Best Preschool in Malaysia?

So, there are many preschools in Malaysia especially in the Klang Valley. Parents are thinking whether it's worth to send their preschoolers to the chosen preschool. What are the criterias we're looking for? Is it more expensive meaning more effective to our children? Is it because of the location that is convenient for working parents?

Whatever the reasons are, of course we want the best for our children. Parents need some time to look around for the most suitable preschool for the children's needs. As for me, my criterias are basically as listed below:
1) Convenient and with transport
2) Some Islamic studies
3) Children learns to be creative, obedient, and innovative
4) Not too expensive

I'm going to find out more near my areas in Wangsa Maju.

Bacalah Anakku

Yesterday I bought this book at MPH Alpha Angle. I've decided to buy the book to teach my preschooler on how to read. After I've reviewed over the internet, I found the phonics method is the best and most liked by the students, parents, and teachers.

It costs only RM36.90 and consists of 8 books, flashcards, and DVD. Basically, the book guides on how to pronounce the letters (without saying out what are the name of the letters).

My preschooler can master 1/2 of the 1st book in 30 minutes! It's amazing on how this method doable to parents and effective to the young children. My goal is Nazril can read by the time he turned 4 years old on 12/9/2011. I won't force him to learn fast but it will be based on his level of understanding and performance.

I see that Nazril and most kids can catch the sounds quickly. For example, he can remember the words that adults spoken today next week. So, this phonics method is effective especially to young children who are trying to learn more and more vocabulary each day.

I'm planning to teach him maybe 1 book per week. This is so much doable because the book also guides that parents or teachers on how to teach the kids easily.

Let's See How To Start

It's been 1 1/2 months now I'm being a stay at home mum. Looking back, 80% of my time was spent on the children, 10% on house chores, and 10% for my own time! haha..

What does this figure mean? Yes, being a mum to the preschooler and a baby is such a demanding task! I yelled, screamed, and scolded my preschooler whenever necessary. He gets this when he doesn't listen to me and I'm tired. I wonder how does a babysitter/maid handle your children when you're away? Ohh, thank God at least I know what I'm doing instead of leaving your growing kids to the stranger without having any idea what she could have done to your child when she's tired?!

I don't accuse anyone's maid for such misbehavior. But parents must stay alert and extra cautious when they're back from work. Maids can be angels in front of you but behind you we never know. Look for any bruises in your child's body and talk to your children everyday.

I find my schedule is hectic in the 1/2 day morning. This is when I have to bath the kids, do breakfast, do laundry, cooking, and at the same time taking care of the baby. I have to started cooking around 10-11am since I know my baby regularly 'disturbs' while I cook.

My hubby and I just bought her walker yesterday so that can be my helping tool while I cook. But she doesn't like it and cries on the walker. I have to put her with the walker in the kitchen and she still cries. But at least she doesn't crawl and touch things on the kitchen, somehow makes my life a little bit easier.

My schedule is more relaxed around 2pm above after I've given them lunch. I make them sleep around 3-4pm and this is when I can do my own things sometimes haha. Because sometimes one of them sleeps and I need to entertain one of them.

Well let's see how to start teaching my preschooler. I'm planning to buy the books about baby learning and books on how to teach kids to read. Maybe for phonics technique of reading. After I've done reading and apply to the child, I will surely share it here with all my heart!

Baby Hangs Onto Sofa

My 6 mth old 3 weeks baby has started to hang onto the sofa. She has done this many times since last 2 weeks but still unstable. So I have to watch her very carefully now. When she was 3 mths old, she has rolled over sideways. The doctor said she was fast because usually 4-5 mths baby would do that.

I see she grows faster that her brother. When I'm at the kitchen, her brother would yell at me that she has put her hands on the sofa. Nazril has become my reporter nowadays. So, my cooking time which usually takes about 1 1/2 hour now takes about 2+ hours.

Not only she put her hands on the sofa, her feet has started to walk along the sofa too! That makes me to triple precaution. There are a couple of times where she fell on the carpet and cried. So now I put mattress along the sofa in case I couldn't save her when she's about to fall.

It's great to be at home and is able see every development of your baby. It makes me feel to care and to love her more and more each day. Sometimes, when I'm feeling tired I can also feel the satisfaction in my heart. There's nothing else could replace my two little angels. They are priceless and the super precious gifts I've ever received! thank you God..

Ekspres-i Technique for Reading

Today, I'm teaching my preschooler on how to read based on Ekspres-i technique. He seems to learn fast and easy using this method.

He has learnt how to pronounce 'a' and 'ba' easily and I have taught him also how to write capital and small letters for A, B, and C. I will teach him 2-3 letters per day so that he can catch up easily with the letters. Preschoolers don't like to learn in a long period of time because they would prefer playing instead of learning.

