Developmental milestones…

If there is a decision that I DID NOT make and truly regret is to not advance my studies in Early Childhood which I was contemplating some years back.

Nevertheless, I am thankful for the vast information that is within easy access for my reading nowadays.  The more I read, the more I want to find out.  And my reading list and interest just seem to grow by the day..

Forget novels, forget fictions.  All for the sake of my child(ren).

Because I believe that to be a good teacher I need to first be a good student.  To do my research well before embarking to teach my child(ren).

Through my reading and preparation for activities to do with ‘Ukaashah, it became clear that we must identify the key development milestones prior to setting out activities to do..

So here, I would love to share a bit of what I have read, with my beloved mummy friends.  InshaaAllah…

Children develop skills in five main areas of development:

1. Cognitive Development
   This is the child’s ability to learn and solve problems. For example, this includes a two-month-old baby learning to explore the environment with hands or eyes or a five-year-old learning how to do simple math problems.
2. Social and Emotional Development
   This is the child’s ability to interact with others, including helping themselves and self-control. Examples of this type of development would include: a six-week-old baby smiling, a ten-month-old baby waving bye-bye, or a five-year-old boy knowing how to take turns in games at school.
3. Speech and Language Development
   This is the child’s ability to both understand and use language. For example, this includes a 12-month-old baby saying his first words, a two-year-old naming parts of her body, or a five-year-old learning to say “feet” instead of “foots”.
4. Fine Motor Skill Development
   This is the child’s ability to use small muscles, specifically their hands and fingers, to pick up small objects, hold a spoon, turn pages in a book, or use a crayon to draw.
5. Gross Motor Skill Development
   This is the child’s ability to use large muscles. For example, a six-month-old baby learns how to sit up with some support, a 12-month-old baby learns to pull up to a stand holding onto furniture, and a five-year-old learns to skip.

Taken from http://www.howkidsdevelop.com/developSkills.html.  You can further your reading to find out more =)

 

 

Just maybe…

Not exactly sure if this is simply a notion/instinct or is it merely a psychological effect of some sort…

But I have been having this jittery feeling that the baby will be a February Baby instead..

ALLAHU ‘ALAM..

May Allah grant me utmost strength and guidance and grant me ease, what come may….ALLAHUMMA AMEEN!!

HOT Hort Park..

Yesterday, we brought ‘Ukaashah for the first time to Hort Park.  Bringing him closer to nature since he enjoyed outdoors much…

The late afternoon sun was scotching SubhanAllah.  But that didnt stop us from having our little bit of fun amidst the luscious greenery..

We observed flowers, leaves and insects.  Birds and dogs..

We played on the good-old-swing.

He had a whirling good time at the playground.

We awed at the most interesting exhibit at the park..

Followed by a little snack at the shelter.  And off we went.. Short visit.  But we should be back soon.

I didnt take a picture of the big pond with many different types of fishes that ‘ukaashah was very fascinated by. 

Guess, true to the notion that nature and outdoor makes a great learning place for kids. Besides, it promotes healthy lifestyle too all the walking and running…

Thirty-2

Alhamdulillah.

Hit Week 32 with the unknown blessing of a common cold – sore throat, dry cough, greenish phlegm and the likes of it..

With technically 8 weeks (only!) to go, this is the period where as a pregnant mum i wish for time to both slow down and speed up at the same time!!

SubhanAllah crazy as that sounds, its exactly what I wish for.. Not too late. Not too soon.

Reasons for wanting for time to zoom pass is of cos..
1. I cant wait too meet our little missy
2. I wanna get rid of this “heavy” and “slow” feeling associated with the final leg of the pregnancy.

But that aside, i cant help but feel that 8 weeks is too short a time for.me to get so many things done..
1. Pack hospital bag
2. Get ready baby’s stuffs
3. Collect and sieve thru baby’s necessity from aunt’s house (our temporary storage space)
4. Wash and arrange baby’s clothings and other needs.
5. LOTS OF READING UP ( previous entry)
6. ‘ukaashah’s play-n-learn materials and weekly plans so he wont be lost in transition upon entering brotherhood.
7. Reorganise the room to accomodate another occupant.
8. Mentally prepare myself for labour and breastfeeding on top of mothering 2 kids..

