May 29, 2009

the funny truth about exam..

The more studying you did for the exam, the less sure you are as to which answer they want.

80% of the final exam will be based on the one lecture you missed and the one book you didn’t read.

If you are given an open-book exam, you will forget your book.

If you are given a take-home exam, you will forget where you live.

Okie, I'm going to continue answering my exam question now....it is a take-home exam & thank god I still know where I live..........

May 27, 2009

Smart mom & smart kid?

May 26, 2009

Tag, Posting Award & etc

Dear friends,

After almost a year being in this blogsphere, I realized that I've been tagged a few times & some friends said I should go to their blog to collect the award they gave to me.

Then these dear friends of mine might suddenly be raising eyebrows after seeing that I don't pass on the tag or post & pass the award on my blog to other..If u guys got offended, sorry.

But truthfully, bukan i tak ambik pot. Just I have no idea on how it works & I also feel like i shouldn't waste other peoples' bandwidth by passing on the required activity.

So again, sorry...and I do appreciated being tagged or getting an award. But u should know, I won't participate.

Love,
Mama-Miya

Note from Miya: maafkan mama saya, dia tu kuno skit. So benda2 yg happening in the mommy blogsphere ni dia kurang tahu. Sebab kan malu nak bertanye & learn about it, dia tak join la...

May 25, 2009

Mommies coping with stress (part 3)




Last night I check my result for one of my master's papers. I passed..mere passed...Ahhh..stress giler.... The paper was hard, but I did try my best...yet i just passed....stress otak gue....Giler2 punye moody...Feel like kicking butts, not other people's but only my own...

So what did I do to went out that ugly feeling? I made sushi. My 1st attempt in making sushi. Bought all of the basic ingredient & tools at coles. Then I watched some online videos.

The hardest part was cooking the rice. 2 cups of short grain rice. Rendam in 2 cups of water for a while till nampak the rice kembang2 turn to white. Then cook it. I use microwave coz we don't have rice cooker. When the rice is ready, heat up 2 tablespoon of rice vinegar with 2 tablespoon of sugar & 1 tablespoon of salt. Heat up just to get the salf & sugar to desolve.

Then pour the mixture in the rice. Kacau rata, then leave the rice to cool.

Then can start with the rolling process. For the filling i used: cucumber, avocado, Japanese mayonnaise, tamago (telur dada jepun cooked in sweet soya sauce), prawn and a bit of fusion... serunding ikan.

I can't say its a huge success, but its a great success for a 1st timer & also it was really good for me to forget my anger over my exam marks. So this is how I cope with stress..I try new stuff that makes me feel good. Nak terbalik pusat jugak la makan sushi tu. Biasa makan that much would be $12. Huhuhuhu..Tgk ni, Miy pun beria enjoy.(kena bg dia makan beralas newspaper, kalau tak stress pulak I nak cuci carpet)



May 24, 2009

Being A Toddler & what parents should observe on?




Toddler’s Milestone in Language

Long before your child utters his first word, he's learning to talk. In fact, the average 1-year-old can say only six words. But, surprisingly, he understands close to 70. Most of those words are objects or familiar expressions. Keep in mind that boys tend to acquire language skills at a slower rate than girls do.

His first words likely will refer to familiar people, favorite possessions and parts of the body. As his vocabulary increases, he'll begin to add action verbs such as "come" and "go" as well as directives such as "up" and "down."

Between 12 and 18 months your child will accrue new words slowly -- perhaps four to six a month. He may continue to use these new words regularly, or drop them as he moves on to new ones. But just because he hasn't used a word regularly, doesn't mean it has been forgotten. For some kids, 50 words is a benchmark. After hitting this number, he may experience a vocabulary explosion picking up new terms faster than you can track them.

Sometime before his second birthday -- or shortly thereafter -- your child may surprise you by pairing two words together such as "mommy up," "more milk" or "big toy." Often this doesn't happen until after your child has acquired at least 50 single words.

Even if your child's language skills are well developed, don't expect strangers to understand him. Most children of this age make the minimum sound needed to label a person or object. It will be several years before they develop the mouth coordination necessary for proper pronunciations.

Your Toddler's Social Skills?

Over the next year, your toddler will become more and more convinced that she is the center of the universe. She has difficulty understanding that other people have wishes or desires different than her own.

Your 1-year-old will begin to participate in simple make-believe games. Her play will mostly involve imitating adult actions such as feeding a doll, talking on the phone or shopping. One-year-olds do not play together in the traditional sense. Instead they engage in what's called parallel play -- play in which two or more children monitor each other's actions, but do not interact directly. To the casual observer, associative play may not seem social at all. But watch carefully, you'll see that your child closely scrutinizes her playmate's moves and then tries to imitate them.

