Our Journey in Pinoy Homeschooling

Ola, Dora!

2010-04-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

Yona at 4 is still fascinated with Dora the Explorer. She could watch Dora episodes over and over again and could even speak a number of Spanish words that sometimes I need Spanish translation services so I could understand her.

I have nothing against Dora and I am even glad that she's back to being a Dora fan. For several months, she's been dancing and singing Miley Cyrus. Her music, I think, is way too old for my daughter. But don't you notice it? Dora lacks the right ways I want to impart to my kid. I don't know. Maybe it's time that I introduce her to shows with more substance. And there are some English phrases that I know, are wrong. Dora or Diego would often say 'Good sitting!, good calling! or good jumping!' Is this even proper? I am no English guru but I just don't think Dora's translated properly.

Extra Cash for Homeschooling.

2009-09-21T18:12:00.000-07:00

Whoever said that homeschooling is cheaper is wrong. It is actually more expensive but I always believe that "one cannot put a price on good education" and "an expensive school does not guarantee high-quality education".

As we homeschool, we buy materials for my daughter so we really need extra cash ALWAYS. I only work online so I am thankful for opportunities such as LinkFromBlog. They are giving more and more blogging opportunities each day putting more $$$ on my account. I can't thank them enough.

With LinkFromBlog I could get more materials and supplies for our homeschooling journey. More and more bloggers are logging in to LinkFromBlog, you know why? They have a $4 signing bonus that you can get and the payout threshold is very, very, low! Just $50!

So enroll your blogs now in LinkFromBlog and start earning!

Kumon Free Trial

2009-09-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

We availed Kumon's two-week Free Trial just so I would know if the common system will work for Yona.

Today was her first day in what she calls 'school'. Her session started at exactly 1PM. Parents were not allowed inside the center's classrooms so I made her dad wait for her as I have things to do before her session ends.

At the end of the session she was given worksheets for her Kumon Home activities. Sets of 10 worksheets will be done on a daily basis until her next Kumon Session which is on Sunday.

My daughter started with Level 7A (introduction to reading) and the worksheets all seem too easy for her but we'll see.

Nevertheless, she enjoyed her first day and she's excited to do her worksheets.

I'm back!

2009-09-15T04:20:00.000-07:00

Dear it's been soooo long.

The last entry I posted was on April 2009 and 2009 is about to end ;-)

Fast forward to September 2009...

The little princess already turned 4 and yes, she's still homeschooled but we did not enrol her in a program yet, maybe next year. We are still undecided if we shall continue homeschooling her or enroll her in a school.

I'll be updating this blog from now on so expect more blogs from the homeschooling mom.

***

We availed Kumon's Free Trial and Yona will start her 4-part Trial Reading class this Friday. Let's see if the Kumon System will work on her.

College Fears? Naah...

2009-04-07T18:33:00.000-07:00

I am a homeschooling mom so when the college plans are being talked about by my peers all their glares will suddenly focus on me, it's as if I am making a huge mistake in homeschooling my little girl. But I am not at all worried because I know that she'll do well in grade school, middle school, high school and in the university. Right now I can see that she is focused on cooking, art and fashion design so I will not be surprised if she'll took interior design or culinary arts in college. I will not be a hindrance to her dreams and if she plans to take up plans in the field of medicine like I did, then that's fine also.

Taking up courses in this field needs to be thought up really, really hard as we will be spending much of money to finish the course therein. I won't really mind if she chose to enroll as a Medical Assistant if she can't make it as a doctor. There are good Medical Assistant Schools out there who can be a great help if she wishes to fulfill this dream. Aside from this, they also have a blog for especially for St. Augustin School of Medical Assistants which is very, very cool by the way.

But whatever it is that she wanted I know that she'll do good with it because I'll be with her all the way.

And so the -ING Phase starts...

2009-04-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Yona: Can I use my purple scissors Mommy?

Yona: Mommy...
Me: Hmmmm
Marcelle: Be careful ha?
Yona: Yes Daddy, I'll BECAREFULING...

---------------------------

CRASH!
Yona: What's that? Don't drop things mommy...
Me: I did not drop it!
Yona: You throw it?
Me: No, it was an accident
Yona: Haya ka...Daddy said no throwing and BROKENING of things!

:)

Clean Up! Clean Up!

2009-03-30T17:24:00.000-07:00

I finally had the time and patience to sort Yona's things (and mine).
Total eyesore na kasi =)

Earlier today I started removing the not so good toys from the ones worth keeping and I could not imagine how we have accumulated much toys from fastfoods (Jollibee and McDo)! Ang dami talaga! What I did was kinalat ko muna lahat and started sorting from there and she started "Hey, there's my ________", "There's my _________!". Hmp. Nagliligpit nga eh.

I already kept her baby toys (Alphabet Pal, Rattles, Mobile, Large Puzzles, etc) as she will no longer use it, maybe for the next baby? hehe I separated the toys, books and other materials that we will be using for her classes for easy access.

Sorted Blocks

Her toy rack is finally empty!

Yoe feels better now though I could she still could not drink her milk.

And finally, natanggal ko na rin ang Christmas Tree hahahaha, it's been there for ages! Hello summer na hahaha

I am giving myself until 3PM to sort all of these, hay sana kayanin ko to.

Yona Talks :)

2009-03-22T15:56:00.000-07:00

She loves putting -ED on her verbs these days :)

While playing online games:
Yona: Where did it goED, mommy?!?!
Me: It's just "Where did it go?" sweetie
Yona: awwww, okay!

