (Toddlers, Nursery, Kinder, etc.) in one big classroom. Each level is designated their own work tables to for their lessons, but are given also given time to interact with the whole class to further build their social skills.
While the facilities and equipment are not as impressive to look at as other schools in the area, it has everything a child needs to experience the same level of education, safety, and appropriate playtime - work tables for children, educational toys and materials, play area (separated from the classroom), play mats, wash area, and two bathrooms. There is also a waiting area that is separated from the main classroom with frosted glass, through which parents and companions can monitor their children without distracting them. The assistant teachers are all certified nurses, on-hand in case of emergencies (another plus for me!). Children can only leave the premises as directed by the parent (i.e., parents should advise the school beforehand as to who are the only ones allowed to pick up their child).
The tuition fee is considerably less than other schools in this prime location, especially since it offers daily classes (most charge an exorbitant fee for 2-3x a week). Teacher Richie is also quite open to whatever concerns you may have regarding payment schemes.
Do drop by Brainy Beginners if you are school hunting. I guarantee that you won't regret it. Teacher Richie and his staff are very accommodating to drop-in visitors. Any and all questions and concerns you have will be properly addressed. I find their school tour and views very enlightening - several points were raised that I had not considered during my initial search for a proper preschool and I was given a better view of the progressive approach.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Playhouse Disney Magazine
If your toddler enjoys watching Playhouse Disney, this monthly magazine is a great resource of stories, puzzles, mini games, as well as counting, coloring, and writing exercises - all featuring Disney favorites such as My Friends Tigger and Pooh, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jojo's Circus, Higglytown Heroes, and Little Einsteins.
For all this and more at P125/copy, it's a bargain and for an even better deal, drop by the magazine shop at the ground floor of Landmark Department Store, Makati, which sells back issues at less than P100.
For all this and more at P125/copy, it's a bargain and for an even better deal, drop by the magazine shop at the ground floor of Landmark Department Store, Makati, which sells back issues at less than P100.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Poor Man's Kitchen Playset
Does your toddler love to fiddle around with the high tech kitchen playset perpetually on display at Toy Kingdom, Rustan's, and Toys R Us? The electronic one that comes with its own fridge, stove, oven, appliances, and that cute little clock on top? The one that tugs at your heart and has you imagining raising a little chef - but tears at your wallet with its P10K++ price tag?
Here's the cheaper alternative:
(1) Basket of plastic fruits and vegetables - less than P200, available at Landmark and Toy Kingdom (with the basket, your kid can play shopping too!)
(2) Set of plastic cups, plates, and cookware - less than P200, available at Landmark and Toy Kingdom (get the one with the little stove and sink)
(3) Set of food you can "slice" - less than P500, available at Toy Kingdom (these are plastic pancakes, hamburgers, ice cream, cake, etc. held together by velcro so your child can practice slicing with the plastic knife)
(4) Toy Microwave - less than P2000, available at Toy Kingdom and Rustan's. After watching my child play with the uber expensive kitchen playset, I realized that it was the doors that can open/close that engrossed her and the lights that indicate the food is cooking. The toy microwave serves this same purpose. I got the one that simulates an actual microwave and comes with toy hamburger, chicken, popcorn, hotdog, ketchup, and mustard.
And voila! You have your cheaper alternative to a full kitchen playset! If you're iffy about having your child play with plastic toys, the alternative - though more expensive - are the wooden food and cookware toys available at Rustan's and Hobbes.
Here's the cheaper alternative:
(1) Basket of plastic fruits and vegetables - less than P200, available at Landmark and Toy Kingdom (with the basket, your kid can play shopping too!)
(2) Set of plastic cups, plates, and cookware - less than P200, available at Landmark and Toy Kingdom (get the one with the little stove and sink)
(3) Set of food you can "slice" - less than P500, available at Toy Kingdom (these are plastic pancakes, hamburgers, ice cream, cake, etc. held together by velcro so your child can practice slicing with the plastic knife)
(4) Toy Microwave - less than P2000, available at Toy Kingdom and Rustan's. After watching my child play with the uber expensive kitchen playset, I realized that it was the doors that can open/close that engrossed her and the lights that indicate the food is cooking. The toy microwave serves this same purpose. I got the one that simulates an actual microwave and comes with toy hamburger, chicken, popcorn, hotdog, ketchup, and mustard.
