Into P3

As IZ enters P3, I'm very excited for him. It's a whole new world waiting for him to explore.

Science Subject
First weeks have been interesting. Pretty hands-on instead of boring textbook lesson I must say. I'm so glad there is Science Lab period!

Chinese Chess
To promote interest and authentic use of the Chinese Language for all P3 students, the school organised an immersion programme to introduce the basics of Chinese Chess.

1st lesson

Swimsafer
While he knows how to swim, we've never taken any swim test. I would also like him to join his school friends in the programme, afterall hanging out together is a good bonding opportunity.

All about plants..

This term theme in Kinderland is about plants, gardens etc.

I kinda know of the theme before the school sent me email, when IZ sketched this:

Sketched this (transpiration) and told me
"the water go into the root"

 He was talking about plants that eat insects, so I showed him pitcher plants pictures on the iPad but he said that was not what he was talking about.

Two days later, he woke up excitedly and banged on the bathroom door. Couldn't contain his excitement, he told me the plant was Venus Fly Trap. I think the boy even dreamt of what he learnt in school.

Not able to confirm what he was talking about, he made some actions about fly touches fingers on one of his hands, and then touches fingers on the other hands, and the plant will close up. And it'll open again after 10 days.

So this time, I searched for Venus Fly Trap photos and videos.

Asked to watch Venus Fly Trap video every now and then

As he started sketching about plants, he asked to plant seeds. He said he wants to plant seeds and water them. I thought about it for a while, but procrastinated. I asked his aunt who likes to do gardening, if she could recommend any seeds that are easy to plant. She suggested beans.

I thought beans are boring, but decided to go ahead anyway before I can make up my mind on what seeds we should try.

So here we go:

Green bean experiment

4 days later

It's amazing how the boy is so responsible to water his plant everyday and love it so much.

While I forgot about my intention to plant a seed(s).. a notification from Kinderland came..  a seed growing project and we are supposed to chart the growth!

No more procrastination, Mummy!

PS: he could name some parts of plants - root, stem, leaves, flower

Hort Park Adventure: 3rd Feb'13

Coincidentally, he turns 26 months.

Hubby and I decided not to send him to any enrichment classes for the time being. Thus, he hasn't been to any for over 3 months now. We made a silent promise to each other to bring IZ to little adventures on weekends instead. It would be more fun than classroom classes. Why silent?

We of course do not want to make a LOUD BANGING promise for something we couldn't keep up with. Most of the days, hubby would be way too lazy to bring us anywhere. And not that I need him to bring us, but it's the family bonding that I am particular about.

On Sun, we woke up early and decided to go Hort Park for our little adventure.

It is very happy and entertaining to see the expression on IZ's face throughout our adventure.

Fascinated by the kois and arowanas

Too timid to cross the bridge by himself

Gloomy day, but it was fun nonetheless

Roam freely..

Chasing after the 2 birds!

The world is his!

Father & Son - wish I had a proper camera

He was scared to move, needed to hold hands through the swing

Relaxing corner

There are more than 2 butterflies there.. camouflaged

One of the many mini gardens (in the city as you can see)

The start of the climbing up the slide

Instead of sliding down

1st Encounter with a scarecrow

Found a mini hut!

What's in there?

Taking a 5

Many taking group photo there

One of the few (prototype) glasshouses

Miss my camera

Towards butterfly garden

But it was not opened.. Open house on every last Sat of the month..

Wanted to be carried, but this group of runner in front motivated him, and cheered him to walk.. till they went out of sight.. guess what happened next?

Vending machine for fish food.. he said "I want money" - somehow I was amazed he knew we must insert money

IZ and the fishes couldn't wait for the food

Feeding the fishes

Had brunch at Queenstown market

Note:

Hort Park Operating Hours: 6am - 10pm daily

Activities: Other than fun running around enjoying the scenery, they also offer gardening workshop for kids and youth, HortDoctor to cure your diseased plants.

Our verdict: Fantastic place to enjoy flaura & fauna, taking photos, for weddings and private function.

Science 101: 5th Sep'12

As I need to trial and err which are the activities suitable for IZ who has just turned 21 months, I thought of growing bean sprouts out of green bean. I’m sure he thinks nothing of the beans sitting on the cotton wool, but I would like to see his reaction when the beans start to sprout.

I’m not sure how long it’ll take though. Hahaha.. I shall walk through the experiment with him!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Edited on 19th Sep'12:


Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Transferring to soil!

1st Night in soil

Next morning! Amazing growth!