Sarah and Spatial Intelligence

Sarah has always displayed an aptitude in certain areas and I have taken a mental note of these observations but never really know what to make out of it. For one, she was very advanced in her motor skills. She was sliding on her own just shortly after she turned 1.5 years and conquering the playground soon after. She could jump with 2 feet off her ground early too. And she was doing flips and turns on her own even before she went for ballet classes. To date, I must say, she is quite an accomplished hula hooper. 

Another thing that amazes me is when I drive the kids around - Sometimes, to the park, sometimes to Ahma and Ahgong's house or sometimes just around Singapore. She would be able to recognize the roads and directions to certain places and even remember the event that made us travel that route. During one time, I was in Bedok, she could point the direction in which Ikea was and said that if I turned right, I would head to Ikea. The other incident, that really astounded me was when I drove them to Punggol for the first time with them. She looked at the place and the landscape and said that if I headed in that direction, I would land up in Ikea. I was about to say "No" when I looked around and saw that she was spot on. Haha...it seems like her compass is calibrated with Ikea as "North" but she was absolutely right.

On a more 'universal' level, Sarah is very comfortable in locating Malaysia and Singapore on her Globe. She seems to know where it is - I am not sure what she uses to do it. Ever since I pointed out where Singapore is in relation to the UK and how the airplane travels between these 2 locations, she is able to trace the route almost everytime.

Another trait is her ability to discern between 2 D and 3 D and notice a difference in perspectives. Before she turned 3, I was reading "Topsy and Tim: Busy Builder". There was a particular page that asks children to count the hard hats, the wheelbarrows etc on the page. When we have exhausted counting everything that is countable on the page, I decided to ask her to count the ladders. There was only one ladder in sight and another one was hidden behind the house, except for a builder who was perched on it and laying tiles on the roof. Sarah was able to point to the builder and tell me that there is another ladder there. That, to me was an enlightened perspective for a 2 year old. 

There are many times recently, when she noticed the use of perspectives in pictures. For example, she would ask me why the plane looks small at some instance and larger at some instances. It was the use of distance in pictures that alerted her to discrepancies in her understanding of 2D diagrams. Initially, I felt it was too premature to explain to her the use of perspectives. But after I took time to explain to her, she could understanding that it was distance from the observer that rendered an object smaller or bigger.

At the prompting of Dan [who often gives me the kick that I need], I started to search out about spatial intelligence and these inclinations of Sarah's and more so to see how I can help her to harness it to her understanding and benefit. I often eschew books and titles of the likes "How to raise gifted children" and think that pushing a child in this direction would be to his/her detriment. But for Sarah who displays these observable traits, I cannot ignore it. I thought it only responsible for me to educate myself and introduce meaningful play and activities that would harness her gifts. Some googling landed me on this introductory journal article which I found useful in understanding Spatial Intelligence for a start. It also suggest briefly some activities that would help develop this intelligence in young children. Identifying and Supporting Spatial Intelligence in Young Children. This is a good stimulus for me to continue a little exploration in this area. 

Tangential thought: This naturally brought me to explore lego as well...and I am surprised at the extent of Lego. I am excited, because our big move would find ourselves near the 1st Legoland in asia. haha...that is a big clue to where we are moving:) I think if it is in operation, I will get hold of a annual pass and head there every week with the kids:)

Back to more reading. 

Life thus far...

2010 to date has been nothing short of a year of discovery and relearning... knots of misconceptions and untruth that have been tangled and tightened over the past 3 decades are being unknotted in the midst of the weaving of a new tapestry truth and facts and knowledge. This new tapestry is what Dan and I are convinced will equip us to be responsible and honest disciples of Christ - Christians who are fully aware of the world and culture which they are placed in - to engage believers and unbelievers alike; Christians who are not excluded from reality and the world by setting up a false sense of assurance and superiority through man made rules of piety and existing comfortably in their circle of church friends. I must say, to do this, the mind is kept in a constant state of organization, storing and computing and reflecting as well as purging [a mental activity which I have become ill equipped to do over the years of blind education both spiritual and academic]. The state of mental renovation does not seem like it is going to finish anytime soon . I can say it is a year of undoing and doing...but it is all for the better, I am assured.