That is about all that I can think of for now.  More will come on my plate soon enough. I just hope it can accomodate Allah mustaan..

But above all, i sincerely wish for ultimate quality time with my firstborn while he is still my one and only.. I am trying hard to put my needs and fatigue aside for the sake of showering him with undivided attention.. Although there are time when i cave and lose it, i wasted no time in picking myself together again for not wanting to regret..

In Allah i seek help in fulfilling my duty and in honoring the gift He has granted me..

A prelude..

I have in mind, a series of home deco projects, for our new home inshaaAllah..

Hope to get some of them done before the baby comes along..

Stay tuned!

My Jan-Feb read

Because knowledge is key!
Because knowledge preceeds actions!
Because having done it once does not make me an expert in any way!

I am gearing myself up mentally and physically to embrace motherhood once again..

ALLAH MUSTAAN.

Islamic EduDrama Workshop for Tots: Prophet Nuh’s Ark

For the benefit of sharing inshaaAllah.

Was invited by butterflyrubrics, to join in this pilot session for toddlers that was conducted on January, 2.  Firstly I wasnt too keen, because of the word Drama and there are sing-a-long sessions that we don’t encourage for ‘Ukaashah (based on our own beliefs), but as I read on, I was somewhat keen on the other aspects of the drama, especially incorporating activities in inculcating Islamic values to young children..

And so, after getting the green light from Hubby, I signed us up for the workshop.. As the day draws near, I got really nervous with so much question marks and what-ifs in my head..

MashaaAllah, I would say that this is a great first time for both ‘Ukaashah and I.  Its somewhat an eye-opener for me.  I learnt new ideas to include play and activities in imparting knowledge about the Deen (Islam) to children.  I observed and noticed ‘Ukaashah’s interest towards play and activity he enjoys.  Most importantly, it reaffirms my believe that its is never to early to start a child to love Allah, His messengers and the Deen.. For all that, Alhamdulillah!!

So the gist of the workshop is, as the title suggested, introduction to Prophet Nuh ‘alaihissalam, in the light of instilling the love for our Prophets.  So this is obviously about how Prophet Nuh, was commanded by Allah to make an Ark, and during the big flood, Allah saves him and the animals who were on board and destroy all the disbelievers.. The educators of the workshop told this story in the form of a drama act-out with props and costumes which was wonderful!

After, the drama, there was some hands-on session for the tots.  And here were the activities (more on FB)..

First hands on was the making of a boat.  And the other was dot tracing the huruuf “Nuun” which stands for Nuh.

Alhamdulillah, I can tell that ‘Ukaashah loves these hands on activities (probably because we do it at home too).  But these are something that I have never thought about and I am so so glad that I learnt new ideas that I can inshaaAllah expand at home.

There were more sing-a-long (with/without background music) and also a storybook reading session on animals.  Snacks were provided for the tots and accompanying mothers had a debrief.  We were also given handbook for follow-ups.

I didnt take that many photos throughout the workshop, because my main aim was to learn alongside my son so the handphone was buried in my bag until I took it out only for the activities that ‘Ukaashah did.  I also figure that my words here does not give a true picture of the beauty of the workshop itself and how much I have learnt from it.

I had made a request to the organizing committee if I can share more info here, so if they give a favorable response, inshaaAllah I will share more..

But for the sisters who asked, I would definitely encourage you to bring your tots for this workshop in future inshaaAllah. It not only allow them to play and learn but most importantly leave and impact (for me more on myself) of the importance of early love for the Deen..Allahu ‘alam…

bun in the oven…..

Bun in the oven…

is 75% ready.. 30 weeks down.  10 weeks to go!! (technically)

MashaaAllah it seems fast albeit a little draggy.. I am that close to my EDD.  10 weeks is not a long time it seems.  I have lots to do.  But I still want to take it slow.

