Book Review: Internal Drive Theory, Motivate your child to want to study

OK, this book review is way over due. I have actually finished reading the book months earlier but somehow simply did not have the time to write a proper review.

I am very proud to say that I actually know the author of this book: Internal Drive Theory, Motivate your child to want to study. How cool is that?! You can find out more about the author, Dr Petunia Lee and her book here.

Alright, back to the book review, here's what I like about the book:

i) It is is very easy to read. When I am reading the book, it feels like Petunia is talking to me. Concepts are clearly put across and easily understood.

ii) It is written within the context of Singapore's education system, which to me, is very important. I have read other books regarding early childhood and Home-schooling, but those books are written by authors who are from less rigorous education systems. Singapore's education system is not for the faint-hearted. We all know how competitive it is and this book shares tips and methods to encourage and motivate your child to want to excel in his/her school work.

iii) Real live examples. Petunia conducts her "experiments" on her son, so her methods are tried and tested with success! I guess it also helps that I read Petunia's blog regularly, and thus I can relate to her and her son, Little Boy very well.

iv) Very cute illustrations. Petunia's daughter is quite an artist! She designed the cover page, as well as all the illustrations in the book. These cute drawings kept me very entertained! ;)

v) Realistic. This book is written from the perspective of a mother. Other than to motivate your child to want to excel in his/her school work, this book also sets the right tone in encouraging parents to teach their children the important values in life.

In conclusion, I will definitely recommend this book to parents who have young children. In fact, I can foresee myself re-reading this book again and again when Beanie starts her primary education.

False Alarm

Last 10 days have been rather stressful because of a possibility that Beanie might have a little sister or brother next year!

Thankfully, it was a false alarm. *BIG SIGH OF RELIEF*

Don't be mistaken, I do want Beanie to have a younger sibling, but I'm thinking of planning for one when she is at least 18 months old. Just not right now.

Phew... now I can go ahead and plan for a familiy holiday in Dec or early Jan next year. I'm thinking of Penang (especially after reading Petunia's trip). I have never been to Penang and I'm dying to eat the REAL Penang Char Kway Tiao, Laksa, Prawn Mee... etc.

Just the thought makes me very hungry already.

But what about Beanie?

On one hand, I think it's time for Hubba and I to have some romantic, couple time. And nothing bonds us more than good, cheap, solid street food. On the other hand, it will be fun for Beanie to experience Penang's laidback charm and I think she will enjoy the street food too!

Argh. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

To travel or not to travel. To lug Beane along or not to lug Beanie along?

Any suggestions?

My 2 cents on Early Childhood Education

When I was a kid, I went to a kick-ass kindergarten where I spent most of the time playing. The school had a huge playground and a little pool for water-play. I remembered running and playing “catching” with my little friends, climbing the monkey bars, eating grass and later discovered that grass tasted rather bitter. We would have 20-30 minutes of free play at the playground every day and 5 children would be chosen each day to play at the pool.

Oh, the joy of being chosen to play at the pool was beyond words. We would actively participate in our classes to earn points so that we could play at the pool. The teachers were very encouraging and always prompted us to be good children and gave us stars to boost our “scores”.

When it was time for the water-play, we would put on our raincoat and little boots. We would eagerly take the basket of toys and trotted happily to the little pool while the other children looked at us in envy. The girls would usually pretend to be their mummies while bathing the little dolls. The boys would have little boats and pretended that they were the explorers of the world, a-la mini Christopher Columbus. The teachers will just keep an eye on us to ensure our safety and other than that, they did not interfere and the children had 20-30 minutes of uninterrupted free play.

I did not remember there was any homework nor did we spend much time doing worksheets. Instead, we had many hours of art and craft work, and I remembered there were days where we had to prepare our own snacks by making sandwiches and other days we had to clean the toilets. School was really fun and I looked forward to going to school everyday!

How many pre-school curretly are like my Kindergarten, I wonder? Can I still find such a pre-school without paying through my nose?

Beanie is only 1 year old, so I am still taking things easy. Whenever I am at home and as long as weather permits, I will bring her to the playgrounds near my flat or a quick swim at the public pool. Children needs sunshine to grow and it upsets me to see young children coop at in an air-conditioned room, doing worksheets instead of sliding down the slides, spinning themselves silly on the grass and playing catching with their friends.

I have friends who are sending their barely 20 months-old kids to enrichment classes to learn ABC. Seriously? You mean, as a parent, you cannot teach your 20 month old how to read the ABCs at home? Or some Shichida class where the tearchers flash fashcards at 8 months old babies. *shudder*

All parents want the best for their kids, but at what expense, we need to ask ourselves. Kids can only be kids once... please let them have their childhood.

My pretty little Beanie

Are we going "gai gai" mommy?

Brought little Beanie out 2 weekends ago, and dressed her up, I did.

It's part and parcel of having a little girl, isn't it? The pink little dress, the pink headband, the pink little shoes... pink is the new black! ;)

I can't wait for Beanie's hair to grow longer and I start braiding little pig's tails.