Well, receiving a call from Thomson Women's Cancer Centre to remind me of my next appointment made me realize how time really flies and how we are approaching the end of 2010. The year perhaps will only get busier...but again, I believe it is for the better. Dan and I and our two kids and our helper are preparing and anticipating our 'big move'. 'Big' because it is kinda like a relocation of sorts, not really [for those who are let in on our plans]. It is not just the physical move that we are excited about but the move to liberalize our time, ironically by being more discipline in our choice of activities. The liberalization of our time to:

• Educate our children in rigorous exploration and learning of the real natural world
• Retreat into solitude for the reformation of our lives, our mind and our energies through personal bible and theological studies, and academic sharpening
• To hone and harness the raw gifts and talent that God has given to us 

And just like the masterplan we had drawn up for the kids, it holds true for us - Romans 12:1-2. To prepare ourselves and present ourselves acceptable and approved unto to God - so that He can use us wherever and whenever He deems fit.

Our big move is not done without trepidation for there are many stakes involved, especially when we know not what lies ahead of us - mainly my health. But we have committed ourselves to each other and to our decision in this area. At least for the next ten years, we are resolved to disciplining ourselves towards rebuilding our foundations - family, life, church.

So here in a nutshell, is where we are as a family...we covet your prayers...

A Narrative Interpretation of John 12:1-4

Tears flowed down her cheeks as she held the little bottle of fragrant ointment close to her chest. As the sun set slowly behind her, her steps trodded heavily but resolutely back home. She could still remember the first time when she first heard His teachings and Words as she sat with thousands on the hill. The authority, the power and the love of His words have made a deep and profound impression on her heart. She could still remember the indescribable joy on the faces of those who were inflicted but miraculously healed. And how could she ever forget how He specially made time for everyone - even the little restless children. 

Time was running out and she quickened her steps beneath her. As she walked through the door, her eyes scanned the house quickly - past the people gathered there that day for a thanksgiving dinner, - past the modest but large spread of food laid on the table and there seated in the middle was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without a word, she walked towards her Lord and went down on her knees and opened the bottle of precious ointment. The beautiful fragrance immediately enrapt the room and it did seem as if everyone in the room, held their breath. Gently, she took her Lord's feet and with her long tresses, she wiped her Lord's feet with the drops of ointment, mingled with tears unknown to the crowd.

Nothing mattered to her. Not the murmuring and disapproving audience nor the cost of the ointment. All that mattered was that Jesus would leave her soon and journey towards a death on the cross. Indeed, a reality of truth and life [and death] renders all that is vanity, vanity. 

Good Friends begat Good Friends:)

To think that I first met Jeannette when we were in Sec One and through some interesting "coincidence", we were 'partners' in the queue for 4 years straight - despite the fact that I was kinda one head taller, one mouth louder, a 3 hands messier and our differences goes on. Haha. Well, I never thought the day would arrive when we would have kids of our own, and kids of the same age and better still, kids who could play happily with one another, although we always dreamt about the possibility of it in Secondary School. Now that it is really a reality, it stills amazes and amuses me. 

Lapbook: A Pair of Red Clogs

Finally, moved on to alphabet "C" and did "A Pair of Red Clogs". It was a pretty engaging session as we looked at Japan. According to Sarah, the map of Japan resembles a slide:) We located it on the globe as well as Hong Kong because Hannah and her parents and grandparents are there too. Did a little imaginative playact with the kids bathrobes and pretended that they were kimonos. Did a simple coloring of kimonos and spent the rest of the time painting the wooden clogs with acrylic paint. Still a whole host of things to introduce for this study - Crafts, origami, introduction to Japanese Art, woodblock painting ...most of the ideas were gleaned by many others who have done this lapbook. Managed to reserve a  Big Bird goes to Japan from the NLB. Looking forward to the rest of the lessons.

[clogs painted by Sarah Tan]

It was our 8th Wedding Anniversary and 16 years since we first dated.

It was Chiao Chyi who first reminded me that it was our wedding anniversary the next day. Hahah...I can't believe it slipped my mind. I must clarify, it seems like Dan and I have been doing everything together all the time that, well... it was another ordinary special day. Kids were happily with their grandparents and Darrell while Dan and I went for a simple pomfret fish steamboat, listened to a sermon together, and headed for a meeting before heading home to play with our kiddos. As it was, an ordinary special day:)

These 8 years, I think our marriage experienced the full weight of these words in our marriage vow - In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as long as we both shall live, till death do us part. Believe it or not, I think I had the better end of the deal even when I was the one going through the operations and the treatment. I think it is far tougher to watch your loved one experience pain than than for one to experience it personally. 