And voila! You have your cheaper alternative to a full kitchen playset! If you're iffy about having your child play with plastic toys, the alternative - though more expensive - are the wooden food and cookware toys available at Rustan's and Hobbes.
Friday, April 22, 2011
ZipBins? - Genius!
I adore the ZipBin product line - bags that double as playsets! Convenient to haul around and keeps my toddler entertained for hours when we travel. It's especially great for those long waits at the restaurant. Her godmother got her the dollhouse playpack last Christmas. It's doubles as a castle and comes with a little princess doll. My daughter chucked out the doll and stuffed it with her fave Disney miniatures of Mickey Mouse and Pooh Bear. Since the bag is lightweight, she can carry it around herself. The interior of the bag is spacious - thus far, we've had it fit all the Mickey Mouse and Pooh Bear characters, a couple of toy cars, and some small books.
ZipBin products are available locally at Toy Kingdom and Rustans Department Stores.
ZipBin products are available locally at Toy Kingdom and Rustans Department Stores.
Schooling Starts At Home - Teaching Babies and Toddlers
At 2.5 years old, my toddler is able to speak full sentences; can recognize and identify letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and body parts; has memorized at least 10 nursery rhymes and 3 Dora books; knows her fruits, vegetables, and animals; and can count to 50. She is currently learning how to read and write. She accomplished all these long before I enrolled her in Gymboree classes. I'm often asked by parents and yayas if she goes to school already, to which I say no - I've been teaching her myself since she was born. I haven't followed any tried-and-tested approach or teaching methods, mostly I just played it be ear, so I thought it best to list some of the things I tried that seemed to work:
(1) Start reading and singing nursery rhymes to them early on. Even if it seems like it's a useless effort as they don't appear to listen or understand, it does get through. This is evident in the way my daughter - when she finally learned to talk - suddenly sang the songs we sung to her when she was less than a year old. I had a yaya who sang Nobody (Wonder Girls) when she was about a year old. She'd changed yayas since and no one else sang that to her. Imagine her current yaya's shock when she suddenly burst out "nobody, nobody but you!" just the other week, complete with head bobbing action.
(2) Introduce them to books. I can't stress this enough. Let them handle books appropriate for their age to get them interested. I started with Fisher Price books with bright colors. Dora's Little Library came next - it's just perfect for little hands! I also kept telling her that books were not toys. She was not allowed to tear, bend, or fold the pages, or stand/sit on the books. Fully Booked is her favorite jaunt now and she has a huge collection of Barney, Dora, Pooh Bear, and Mickey Mouse books.
(3) Allow them to watch educational shows while eating. When we first introduced solid food, we also introduced her to TV for the first time. She could watch TV while eating, and we showed her Sesame Street videos full of songs that teach ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes, and body parts. This made her grasp basic concepts easily and she actually enjoys eating (I have a lot of friends whose babies refuse to eat so this is a coup for me!). The only drawback was that she eventually graduated to Barney and would watch over and over and over again. She eventually got off this habit though.
(4) Make every moment a learning experience. Buy alphabet bath stickers for the bath. Show her colors and shapes when you're out and about or while playing with her toys. Make her count groceries while sitting in the shopping cart.
(5) NO baby talk. Treat them like little adults so they will learn to act and speak accordingly. You'll be surprised at how they will try to pick up singular-plural and past-present-future tense rules on their own by listening to you speak. Refrain from screaming and shouting when they do something wrong or won't stop crying. Instead, explain things to them calmly, in simple terms they will understand. Keep talking and they'll eventually calm down. And yes, the lecture does get through to them.
(6) Teach them regularly. When my daughter turned 1, I started teaching her ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes, and animals through Brainy Baby books. Flash cards were also a big help. It's best to use simple flash cards, I got ones with the letter in front and sample word and picture at the back. I found that cards with too much information on one side - especially those featuring popular characters such as Mickey Mouse or Barney - were too distracting. This was also about the time we started her on the First 1000 words book.