Inutusan ko:
Yona: What did you said?!? (she pronounced it as SEYD)
Me: What did you say nga lang...
Yona: Okay, okay...

the following day, inutusan ko ulit:
Yona: What did you say, mommiED!?!?!?!

Kaloka!

Preschool Homeschool 101: March (Nutrition Theme March 16 - 22, 2009)

2009-03-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

ALPHABET LESSONS:
A APPLE (FRUIT)
B BROCOLLI (VEGETABLE)
C CHICKEN (POULTRY)
D DUCK (POULTRY)
E EGG (POULTRY)
F FISH (SEAFOOD)
G GOOSE (POULTRY)
H HEN (POULTRY)
I ICE CREAM (DAIRY, MILK BASED DESSERT)
J
K
L
M
N NUTS (BEANS)
O
P PINEAPPLE (FRUIT)
Q
R
S SUNFLOWER (SEEDS & OIL)
T TURKEY (POULTRY)
U
V VEGETABLES
W WATERMELON (FRUIT)
X
Y
Z

COMMUNITY HELPERS AND CAREERS:
BAKER - B IS FOR BAKER
WHAT DOES A BAKER DO?
WHAT ARE HIS RESPONSIBILITIES?
WHAT IS HE WEARING?
WHAT'S THE COLOR OF HIS UNIFORM?
WHO ELSE KNOW HOW TO BAKE?

FARMER - F IS FOR FARMER
WHAT DOES A FARMER DO?

FISHERMAN - F IS FOR FISHERMAN
WHAT DOES A FISHERMAN DO?

NURSE - N IS FOR NURSE

SONGS:
BAHAY KUBO (FILIPINO)
Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari
Singkamas at talong
Sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani
Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa
Labanos, mustasa
Sibuyas, kamatis
Bawang at luya
Sa paligid nito puno ng linga.

PARTY ON MY TUMMY (YO GABBA GABBA)
so yummy so yummy
there's a party in my tummy
so yummy so yummy.

3.5 Today

2009-03-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

Yoe turned 3.5 today so when my mom paid a visit this afternoon she bombarded me with "She should be in school na this June" and "Ay nakakatuwa naman tingnan kung naka-uniform na si Yoe" comments again. Ohhh pleeeease....

I told her that I am not putting Yoe in school and reminded her that "hello, Yona's homeschooled na..." but all I got was a stare. Hmp. It was like telling me silently that I cannot do it and she doesn't trust me again - at least that's how I read it. I grew up believing that my mom doesn't approve ANY of my decisions. But perhaps the only type of education she has in mind was the traditional one hence the stare. Whatever.

Deep inside me I know that the little girl is doing good, and as a mom who wants to get the better of education, I know that putting her in a homeschool program which I believe is the best (I so love and believe in you BTF!) is the most advisable option there is. For a mom like me who raises and eyebrow in the education system and the politics in schools, homeschooling na! But the question is, can we afford it? I don't know but this is what I want for my child so Dada must do something or else...

Ok.

I was given a leaflet this afternoon with the basic computation of expenses for pre-school:

basic tuition fee P20,000
books P5,000
PE uniform P650
miscellaneous P1,500
-------------------------------
P27,150

PLUS: Entrance fee for first time students: P1,350 (what is this for?)

How about the expenses for the uniform? baon? service? extracurricular activities?

...and will I be getting my money's worth? P30K is such a big amount for us, so sana ma-gain ng anak ko yung dapat niyang makuha.

I only want the best education for my child kahit di naman siya gifted at di kami mayaman but she is my child and I pity her that because we are underprivileged, she doesn't get to do ballet, figure skating, etc. So I want to "make bawi" by providing her the best education & teachers but the problem is, I already met the best (and nicest!) teachers in the planet so I am having a darn hard time looking for better ones (or at least man lang matapatan ang galing nila...)

I am just a mom with an average mind but fully believes that the world could offer so much opportunities for her child. So my question now is whether I take the risk of putting her in a nearby school and just supply her with the "add-ons" (ano to software? hahaha) or continue homeschooling her.

"A Poem for Yoe"

2009-03-04T02:00:00.000-08:00

I love spending relaxing time with you,
all my problems gone in a minute or two.
with that smile and your little cheer,
mommy's issues faced without fear.

reading a book with you by my side,
watching you sleep morning or night.
hug you, kiss you and tuck you to bed,
lots and lots of love we have shared!

eating your favorite meal all day
I want to tell them, if I may?
just plain rice from sun up to sun down
because veggies and pork make you frown!

oh my little girl, you bring so much glee
to mommy & daddy, to everyone, you see!
we love you with all our heart, & with that smile & when you talk,
I'm glad that this is just a start!

"A Poem for Yoe"
by: Mommy Iris, March 4, 2009 11:15pm
photo credits: dada marcelle, posted by tito badz

Saying No

2009-02-15T18:59:00.000-08:00

Yona's showing a strong desire for independence by saying "No!" to everything. This can be very, very irritating especially when with a lot of people and she shows them her annoying behaviour, aaaahhhh, nakakainis talaga because she's not like that at home.

She does this if she's with people she seldom see. From a bubbly tot she suddenly becomes shy and clingy - the "stay with me here mommy" type.

She says no to everything she's asked to do, so this morning we had this conversation:

Mommy: Parati ka na lang "No!" I will impose a "No saying of No!" rule here at HOME.
Yona: here? at home?
Mommy: Yes
Yona: WHERE can I shout the "No!"?

