Sign of Giftedness..

For Info only.. pretty interesting:

Signs of giftedness in a preschooler
Your 2- to 4-year-old may be gifted if he:

• Has a specific talent, such as artistic ability or an unusual facility for numbers. For example, children who draw unusually realistic pictures or who can manipulate numbers in their head may be gifted.

• Reaches developmental milestones well ahead of peers.

• Has advanced language development, such as an extensive vocabulary or the ability to speak in sentences much earlier than other children his age.

• Is relentlessly curious and never seems to stop asking questions.

• Is unusually active, though not hyperactive. While hyperactive children often have a short attention span, gifted children can concentrate on one task for long periods of time and are passionate about their interests.

• Has a vivid imagination. Gifted children often create a vast and intricate network of imaginary friends with whom they become very involved.

• Is able to memorize facts easily and can recall arcane information that he learns from television shows, movies, or books.

Other signs of giftedness may be a little harder to discern. By age 3 or 4, for example, some gifted children begin to realize that they are "different" from their peers. This can make them feel isolated and withdrawn; it may also make them likely targets for bullying.

They may begin to experience intense frustration because they can think more rapidly than they can express themselves, verbally or physically. If your child appears unusually angry or frustrated, you may want to consult a mental health professional.

Testing your preschooler for giftedness
Though you may want to know if your preschooler is gifted, most children don't need to be tested for giftedness before entering elementary school. However, consultations with a mental health professional may be appropriate if your preschooler appears to be unusually bored in school or shows any signs of emotional or social problems.

If your child is enrolled in preschool, speak to the teacher or school director to find out if the school is affiliated with any mental health professionals who specialize in working with gifted children. If your child is not in school or the school isn't being receptive to your concerns, ask your pediatrician to refer you to a child psychologist who conducts tests for giftedness. Keep in mind that that although private testing is often expensive (testing and follow-up consultation can run as high as $1,000), your insurance plan may cover the cost.

Children as young as 3 can be given IQ and ability tests, but experts believe that IQ test results obtained before the age of 5 are unstable — that is, if a child is retested, his scores can fluctuate significantly until this age. Years ago, children whose IQ scores were over 130 were considered gifted (the range for average intelligence is 85 to 115); today, however, IQ is one factor among many that need to be evaluated before a child is identified as gifted. Often parents and teachers will be asked to write their impressions of a child, and these subjective measures are considered along with test data.

When giftedness is hard to diagnose
You might be surprised to learn that a child can be both gifted and learning disabled. In most cases, the disability is recognized while giftedness goes undetected. Giftedness in children from ethnic minorities and disadvantaged backgrounds, and in those for whom English is a second language, is often overlooked as well. If your child falls into any of these categories, it's best to find a psychologist who is sensitive to these issues. It is also important to ask your child's teacher to observe him and look for talents that conventional tests cannot detect.

Is TV really harmful? Or not?

Some time back, I decided to cut down Dillion's telly time by not playing his favourites Barney, Wheel on the Bus, LeapFrog and Baby Brainy from Mon-Fri.

I read about how harmful TV can be for lil' ones and causes them to be unattentive and cannot sit still syndrome.

We have more than 1 telly at home and some times its outta my control when he runs into his Grandma room to play as the TV inside is on most of the time. Well, that one I have to close one eye.

I must say media/TV/Video have helped me alot in entertaining and educating D whilst I need to do my chores and cooking. So I kept all his Barney CDs away and only allowing him to watch educational ones like LeapFrog which I'm glad that D is very addicted to.

I came across this article which says otherwise.. seem like watching TV is not so bad after all!

New research also appears to debunk the notion that TV shortens children's attention spans. A study recently published in the journal Pediatrics and based on American kindergartners, and another conducted in the Netherlands, found absolutely no link between television viewing and symptoms of attention-deficit disorder.

So c'mon kids! We apologize. Put those silly books down and come grab a seat in front of the 65-inch plasma... Punk'd is on!!

His Cough review..

Brought Dillion to the PD- Dr Oh for his cough review. D had been coughing occasionally so I thought to bring him to ensue that his lungs are cleared.