I thank God for starting us early :) - contrary to views against early dating. And I pray that for the remaining years we have for Him, that we as a family would be able to understand, appreciate and rejoice in the gospel in its entirety and believe the gospel with our lives by allowing it to pervade every theology we hold and to preach the gospel boldly to whoever He leads us to. And in our parenting, that we can train and bring up our children so that they can in turn carry on the heritage of God's good news to their families, their friends and to their world. 

The Great List of Literary Links for Toddlers [that keeps on growing]

This is a growing compilation of useful  links I go to for helping Sarah and Samuel with literacy and their love for books. 

www.starfall.com
a site that is free and where Sarah and Samuel had endless hours of fun and where Sarah mastered navigating using my mac

http://www.rif.org/kids/leadingtoreading/en/leadingtoreading.htm 
just found this site and it looks great and fun. Wish I found it earlier, but better late than never

http://almostlibrarianat.blogspot.com/
I first stumbled onto this site as I searched for other Nancy Tafuri books. A very alive site of great children's recommendations simply because the author of the blog believes in and loves books. What I find part useful are the links to each author's site at the bottom of each entry for the books. It opens up a whole new world of extension and depth for me and eventually for the kids. 

NLB: Recommend a Book

The National Library plays a very important role in Sarah and Sam's literary masterplan. The National Library is a National treasure to me because someone up there truly believes in the power of literary and is willing to put money where their mouth is. I have stopped buying books because our library is very well stocked and also because buying books is a costly exercise as well as a space reducing one:) I only buy activity books for the kids nowadays. So what about those books that are not stocked in the library? I use this is a link to recommend a book - which simply means that if they deem the book suitable, they would purchase it and make it available at our local libraries. To date, the NLB have brought in Trebellina [DVD], Lost and Found [DVD], Mudpies to Magnets and Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson for me. More to come - A Day with  No Crayons will be a next recommendation for me. 

If I had all the time and money in the world

Haha...sounds like one of those dreamy and indulgent questions. Well, on the contrary, it was one of the questions in the work manifesto that I did in June Camp.

Q: If I had all the time and the money in the world, I would...

This question initially stumped me and it drew a blank. I asked Daniel why it drew a blank and he answered, because you have not discovered your purpose in life and what you are really meant to do. That got me really thinking hard. For the years of teaching I did and the awards I won, I really did not live life with a zest. Phew. That reality blew my mind. That 4 days of learning about Work and how it matters to God did a great deal in me searching out my purpose in life. And as I relooked that question after those few days, the question made so much sense to me. It simply means, if there were no restrictions, obligations or constrains in your life, what would you be found doing. Suddenly I felt that the list could not end. But I am relief and so thankful. I thank God for helping me recover my zest in life. So even if none on the list would ever happen, here it is.

A: If I had all the time and money in the world, I would: 

1) Return back to university [Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge if they would accept me on compassionate grounds:)] and get a good, solid liberal arts degree

2) Return back to university [Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge if they would accept me on persistent grounds:))] to get a theological degree

2) Get myself an internship with Jamie Oliver and learn how to whip up healthy luxurious meals for my family, an hopefully write a cookbook and receive royalties for the rest of my life. hahah

3) Master adobe photoshop and other useful design software. 

4) Go to the states and sign up for an upholstery course. Then return back to Singapore and refurbish those wonderful looking retro chairs. 

5) Employ a top notch carpenter to make all those wonderful sofas and wing chairs for every nook and corner of our house. 

6) Yes, I would oblige Daniel and follow him as he takes our family and sail around the world. 

Another liberating exercise, I must say.

Seminal Entry: Education with Sarah and Samuel

[As I write this entry, I am putting my discoveries and thoughts into words about what I am convinced education is and I would categorize this as a seminal entry]

I am asked this question quite a lot by neighbours, friends, aquaintances...especially when they see my kids running around during hours when most children should be in school. Daniel and I have discussed about this quite a bit, I have read much about it, reasoned it much in my mind and prayed and asked the Lord what my role is to my children.

One conclusion we came to as parents of Sarah and Samuel - is that we need to take up full responsibility for drawing up the masterplan for their education. I believe this is a responsibility that we can delegate to no one else but ourselves. But it is a humble calling because of its  grave and lifelong consequences. It took a while for me to come to this conclusion as I read around homeschooling, its methods, parents' review and all....It was confusing because for all the information it offers, it was still a microscopic treatment of education. Methods, books and authors will not make sense if there is no bird's eye view of where one is heading in life. And that is inextricably linked to how one would eventually be effective for the Lord wherever He deems to place that individual.