Yona's Blades of Glory Addiction

2009-02-08T02:22:00.000-08:00

Yona's so into figure skating these days, she has not tried doing it though but she watches every movie with figure skating that I downloaded: Ice Princess, Cutting Edge, etc but one particular movie really got her interest, Blades of Glory. She watches it twice a day and in two weeks she already know the lines in the movie. The movie is really not for kids as it has foul words and sexy content so what I do is watch with her and skip these parts. She sings "I don't want to miss a thing" and "lady humps" pa nga!
Then this afternoon, she was humming "I don't want to miss a thing" again. So we joined with her completely finishing her lines when all of the sudden she shouted:

"Mommy, Katie is not whore!"

Marcelle and I were so shocked! Dada recovered from the shock first and asked "What's that again, sweetie?" then she said "Chazz Michael Michaels said Katie is not a whore!"

She got this line from the movie itself.

m.y. G.o.d.

I didn't know how to react. I thought na edit ko na lahat.

but when she was asked what that line is, she shrugged and said "I don't know..."

Extracurricular Activity: Music & Movement Playdate

2009-02-05T15:51:00.000-08:00

January 31, 2009
Kidsahoy Playshop
Quezon City

It was a very fun experience for my little Toepei as she got to spend 2 hours with her friends, old and new ;-) Of course there's Caine and Jea as always, her buddies in most of her Kidsahoy Activities. It was the first time that she attended Teacher Thea's class so she was hesitant at first but joined in eventually.Yona in pink leggings with Caine, wearing a chinese attire

There were lot of activities like instruments playing, a little story telling, puppet demo, etc. It was really a fun filled day and Yona's looking forward to her next playdate - which is tomorrow!Yona in Kidsahoy's Troll Bridge with Caine Sy and Nathalie Gener

like mother, like daughter

2009-01-28T20:11:00.000-08:00

I am a person who loves studying people. I enjoy watching people talk, dance, move and read their minds through their actions. Hubby gets easily pissed off when I stop talking because he knows that I am reading his mind which is really, really weird and trying to decipher what a certain person thinks without natural ESP can be very, very stressful. It makes my headache.

But maybe this was the reason why I took up Psychology back in college. Sadly I wasn't able to finish it, not because I didn't want to but because of unavoidable circumstances. Good thing I found psychology colleges online. I'm checking out each site because all of them teach a person several ways at looking at issues, understanding human behavior and solving problems. Given this I have to consider if their curriculum matches my interests, their facilities - if updated, their location as I have to visit them from time to time, the number of enrollees and the tuition of course. Aside from these I also have to check if they belong to the top psychology colleges because most employers now choose applicants based on their schools and not on their skills - very weird.

I also saw this ability with my little girl - she loves people, and loves being with them but she takes note of that person's actions and asks her series of why's later. I have to develop her gift correctly now that she's being homeschooled so in time that she's ready to step in these psychology colleges, I know that she's well geared.

Extracurricular Activity: Music & Movement Playdate

2009-01-22T06:56:00.000-08:00

Playdate is an essential part of childhood but unlike before I could no longer let my kid play with just anyone in the neighborhood for safety and security reasons. So what we moms do is organize playdates for us to meet and at the same time for the kids to play. This is normally scheduled twice a month to make way for other important activities din :)

Like me my little girl has online BFFs too whom she meets daily online, but gets to play with every other week. I believe that my daughter learns a lot from these activities as most kids her age learn through play. So come January 31st, we are enrolling her in Kidsahoy's Music & Movement Playdate where she would get to be with her old Kidsahoy friends and learn from Teacher Thea as well.

Quoting Teacher Thea, " The music programs I designed integrates creative music experiences with those at school and at home, thus providing a safe and encouraging musical environment that will support your child's mental, physical, emotional and social development."

This is one good experience for Little Yona so I am not letting this opportunity pass :) Aside from this, she's also enrolled in Kidsahoy's Hula Class, a dance class that I truly enjoy hahahaha

Tiny bubbles, in Hawaii...

Homeschool Fieldtrip: Palipalaruan

2009-01-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

Location: Palipalaruan, Museong Pambata
Address: Roxas Blvd. cor South Drive. Ermita, Manila

All Roxas Blvd. passers must have seen the transition of this old war helicopter into something worth visiting - a wonderful work of art of a Filipino and an Australian volunteer - a symbol of peace. You'll notice hang drawings from the kids in Mindanao - the kids of war. It made me sad knowing that they're drawings reflect the trauma they developed during the war which made me into realizing how lucky Yona is for living in a peaceful world.

The helicopter’s interiors was developed into a peace shrine to incorporate peace postcards, prayer text, objects, and other contributions from local and overseas individuals, friends, and supporters of Museo Pambata. Printed stories of child evacuees will also be added to this peace shrine, which to Reamillo signifies the lifting and connecting of communities across the globe.

Aside from this, your kid will also love the additional functions of the helicopter, slides! My daughter loved it so dearly.

Tired but Happy :)

2009-01-16T22:51:00.000-08:00

I just have to blog about this.

Hula Dance Class Day

I started the day very early (6am) as I still have to prepare Yona's things, press our clothes and fix breakfast before she gets up. Yona woke up 30 minutes later, buti na lang everything was prepared na before she woke up or else she'll bombard me with "I don't want to use that shirt" or "Can I bring this instead?" litanya. She's so noisy even in the morning. Sobra.

Yona and I left Bacoor around 830am, rode a van to MRT Taft - she was so sleepy wawa naman. Walked a mile from Savers to MRT station - gracious it felt like a mile because we had to go up the pink foot bridge instead of crossing taft na lang! at karga ko kaya si Yona? hello... you just can't make her walk. She said she was tired and she'll die if I let her walk. Hay naku...