Last Fri, after giving him a strawberry tetra milk pack.. he started coughing during his GUG lesson that I got to pull him out after 15min of lesson.. I played my part as a responsible parent :).

So I talked to Dr Oh about it and she told me that Strawberry milk is actually one of the food trigger for cough.. Hence I must pay special attention to his food intake to ensure a proper recovery of his health.

Food with artificial preservatives are to be avoided. She wrote me a short list:
1. Chocolate
2. Tau Kwa
3. Lapis kueh (9-layer coloured kueh)
4. Honey
5. Peanuts
6. Jam

Yucky "Klacid"

Dillion was prescribed his first dose of antibiotic- Klacid from his PD visit last week.

PD advised to mix it with fruit juice, ribena or other flavour juices.. but i proudly told her that my son loves taking medicine and I should not have problem feeding him.

Boy was I wrong when he spit out and make a mess of it.. the medicine is white in colour with powdered granules. I tasted it and it so sucky and yucky with a bitter aftertaste.

So next best option is to add it to his milk which he drank it unsuspectingly.
Thankfully he is fine with the rest of his medicine.

His phlegm is cleared after 1 week of medicine and hopefully his lungs will be cleared too.

Read more about Klacid here

Super Foods

Came across this when I was blog-hopping..
1. Avocados
High in fats but contain monounsaturated fat which is good for health. Loaded with fiber and a good source of lutein, an antioxidant linked to eye and skin health

2. Apples
Loaded with quercetin and catechin, which protect cells from damage. High in fiber.

3. Blueberries
Loaded with antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, which have been shown to improve vision and brain function.

4.Cabbage
Contains compounds called indoles, which have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer dramatically. The red variety has a healthy dose of anthocyanins, another powerful antioxidant with an anticancer punch.

5.Fish and Fish Oil
Eating fish helps cut the risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis. AHA recommends two fish meals per week, especially wild salmon, herring, and sardines, because those varieties provide the most heart-healthy omega 3s.

6. Garlic
Garlic lowers total cholesterol and triglyceride (blood fat) levels, helping prevent clogged arteries.Garlic also acts as an antibacterial and antiviral, boosting resistance to stress-induced colds and infections

7. Mushrooms
Has powerful effects on the immune system – especially the maitake, shiitake, and reishi varieties

8. Almonds
Almonds are loaded with fiber and monounsaturated fat, both of which have been shown to lower cholesterol

9. Eggs
The best protein source on the planet, eggs consistently outrank milk, beef, whey, and soy in the quality of protein they provide. In addition to containing all nine essential amino acids, eggs are
loaded with nutrients.

10. Flaxseeds
Loaded with alpha-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that helps reduce inflammation

11. Pomegranates
3 times the antioxidants of red wine and green tea – and the juice has been shown to reduce artery-clogging plaque. Long term consumption of pomegranate juice may also help slow aging and protect against cancer.

12. Red Wine
Helps increase HDL cholesterol and reducing the risk of blood clots. Also contains powerful antioxidants, reservatrol and saponins, which may provide additional cardiovascular benefits

13. Dark Chocolate
The benefits of chocolate come from flavonols and antioxidants.Only real cacao contains flavonols, 60 percent or more cacao content. Dark chocolate has fewer calories than other varieties, and when eaten in moderation, it lowers LDL cholesterol and prevents plaque from accumulating.

For more info.. click here

Zoo Phonics..

When Dillion attended Gifted Babes class @GUG, I never practice zoo phonics with him because Kevin would take over the 2nd half of the lesson so I can never remember the names of the animals and their actions.

Now that I attended 3 consecutive lessons with D, I'm beginning to show interest in it and D seem to be able to do / remember few of the alphabets.

This week theme is 'Allie the Alligator', he will open and close his arms like an alligator jaws! And been trying to pronounce "gator".

For my practice and reference:
A- Allie the Alligator
B- Bubba Bear
C- Catina Cat
D- Dee Dee Dear
E- Ellie Elephant
F- Francy Fish
G- Gordo Gorilla
H- Honey Horse
I- Inny Inchworm
J- Jerry Jellyfish
K- Kayo Kangaroo
L- Lizzy Lizard
M- Missy Mouse
N- Nigel Nightowl
O- Olive Octopus
P- Peewee Penguin
Q- Queeny Quail
R- Rabby Rabbit
S- Sammy Snake
T- Timothy Tiger
U- Umber Umbrella Bird
V- Vincent Vampire Bat
W- Willie Weasel
X- Xavier Fox
Y- Yancy Yak
Z- Zeke Zebra

How to do the actions:

Useful links..

