Happy Train @ Bugis

I have been trying to let Jyn engaged in short programme over the weekend since he just turned 20 months.

I admit I am not a very resourceful mum and have seen many mothers bringing their kids for all kind of enrichment classes.But that doesn't make me a hardworking mum to go centre to centre to go find out more.

I just "googled" any 3 from the whole range of enrichment class online and just do my research from there.

And I just happen to saw this "Happy Train" enrichment centre and decided to call up.The receoptionist sound proffesional and she actually told me the list of things they will engaged the child into.Sound promising, but not cheap.
This is quite a "in" things recently in SG mostly on right brain training, but it is over decades that other western countries are already practising on their children.

I decided to go for 1 trial lesson before deciding on which is more suitable for my little man. Jyn is very very active during this stage as he can't sit still for another min, just curious on EVERYTHING. So , after knowing it is a sit in 60 mins lesson , deep down my throat, I know it is not going to be simple for me.

Anyway,I am very firm on trying out this trial lesson to see how it goes. Ultimately I want him to be more attentive and patience as I find him to active to do some certain tasks. I am also considering on those gym lesson also with music and dance.I will see how it goes.And most importantly, I just want him to get more socialised since he is an only child.Ok, so we headed down to "Happy Train" on 10 Marth 2013.

The place is situated at chye sing building ( near shaw tower ).I have already done my homework to google the place before I went down. But , it took me awhile to find out where it actually is when I reached that place. It is actually situated right between the "chong qing" steamboat and the duck rice stall .The entrance is so small that you won't even notice it's existence if you not been there before.

It is on the 6th Floor and the lift was very cramp and small. I find it hard to maneuver the stroller around.So be prepared not to get those stroller which is too big. It is very easy to find when we reached on 6th floor. You will see it once you stepped out from the lift.

It was an eye opening for me as I saw about 10 over kids at the entrance . I guess it's after lesson time. Mostly are Japanese kids with their parents who spoke in their native language.It's abit rowdy as there are also local parents chatting about the lessons and with the teachers .But the atmosphere was comfy and welcoming as there are toys and puzzles laying on the one row of tables near the entrance.

Jyn was so thrilled that he immediately run to pick up his favourite "maze"toy. After reporting and payment at the reception,

we just roamed around the place to take a peep inside the classroom how how it is organize beforethe lesson start in less than 15 mins.

   

I am impressed that the centre actually took a mindful thought to put up a
chart with children's photos and also photos of birthday boy and girl.

Lesson is about to start in 5 min and I brought Jyn inside to have a feel inside the classroom.The class only allows 6 children with 1 accompanied adult.The sitting is set in a way that children suppose to sit infront the desk and parent /caregiver is sitting right behind the child.Worksheet was already placed neatly on the desk before lesson.

Today was supposed to be chinese lesson so all materials already set up infront of the white board.

 

The lesson start swiftly with the teacher step in and a short introduce to herself.It started with chinese rhyme song. Then followed up by small colouring stuffs.


The lesson was planned in such fast pace that I find it quite hard even for me to catch up.Each part of the lesson ends in about 10 mins or some even 5 min.But the chinese teacher was very well trained in handling when some children started to look away.Jyn was anxious and keep crying initally and want to look for the "grandma" . But the chinese teacher was fast enough to switch to another task to get the attention back from the child.


In between, we are encouraged to work on the crafts with our children together.When came to flashcards moment,I find it quite impressive as the teacher was very experience in showing the children with very high speed flash cards. We ended the lesson with the goodbye song and sticker for children also .So within the 60 mins, we have done quite a number of activties, like fixing puzzles, sing couple of rhyme songs with simple instrument, feel and sense , colouring, 1 chinese stroke, learn about weather, months , concerntrating game , memorize game ,learn on sequence , learn the concept on numbers 1-20 and more /less. These are the things I remebered so far for the 1st lesson.


After the lesson, the teacher actually carry my boy to soothe him and bring him out from the lesson smiling. My boy actually loves it.This is the kind of teacher that I like - passion.
I can feel that not because Jyn was new student and expect that kind of special treatment and expect us to sign, but I can sense the teacher's passion.The teacher will chat with every parents like friends and I can see those children attending the class are happy and they really enjoyed it.

Overall , I find the class is very past pace and very interactive as you can expect many activities without any messiness as the teacher is very good in organizing.