I also gave him some few stars and 10 stars if he does all well. He seems excited of me giving the stars and it looks like this rewarding way encourage him to learn more ahead.

Sometimes he becomes playful when was asked what are the letters. He would smile and babble when he actually knows what the letters are. I told him that he has to be serious or else teacher at the preschool will scold him. It somehow helps a bit.

At times, he looks bored and purposely nodded his head down with sour face. I take it slowly because I know we can't force him to learn but let it come naturally and we only encourage him in any ways that we could. When he did that, I just asked him which letter you would like to write and he choose the letter L. When he writes the letter L, he got it all right because the letter itself is easy to write. Then, I said you can choose any letter that you like, then I will check and give you stars if it's correct. So today, he learned the letter L and J besides the A, B, C.

This is a good beginning for him to start on the basic 3M. I will ensure he knows to write all the alphabets and at least a little bit on knowing how to read when he enters the preschool next year. At least, he has some basic knowledge for him to feel more confidence in school. It will be good if he has the self-esteem to mix around with the kids at his age. I also want him to be more matured.

Not to make him see himself more clever than other kids, but he would be able to see himself as a good boy helping other kids, show respect to the teachers, and follow the teachers' orders.

While writing this blog, my preschooler is asleep on the sofa. It is very rare that he sleeps on the sofa himself. Usually he would ask for milk and sleep. My baby has grown so fast and I'm fortunate that I'm here at home with him.

Nazril with His Grandparents

Today is a relaxing and 'something missing' Sunday. My active and entertaining preschooler is away with his 'Atuk' and 'Nenek'.

Nazril's always looking forward for my parents to pick him up and bring him to Jaya Jusco or JJ. Because he will spend his wonderful time in the playground and riding the electric cars for 3 rounds! While we only allowed him to play 1 round and no playground if we go there. We wanted to save time while shopping for groceries and carrying the baby. It's difficult to bring the baby when she only wants to stay in the stroller for sleeping. So obviously, my preschooler enjoys more going to JJ with his grandparents.

I miss him when my parents took him away, eventhough for a night. He is talkative and could tickle everyone with his words. That's the reason my parents love to take him away at least once a week.

However, I feel more relaxed when my baby could sleep easily without any noise. The noise from her brother that always makes her stay awake and playing or sleeps for a short time.

Another thing that I love is that I don't have to cook today! haha.. weekend is also my off day, to feel more relaxed and spent time with the family. Mon-Fri is a hectic day especially during cooking time. I have to cook and put my baby down 5 times to the living room because she would cry and go to the kitchen.

Today, I will read more books on how to teach my preschooler at home. Because I'm only planning to send him to preschool next year when he's turned 4. I want to let him play more and learn slowly this year with me. Hmm.. I'm also thinking on how to decorate his 'store' room into more playful room. We can nurture the kid's development in a fun environment, so I need to do something with his messy room now.

Work At Home Mum vs. Stay At Home Mum

I've resigned from my job and I've sold my business.

Why??! People ask me whether I'm ready to just stay home without any monthly income. I told them I want to focus on raising my children. My hubby is the ultimate supporter for this.

I settled all of my debts except the home loan (hubby, the breadwinner pays) & JPA (has a little balance and no interest). Then I can stay home with my kids peacefully. At first, I was thinking on what to do at home to earn some income while taking care of my 6 month-old daughter and 3-year old son. My initial intention was maybe to become one of the successful Work At Home Mums (WAHM).

But looking at my both precious gifts from God, I just want to find out more about how to be the best parents in the world!. I want to enjoy every second looking, cuddling, talking, listening, and playing with them. I realized that baby and a preschool children grow so fast and you could just miss all those wonderful and precious moments by not just being with them. And they learn fast too!

I love my kids so much and I want them to be whatever they want to be with their dignity, self-confidence, honesty, and integrity. To be a good and useful human being to their parents, family, community, and the country.

Sometimes I feel there are many things to do at once even at home. Stay-at-home-mum (SAHM) without a maid has to do everything! - cooking, house chores, and taking care of the children. It is more hectic than working in my last company. A mum got to do what she's got to do. Not to mention, to balance the roles between being an obedient and pretty wife and a busy and good mummy. To show sweet faces to hubby and to discipline and teach your kids on being a good human being.

But sincerely, after I've been with my lovely kids for 3 weeks now since my resignation, I enjoy more and more each day looking at them grow. I want to spend the rest of my life with them. I want to provide them with all the love and support I could ever give.

I am keen to know more about baby development and activities for preschoolers for my growing and active children.

Well, I have to stop now because it's tea break. I want to give my preschooler a snack before he can go to the playground to play with his friends.