Some of these links are quite useful for me.. just to share with you all..

Recipe:
Lil' Gastro
Simple Dish
Chinese Recipe

Photo editing/collage:
Photoscape

Directory for Childcare and enrichment:
Kiasu Parent Forum

More about Korea..

Our travel details for 8D 6N Korea bonanza
Agency:Focal Travel

Important stuffs to pack (for my reference)
Clothings for winter..
For Dillion, I packed:
3 woolen hooded jackets
8 pants
Plenty of t-shirts and singlets

He wore layers of clothes- singlet -> tees -> long sleeve tees -> jacket
How do you know if you child is wearing enough for the winter? if adult wear 2 layers then a child will have to wear 1 more layer.

Diapers:
Packed 50 pieces for a week's usage- mostly Mamy Poko diaper pants.
Korea is baby-friendly. They are foldable changing tables everywhere in shopping malls, stations, air port, touristy areas as well as on the plane.

Formula milk:
900g tin.. left 1/4 on the last day. But left it behind to save luggage space

Food:
Plenty of biscuits, bottled food. Do prepare bottled food as food in Korea may not be suitable for toddlers.
Disposable forks and spoons

Bathing:
~Johnson's Baby Washcloths (Good to use when you are tired and want to bath them fast)
~Travel size shampoo/shower foam and body lotion
~8pcs of Face towel (which i discarded them daily as they are already worn out)

Medications:
~Paracetamol, cold and cough syrup
~Travel size thermometer
~Badgar cold balm
regretted not bringing zam buk.

=====================================
If you are bringing your toddler on a guided tour, ensure that the diaper bag is packed with their snacks, toys, diapers etc to last them for the whole day because you will leave the hotel early in the morning and will not return untill night.
Read the travel itinery daily so that you can be prepared for the activites ahead.

Dangers in the Kitchen...

Few weeks ago.. on one fateful day, my dear Dillion crawled into the kitchen sneakily and pulled out the hose attached to the washing machine (thats used to drain out water into the toilet) without anyone's knowledge.

Imagine my horror when I saw the kitchen floor flooded with soapy water. Thankfully, i discovered the mess after the first rinse.
=============================

Now Dillion is taller and able to tip toe and reach the kitchen's table top. He is able to turn on the gas and reach for any stuffs near the edge of the table.

So a reminder to me to keep the knives away as I have a bad habit of leaving it out on the table when I'm preparing his meals.
And also to turn the handles of the pot away. Can't imagine what if Dillion is able to reach the handle of the boiling pot and cause it to topple over him??

There is so many danger lurking in our kitchen!

China's tainted mailk scandal..

Updated List - Melamine Tainted Products
Products Recalled - Melamine Contaminated