I have decided to sign up for the next 2 trial lessons (we suppose to sign up 3 trial lessons for 3 languages - Eng/Chin/Jap ). But if you are not too comfortable in signing up all 3 , you can just sign up 1 lesson also.

I find there's no hard selling and the admin lady will not pushed if you do not intend to sign up. They will let you decide and see for yourself.I will update again on the English lesson again.

 

Jyn's learning milestone

I am amaze at the learning ability of young children.Actually,I have been quite dliligently teaching Jyn alphabets and numbers and all the while he was quite playful and I never expect him to absorb all information while he plays.

Till one day, I actually try to "test" and ask him to repeat after me , eg "1" . And quite amazingly I heard he say "2". I continue to say "3" and he cited the next number "4". And I continued with him till we reach the last number and he says"10 !"
.I am truely amazed.Ok,even I have no clue if he really knows what come after next number or he memorized them,but I am satisfied with his progress at around 18 months then.

Today he is 19 months coming to 20, my aim is to let him hum the ABC songs ( at least ) and maybe to let him know well on the 26 alphabets before 24 months.My ambitions, bad mum !

Anyway, will update this blog again along the way.

Books Books !

Recently, I am in the book zone mood and decided to brush up my personal development skill.

Not very sure of what I intend to do. And the most common topic which everyone will need or have to master is financial freedom.So have started to look up in library on such topics.

Actually, Im not very savy onto this kind of topic and and decided to look up something interesting which I can share with my son when he's older and for me to relearn.

I have came across this book titled "Raising a $mart kid".This is written by Rosina Simon.

She was a ex senior banker who has a rich background on financial market and has been working in HSBC,citibank and JPMorgan for the past 20 over years.And she decided to give herself a break by becoming an author for her first book.

I like the way she used practical examples on how she encourage her 3 children when they are younger ( who are already in their teens now ) and get them expose to different ways of saving,buying and spending and how  to reinforce their concept on money matters.
And some of the funny occasions whereby the grandparents are actually involved in helping

their grandchildren on the awareness of saving of money. These are by far some of the best tips she can provides to her readers.

But some of the ideas are quite old but it is no harm in bringing up the matter on the pro and cons on credit cards and what are good loans and bad loasn.You can give this portion a miss if you are already familiar with. So if you are interested, can go to your nearest national /Public library to borrow.

Inspiration from Steve

Recently, I am obessed with books of great ,successful people.

The urgency of unlearn and relearn occurred to me as I feel life is short and feel like I am really lacking of some important knowleges in life.I came in touch with some great books which are written by gurus like Adam Khoo , Dennis Ng and Steven Jobs etc.Most books are teaching us about life and how to be successful by following their formulas.There are lots and lots of information on the net and in libraries as well.

There's a very significant behaviour that each of them possessed.PASSION.I love the book especially written by Leander Kahney on " inside steve's brain".It was one of the fastest book which I have completed ....withing 3 days.You can search on youtube and there's an interview on Steve Jobs on how to be successful.

He had mentioned about PASSION. It is the passion on computers that pushed him forward and make him a legend. I couldn't but agreed with him that without a PASSION, it will be extremely extremely hard for a person to succeed.Slowly, you will give up totally.

PASSION drive people to their fullest potential and it can really bring one to success.This is a simple rule and YET so far out to reach.

This is a book about inspiring and it brings us inside of how apple was started and how this genius of technology has changed and invade into part of our lifes. Truely inspiring.

He really adored on what he is doing and he expected people who work with him to be passionate in their work.That's his charm.

Though I am not a apple fan ( even though I hold a iphone ), but I truely give this man my respect on how a detailed person and his determination on bringing apple back to it's feet again and make it an invader in communication industry. 

It brought me tears on how cancer has robbed Steve's wellness at the peak of Apple's success and his determination to fight this detrimental illness .For apple fans, Im sure you will love this book.

This book is availabe in popular book store , but it can be borrow from local libraries as well.



Breakfast at Macdonald + Water Play - 4th Nov 2012

Today, we decide to bring Jyn for a whole new breakfast experience at ....MacDonald.Ok bad mummy to introduce "fast food" .Well, this is not everyday thing. I feel it is acceptable as this is not everyday food.
I need to be mindful on the nutrients on his daily intake. 