Even if your child is incapable of more mature social relationships, that doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy the company of her peers. You may not see cooperative play right away, but your child will grow more excited over the prospect of play dates with other children.

A 1-year-old is not developmentally capable of sharing. And this can make play dates a bit tricky. Pinching, grabbing and screeching are an inevitable part of toddler interactions. Kids this age require close adult supervision.

Emotional Development Of The Little Toddler

Once your child learns to walk, his world expands exponentially. He now has the means to leave your side and explore on his own. This turn of events is both terrifying and exhilarating. And, as a result, you may find your child vacillating between periods of extreme neediness and extreme independence.

Your 1-year-old is also hard at work developing a sense of self. Once he truly understands that you and he are separate people, he will begin to claim ownership of certain possessions. Words like "me," "my" and "mine" become common refrains.

Your 1-year-old is also becoming more willful. If you tell him not to pull all his clothes out of the drawers, swat the dog or bang on the windows, he may not always comply. This is his way of asserting independence.

Along with a growing sense of self, comes fear of abandonment. Your child depends on you for strength and security. When you disappear, so may his self-confidence. And that's when separation anxiety tends to materialize. This normal developmental stage tends to wax and wane throughout the toddler years, but typically peaks at around 18 months.

Physical Development

During the next 12 months you child will also learn to:

• Eat with a fork and spoon

• Drink from a cup (without always spilling the contents)

• Kick a ball

• Stand on her tiptoes

• Build a tower of up to six blocks, and then smash them down

• Sort shapes in a shape sorter

• Scribble with a pen or crayon

• Turn pages and knobs

• Scoop up a ball while it's still in motion

Challenges to both parents & child

Your one-year-old is now prone to temper tantrums -- hysterical fits where he may throw himself onto the floor, kick, scream and perhaps even hold his breath until he passes out. If you see a tantrum brewing, do what you can to distract him, or talk him out of it. Once a tantrum is underway, however, reasoning will do no good. Instead it's best to ignore the behavior. This is, of course, assuming he's throwing a tantrum in a place he can't hurt himself or any innocent bystanders. Eliminate the audience, and you eliminate the incentive to throw a tantrum.

Separation anxiety tends to peak in the second year. Your child may fall to pieces whenever you try to leave her in someone else's care. This is a normal developmental stage that all children go through. Although it can be painful to leave your screaming child behind, don't succumb to her wishes. She needs to learn that when you leave, you will return. And besides, learning to deal with stressful situations is an important development task.

Once your child starts walking, she'll want to explore and may resist being confined to a stroller or backpack. Shopping trips and outings become a greater challenge, as your child wants to go up the escalator, climb shelves, open bottles and wander off. One trick that may help: Buy your child a doll-size stroller and let her push it alongside the big one.

Toddlers have all sorts of irrational fears. During the second year of life, one of the more common ones is stranger suspicion. As an older infant, your child may have experienced stranger anxiety. This, however, is different. Now that your toddler is capable of rational -- or at least semi-rational -- thoughts, he's also capable of more complex fears. And if a child isn't familiar with a person -- whether it's a neighbor, a colleague or even a grandparent -- he may see that person as threatening. Holding your toddler during introductions, or warning a newcomer not to come on too strong, may help. But time is the ultimate curative.

How to help toddlers bloom?

Toddlers actually appreciate limits, even if it may seem otherwise. Yes, they'll keep trying to push, but the existence of limits gives children a sense of security. So, if you don't want your child standing on the sofa, say so in a firm voice. If that doesn't work, remove her from the couch yourself, and give her a time-out. Enforcing boundaries also helps teach 1-year-olds about consequences.

Be consistent. Your child will have a much easier time accepting the law of the land, if rules remain constant. In other words, if you allow your child to eat in front of the television one day, and then outlaw it the next, you'll lose credibility.

Taking care of a toddler can be frustrating at times. If you feel yourself losing your temper, step away from your child and collect yourself. Of course, to ensure your child's safety, make sure you leave her in a baby-proofed space such as her crib or play yard.

One-year-olds can exhibit all sorts of quirky behaviors, from insisting on wearing a winter coat in spring to refusing to eat anything green. But not every gaffe requires immediate adult attention. If safety or respect is not at issue, sometimes it's better just to ignore the problem.

Activities With Your Toddler?

Reading-Children of this age can appreciate a simple story, but also like looking at the pictures. Stick with board books that can better withstand a 1-year-olds not-so-gentle touch.