BRAND II ITEM DESC

1 BAIRONG GRAPE CREAM CRACKERS
2 DOVE H/NUT ALM & RAISIN CHOC
3 DOVE HAZELNUT CHOC
4 DOVE MILK CHOCOLATE
5 Dreyers Choc Cake Ice Cream 887ml
6 Dreyers Choc Cake Ice Cream 887ml
7 Dreyers Cookie & Cream Ice Cream 887ml
8 Dreyers Cookie & Cream Ice Cream 887ml
9 Dreyers Mint Chip Ice Cream 887ml
10 Dreyers Mint Chip Ice Cream 887ml
11 Dreyers Rocky Road Ice Cream 887ml
12 Dreyers Rocky Road Ice Cream 887ml
13 Dreyers Strawberry Ice Cream 887ml
14 Dreyers Strawberry Ice Cream 887ml
15 Dreyers Toast Almond Ice Cream 887ml
16 Dreyers Toast Almond Ice Cream 887ml
17 Dreyers Vanilla Ice Cream 887ml
18 Dreyers Vanilla Ice Cream 887ml
19 DUTCH LADY STER M LF BANANA
20 DUTCH LADY STER MK LF PLAIN
21 DUTCH LADY STER MK LF CHOC
22 DUTCH LADY STER MK LF SBERRY
23 DUTCH LADY STER M LF HNYDEW
24 DUTCH LADY STER M LF HNYDEW
25 DUTCH LADY STER MILK PLAIN
26 DUTCH LADY STER MK LF CHOC
27 DUTCH LADY STER MK LF SBERRY
28 DUTCH LADY STER M LF BANANA
29 FIRST CHOICE CALCIUM SESAME CRACKERS
30 FIRST CHOICE CALCIUM SALTINE CRACKERS
31 FIRST CHOICE CALCIUM S ONION CRACKERS
32 FIRST CHOICE CALCIUM SEAWEED CRACKERS
33 GINBIS PARTY ANIMAL BUTTER BISC
34 GINBIS PARTY ANIMAL SEAWEED BIS
35 GINBIS PARTY ANIMAL CNUT
36 GINBI ANIMAL BISCUIT
37 Koala Cocoa Biscuit 40g
38 Koala Cocoa Biscuit 40g
39 KRAFT OREO WAFER STICKS 18S
40 KRAFT OREO WAFER STICKS 5S
41 KRAFT OREO W/STICK WH CHOC 18S
42 KRAFT OREO W/STICK WH CHOC 5S
43 Lotte Koala Cocoa Funpack 210g
44 Lotte Koala Cocoa Funpack 210g
45 M & M Chocolate Peanut 200g
46 M & M Chocolate Peanut 200g
47 M&M CHOC CANDIES PLAIN%
48 M&M CHOC CANDIES PEANUT%
49 M&M CHOC CANDIES-PLAIN
5 M&M CHOC CANDIES-PEANUTS
51 M&M FUNSIZE MILK
52 M&M FUNSIZE PEANUT
53 M&M Chocolate Candies Plain 200g
54 M&M Chocolate Candies Plain 200g
55 MEIJI UJIKINTOKI 2978
56 MEIJI UMAKABO CHOCOLATE
57 MEIJI FAMILY PACK-GREEN TEA
58 MEIJI CHESTNUT & REDBEAN
59MENTOS BOTTLE YOGHURT PROMO PK
60MENTOS BOTTLE YOGHURT
61 Monmilk BREAKFAST MILK MALT
62 Monmilk BREAKFAST MILK WALNUT 6S
63 Monmilk BREAKFAST MILKMALT 6S
64 Monmilk CHOCOLATE MILK 6S
65 Monmilk COFFEE MILK 6S
66 Monmilk HI CAL LOW FAT
67 Monmilk HI CAL LOW FAT MILK
68 Monmilk HI CAL LOW FAT MILK 6S
69 Monmilk HI CAL MILK
70 Monmilk HI CAL MILK 6S
71 Monmilk MILK DELUXE 12S
72 Monmilk PURE MILK
73 Monmilk PURE MILK
74 Monmilk PURE MILK 6S
75 MonmilkBREAKFAST MILK WALNUT
76 NABISCO IN A BISKIT CHICKEN
77 NESTLE NES D/STICK MINI VANILLA
78 NESTLE NES DISTICK MINI CHOCO
79 NESTLE MILK & BERRY STARS CRL
80 NO FRILLS WAFER BLUEBERRY
81 NO FRILLS WAFER CHOCOLATE
82 NO FRILLS WAFER PEANUT
83 Orion Fresh Pie 138g
84 Orion Fresh Pie 138g
85 Orion Tiramisu 138g
86 Orion Tiramisu 138g
87 PEI TIAN CREAM BISCUIT
88 Rabbit Milk Sweet 150g
89 SILANG NATURAL OAT CRACKER
90 Snicker Candies Funsize 240g
91 Snicker Candies Funsize 240g
92 SNICKERS PEANUT CHOCOLATE%
93 SNICKERS SNACKSIZE BARS PNUT 5
94 TAKE ONE BABY BITES 24S
95 TAKE ONE BABY BITE CK VG
96 TAKE ONE BABY BITE CARROT
97 Vitasoy Chocolate Drink 4s 125ml
98 Vitasoy Chocolate Drink 4s 125ml
99 Vitasoy Melon Soya Bean Milk 4s 125ml
100 Vitasoy Melon Soya Bean Milk 4s 125ml
101 Vitasoy Q Soya Milk 4s 125ml
102 Vitasoy Q Soya Milk 4s 125ml
103 WANT WANT MILK CANDY
104 Want Want Flavoured Milk 250ml
105 Yili Hi Cal Low Fat Milk 1L
106 Yili Hi Cal Low Fat Milk 6s 250ml
107 Yili Hi Cal Milk 1L
108 Yili Hi Cal Milk 6s 250ml
109 Yili Pure Milk 1L
110 Yili Pure Milk 6s 250ml
111 Youcan Masterbean Multipack
112 Youcan Passion Multipack
113 Youcan Silk Sliced and Passion Strawberry
114 Youcan Stawberry Multipack
115 Youcan Traditional Sesame Multipack 4s
116 Youcan Unusual Multipack 4s

