Book Reviews: Activities for Kids

With a super active child like my SMALL FAN, I'm always on the look out for activities to engage him. So, went to the library and borrowed these 2 books, here's my review on it:

The Busy mom's Book of Preschool Activities by Jamie Kyle Mcgillian
- This books contained quite a lot of simple activities you can do with your kids. What I like about it is that the instructions was very simple, most of the activities was written in like 3 lines, so it makes reading really really easy. I also like that the book was categorized in terms of theme rather then according to developmental stages of the kids (which is the case for most of the activities book I read before). For example, she has activities for Kitchen, for outdoor, for parties, for daily routines etc. A simple and easy read book for busy mom.


The 2000 best games and activities for baby through 8 by Susan Kettman
- What I like about this book is that it's categorized by skills, for example, activities to build communication skill, concentration skill, curiosity, decision making skill, kindness etc. Under these different categories, it was further broken down to activities for baby, toddlers, preschooler and kids. All in all a pretty neat and easy to read book, good to refer to when you have a specific skills you want to build on your kids.

Gong Xi Gong Xi (English Version)

SMALL FAN singing Gong xi Gong xi in English.

The Painter

Big FAN took some photos of SMALL FAN when he is doing his usual creative stuff...hi hi...with the cute apron that he likes to wear.

The Trolley boy

Was trying to thing of some activities that could occupied my 2 really active kids, decided to make a trolley for them to play with...hi hi...keeps both of them happy:)

Sand Art Project

Tried making sand art with SMALL FAN, has always wanted to try it out with him, but those from the departmental stores are so expensive. Yesterday, saw it at Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 market, selling at $3 a piece. So I bought 2 and tried making one with SMALL FAN, he likes it, here's our finish product.

It's a pity that the black colour sand is not enough, so the frog's eye wasn't that nice.

Here's the second project, looks nicer right? Got experience already ;)

The Story of the Thirsty Crow

Read a book on The Thirsty Crow for SMALL FAN and he got so intrigue by the idea of putting stone in the jug, so the next day, I decided to let him do his own experiment. Dig out my old bags of coloured stones and then pour a bottle of water and gave it to him. He really enjoy putting the stones into the bottle as he watch the water rise to the brim. He say he wanted to drink the water like the bird, but I told him not to as these are not drinking water. So he pour the stone back into the container and started putting the stone into the bottle again and again, I think he can do this for hours if I did not stop him as he was getting the whole floor wet. What a simple and fun project.

Book Review: Children Who Do Too Little

Borrowed this book Children who do too little by Patricia H. Sprinkle from the National Library. Many of the stuff mentioned in the book are quite common sensical, so don't think there is much take away for me. The only take away or idea that I thought was quite cool is that you should get your child to do household chores. Why?

• Prevent her/him from becoming a coach potato
• You are teaching him/her lifeskills that will help them become more socially responsible, and make better husband or wife.
• A chance for you to bond with your child doing chores together
• Gives you more free time to do other task

The book say, it's never too young to start them on household chores, they have list of chores from 2 to 6 years old. So after reading this, I became more proactive in looking out for opportunities for my boy to help me out with some chores like mopping the floor, putting his own plates into the sink after eating, helping me prepare sandwiches etc. Now, I'm trying to get SMALL FAN to help me fold clothes, but think it's a little too difficult for him, although he seems to be able to fold some towels quite well...