The Hula Class went well - at least for me and the rest of our classmates. Yona still won't dance. At ayoko ng pilitin. I told her that we went there to dance so we SHOULD dance and that she was so UNFAIR for keeping me from dancing - sabi niya I was unfair because I was forcing her to dance when all she wanted to do was paint...grrr...ok fine. I really hate arguing with her kasi talagang napipikon niya ako.

Dada fetched us and we ate lunch in Gateway. I was eating my chicken when I remembered to buy curtain fabrics in Divisoria - so sinama namin si Yona! hahaha

I knew that she was so curious what the place I call "Muddy Mud Mud" looks like so now I satisfied her curiosity by letting her experience Divisoria on a Saturday!

Yona's Computer Lessons Jokes ;-)

2008-12-14T23:49:00.000-08:00

I now allow her to play games on the PC and browse other kid-friendly sites. So far so good - she's doing well especially on the mouse and keyboard orientation. It just surprised me how she used the new words she's learned, nakakaloka!

On Backspace
One of her favorite pastimes is writing on our cemented floor using her colored chalk. One time as she was doodling something and didn't like what she saw she just shouted "Backspace! Backspace!" as she was erasing her scribbles.

Hang or Just Isn't Loading?
She was playing Barbie Dress Up when the PC started to act up, she said "Mommy, I can't see the arrow!", "Wait lang, I'll fix it" I said. As I was fixing it, nanggulo na naman "I want to play magnets na" so I said, "Wait, naka hang nga eh" She blurted "Hang or it's just not loading?!?

Oh, kids talaga!

The Best Christmas Party Ever

2008-12-13T00:50:00.000-08:00

To date we've been through a lot of Christmas parties already but the one we attended today was the best because it was different and it was celebrated with the people my daughter loves the most (aside from us of course!) - her Kidsahoy family.

Like most Christmas parties there were gifts, Christmas songs and program of course but all were for the kids of FCED (Families & Children for Empowerment and Development). The program showcased talents of Kidsahoy - Kuya CJ played the guitar, Kuya Alon read a story for all of us, Ate Justine sang a very beautiful song which got me teary eyed, Kuya Enoch sang a song from High School Musical and the toddlers sang I wav to move it! move it!. Aside from that, 5 homeschooling kids (I forgot their names except Nicolle and Popet) performed a song and dance number and kiddos from FCED joined the fun too!

My little Yona did nothing - except to have fun! She didn't perform on stage but she made a lot of people happy kasi she wasn't in her usual grumpy self. She hugged everyone who greeted her "good morning Yona!" the moment she arrived and was lively all throughout - first in, last out kami no?!?. She had "dede" moments to refuel which was understandable because she consumed a lot of energy by jumping, running, drawing and jumping again! She gained new friends - Masheng and Jea and got reunited with BFFs Kylie and Caine. Got to meet Mommy Michelle and Mommy Leng too!

It was indeed a very memorable Christmas party for my little girl because she experienced the magic of giving and helped fellow kids make other children happy in their own little way.

Thank you Kidsahoy - especially Mommy J and Teacher A for giving us the chance to share. That amidst the financial challenges Marcelle and I are facing you made us realize that we can still make a difference. Thank you again and more power to Kidsahoy!

She made us gift tags!

2008-12-09T22:01:00.000-08:00

We were busy watching Sweet Life when her Dada saw her writing our names on gift tags

For Dada
For Yona
For Iris

So cute!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's her latest pic I grabbed from Mommy Mhellai:

Yona and Caine

Learning Alphabet

2008-12-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

The little girl is fascinated with letters more than ever. She's mastering her alphabet and is taking it all with ease. The letters she did not recognized a few days ago? - they're currently her favorites now.

Annoyingly, she'll bore you to death by reading all the letters she encounter everyday. But of course, I don't give her that glum face - that would too much for her. She'll appreciate cooperation from us now. Don't get her mommy wrong - I am too excited that It scares me. Just thinking I am enrolling her in the first grade with all the information she's grasping from our studies is giving me the creeps.

She would make and read letters from popsicle sticks:

And would oftentimes read all the letters she see in shirts!

And she would make letters from leaves, its something, huh?

Yona writes YONA for the first time! ...and more!

2008-11-26T07:03:00.000-08:00

This super busy mommy was so surprised to find these on her art pad. I just saw her doodling - and from Mommy Mhellai's words, spaced out again :) I got so hooked on reading Twilight that I didn't see my daughter write her name for the first time :(

Good thing she obliged when I asked her to write it again
(the one written in black crayons).
She was able to convince mommy na! I am so proud talaga! Give me 2 more weeks and I would introduce her to her written full name bwahahahaha

KRISTIONA MA. YSABEL R. PULGA

As a bonus nagpasikat anak ko, she'll draw Dora and Boots daw, here it is:

Dora is the brown one and the purple is Boots.

Check the first Dora, may purple backpack pa!

Age: 3 years, 2 months, 15 days

Raising a Level Headed and Well-rounded Child

2008-11-22T07:19:00.000-08:00

Raising a kid all by myself is hard but making sure that she grow up to be what I expect her to be is harder. No one's babysitting her but me, we do things together like watching TV, taking a bath, do errands, do her lessons, play, practically everything. So her "outcome" relies solely on how I guide her. My DH works hard for us and is expecting that I teach our DD everything that's good :) So I am really giving this my best shot and two instances yesterday can manifest that I am doing a good job and that I deserve a pat on my back.