(7) Do as you teach. My daughter saw me and my husband reading (even if only comics and magazines) and wanted to read as well. She saw her lola do crossword puzzles and wanted to learn how to write. She saw us building puzzles and wanted to try it out on her own. Toddlers love to emulate - be sure to be a good role model to them. If you want them to say Please and Thank You, be sure to always say these key phrases when you hold conversations with other people.
Time to put my toddler to bed :) More tips to come on my next post!
(1) Start reading and singing nursery rhymes to them early on. Even if it seems like it's a useless effort as they don't appear to listen or understand, it does get through. This is evident in the way my daughter - when she finally learned to talk - suddenly sang the songs we sung to her when she was less than a year old. I had a yaya who sang Nobody (Wonder Girls) when she was about a year old. She'd changed yayas since and no one else sang that to her. Imagine her current yaya's shock when she suddenly burst out "nobody, nobody but you!" just the other week, complete with head bobbing action.
(2) Introduce them to books. I can't stress this enough. Let them handle books appropriate for their age to get them interested. I started with Fisher Price books with bright colors. Dora's Little Library came next - it's just perfect for little hands! I also kept telling her that books were not toys. She was not allowed to tear, bend, or fold the pages, or stand/sit on the books. Fully Booked is her favorite jaunt now and she has a huge collection of Barney, Dora, Pooh Bear, and Mickey Mouse books.
(3) Allow them to watch educational shows while eating. When we first introduced solid food, we also introduced her to TV for the first time. She could watch TV while eating, and we showed her Sesame Street videos full of songs that teach ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes, and body parts. This made her grasp basic concepts easily and she actually enjoys eating (I have a lot of friends whose babies refuse to eat so this is a coup for me!). The only drawback was that she eventually graduated to Barney and would watch over and over and over again. She eventually got off this habit though.
(4) Make every moment a learning experience. Buy alphabet bath stickers for the bath. Show her colors and shapes when you're out and about or while playing with her toys. Make her count groceries while sitting in the shopping cart.
(5) NO baby talk. Treat them like little adults so they will learn to act and speak accordingly. You'll be surprised at how they will try to pick up singular-plural and past-present-future tense rules on their own by listening to you speak. Refrain from screaming and shouting when they do something wrong or won't stop crying. Instead, explain things to them calmly, in simple terms they will understand. Keep talking and they'll eventually calm down. And yes, the lecture does get through to them.
(6) Teach them regularly. When my daughter turned 1, I started teaching her ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes, and animals through Brainy Baby books. Flash cards were also a big help. It's best to use simple flash cards, I got ones with the letter in front and sample word and picture at the back. I found that cards with too much information on one side - especially those featuring popular characters such as Mickey Mouse or Barney - were too distracting. This was also about the time we started her on the First 1000 words book.
(7) Do as you teach. My daughter saw me and my husband reading (even if only comics and magazines) and wanted to read as well. She saw her lola do crossword puzzles and wanted to learn how to write. She saw us building puzzles and wanted to try it out on her own. Toddlers love to emulate - be sure to be a good role model to them. If you want them to say Please and Thank You, be sure to always say these key phrases when you hold conversations with other people.
Time to put my toddler to bed :) More tips to come on my next post!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Toddler Travels: Subic Bay
Subic Bay remains one of the more popular tourist spots in the country and is a family favorite of ours! It's just the thing for when you're itching to get out of town without having to board a boat or plane and the travel time from Metro Manila isn't as long as say, Baguio, so it's perfect now that we have an active toddler to contend with ;) You can learn more about the Subic and its various attractions here, but here are some highlights from our own travels:
Accommodation: The Lighthouse - named so for the Lighthouse at the back of the property, this hotel has never failed to provide good food and great service! If you're looking for a luxury hotel with large rooms complete with flatscreen TV, cable, DVD player, aircon, hot/cold water, and a bath with huge bathtubs your babies can swim in - this is the place to be. It's pricey and far from the main tourist attractions (it's at the opposite end of Subic from where Zoobic Safari, Ocean Adventure, etc. are located - about 30 minutes away via car), but it's a great way to kick back and relax after a long, hot day of exploring all that Subic has to offer. It is, however, just a stone's throw away from a number of other hotels, bars, and restaurants lined up in front of the beach and is ideal for travellers seeking the nightlife. On the other hand, families and their children will enjoy leisurely walks along the beach. There is also a convenience store and playground within walking distance, and a nearby Catholic church offering regular Sunday mass. Although the beach is not fit for swimming, it does cater to water sports! If you fancy a swim, the hotel has a small kiddie and adult pool for their guests.