Cheeky him try to cut the pancake with his full strength by grenching his teeth.

His last trip to the Safra swimming was a total disaster.This time, we decided to bring him for some water "testing" at the northpoint children waterplay located @ 3rd level.

We did not bring any extra clothes as this is just a last minute plan to just view the place. Jyn was overwhelmed by the different kind of water play.
We try to encourage him by just touching the water . It was abit cold though.
The different level of water sprays was catered for different play.
It was not crowded as it was early around 10 45am.
After a few sec thoughts, I decided to head my mum's house for some dry towel and dry clothes for after play.

After about 30 mins of play, we decided to leave the place and dried him with new clothes.Jyn was so upset that we were leaving the place and start throwing tantrum. He screamed at the top of his voice just to attract attention. No choice, we need to handle and soothe him as he already looked very exhausted.
We will definitely make a come back for the play again considering it is just 5 mins walk from where my mum stayed.

@Universal Studio Singapore - 28 Oct 12 ( part II)

MUMMmmmmmmY returns ! It was coming to about noon time and it was REALLY HUMID & HOT ! The huge scuplture statues was facinating.

Actually we did not ride most rides , just most sight seeing and take photos.

then we came to a train ride at mummy theme park and decide to ride with Jyn.We really hope he would be obedient enough to sit still beside.

The ride waiting time is 15 mins, ok not too bad.It was around Jyn's afternoon nap time and he looked abit tired , with the humid and hot weather.

We need to give him pacifier to soothe him during the ride.

It was a non bumpy ride, but ride was abit short , whole journey is less than 10 mins.I think this is more suitable for young children . Not much surprises, and I think the black beetles looked extremely fake. If I will be back again , I will give it a miss next time.

Next theme is the Jurassic Park .







We try to make it a quick round as we feel quite exhausted after the long walk under the sun and decide to look for a eatery stop for a quick lunch.

We came to far far away land for a quick lunch and then headed over to the 4D movie of Shrek. It was a 25 mins show.This is quite impressive with the 4 D effects .Jyn was too scared to hear the sound effect . In the end we have to look for priority seats with no movement.I guess due to the cool aircon inside the theatre, Jyn slept during beginning of the show...

Next is the Madagascar theme . It was the show time featuring the penguine, giraffe and friends.It was hilarious with the Penguines dancing around while the spectators took photographs.

Finally , a family photos to end our trip !!

Overall, I think USS tour can be finished about half if the day.It was quite ok, but not specially impressive but still room for  improvement.

Firstly, the staffs who usher tourists for photo taking, isn't friendly at all !

They welcomed guests with black face when at the entrance of USS.

And most staffs lack of experience in guiding the queue as the instruction was not clear. Especially at the 4D Shrek theatre. It was a complete mess when guests are required to stand outside of the dark entrance before the movie start. Some staffs get the guests to sit along the wall, some just scattered around everywhere. When the threatre door is open, I was lost with direction on where to find the priority seats and had to go find the staffs for the seats.

I really hope to visit USS again with more add on and improvement

@Universal Studio SINGAPORE - 28 Oct 2012 ( Part 1) )

This week, we decided to head forward to a new adventurous place which is the USS. Before that , we feel that consider Jyn's age, the theme park may not be suitable for him.After mucn considering as I got a very good discounted rates for 4 and some free coupons for food and merchandise.We decided to move on with the plan.

It's a warm morning and we reached USS just after 9 am. Not many crowds even though it was a sunday .This maybe due to the exam period , haha. That's my point in trying to avoid the peak period of the year.Not too bad.

I stll remember the last one I went is USO year - Osaka Japan,2006

It was a good experience First thing, it is COOL as it is near spring season.

Weather was good and stuffs that were sold in the US is cute especially the pop corn containers.I hope USS will sound how receive good comments.

Jyn Says "HELLO USS, HERE I COME !! "

Jyn was so obessed with any figures that come with 2 arms and 2 legs

and round faces is automatic link to "BEAR" . He quickly run to the gingerbread man featured in Shrek and hugged him "BEAR BEAR !!"

Pop corn van !

I guess this transformer theme ride looks exciting, so decided to quickly queue up to see what's happening. Never expected, when we went inside, the next ride need to wait for 60 mins !!

Forget it , I can't wait for that long considering Jyn is not allow for the ride.

Back to the future theme