While playing yesterday she accidentally hurt my foot with her bike so what she did was gave me that worried look, hurriedly stepped down from her bike, and ALMOST kissed my foot! "Almost" because I didn't let her! That was too much! I felt like crying because it was too sweet of her to do that! She kept on saying "Sorry Mommy!"

and

We were in a hurry yesterday because we had to pay her great-grandfather a visit before her DF arrives from work. So I gave her a bath and told her to clean up her mess (toys, arts and crafts) while I was in the bathroom. I was surprised to find her all sweaty because she really cleaned up the living room! I really hugged her and told her that I am so proud of her!

Scout Day in November

2008-11-20T20:35:00.000-08:00

Our neighbor invited us to attend the Scout Day celebration in their school today. Thinking this was another "field trip" opportunity for Yona, I said yes and off we went to Young Shepherd's Academy very early this morning. I took it as a chance na rin to check the facilities of the school, baka okay. Hmmmm....

After the program, we were guided into a classroom to rest because all the people plus the heat outside were causing me headaches. I asked Yona to play with the kids in the room and she gladly said "Hi!", introduced herself and played with the toys but never fought with anyone unlike the other kids who belong to the class. These made me proud, really. Because I know that my kid can socialize well and be with people afterall! She knows how to behave - but still don't know how to fight back hihihihi.

I let her play outside too, but it bothered me because other kids we're character bashing (am not sure if this is the right word to be used) each other with foul words. And the mothers were there pa ha? They we're saying things like "Eh ang pangit, pangit naman kasi niyan eh" (referring to one kid), and "Bwisit ka! Bwisit ka!". I am not used to these words - how much more si Yona? Imagine your kid being shouted to as PANGIT and BWISIT? Ouch!

Now I am even thankful that I am homeschooling my kid and that she's not exposed to these bullying this early. I can't promise that I can keep my cool if my little kid will be attacked by these bullies - so perhaps homeschooling is the best choice for me.

So what if I am Homeschooling?

2008-11-19T15:51:00.000-08:00

I am often reminded by some people around us that teaching Yona at home and not letting her attend regular school is not healthy for her. I am always bombarded by questions such us "Anong mangyayari sa kanya paglaki niya?", "Eh di kulang ang mga tinuturo mo sa kanya?", and the most intriguing is the "Eh di hindi siya matututong makisama?" For those who know my daughter well, no one will say that she don't get along with other people. My daughter is a people person. She has adjusted well enough to deal with people of any age compared to some kids her age who already go to school. And to answer the first question, my daughter will grow up to be a fine kid, a well rounded kid and not the "out of school youth" image you have of her.

This can be really, really annoying because unschooling her doesn't mean that she's not being taught at home. We teach her manners, we teach her math, we teach her language and arts, we teach her science and most importantly, we teach her about God. Lastly, I am following a curriculum so I know that Yona's not missing out on anything. At 3, she's done at OPPOSITES, knows her ALPHABET, knows NUMBERS, knows how to write her name, knows LIFE CYCLES of certain animals and insects, can spell 2 to 3 letter words without help etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. The list goes on - I wonder if regular Nursery's even teaching these things to their kids?

I encountered an article in secular homeschooling written by a homeschooling mom, Deborah Markus. I would just like to share my views on the concerns thrown to her by some close-minded inviduals - or the members of HS Haters.

Is it Legal? - Of course it is! Right now, we have not enrolled her yet until next year but at 4.5, she'll be enrolled in CFA to formalize her pre-school education.
What about Socialization? - As I have said earlier, my daughter can even strike up a conversation with anyone, not just of kids her age. She's doing fine so I guess any kid will do. We go out almost every afternoon to meet her village friends, the guards, the yayas, the oldies. We visit friends every Saturday, and her grandpops every Sunday, so I guess it's enough socialization for her, right? She doesn't need to be confined in a 4-wall classroom for 3 hours everyday just to build her socialization skills.
Quit interrupting my daughter in her home classes, village science activities just to ask her if she socializes well.
Don't ever think that I am homeschooling my daughter because she's different and that she's sick. She perfectly normal and is healthy - thank you.
I am homeschooling my daughter because we think that this is the best for her and we're not just nakikiuso.
Please STOP telling us horror stories of homeschoolers who ruined their lives because they were homeschooled for I'd gladly tell you that there are MORE regular schoolers who failed. This will all boil down to one thing, the parents failed to monitor their kids - and on our case, we are doing close monitoring and we know what we are doing.
We don't raise eyebrows when we learn that you enroll your kids this early, and that your paying thousand and thousand of money so your kids will learn ABCs and 123s - things that you can teach her at home FOR FREE. So stop looking horrified when I tell you that my kid is learning all of these (and more!) right at home.
Stop assuming that we are doing this because of religion.
I am not teaching all of these to my daughter just to show you guys that we can. This was a personal decision of both hubby and me.
It doesn't really matter if I have a degree on education or not because I am capable of teaching my daughter the basics , the essential things she'll be needing later in life and not unnecessary lessons and projects that she'll eventually forget.
Stop assuming that I am depriving my daughter of anything - she's learning at home but she gets to go to places to learn most of the time, too. We don't have to wait for field trips so she can be in these places.
No, I didn't brought the "school system" to our home. I teach her when she wants me too, not limiting to the hours needed for "learning" like you do in regular schools. In this approach, she can be more focused and I am stress-free :)
Stop asking about the extracurricular activities that my kid won't be getting, for me it's all unnecessary.
Please DON'T EVER ask my kid if she wants to go to school unless you don't mind if I can ask your kid if he would rather stay home, learn and play and get some sleep. I'm sure he'll like it better :)
Please stop branding my kid as shy, anxious, outgoing, aggresive, pouty, whiny, loud or anything because she's homeschooled. It's not fair to us that kids who go to regular school can be act annoyingly as this without being judged as anything but "he's just a child".
Stop reminding me of the great memories my kid won't be getting because he's homeschooled unless you want me to remind you of the not-so-good memories you got from attending school.