Zoobic Safari - meet and greet wildlife such as tigers, crocodiles, and other exotic creatures (you'll be amazed at the variety)! Although the tigers are fatter and more sluggish than they used to be and you're no longer allowed to feed them live chickens (I think this is actually a good thing though), the thrill of getting up close and personal with the animals is still there and is almost always a big hit with the kids. Plenty of feeding and picture-taking opportunities await! The only downside for me is the addition of a "cavern" type exhibit in which you are led through a dark warehouse filled with faux plants and animals - what's the point? If you are taking your family to Zoobic, be sure to bring hats/caps, a change of clothing, and drinks because there's a lot of walking involved under the sweltering heat of the sun.
Ocean Adventure - not to be confused with Ocean Park in Manila, this park offers shows and exhibits that showcase the beauty of marine life. Exploring the park is typically a whole-day affair as you move from one show to another, but proves to be worth it especially if you're travelling with young kids. Although my daughter much preferred the tigers to the fish (go figure), most children are apt to adore the dolphins and sea lions and their cute stunts. I only wish the security was a bit more discerning about their guests. We were at the park at the same time as a school field trip and a number of teachers and students had conjunctivitis (they were openly talking about an outbreak of the disease in their school), which made us a bit uncomfortable since we had a baby along.
Tree Top Adventure - this is one of those things that you just have to try at least once in your life. This adventure park offers a unique way of communing with nature - through thrilling rides and stunts that you will perform yourselves, usually 100 feet off the ground! Start off with the canopy ride to help you relax before you jump into the big guns. The long walk to this ride will also give you a sneak peek at the other activities the park has to offer - if the screams and cheers around you are any indication. Once you're all revved up and ready to see what the excitement is all about, go for the Ultimate Adventure and soar from tree to tree. Still haven't lost your lunch? Go all out and jump off that tree in the Tree Drop Adventure! Just to note, though - this is no place for a toddler or baby and there's no suitable waiting area for them. While my husband, brother, and I were gathering the courage to fly amidst the trees, I sent my baby with her lola to El Kabayo for some horseback riding.
El Kabayo - no puny ponies here! Home to retired racehorses, this equestrian center features horses imported from the U.S., Argentina, and Australia. While the center offers several horse riding activities, I am unable to expound on the experience. My baby bravely put on her safety helmet and got on the horse, but when the guide told her to pick up the reins, her prissy little self shuddered in distaste and she requested to be taken off her high horse, so to speak. I have heard from other mothers that this is a good place for kids who like horses and want to experience riding a real horse.
Shopping, shopping, shopping - what better way to cap off your vacation than by spending money at the numerous outlets and stores boasting of imported goods at low prices?
If I haven't detailed it enough, Subic offers something for everyone - if you're up to a family road trip, this is the place to be.
Accommodation: The Lighthouse - named so for the Lighthouse at the back of the property, this hotel has never failed to provide good food and great service! If you're looking for a luxury hotel with large rooms complete with flatscreen TV, cable, DVD player, aircon, hot/cold water, and a bath with huge bathtubs your babies can swim in - this is the place to be. It's pricey and far from the main tourist attractions (it's at the opposite end of Subic from where Zoobic Safari, Ocean Adventure, etc. are located - about 30 minutes away via car), but it's a great way to kick back and relax after a long, hot day of exploring all that Subic has to offer. It is, however, just a stone's throw away from a number of other hotels, bars, and restaurants lined up in front of the beach and is ideal for travellers seeking the nightlife. On the other hand, families and their children will enjoy leisurely walks along the beach. There is also a convenience store and playground within walking distance, and a nearby Catholic church offering regular Sunday mass. Although the beach is not fit for swimming, it does cater to water sports! If you fancy a swim, the hotel has a small kiddie and adult pool for their guests.