Emptying and filling-One-year-olds are fascinated by the prospect of emptying and filling containers. A milk jug holds a special allure for young explorers because the narrow neck stands in stark contrast to the spacious interior. Try putting small objects such as raisins, Goldfish crackers or Cheerios into the bottle and then let your toddler figure out how to pour them out.

Sorting-Save your junk mail. It now serves a purpose. Your toddler will love the challenge of pulling the inserts out of the envelopes and then trying to put them back in again.

Stacking-Building a tower and then knocking it down is not only fun, it's educational. Placing one piece atop the next teaches kids about balance. And, of course, the demolition reinforces the concept of cause-and-effect.

Scribbling-Your toddler doesn't have any concept of cubism, impressionism or even paint-by-numbers. But that doesn't mean he won't be thrilled by the prospect of putting pen to paper. Buy a large box of crayons, cover the floor in large sheets of paper and let your toddler experiment with various hand grips.

May 23, 2009

Special Announcement From Miya

May 22, 2009

Mommies coping with stress (part 2)


Behavior of Children That Can trigger Anger, Abuse & Frustration:

  • Screaming
  • Refuse to feed & fussy eater
  • Tantrums & whinning
  • Biting
  • Disobidience aka Degil aka Buas satu macam
  • Potty training
  • Making a huge mess after you have cleaned the house
Yup, bringing up kids is not easy & sometime parents do feel the difficulty in coping with it. Sometimes we lose temper, then we might hit or cubit the kid. Even sometimes we can just shook them by our scream.

We know it is not right, but it did happen. So what should we do? try to remember these few points..or at least ini la what i keep on reminding myself:
  • most children go thru periods of tantrums, disobedience and untruthfullness.
  • no parents are perfect & there is no such thing as the perfect child.
  • all parents become frustrated at times.
  • children learn from us, if we scream or hit them, they will end up doing the same thing.
So what other thing I can do to let of some steam? I talk to my other friends with small kids. Just venting it out helps, eventho it doesn't solve the problem..what do u think?

May 19, 2009

Human is a Social Being

"Learning our own language is one of the major accomplishments of our lives...."

One of the most complex thing for a human to accomplish would be the mastering of a language. Such acquisition will then allow such person to communicate and learn about the world outside his/her own...

So do we wonder on how amazing it is for our little ones to be able to learn our mother tongue?

I happen to stumble across an article that writes about the work of a famous linguists, Micheal Halliday. He wrote a book titled 'Learning How to Mean" in year 1975. It was a famous landmark publication for materials related to children speech development. Its about theories on how about children learn their language.

The following table is the summary I made on Halliday's Theory:

Stages

Functions

Significant & Features

Phase 1: Photo-language (9-16.5months)

1. Instrumental: used to gain goods & services. Example of wanting stuff.

2. Regulatory: Used to control others’ behaviour. Example of telling other what to do.

3. Interactional: used to interact with others. Example of me & you activities.

4. Personal: used to express the child’s uniqueness. Example of our kid telling us where he/she is and what they are up to.

At this phase, the child will be using “photo-phase” words. Here language is just a basic communication function. Sometimes the child may imitate the adult’s spoken words to refer to something, but most of the time the child might be using words they made up by themselves to refer to something. Like Miya, when she wants milk she will say “Mama? Emeh..”. So the child will just try to communicate to express something on wishing or telling.

Phase 2: at 18months

1. Heuristics: used to explore the child’s world. Example on the child is asking why or what.

2. Imaginative: used by a child to create their own comfort zone. Example is when a child is playing pretend.

Only after phase 2 has begun does the child begin using words resembling the adults’ words and speech tone. Here vocabulary will increase dramatically and dialogues begin.




So i guess, we can help them achieve better, if we can know their development stage. Then we can encourage apa yg patut, kan?

May 17, 2009

Our 1st Autumn Brekkie Picnic







Mama-miya, Papa-miya, Miya, Pak Ngah Andin (cousin mama miya) & Uncle Kamil (Fren Pak Ngah Andin) went to the Royal Park for a picnic.

Mama-miya made baked potatoes, baked apple, yogurt strawberry & coffee. Pak Ngah Andin brought wholemeal roti.

While the adults are enjoying their meal, Miya had a cross country exercise around the park. Miya met some cute little crows & magpie. They made funny sounds.

After breakfast and even on the way back from the park, Mama, Pak Ngan Andin & his friend was having a session of "gila ambik gambar". Of course Miya is the model for the pictures. Ye la, Miya kan the cutest baby alive. Hehehehehe.

Reach home, Miya's energy level reached 0. After Mama washed Miya's hands & face, Miya asked for some milk & Miya happily sailed to dreamland.