Ironically, living in our modern and fast paced society has created sloths out of us rather than efficient creatures. Though cleverly 'knighted' as multi-taskers, we have expediently move from one task to another, one item on our checklist to another, and one phase in life to another without pausing to think, reflect and question our very existence. Our pace of life has rendered our minds lazy and invalid. Age has dictated that our toddlers head to nursery and kindergarten. Local policies have dictated that our children study a particular subject over another. Economic shifts have shortlisted job options and paved careers for our teenagers. In essence, we have allowed the world to draw up the masterplan for our education. Our society has usurped the role of parents and children to think on their behalf. Consider it not strange why many a young adult eventually emerges out of their academic shell only to confront a working world which they are ill equipped to face and handle confidently. Because for the longest time [at least for the past 18 years], they knew not what education was and thus they never knew where they were heading with it. They have been toddling along from nursery, to kindergarten, to primary, to secondary, to JC if not poly and eventually to University local or overseas and would continue to do so until they confront the unforgiving working world. Looking back, I feel like smacking myself on the forehead for ignoring the desperate pleas of teenagers [me included] -  "I don't know what I am going to work as". But of course - they and their parents never knew what education was all about - except for securing a good job in the future. I have been there and I am still reeling from the effects of a mindless education.

To even begin drawing up this masterplan requires one to begin to make sense of this world and how Christians are to live in this world.  For that part, Daddy Daniel is best equipped to do so. I really thank God for Daniel because God has gifted him with a powerful mind and given him a heart to give of his mind to his family and his church. I literally sit at his feet on this. I must say, understanding and drawing up a masterplan on the contrary has given me liberty and freed me  - It has given me liberty to explore all options as well as freed me to try my kids out for different training of skills.

As we reviewed our own learning processes and skills and eventually looking at how one can be of use to the Lord, we realize the earlier we train our kids in the rudiments, the more painless it is for them to pick up a useful skill. I so often enjoy listening to a musician who is so enrapt in a free expression of his skill. The ease with which he handles the instrument to me is enviable. But very often, it belies the truth that this wonderful fruit that he and his listeners enjoy comes from many years of hard rigor and discipline. We so often only covet the fruit but eschew all forms of pruning that precludes that blossoming. The greatest gift I think I can do for Sarah and Samuel is to offer them opportunities to go through the rigor in areas which they are most inclined to when they are young so that they can thoroughly enjoy the blossoming of those hard work in their young adult years [for themselves, for their families and for God].

First stage of education
Reading & Writing
1) to train Sarah and Samuel to read and eventually to write. Even in this first stage, it involves many things, learning the alphabets, phonics, putting alphabets together and getting use to seeing these individual words come together in a sentence. That is quite a bit of skill that requires consistency and creativity. Where do we hope to bring them to in this? Not literacy for literacy sake. Surely, we train our children to read and write for a reason. Dan and I believe that this rigour is essential because it will free them to read and enjoy books and begin their young minds in a world of literary creativity and more importantly, we hope to engage them in meaningful discussions and conversations about their world. It will mark the start of an expansion of the mind and its renewing thereof.

For that reason, I am slowly but surely continuing Sarah and Samuel in their exploration of phonetic combinations and exposure to words. In this area, I willingly take up the role of their educator for various reasons [another entry at another time].

2) Exposure to languages
In drawing up of the masterplan, I cannot be ignorant of a wealth of historical evidence that points to the ease of language acquisition among children. And more so when Sarah indicates that she wants to learn, "Xie Xie", her euphemism for Mandarin. That sent me on an intense search a month ago for a suitable Mandarin class for Sarah. It would be great if I spoke Mandarin freely at home. Well, I don't. So, I searched for a class. I found one that met several simple pragmatic criteria  - proximity, timing and positive reviews. I am glad that she is enjoying it much.

And a firm NO , I am not sending Sarah to Mandarin Classes so that she could adapt easily to Primary School where they introduce Mandarin. That to me is a flawed goal for education and a case of enthusiasm gone wrong. On that note, there are no rewards for guessing my response to the surge in the enrollment in tuition centres that prepare primary one students for exams.

3) Music and Arts 
Music and the arts is a very interesting area of study as it reveals to us much about humanity and his tendencies, his advancement, his response to God or lack thereof. This a greatly neglected area in my life and I think I am only at the tip of an iceberg of discovery in this area. For the kids, its not just the exposure to instruments that I hope to give to them but to allow them to see where in history does music and art feature.

