School Bluez: 1st Grader Hayley

Its almost a year since this page was updated. Admin got lazy and preoccupied that long. So here's Hayley with her latest.

 

Hayley's New School Uniform - Gala

She is now 6 and just entered Grade School. Since her last school only caters to pre-schoolers we went out and checked which school is best for her. In choosing her school we made a self-imposed requirements: there should be not more than 20 students in her class, should have to history of dengue case, should be secure and if possible not expensive. We checked four schools both public and private but Hayley fell in love with Shalom Crest Wizard Academy. Crashing out the last requirement of not being painful to the wallet, we enrolled her to the school she likes.

 

Hayley's New School Uniform -P.E.

Like any other young pupils, First day of school is a big deal for them. They cannot sleep at night because they are so excited. They prepare the things they need and the things they will wear the night before. We hope they will retain the kind of drive and energy they have on the 1st day.

 

The night before her 1st Day. Excited much!

Expect more updates from Hayley as she enters Grade School.

School Bluez: PET DAY HOORAY!

The Class with their Pets

For a first Show and Tell activity at Hayley's school, the teachers arranged a Pet Day where pupils are to bring their pets at school. It is one exciting activity for the kids of course where they can show off their pets to their peers and practice their communication skills at the same time eradicate stage fright for those shy little ones.

Not all families have pet in the house, may it be for health restriction or space restriction, some just don't have any pet. So, mommy's would troop to the nearest pet shop to buy a small and expensive pet that their children can bring to school.

For Hayley, we had trouble deciding which pet to bring. See, we have two dogs, fishes and lovebirds in the house. She wanted to bring our dogs but we discouraged her for safety purpose, then she wanted to bring a lovebird which is possible if we still have small cage. So, she opted to bring not only a fish but a sort of school of fish for her Pet Day!

Hayley's Fish

Hayley's First: Professional Hair & Make-Up

Right After the Make-up Session

Hello! It's been awhile I know. But here's for Hayley's archive again.

It may not be a first for Hayley to get dolled up, but for her Ballet Recital, I asked a friend do her hair and make-up.

Doing children's hair and face is not an easy task. They tend to get tired easily and they move alot. Not with Hayley's case. She was patient all through out and follows direction religiously. She was excited even.

In doing children's faces, try-test the make-up to be used first on your child's arms if there are no skin reactions.

before washing up

School Bluez: CANKS Foundation Anniversary

The City Alliance Nursery and Kindergarten School where Hayley is currently enrolled celebrated their Foundation Anniversary last October 14, 2011 through a one-day activity. They started with an early parade, followed by a devotional activity and a presentation from each classes.

Hayley participated the calisthenics presentation where they used a holla hoop as their props and dance to a  religious upbeat song. They were also joined by the Jollibee to make the day more fun and memorable for the pupils of CANKS. Hayley and Ate Lalaine joined the longest breath contest.


It was one warm day full of fun and laughter which is worth to be on Hayley's archive.

Hayley's Halloween 2011 Gimik

Hayley's Halloween 2011

In the US, Halloween is said to be the next Christmas. Here in the Philippines, where almost all its inhabitants are Christians, that thought is far from possible, for now.


Due to western influences, some exclusive subdivisions or villages in the Philippines organized Trick or Treat activities for its residents, Malls also joined the bandwagon by offering halloween special for its customers.


Hayley had her share of Halloween experience. Since we do not live in an exclusive subdivision who offers halloween activities and trick or treating is not in the vocabulary of our neighbors, we brought her to the mall to get a taste of Halloween.


Clad in a hand me down witch costume (thanks TATO and his adorable alaga) and an inexpensive registration, Hayley joined the very first FrightFest in General Santos City, mounted brought by a group called Circle of Arts at Gaisano Mall of Gensan.

Hayley @ Frightfest 2011

Still cannot get enough of the feast, when we visited our dearly departed at the Forest Lake Memorial Park, she again wore a costume, this time a Fairy, while she lent her witch costume to her friend.

Hayley @ Forest Lake

See you next Halloween!

Teaching Po at Opo!

Buwan ng Wika Celebration 2011

The problem with us Cebuanos are our often misunderstood tone of voice. People who are not used of our tone thinks that we are angry, always angry. Unlike the Ilonggos whose dialect are sweet sounding.


In this archipelago, where many dialects exist and when its people are divided by mountains and the waters, a common language is very important. That comes in the significance of celebrating Buwan ng Wika in our beloved country.


One thing good about our Pambansang Wika(National Language) - Filipino is its uniquely innate tone of respect. The "po" and "opo" for example, give me other language or dialect which has a term that will show respect especially for the elders. I cant think of one as of this writing. The use of "po" and "opo" should be continually practiced by the Filipinos by teaching its young through example.


Teach by example they said, if you practiced what you preach, it becomes more believable and consistent, thus the younger generation would surely follow. In the early talking stage of your children, make sure to incorporate the use of "po" and "opo" in talking to them. Once they get the hang of it, it would come out naturally for them. Every time you call out to them, the reply should either be "po" or "ano po yun?". If they fail to include "po" or "opo" in their reply, you should let them repeat their sentence until they include the words to their replies. Repetition is an effective way in habit formation.


It is also good to expose our children to different dialects aside from the Mother Tongue for them to grasp easily the school lessons by the time they go to school. This does not mean pressuring our children to speak in English for it would make them more "sosyal" or would make them sound "genius". Its commendable if our children can speak english during there early years, but let us keep in mind that communication skills is way better when our children will be understood and can understand clearly.

School Bluez: 1st Prelim & Periodical Exam

What are your usual reactions when examination week is approaching? Stomach churn, hands sweaty, constant paranoia, yes, I know, i get it, we tend to get nervous.

So how will you take the fact that your preschooler will be taking their very first examinations? Excited? Maybe. Apprehensive? Probably. Clueless? Right. Whatever your reaction maybe, make sure not to pass on the negative vibe you are having to your child. Do not put on the pressure to your preschooler on ACING the exams. Remember they are still children, more learnings to encounter and more knowledge to store. 

The next move you probably take is to conduct study sessions with your little ones. Problem. She is too preoccupied with her favorite cartoon network shows or her toys. Well, here is some list of the lessons we learned as Hayley took her first written examinations:

1. Before examinations, we only checked her bags for assignments, minding not her other lessons. Now, we know that we should review everyday all her lessons for the day, for familiarization and memory retention. This will also help develop an excellent study habit at an early age.

2. Practice writing often. Practice. PRACTICE. Practice.

3. Play teacher to your preschooler. Patience is a MUST.

4. Have a conducive room for study time. Make sure your child will not be destructed either by noise or any activities by other members of the family. Invest a right-sized study table and a small whiteboard. They are also big factors for a good study habit.

5. Make studying a FUN activity. Do not pressure your child. Avoid scolding and punishing.

6. Practice a REWARD SYSTEM everytime she gets a good score!

some Hayley's exam results

Those are only few of our personal takes on studying with Hayley. As a result here are her scores:

SUBJECT                                      Prelim Score                                              Periodical Score
LANGUAGE                                      20/20                                                          18/20
READING                                          14/20                                                          18/20
FILIPINO                                           18/20                                                          20/20
MATH                                                16/20                                                          30/30
SCIENCE                                           13/15                                                          11/20
VALUES                                             20/20                                                          20/20

Keep it up Hayley Girl!