Safety Vest

Last week I thought that I had misplaced our Sack' N Seat as we only discovered it few days after we last used it on Sunday. So I remembered Ginette's recommendation and seeing Cynthia using it on Cher.. I went and ordered Safety Vest :


The vest serve the same funtion as the sack and gives us flexibility in eating in places that are not child-friendly like coffee shop.

My sack nseat was at my Gramp's place so now i have two 'high chair replacement'!

Child Milestone

For months 12-18.. extracted from Mumcentre:Around your child’s first birthday, make an appointment for his/ her well-child exam. These trips to the paediatrician are essential to ensure that your child is developing healthily. It’s also a good time to have your parenting doubts and fears put to rest.

What your child might do:


Physically and mentally
• Knows function of toys, e.g. hugs plush toys, pushes button on pop-up toys, builds with blocks
• Carries toys from place to place
• By 15 months, uses wrists independently from arms
• Identifies one or more body parts
• May walk on his/ her own but still stumbles
• May climb stairs

Language and emotions
• Uses more words (that may only be intelligible to you)
• Smiles at own reflection
• Develops his/ her sense of humour
• Shows larger range of emotions e.g. anger and frustration along with pleasure, excitement etc.
• More interested in other children (but still won’t play with them)

Feeding
Your one-year-old now has about eight teeth. And possibly, a fussy palate. Your child may just nibble one day and gobble the next. You can easily cater to these changing whims and fancies by providing smaller meals and nutritious snacks throughout the day.

Sleep
Until two years old, your toddler will require two naps in the afternoon to keep him/ her alert and happy. In total, 12 to 18-month-olds need about 14 hours of sleep.
Ideal toys for this age
• Child-safe play sets/ dollhouses
• Puzzle sets (large pieces made of wood is ideal)
• Battery-operated riding toys (age-appropriate)
• Climbing gyms (age-appropriate)

Useful tips
Give your child’s confidence a helping hand by showing him/ her a “can do” attitude. Studies prove that when you repeatedly tell your child he/ she is good at something, the child will actually do better in that area, be it social skills, speech or even math

Roseola Fever rash..

I forgot to blog about this that when D was down with high fever 2 weeks back, he had Roseola Fever Rash on the 5th day, after his fever went down.

This is also known as Fasle measles which looks like rashes on their body & face. Thankfully his rashes was mild and only on his body. We had to let him wear light and keep him cool.

To read more: Roseola Fever rash

Potty training..

D had all along been using the potty when he poo over at his great-grand parents' place thus I decided to train him when he is back home.

So I decided to start on him last saturday. I will bring him to sit on his potty after his lunch as older folks proclaim that babies tend to move their bowel after a meal.
Lo and behold.. he really did! And he sat on it till he finish his business and will attempt to stand up to signal that he is done! So we proceed for bath after that.

I been quite successful except for Monday which i forgot to potty him thus he poo in his diaper.

Anyway i think its such a hassle to use potty! Much prefer diapering as its easier to clean him and dispose his waste.

Once i get the hang of it.. i will most probably try letting him sit on the potty every 3-4 hours so as to let him get used to toilet-training!