I recently explored this area actively, because of Sarah's inclination for the instrument. Samuel says he wants to play the violin. Haha. But even so, things were complex. Many classes for Sarah's age group are exposure in nature. Tickling of the ivories, rhythm and beat etc. I felt that Sarah was kinda beyond because she is naturally gifted in rhythm and beat from a young age and she enjoys composing her own songs and she often goes to the piano and hits the notes whilst singing. You can call it a mother's instinct and insistence, but I think Sarah has a gift in this area. And again, mommy is not well equipped in this area so she went alooking for a suitable trainer for Sarah. This first piano teacher we tried out scared her. Haha...I am still exploring options in this area.

4) God's Word
Currently, Sarah and Samuel are learning God's truth through BSF kids and Sunday School. I hope to consistently teach them some simple catechism and verses alongside our prayer time and lapbook time.

5) Physical
Sarah's physical dexterity has started me on a search for a suitable rhythmic gym class. Her hula hoop skills and her own version of cartwheels and jumps have impressed us. Eventually, in their teens, we hope to give them opportunities for sailing and piloting. When we ask who wants to learn how to pilot a plane, Sammy yells, "Me". Guess what Sarah says? "I want to be an air stewardess." Haha...


What does Homeschooling mean to me?
I believe Homeschooling is much misunderstood, in spite of the sincerest of efforts. It is really not a parent [or both parents] taking on the full load of a child's education or to eschew all forms of external schooling. This misinformed restriction will only result in unnecessary stressful obligations, strained relationships and naturally a burnout in no time. Holding this definition and claiming that all parents should homeschool their children would be to put to shame the graces that God has given and place unnecessary guilt on struggling and dysfunctional families.

I believe Home Education is when parents to take full responsibility in drawing up a masterplan and charting out their children's goal and destination of education and not subjecting their children to the society's goal of education. For that, I believe that all parents can and must be involved in Home Education. Parents need to engage their minds in this area. Where time and energies and resources permit, parents can take up this teaching personally. And when resources are limited, we need to feel free to engage the help of organizations that offer effective teaching in the relevant areas. Having said this, I am prepared to embrace any forms of external schooling and leverage on the existing scaffolding only if it fits into our masterplan for our kids. And in areas where it run contrary to our goals,  I would take on their training myself with gusto and a huge dose of grace!

Understanding this, I hope to bring Sarah and Samuel to this end [Romans 12:1-2]:

That through our parenthood and our God-given responsibility, we can with the mercies and grace of God, present our children as worthy instruments to Him [as a form of worship] through 

• Bodies prepared [equipped through physical or skill training]
• Minds that are renewed and transformed [through the teaching & training of God's word]
• Minds that can engage and discern [through teaching and training of the disciplines of this world and its philosophies]

Having said all this, we pray that God would give all of us life to fulfill our role in this area and that in His grace and mercy would bring our kids to a true and saving knowledge of Him. 

 - Writing this took a couple of hours 
but it has been a most liberating exercise - 

Sarah goes for Mandarin Speech & Drama Class

Sarah is into her 3rd session by this week and she loves every minute of it - the teaching, the art and craft, the song and dance, the shirt, the bag and the supper [old changkee fishball] that comes after that. 

During our very first session, she was disapproving of me sending her to class. She bathed and ate her dinner well but she reminded me, "Mommy, I don't want to go." Silently resolute, I was determined to bring her:) So we decided to take the mrt for the 'thrill' factor'. As we had to arrive at class at 7:15 for the first session, Sarah did a mighty sprint from our house towards the mrt. It was a long run but she did remarkably well - leaving me catching my breath most of the time. The train was crowded with many eager to return to their home cooked dinner. Within 10 mins, we have arrived at our destination. Sarah reminds me again as we approached the door of her Mandarin Centre, "Mommy, I don't want to go." 

As she stepped into the place and saw other young tots, the kitchen set and coloring materials, suddenly, she adapted like a fish released into the water and soon, she was playing alone, without mommy. 

For the next 1.5 hours, she was ushered from the teaching area, to the art and craft area and lastly to the dance studio. By the end of the session, Sarah was ready to go for her second session. 

I was glad that turned out real well...now Tues Evenings to her Mandarin Class is a fixture that Sarah looks forward to...and even Didi Sammy. 

I love this picture of my little girl going to class.