Homeschooling is a choice - the same process of decision making when you let your kid attend school. As for us, this is our choice so please, please, please have some respect.

Homeschooling Yona: Teaching Filipino Rhymes and Songs

2008-11-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Extra Challenge to hahaha

Here are some songs and rhymes that I sing to Yona everyday. She gives me the "AGAIN?!?" look everytime I sing kasi wala naman siyang naintindihan hahaha

ANG LOBO KO
Ako ay may lobo
lumipad sa langit
di ko na nakita
pumutok na pala
Sayang ang pera ko
pambili ng lobo
kung pagkain sana
nabusog pa ako.

BAHAY KUBO
Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon, ay sari sari
Sinkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani.
Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa,
Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya
Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga.

LERON LERON SINTA
Leron Leron Sinta
Buko ng Papaya
Dala dala'y buslo
Sisidlan ng sinta
Pagdating sa dulo'y
Nabali ang sanga
Kapos kapalaran
Humanap ng iba.

SAMPUNG MGA DALIRI
Sampung mga daliri
kamay at paa
dalawang mata
dalawang tainga
ilong na maganda...
Maliliit na ngipin
masarap kumain
dilang maliit nagsasabi
huwag kang magsinungaling!

TONG, TONG, TONG
Tong, tong, tong, pakitong-kitong
Alimango, sa dagat
malaki at masarap
mahirap
mahuli sapagkat nangangagat
tong, tong, tong, tong pakitong-kitong.

Source: Mama Lisa

Homeschooling Yona: Total Reading - Grade K

2008-11-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

We got this book for Yona's daily reading activities @ Diplomat for Php299 ($6.10). Instead of getting her the Pre-K, I got her Grade K which is basically the same to the former but is more advanced and can get tedious because of the length of activities. The pages are colorful and the quality is so nice compared to the locally published workbooks they use in private schools. Aside from this, it also includes stickers and pop out posters as additional activities.
Overall, I'm giving the book a !

Yona's still hasn't passed the Patience Test hahaha so what I do is skip some activities and do what interests her.

Book Details
Publisher: School Specialty Publishing
Pages: 352
Format: Trade Paperback
Trimsize: 8.5 x 11"
Level: Grade K

The Yonamade Blowgun

2008-11-12T04:38:00.000-08:00

The pictures below how yucky my daughter is but it just shows that she can be very creative as well. For hygienic purposes, we let her use her own tissue, drink and straw hihihi

First, wet the tissue using the dripping water from your drink...

Second, mold the tissue into smaller pieces...

Third, roll the tissue into tiny pieces until it fits the straw...

Fourth, place one tiny tissue at the tip of the straw...

Blow! Have Fun!

Rhymes for Kids

2008-11-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

Nursery Rhyme :: Rain	Nursery Rhyme :: An Action Rhyme
Nursery Rhyme :: Teapot	Nursery Rhyme :: Frogs Jump
Nursery Rhyme :: Just Me	Nursery Rhyme :: The Clock
Nursery Rhyme :: Number Rhymes	Nursery Rhyme :: Traffic Rules
Nursery Rhyme :: Number Rhyme Ii	Nursery Rhyme :: The Golden Fish
Nursery Rhyme :: Vegetables	Nursery Rhyme :: Rabbits
Nursery Rhyme :: Animal Sounds	Nursery Rhyme :: Ricky Rabbit
Nursery Rhyme :: God Made	Nursery Rhyme :: Finger Family
Nursery Rhyme :: Three Little Billy Goats	Nursery Rhyme :: Five Little Ladybirds
Nursery Rhyme :: My Little Pup	Nursery Rhyme :: Raindrops
Nursery Rhyme :: Clap Your Hands	Rhyme :: Mulberry Bush
Rhyme :: We Shall Overcome	Rhyme :: Pyara Yeshu
Rhyme :: Old Macdonald	Rhyme :: Our Helpers
Rhyme :: Birthday Song	Rhyme :: Boogie Woogie
Rhyme :: Rudolph - The Red Nosed Reindeer	Nursery Rhyme :: Hands On My Hips
Nursery Rhyme :: Ten Little Indians	Nursery Rhyme :: Litte Boy Blue
Nursery Rhyme :: Little Bo-peep	Nursery Rhyme :: Wee Willie Winkie
Nursery Rhyme :: Doctor Foster Went To Gloucester	Nursery Rhyme :: Curly Locks
Nursery Rhyme :: To Bed, To Bed	Nursery Rhyme :: Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater
Rhyme :: Ding, Dong, Bell	Rhyme :: Hey Diddle Diddle
Rhyme :: Simple Simon	Rhyme :: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
Rhyme :: Old King Cole	Rhyme :: About Myself
Rhyme :: Rain-rain	Rhyme :: Cock-a-doodle Doo!
Rhyme :: One, Two, Three,four, Five	Rhyme :: A Little Nut Tree
Rhyme :: Humpty Dumpty	Rhyme :: There Was A Little Girl
Rhyme :: See-saw Margery Daw	Rhyme :: Jack Sprat Could Eat No Fat
Rhyme :: Cobbler, Cobbler	Rhyme :: Marry Had A Little Lamb
Rhyme :: Hickory, Dickory Dock	Rhyme :: Little Miss Muffet
Rhyme :: Three Blind Mice	Rhyme :: Goosey Gander
Rhyme :: Georgie Porgie	Rhyme :: Ring-a-ring O� Roses
Rhyme :: Jack Be Nimble	Rhyme :: Mary Mary
Rhyme :: Old Mother Hubbard

A Different Christmas Party

2008-11-10T05:11:00.000-08:00

There's no better way to spend Christmas than spending it with your loved ones. But it would be much, much special if you take some time to wrap up excess toys, clothes and books and give it to the less privileged kids. So come December 6, Yona and I would be very busy wrapping toys and books and giving it away to the underprivileged kids in the KidsAhoy Shop neighborhood.

