SEX EDUCATION

When should we start this errr... topic with our kids? It encompasses many phases and where or which one should we start first? And who should lead this - the daddy or the mummy? :)

I think I started the very basic sex education when i was pregnant with my 2nd son. I brought Joe, the 'ta ke' with me to one of my monthly check ups - but i doubt he understood what he saw on the ultra sound screen. I also read to him about The New Baby, one of the stories in First Experience by Usborne.


The true sex educaton started when I was pregnant with my daugther. At that time, Joe was 5+ and 2nd son Sern was only 2.5 years old. I read to them how babies are made. This one talks about sperms and egg! Where sperms and egg are from and how the sperms race to touch the egg and bingo - the join of the nature that later develops to be a BABY!!!!! Also I read to them about the The New Baby by Osborne where I changed the characters of the stories to reflect our own experience. The boys loved it and Joe fully understood the initial stage of the reproductive system e.g. baby stays in mummy's tummy for 9 months - he asked why 9 months, why so long?

And when the 'mei mei' is born - my boys at that time aged 6 and 3+ asked how come 'mei mei' no 'ku ku bird'?? I told them because she is a GIRL - I guessed at that point they really realised the distinct difference between BOY and GIRL. And few months later - I discovered this book -

I said this is a wonderful book - it first tells the difference in a girl and boy by names, behaviours, toys boy and girl play, the type of hairs each gender should or usually has, how each gender uses the toilet. Also talk about touching and it mentions the issue of RESPECT and how people should and should not touch you. the book is illustrated by funny comics and simple words - very easy to get kids attention. However I haven't reached the part about Masturbation (err.. I think I will get the daddy to explain to the boys what this is and how boys and men do this :p) and where baby is really coming from - i think i will leave this until my eldest is about 8 or 9.

And lately daddy and I came across stories like 13 years old boy became a father and 15 years old girl going thru her dreadful live after aborting her first child due to negligence in sex relationship. SEX EDUCATION is really important. I told daddy he will have to tell his sons (and of course I will tell my daugther) the consequences of having irresponsible sex relationship at young age or any age. SEX is not just pleasure but SEX is a responsible act and I guess must explain the fundamental of people having sex. Gosh... i hope i will be able to deliver this topic to my kids effectively!!

My colleague's son of 9 yr old came back from school one day and asked, "Mummy, what is this 'F' word?". I know it will be my turn soon.

Super Tank - Creation of the 6-Yr Old

A power Super Tank - created by Mr. Wing Joe Chim!

A Letter to Daddy from A 6-Yr Old

Decided to post this because it is just so funny to read the letter and the letter also demostrates the true feeling of a 6 yr old. Daddy and Mummy simply understood the letter although it has lots of spelling and grammer mistakes. We laughed after reading it.

It is great that in a way the son is not hiding any feeling to the daddy and very open in expressing himself - I think it is very important for a 2-way communication between children and their parents. This is definitely lacking during our growing up years - the older generation just cannot accept their children to 'talk back'.



Dad, I don't like you anymore Dad because you don't play with me anymore. I don't want to be your best friend. Letter from Wing Joe to Dad Dad.

Usborne Young Reading Series One: The Dinosaurs Next Door

A very fun and cute book - definitely will get the attention of young children, what more, dinosaurs are every child's (at least for boys) fantasy!




ISBN: 0 7460 4854 8
Author: Harriet Castor
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Price: RM13.90 (from MPH)

The eccentric Mr. Puff lives next door to Sam in a house full of interesting things. Best of all is teh basket of giant dinosaur eggs - until they begin to hatch. The trouble with dinosaurs is that they grow... and grow. Something needs to be done, and fast!

Cut and Paste 'Flowers in the Garden'

A very simple craft which can easily occupy your toddler (suitable for aged from 2.5 to 4) at least 30-45 minutes.

Get ready some colour papers and and unwanted piece of corrugated cardboard.

Ask your child to draw some big and small circles. Small circles for the petals while big circles act as bases of flowers.

Ask your child to cut out the circles (may not come out as round as it should be but it's fine). And some triangles (as leaves).

You can help to cut some stems and the grass.

Get your child to paste all the pieces together to form what it is shown in the picture.

Later, you can draw some insects as requested by your child (my son asked me to draw a mouse at the left corner - not sure why. You also will notice a ladybird and a butterfly). Get your child to colour the insects.

My son of 6 years old did not seem to be keen in doing this craft - he said it was very girlish. However, my 3.5 year old son enjoyed doing it. Therefore, I have suggested this craft probably suitable for both boys and girls not more than 4.

From Head to Toe

Can you wave your arms like a monkey, clap your hands like a seal or stomp like an elephant?
Yes, you can! Move yourself From Head to Toe.

