Ready for school???

My cousin is a preschooler. Her mother starts to think about the right time to start a six years old child in elementary school. However, what is the best time to start school? Usually, children begin school around seven years old in my hometown. Is that my younger sister old enough for school? Is that she should wait next year? These questions make my aunt feel puzzled.

In my opinion, education is right for every child. Age is not the most important factor of attending school. I advise my aunt thinking over my cousin’s socio-emotional mature and intelligence.

Social-emotional skills are the basis for getting along with other children. Through my academic study, I know that lack of social skills can bring out troubles in making friends, academic failures, concentration problems, emotional difficulty and behavioral difficulties. So, we can use related questions to check whether my cousin is ready for school or not, such as can she share her feelings with others? Does she like play games with other children? Is she easy for making new friends? Can she do somethings by herself (go to the restroom, dress up, eat, wear her clothes, shoes and pants)?

Moreover, intelligence can make children learn new knowledge easily. We need to observe my younger sister's cognitive development and check the following questions to make sure our decision.

Can she try to write her name? Can she recognize some simple characters, colors and shapes? Can she count numbers from zero to twenty?  Can she pay attention on story time or playing time for about fifteen minutes?

Through these questions, we need to carfully consider about our children's skills and abilities and make a great decision on choosing the best time to start our child in school.

Bye 2011. Hello 2012

Goodbye 2011, the fantastic year, I have to say goodbye to you. January 23^rd,2012 is Chinese Spring Festival. A reunion dinner is held on New Year’s Eve where all my family members get together for celebration. It is a symbol of passing the year. Although this is my third year to celebrate in the American without my families, I still feel very happy. I want to thank for my two dear friends, Zhuzhu and Fanfan. It is you that warm my 2011. It is you that made me never feel alone.

2011, we tavelled to Florida and spent our happiest time in Disneyland.

2011, we took part in our first Halloween festival and we cheerfully celebrated our first Halloween.

2011, we decorated our home to celebrate our new roommate’s birthday and this was our first time to wear celebrity dress and high-heeled shoes.

2011, we ended the year celebrating Christmas, bought and drank our first bottle of wine.

It is awesome to look back, and then to think ahead and imagine what in these next 12 months brings to me. I am looking forward to 2012.

Bye 2011,

Hello 2012

My First Signs

I strongly recommend this book for new parents and infant classroom’s teachers because leaning baby sign language boosts communication between you and your little baby. Some parents doubt that sign language is just for special children. In fact, it is suitable for every baby.

Why is good for your baby?

1. Infant sign language increases baby's Confidence
When a child can sign their feelings, emotions, wants, or need and get satisfaction, their confidence increases and frustration are lessened.

2. Increases early literacy skills

3. Reinforces language skills

4. Helps babies to Focus

Why is good for you???


1. Signing minimizes stress and frustration for caregivers because you know what exactly is wanted results in loud crying, utter frustration, or tantrums

2. Signing reduces the guesswork in meeting infants' wants, needs, and thoughts

Useful Websites:

Baby Sign Language


How to teach baby sign language?

 

 

Natural Exploration

I called my 5-year-old sister this Thursday.

My aunt received the phone and said: "We are playing outside now. Your younger sister played nearly two hours, but still do not want to go home."

My hometown is located in the northeast of China. It is very cold in winter and the average temperature is -18 ℃. I cannot believe that she can play for a long time in such cold weather.

My aunt said: "This is the process of enjoying nature. If you have time, I suggest that you try it and pay attention on your walk. This is the best way for you to understand why children love playing in nature."

Originally, I just possess the purpose of exploring to start my "journey". While I go out of my apartment, a cold wind blows. Suddenly, some negative thought emerge in my head and I begin to complain the cold weather. The word of boring can describe my initial mood. I walk aimlessly and doubt that whether young children enjoy playing and walking in winter or not. Because I look at my surroundings, there is no difference than every time I see, such as cars, houses, ice and snow. I feel confused and disappointed.

I stop walking and close my eyes when I hesitated. Gradually, my blundering heart calm down. I hear sounds from birds, crows, cars, wind, trees and crunching the snow. The sounds mix together seems as symphony. I deeply experience the pleasure of sound. I open my eyes and look up at the sky. The blue sky, white clouds and brilliant sunshine make me feel the beautiful nature. Smell it, the air full of snow’s smell. I do not know how to describe it. All in all, the smell is delicate. In fact, under the busy life, I forget to enjoy the nature for a long time.

 I continue to walk in order to catch the nature which I seem to lose. Looking at surroundings, my mood is different than prior time. I feel comfortable, pleased and active to enjoy nature through walking. I always consider that winter is white, yet through observing, I find white does not stand for winter. Green pine tree, brown aspen’s limb, red leaves, yellow fallen leaves, grey stone, blue sky and golden sunshine make winter like a huge palette. I find many different color leaves and put them into my transparent bottle. Through these leaves, I feel that winter is not boring just as my life. No matter life is tough, I believe that I can see the “rainbow” at last through my effort and determination.

When I am on my way to my home, two men who hold bags go to their car in a hurry. I think I always do the similar things like them and have no time to experience surrounding things and natural view. Finishing this “journey”, I feel that I regain the ability of enjoying natural and surrounding life. In addition, I retrieve my childhood memory and know the reason why children love observing, exploring and enjoying nature. I love this experience.

Through this wonderful "journey", I suggest that parents should spent your precious time on enjoying and exploring nature with kids. It is not good for children to boost creativity, but also is good for you to reduce stress. Besides, this exploring process can enhance family bonds.

Useful websites for natural exploration:

Nature Rocks

BioKids