Zoobic Safari - meet and greet wildlife such as tigers, crocodiles, and other exotic creatures (you'll be amazed at the variety)! Although the tigers are fatter and more sluggish than they used to be and you're no longer allowed to feed them live chickens (I think this is actually a good thing though), the thrill of getting up close and personal with the animals is still there and is almost always a big hit with the kids. Plenty of feeding and picture-taking opportunities await! The only downside for me is the addition of a "cavern" type exhibit in which you are led through a dark warehouse filled with faux plants and animals - what's the point? If you are taking your family to Zoobic, be sure to bring hats/caps, a change of clothing, and drinks because there's a lot of walking involved under the sweltering heat of the sun.
Ocean Adventure - not to be confused with Ocean Park in Manila, this park offers shows and exhibits that showcase the beauty of marine life. Exploring the park is typically a whole-day affair as you move from one show to another, but proves to be worth it especially if you're travelling with young kids. Although my daughter much preferred the tigers to the fish (go figure), most children are apt to adore the dolphins and sea lions and their cute stunts. I only wish the security was a bit more discerning about their guests. We were at the park at the same time as a school field trip and a number of teachers and students had conjunctivitis (they were openly talking about an outbreak of the disease in their school), which made us a bit uncomfortable since we had a baby along.
Tree Top Adventure - this is one of those things that you just have to try at least once in your life. This adventure park offers a unique way of communing with nature - through thrilling rides and stunts that you will perform yourselves, usually 100 feet off the ground! Start off with the canopy ride to help you relax before you jump into the big guns. The long walk to this ride will also give you a sneak peek at the other activities the park has to offer - if the screams and cheers around you are any indication. Once you're all revved up and ready to see what the excitement is all about, go for the Ultimate Adventure and soar from tree to tree. Still haven't lost your lunch? Go all out and jump off that tree in the Tree Drop Adventure! Just to note, though - this is no place for a toddler or baby and there's no suitable waiting area for them. While my husband, brother, and I were gathering the courage to fly amidst the trees, I sent my baby with her lola to El Kabayo for some horseback riding.
El Kabayo - no puny ponies here! Home to retired racehorses, this equestrian center features horses imported from the U.S., Argentina, and Australia. While the center offers several horse riding activities, I am unable to expound on the experience. My baby bravely put on her safety helmet and got on the horse, but when the guide told her to pick up the reins, her prissy little self shuddered in distaste and she requested to be taken off her high horse, so to speak. I have heard from other mothers that this is a good place for kids who like horses and want to experience riding a real horse.
Shopping, shopping, shopping - what better way to cap off your vacation than by spending money at the numerous outlets and stores boasting of imported goods at low prices?
If I haven't detailed it enough, Subic offers something for everyone - if you're up to a family road trip, this is the place to be.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Gymboree and Little Gym
While scouting for a toddler school to prepare my daughter for the "big schools", we were lucky enough to attend the open house of two well-known preschools for toddlers - Gymboree and Little Gym.
Gymboree's toddlers program is held 3 times a week. Each class is around 2-2.5 hours with snack time. The curriculum is a mix of their regular toddler classes covering music, art, play, and learning lab (teaches basic concepts of writing, numbers, alphabet, dates, weather, etc.). The whole class is expected to follow the given schedule for the day. The open house started with learning about the day of the week and the weather, followed by a short music session where they play instruments and follow the movements of their teacher. Next up was an art activity involving paints and crafts. After cleaning up and snack time, the children were given a counting exercise. The session ends with exploring colors and writing through a LeapFrog desk. The whole session is peppered with songs to keep the children engaged.