Valuable lessons/tips on Fever ..

A few tips on fever management which i picked up from my cousin doctor and a helpful nurse from TMC and for my future reference

Care:
1. Give right dosage of medicine based on your child's weight
2. Check their hands and legs for rashes
3. Sponge and check their temperature regularly
4. Dress light and on air-con
5. We can still bath them

Medicine:
~To give Paracetamol every 4hourly instead of the normal 6hourly interval.
~Give Nurafen if fever peaks 38.5 & above at a 6 hour interval.
~Which means we must alternate between Para & Nura
~Even if fever falls to normal range during the day, we must adhere to 4hour interval of Paracetamol to ensure fever goes down completely
~Must not miss a single Para feed and to wake up in middle of night to monitor and give Para.

Suppository- not advisable for the moment as it may causes side effect eventhough its best remedy

Food:
Its normal that our child not to have appetite for their favourite meal and even milk. Thus not a cause of concern
Leave them alone if they reject food.
Not neccessary to feed them water after medicine for water may even cause vomiting
However we must ensure they eat once they recover.

Vomiting:
Fever causes vomiting. Sometimes what they consume be it a small mouthful of water will cause vomiting.
If they continue to vomit after recover from fever , means they have stomach/gastric flu.

After care:
If fever persist after 2-3days, to see a doctor again or go straight to hospital during office hours in order to do a blood test

========================================
on TMC outpatient service
I'm glad that we made the right choice of going to TMC instead of KKH as we may have to wait x hours to see a doctor at KKH. Anyhow, KKH will stil be the ultimate choice if a child need to be warded for further tests.
At TMC, we saw a doctor 5min after registering.
Cost of midnight medical charge:
$82

Upper teeth eruption..

I spotted two central incisor erupting from his upper teeth. Thanks to tooth fairy for answering my prayers to let Dillion have a couple more teeth!!

I have started him on brushing but with only 2 pathetic teeth is kinda hard. But still need to let him get used to it.

You know sometimes people around me were surprised that D is already 1year old as he can't walk and only got 2 teeth and i still slinging him like a koala!

For my reference:

Immunisation Schedule

The HPB website given by Keira's Mummy.. we can log in with our Sing Pass and our child's Birth cert to check their schedule..

This is good for my reference to note D's schedule. Seem like their jabs are never-ending!

Cow's milk..

Started Dillion on Magnolia's cow milk, strawberry flavour as breakfast staple. From an article of my bible, BabyCentre we can give it to babies after 1 year old in a lidded beaker.

D having his milk together with steam man tou:

Mars Vs Venus..

Got this from a mummy friend:
According to brain research, the following characteristics are found in girls:

* The neural connectors in the temporal lobes are stronger. This means they usually have better listening skills and a more sensually detailed memory.

* Another memory storage area - the hippocampus - is larger in girls, leading to an advantage in the language arts.

* There is more serotonin in the bloodstream and the brain which makes them biochemically less impulsive.

* Girls generally use more areas of the brain for verbal and emotive functioning and boys for spatial and mechanical functioning.



Boys, on the other hand, display a different set of abilities:

** Due to the larger areas delicated to spatial and mechanical functioning, boys on average use only half the space that females use for verbal and emotive functioning. This is what leads boy to vrooming cars across the table and zooming airplanes over your head.


** The lower levels of serotonin and oxytocin (the chemical which promotes human bodning) lead them to be more physcially impulsive and less likely to be happy to just sit and chat, compared to girls.


** The male brain is structured for compartmentalised learning. This is why girls are often better able to multitask, with fewer attention span problems.


** The male brain is better suited for symbols, abstractions, diagrams, pictures and objects moving thru space. Boys learn by being physically active and can "switch off" if faced with too much verbal explanation

Bottle overhaul..

I had recently made an overhaul on Dillion's milk bottles since he been using them for a year and with his oral hygene in mind, i threw away all the bottles that he been drinking for the past 1 year and replaced with new ones.

With the news that some countries are banning bottles that are non BPA but S'pore govt has no plans to do it.. so finger crossed coz i doubt we can use glass bottles on D.

Just note that we can't pour boiling water direct into plastic bottles.