May 14, 2009

Miya's 1st Health Check In Melbourne.


Yesterday we went to the Maternal and Child Health Centre to register Miya for the health checks & immunization. There Miya can get free check up & immunization. Its really wonderful of what the government here is doing for the people. They call this “best start”. (Hanum mom to Nisa’-another Malaysian mom in Melbourne- would definitely agree with me that this is the best programme that a government should have for the people)

So at the centre, we meet Nurse Isabel. A very warm person and guess what, she is a Malaysian too. Penang person, but now residing well in Melbourne.

She took all of our details, it’s really thorough. Like an interview, but in a very friendly environment... and while we get out details & history recorded, Miya pun sibuk la inspect office nurse tu. She even explored under the nurse’s table.

Then we got Miya’s weight & height taken. She is now 8.8kg & 71.4cm tall. This means she only gained 1kg for the past 2months, but she definitely got taller (her last height last 2months was 63cm). Wow, she going to be taller than me! Then the nurse asked me, am I really this short. Then I told her she should have seen my mother who is smaller than me...

And so she concluded that I should not worry about Miya’s weight coz since I came from a petite gene, Miya can be considered as a healthy toddler. So no supplement required. Meaning I don’t have to give Miya Pediasure Complete. (Lega- save budget...Phewww...)

Then the nurse asked more question regarding Miya’s development and she concluded that Miya had achieved more than any average toddler has and she will definitely grow into a smart girl. Oh..cukup bangga mama-miya di situ.

We were then given a few pamphlet regarding immunization and a blue booklet-copy of miya’s health recoved. The nurse asked me to read everything regarding the immunization before we come over next week for miya to take her 12months jab. She said after I have fully understood about the jab and given consent, I will have to sign the red card as a proof of consent.(Wow..these people really got every legal perspective covered).

Then regarding the blue book, we were told to bring this every time for a check up and in case of emergency, it is crucial for us to bring it along to the ER.

Back at home in Malaysia, we only got 1 yellow card and was told to follow up with the appointments & jabs ikut age..tu aje.

Well i this the programme here is kinda good, especially for parents yg cant afford to spend time reading babycare books...and also good programme to educate parents yg cant afford to spend money on books too.


Another important thing i just noted after reading the Australian Immunization list & compare dgn the list yg i ada in the yellow card, I sedar Anti-flu jab being listed there for 15months. WTF! I tot there is not Flu jab for kids below 2? Then kenapa in the Yellow card ada? Yang benar ni? Sure or not ni?


May 11, 2009

Mama-Miya's parenting style

I just did a test on my parenting method and the result is?

Mama-Miya in making the house rules---

When it comes to setting rules and expectations with your kids, you're sort of a benevolent dictator – in the nicest way. When you know what's best for them, there's no need to discuss your decisions. But when it's appropriate, you're happy to take a more democratic approach and let your kids have their say. This kind of combination of firmness and fairness means that you can have open discussions with your children while still being able to assert your authority when it matters. Alamak! Am I really like that?

Mama-Miya in shaping the child's character--- Specific

Whether you're an earth mother or a PTA president (or both!), you're very concerned with setting specific expectations for your kids' behavior. You do this both by telling them what to do and acting as a role model, and, in general, you expect them to follow your careful guidance. As a parent, you think you should be very actively involved in fostering your children's growth, which includes determining what activities they should engage in – sports, tutoring, music, chores, art, yoga, whatever. When it comes to everything from family meals to manners and morals, you know what's best.

Mama-Miya in enforcing dicipline--- Lenient

When it comes to discipline, your watchwords are tolerance and lenience, and you tend to avoid punishing your children for behaving inappropriately. As far as enforcing rules and expectations goes, lenient parents like you don't think it's necessary to get upset with kids for not obeying instructions. It's certainly not appropriate to use spanking to get children to behave, and could be self-defeating. In your opinion, kids should be allowed to do what they like without being told exactly how to behave.

Any moms out there interested to take this test? Go here for parenting style.

-

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor nor am I a lawyer. I am not a scientist nor am I an expert. I am just a wife and a mother, who is putting her thoughts and findings in a blog. All of the posting on this website & my blogs were written by me for educational purposes and as my sentimental library, but are not meant to diagnose nor treat any medical disorders. Any other materials that I may have quote from other published materials are for educational purposes only and not for any other manipulative reasons. Anyway, whatever weird stuff that I published are the real stuff that I believe works for me. Tips and tricks that might work for me. You are free to put it in your head if you thinks its valuable, but if you think its rubbish... Please don't mock me. Do please shut your pie hole.
 
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GENERASI YANG BERMASALAH PRESTASI NOL
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