Little Gym follows a progressive or play-based approach. Their toddler class is held twice a week and lasts for 2.5 hours. The first part of the class is spent in their gym. This part was skipped during the open house so we were not able to experience it. During the trial session, the classroom was divided into 4 sections where tables, chairs, and materials were set up. The class started with snack time (we were informed that all classes start this way). Afterwards, the children were allowed to explore the room and choose the activity they wanted, involving art, colors, and counting. There were always one or two teachers close at hand to assist with the activity, but it's generally left to the parent and child to finish the task. The next activity was story time. The children were free to choose any book from the shelves and give it to a teacher to read to them. My daughter was on her second book when a teacher suddenly announced that it was time to pack up and proceed to the next project. The teacher who was reading to her just closed the book (halfway through it) with my toddler still looking up at her expectantly. This was the only major pitfall for me. After the reading session, all the children were called to gather together and listen to the story of the hungry caterpillar. Once done, the goodbye song was sung and the children got their customary stamps.
Both Gymboree and Little Gym are more focused on activities and play than actual worksheets, though Gymboree uses LeapFrog for writing exercises while Little Gym does claim to use worksheets from time to time for toddlers. The key difference between the two is that Little Gym offers a more relaxed environment where the children are free to explore at their own pace and pursue their interests. Gymboree is more energetic and attempts to engage the children to follow a structured schedule. While I do see the merit in giving children their age the freedom to learn at their own pace through play, I'm leaning more towards Gymboree in preparing my daughter for the bigger schools, especially since I favor the traditional approach. Since she was able to follow instructions and complete the activities during the Gymboree open house, I think she will be able to cope with their learning system.
With regards to the tuition fees, there is little to no difference between the two schools once all the miscellaneous fees are included (I honestly don't know why this is a separate matter for both schools). The additional edge Gymboree offers is unlimited gymplay for members enrolled in their preschool. Little Gym only allows the use of their gym during an actual class/session.
Gymboree's toddlers program is held 3 times a week. Each class is around 2-2.5 hours with snack time. The curriculum is a mix of their regular toddler classes covering music, art, play, and learning lab (teaches basic concepts of writing, numbers, alphabet, dates, weather, etc.). The whole class is expected to follow the given schedule for the day. The open house started with learning about the day of the week and the weather, followed by a short music session where they play instruments and follow the movements of their teacher. Next up was an art activity involving paints and crafts. After cleaning up and snack time, the children were given a counting exercise. The session ends with exploring colors and writing through a LeapFrog desk. The whole session is peppered with songs to keep the children engaged.
Little Gym follows a progressive or play-based approach. Their toddler class is held twice a week and lasts for 2.5 hours. The first part of the class is spent in their gym. This part was skipped during the open house so we were not able to experience it. During the trial session, the classroom was divided into 4 sections where tables, chairs, and materials were set up. The class started with snack time (we were informed that all classes start this way). Afterwards, the children were allowed to explore the room and choose the activity they wanted, involving art, colors, and counting. There were always one or two teachers close at hand to assist with the activity, but it's generally left to the parent and child to finish the task. The next activity was story time. The children were free to choose any book from the shelves and give it to a teacher to read to them. My daughter was on her second book when a teacher suddenly announced that it was time to pack up and proceed to the next project. The teacher who was reading to her just closed the book (halfway through it) with my toddler still looking up at her expectantly. This was the only major pitfall for me. After the reading session, all the children were called to gather together and listen to the story of the hungry caterpillar. Once done, the goodbye song was sung and the children got their customary stamps.
Both Gymboree and Little Gym are more focused on activities and play than actual worksheets, though Gymboree uses LeapFrog for writing exercises while Little Gym does claim to use worksheets from time to time for toddlers. The key difference between the two is that Little Gym offers a more relaxed environment where the children are free to explore at their own pace and pursue their interests. Gymboree is more energetic and attempts to engage the children to follow a structured schedule. While I do see the merit in giving children their age the freedom to learn at their own pace through play, I'm leaning more towards Gymboree in preparing my daughter for the bigger schools, especially since I favor the traditional approach. Since she was able to follow instructions and complete the activities during the Gymboree open house, I think she will be able to cope with their learning system.
With regards to the tuition fees, there is little to no difference between the two schools once all the miscellaneous fees are included (I honestly don't know why this is a separate matter for both schools). The additional edge Gymboree offers is unlimited gymplay for members enrolled in their preschool. Little Gym only allows the use of their gym during an actual class/session.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)