Join us as we celebrate a very different Christmas this year :)

Next in the line-up of happiness projects for Kids Ahoy is our all-in-one books ahoy, gifts ahoy event for Christmas! Musical Story-telling galore, a mini-concert, gift-giving to underprivileged kids in the neighborhood and our early Christmas party are in store for us all. Another extraordinary meaningful way to kick-off your Holidays!

BRING A CHILDREN'S BOOK, GET IN FREE!
PRE-REGISTRATION IS A MUST!

Wrap up gifts of your child's old clothes, shoes, toys or food to be shared with underprivileged kids and experience the real joy of Christmas with your Kids Ahoy family!

RSVP 0920-5178127 / 4737896 / KIDSAHOY@YAHOO.COM
name of child:
age:
name of parents:
mobile:
email:
total # of guests:
where did you hear about this event?

The Animal Bowling Set

2008-11-09T22:31:00.000-08:00

Whoever thinks that indoor games are boring is just plain lazy and uncreative. I normally let my daughter play outside around 5PM and let her mingle with the kids in the neighborhood to help hone her socialization skills so when the rainy days are here I make it a point to prepare games that would not bore her.

Aside from the normal cutting and play-doh days I also let her play paint, read books and magazines and play with wooden blocks as well.

Good thing I found these super cute wooden bowling set from my friend's store last week. It was endless fun for Yona! Aside from playing the bowling set itself, you can also incorporate math lessons in this toy :)

These set includes 6pcs 4" pins and 3 pcs balls.

Designs available:

Cow
Lady Bug
Frog
Giraffe

P199/set ($4.06)

You can buy it at Posh Baby or email poshbaby888@gmail.com for your orders.

Why KidsAhoy?

2008-10-30T02:43:00.000-07:00

First of all, let me share with you what KidsAhoy is all about:

KidsAhoy is a creative playshop at the heart of Cubao, Quezon City promoting Creative Play through non-traditional educational activities which could help children discover and hone their creative potential.

I met Mommy Joanne of Kidsahoy online February of 2008. I registered Yona in their First Free Playdate for Trekkers (2-4 years old). Since then we never stopped supporting KidsAhoy by joining almost all of their activities because we believe that through this we are bringing out the best in our daughter. We already met new friends and families through them, families that we want to be with until the children grows old and we are giving this new found friendship a lifetime value.

As a homeschooling mom I am on a look-out for more activities for my daughter and KidsAhoy offers more than that. They provided not just a play shop but a second home to my daughter as well - in fact, she hates leaving the place! She calls it her school and Teacher Aia her teacher! At 3 years old, she already knows that she loves - and we love KidsAhoy to bits. Every visit is enjoyable to her as we get to play, learn and have fun as well!

I have here reasons why we ♥ KidsAhoy!

KidsAhoy ♥ Kids
Kids can be kids in KidsAhoy
KidsAhoy is Family

From my daughter's heart through her words, she said that she loves KidsAhoy because:

There's Teacher Aia
Tita Joanne hugs
Lots and lots of crayons
I wav (love) to paint
Troll Bridge
I cut and gwoo (glue) mommy
French Fries
I wav MY kitchen
I want to go there!

Here are some Yona's pics in some of KidsAhoy's activities:

Yona on her First KidsAhoy Playdate February 2008
(with Teacher Ines)

KidsAhoy is Friendship
(with Kylie Calvelo)

KidsAhoy First Nature Trip June 2008

KidsAhoy Caravan of Fun May 2008

MY Kitchen (during one of the playdates)

KidsAhoy Housewarming August 2008

Halloween November 2008

KidsAhoy Contact Details:
w: www.kidsahoyshop.com
e: kidsahoy@yahoo.com
m: 0920.517.8127

Yona's Not So Typical Trick or Treat

2008-10-29T00:24:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 26, 2008 - we woke up very late (9am) because we were so tired from the previous night's Trick or Treat celebration in SPi. I prepared express breakfast for the two, ham and egg for us and oatmeal for Yona.

REDUCE, RE-USE and RECYCLE
At 9:30am I started working on Yona's costume. I already had in mind a Hawaiian costume since it's the easiest to do and the materials were readily available at home - her two-piece swimsuit was the one she used in the KidsAhoy Caravan :) Now the problem were the leis. I could not find a single flower at home and bringing fresh ones to Quezon City from Cavite was not a good idea - lanta na yun pagdating. So I had to think of something else or she'd be a bare hula-girl without the leis. And then I saw her full-packed pumpkin from last night! Yoooohoooo! So armed with a truck load of candies and a tagging gun I made the candies into a colorful lei! Yehey!

My daughter experienced a not so typical but more enjoyable Trick or Treat event! Thank you so much KidsAhoy for another wonderful day!

As usual, masaya na naman si Yona at ayaw na namang umuwi :)

I forgot to bring a camera so all pictures were grabbed from KidsAhoy!

On Paper Bag Puppets, Counting, Letter Identification

2008-10-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

We started our Counting and Alphabet lessons around 10AM today. She did great with the counting and letter identifcation but had the difficulty removing the teen on eleven and twelve. She counts "One..two..three..four...five..six..seven..eight..nine..ten..eleventeen..twelveteen..thirteen.." hehehe...although ok naman kasi she can count up to thirty na :) yippeee!