Alhamdulillah it has been a roller coaster ride, but definitely with Allah’s help and guidance everything is still smooth and well.  The initial months of discomfort is quickly forgotten as I dont have much time to dwell over them.  Second trimester was much better, where I picked myself up again and set my priorities straight and third trimester sees the days speeding by.  I am thankful Allah makes this pregnancy manageable for me so that I have time and energy to continue nurturing his little amanah (‘Ukaashah) for me.  ’Ukaashah remains the focus of my attention and I felt bad that the baby in me was a little neglected somehow.. But I believe as I nurture her brother, read to him, play with him and talking to him, this little missy in me hears too and is always with us. So in a way there is a certain kind of bonding for us too.  Allahu ‘alam.

Many commented and asked where I get my energy from.  How I can still carry my toddler around at this stage and still playing with him and manages small activities with him etc etc.. MashaaAllah seriously if you ask, I dont know where those energy comes from.  But like I mention before motherhood is a 24/7 job and I cant expect others to care for my son for me all the time just because I am expecting another.. Besides, when I decide to be a SAHM, its like making a sealed promise that a bulk of my responsibility is to care for my son.  So this is my job now and I have to do it right, like it or not.. Of cos there are days when my head hits over the roof and I screamed and yelled in distress but most of the time I try hard to keep my patience level as high as I can for the sake of my own sanity as well as not to show bad habits and example to ‘Ukaashah.  I had to keep calm albeit on the brink of tears.

Rest is something I definitely lacks but thankful for a good night’s rest on most days, now that ‘Ukaashah wakes up only once or twice at night for bottle feeds.

Overall, I would say, as in all other things in life.  This second pregnancy is not without its ups and downs.  But simply knowing that Allah burdens us not with something beyond our means is probably one of the reasons that kept me going.  And for the fact that  I will have to divide my attention to both my children later on is also another factor that keeps me focus on showering my love and attention to my beloved firstborn while he is still my only child (at the moment) so that when little sister comes along, he will know that we still love him no matter what…. Allah mustaan..

At the back of my mind though, are countless fears and worries.  I kn0w I cant keep them away for too long now but I pray to get over them soon enough..

Laa yukallifullahu nafsaan illa wus’ahaa.

Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. “Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.” [Al-Baqarah (2): 286]

Cookie Cutter Painting

More painting activity.

This time around, I tried using cookie cutters and also a set of brushes that I bought from Toys R Us.

So I set up an “Invitation To Paint” for ‘Ukaashah.

I placed paint on the plastic plates (a little bit of each color) for easy usage as well as to avoid wastage.  Because from previously, ‘Ukaashah keeps wanting to pour out the paint from the bottles.  And of cos this time I hide the bottles of paint before he entered the room.

There is also a plate of cookie cutters (unused items from my sister’s bakery stash) .

And another plate with the brushes (from the Paint and Stamp Art Kit) .  2-3 pieces of A3 colored papers.

When the invitation have been laid out, I called him into the room.  He went “wooooah!” and started his work.  I didnt guide him much this time.  I just sat close by and watch him do the works.

Here is the Paint and Stamp Art Kit I got (<$10) from Toys R Us.  But personally I don’t quite like it because, it doesn’t really give a good effect and the paint tend to get stuck to the brush/rollers and so the pattern didn’t turn out well on paper.

Just because….

Just because I keep quiet, doesn’t mean I am fine.

Just because I don’t grumble, doesn’t mean everything is manageable.

Just because I don’t complain, doesn’t mean I am coping well.

Just because I don’t fall sick, doesn’t mean I am healthy.

Just because I don’t break, doesn’t mean I am not in pain.

Just because I don’t rest, doesn’t mean I am not tired.

Just because I don’t retaliate, doesn’t mean I am scared.

Just because I don’t voice out, doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings.

There are times when I seriously wish you can see through me.  Through the fortified wall I built around me.  There are times when I ask for nothing much but a little compassion and understanding for all that I have been through.  To help and support me even before I crumble.  I am not asking for much.  Just a little bit of me time.  Cos many times I feel exhausted but cant seem to voice it out.

Sometimes I feel tired of being the only one to understand.  To be the only one to have to accommodate.  Just a note that even the most fortified wall don’t last forever……..