Another thing, I would ask her "How many cakes do you see?" "TWO!" (tama!) pagdating sa numerous items na "How many candles are there?" "Lots and lots of candles Mommy!" patay na! hahaha

After a series of Q&A I noticed that she was no longer interested, she wants to play na as usual. I made puppets for her, brown paper bag puppets! we communicated through puppets and it was really, really fun. I have read that puppets were used to gain and hold the attention of kids with low attention span and and to confidently listen to and speak with children about sensitive issues..Yona, Daddy and Mommy

Her first question was: "Mommy, why is your face angry?"

Clay Art

2008-10-24T03:39:00.000-07:00

Art Class
I gave her a little surprise today - a box of clay. I was expecting her to show me something worth blogging (LOL!) but look at her work of art!

Oh di ba napaka-kikay ng anak ko?!? I am not kikay like her so I'm wondering where she got this idea

Yona's Lopsided Butterfly Crazy Mosaic

2008-10-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

Mosaics are great for developing hand/eye co-ordination, fine motor skills, encourage creative thinking and yes - patience.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Materials:

Oslo Paper
Colored Papers
Felt-tip Pen
Glue

Sorry for the funny looking butterfly, I was watching Piolo on the television while making the pattern.

Mommy did the pattern and cutting of the colored papers. Pasting was entirely Yona's job :)

Finally we got a "Go!"

2008-10-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

I always have this idea of formally homeschooling Yona - meaning having an accredited school to monitor her progress and all but with the rate of how our finances are going these days having another bill to shoulder was already too much for hubby.

So tonight I asked him if he's okay with the idea of formally homeschooling Yona - and you bet he agreed! It was all the approval I needed! We'll definitely giving this our best shot. I promise that I would devote 2 hours of school/play to Yona everyday so her perception of school is fun, never boring!

I'm calling CFA anytime this week to ask for details.

Wish me luck!

Our supplies of reading materials

2008-10-23T04:41:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons for homeschooling is limited finances so instead of enrolling our toddler to uber expensive toddler school, we have decided to teach her the basics at home. It isn't much of a chore but dedication from me and help from my husband is essential to the success of this decision.

For Yona we're just playing. We do cutting, tracing, coloring and her favorite reading! So I have invested a lot on reading materials so she'll be thrilled to read each day. But I did not spend that much on these books, I bought second hand workbooks on eBay, references on Diplomat. All of her "Little Golden Books" costs P10 (20cents) each. How's that? hehehe I make sure that we pay the bookstore a visit every week so we can check for new items on sale.

The books are used of course but it's just ok! All of them are still in good condition and has little creases on the pages. Good value for our P10! These books costs P249 (>$5.20) if bought brand new.

Aside from reading materials Diplomat also sells good workbooks from the US, so go visit Diplomat now!

Works of Art

2008-10-23T01:19:00.001-07:00

I have compiled some of Yona's greatest pieces.

Enjoy!

KidsAhoy! Summer Day Camp: La Mesa Ecopark 5-31-08

2008-10-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

One great thing about homeschooling a child is that you can bring her everywhere to learn and have fun at the same time. Field trips can be done not with classmates but with other friends whole year round.

Here's our first ever field trip with KidsAhoy at La Mesa Ecopark

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The day didn't started okay for it was raining very hard in Cavite and Parañaque. But the weather didn't keep us from joining the hike scheduled that day. You think it was worth all the pagod? Including mine, having no sleep and coming straight from the office and all, Yona and Daddy commuting early in the morning from Cavite (with RAIN and all!)...

...you bet! it was an unforgettable experience not just for Yona but for us as well. thank you KidsAhoy and Blue Water for this experience.

Yona was so shy and clingy at first, just listening and observing everyone. Pero after the butterfly experience, aba! iniwan na kami ng daddy nya!

Preschool Homeschool 101

2008-10-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

We're planning to home school Yona until she's 4. I find it so easy because afterall, all play is learning for her. I have bought several books from eBay and materials for arts and crafts to make her busy the whole day and made sure that we will have an accomplished task weekly.

I have read several articles on homeschooling and it boils down to one thing, that the success of this decision depends entirely on the dedication of the parents and guardians. I am just sooo grateful for hubby's and my mom's support on this choice.

We decided to apply the ecletic homeschooling method since we're just starting. Different approaches and methods of homeschooling will be applied depending on which we think is best for Yona.

I already have a planned out the entire year for the home school activities actually. This includes KidsAhoy playdates, field trips, visits to friends of the same age level (Hello Maya and Mya!), science projects with dad, physical activities, art classes, etc etc etc. The list is endless!

May 17, 2008 - Day 1 We started with an art and reading class. I played music in the background, turned the TV off and wham! Never ending fun! fun! fun! Yona was so kulit, pero ganyan lang talaga siya. I have no right to complain. She asks a lot of questions, says NO and insists on what she wants to do. But heck, she's having fun while learning! Yun ang importante :)

May 19, 2008 - Day 2 Dada and Yoe looked for a caterpillar for their science project. hehehe

To know of caterpillars, click here: http://www.yesmag.ca/projects/caterpillar.html

Here are some preschool homeschool resources:
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/preschool/Preschool_Resources.htm
http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/lillian_jones_ps_kdgtn.html
http://www.abchomepreschool.com/
http://www.letshomeschool.com/preschool.htm
http://www.homeschoolingprogram.org/custom4.php
http://www.first-school.ws/