This is a fun book for toddlers aged 2 to 4. You can do some exercise with your children and act silly.

ISBN: 0140563784
Publisher: Puffin
Auther: Eric Carle



Arch your back like a cat! Kick your leg like a donkey!

Megatron by a 3.5 year-old

Seeing the 'ko ko' drawing Optimus Prime, my 3.5 yr old son also took a pencil and started scribbling on the paper. He said it is a Megatron holding 2 swords. Where are the swords? :) They are the black and brown scribble on both sides of the paper. The drawing was actually pretty nice with the face with eyes and mouth until he scribbled again on the face with black colour. errr.. I m not sure if this is a good pcs of drawing but I am proud of him being so imaginative. I am sure he will get better in the years to come - just like the brother. :)

Optimus Prime by a 6 yr old

My6-yr old is crazy about transformers especially Optimus Prime. He even selected a Night Watch Optimus Prime as a gift for his birthday which is coming up in a few days time.

Above 2 Optimus Prime were drawn without any reference and he did a really good job. He drew one a year ago after we brought him to the cinema to see the Transformer show. See below. I think he has improved tremendously in terms of colour combination and details of drawing.

Interesting Books for Boys!

Usborne Young Reading series - interesting books for boys to read. There are 2 levels to the books - level 1 for beginner and level 2 for advance readers. Not a structured reading series but interesting books for children especially boys to pick up the habit of reading. My boys just love the books. Will share more of each book in my next posts.

Effective Learn to Read Series

This is a very structured and effective learn to read series for young children. The series run from 1a to 12a with stories around 2 children named Peter and Jane. I started the series with my boys as young as 3.5 years old. My elder son by the age of 6, he is now at book 11a. My younger boy of 3.5 yrs old has started book 1a one month ago and now is half way through the book.

Nevertheless it is a very boring series! I will share some more exciting books for boys which can instill their interests to pick the book and read further.

Art and Craft Idea for Boys and Girls - Idea 1

Cut and Paste Beetle

Materials:
1. Glue
2. Colour paper
3. Scissors
4. Colour pencils or crayon

Method:
1. Draw the shape of circle (body), semi circle (head), square (eyes), triangle (tail), L-shape (legs) and Antennae.
Head (Semi circle) - draw a circle - fold into half and cut across the fold to make semi circle.
Tail (triangle) - draw a square - make a diagonal fold to form 2 triangles. Cut along the fold.
Legs (L-shape) - draw a square, cut out the square. Then, mark 2 L-shape inside the square and cut out the L-shape.
Antennae - draw a circle - draw another smaller circle inside the big circle. cut through the two circles and then cut around the inside and teh outside of the circles to make a ring. fold into half and cut along the fold.

2. Stick the different shapes into a beetle as shown in the photo.
3. Colour the beetle as how your kids like it.






Work by a 5.5 year-old (left) and 3 year old (right).

Paper Optimus Prime - A 5.5 Year Old Creation

Made of toothpaste box, toilet roll and cellophane tape as well as scribbles here and there.

River Craft...continued

Completed with trees and dinasours - you have Jurassic Park! :)

Art & Craft for Boys - Idea 2

Making a River

materials:
Water colour
Brush
Glue
Scissors
Unwanted carton boxes/cardboard
Scrape paper

Method:
1. Fold the cardboard/carton to form a wide river with banks at both sides.
2. Get your child/children to paint the river and banks.
3. Draw shapes of grass, cut out and get your child to paint them in colours like yellow, brown, light green and dark green. Paint both sides - so may have to wait for one side to dry first before working on another side.
4. After everything is dried, paste/glue the grass at the side of the river banks. Get your children to do the pasting.
5. Crumble 2 pieces of unwanted paper to form rocks (this is an idea by my son). Paint them. After they are dried, paste them in the river - you may need to use double sided tape if the glue doesn't hold.

Now it is done! My sons put the soldiers on the rocks. They said the soldiers are watching the crocodile.

Watch this space - I will show you how to make some trees & coconut trees to be put on the river banks. Happy crafting and painting with your children!

Art & Craft for Boys - Idea 1

Here to share with you some ideas of art & craft for boys as young as 3. It's fun to do this together with your children.

How to make 3D crocodile:
Materials:
hard cardboard (recycled cardboard eg unwanted boxes or small cartons).
scissors
water colours
brush

Method:
1. You have to draw the body shape of a crocodile (with sharp teeth and tail)
2. Draw the 2 legs in hemi-oval shape.
3. Cut out the shapes.
4. Get your children to paint the shapes (both sides) in whatever colour they like (even it is not a crocodile colour). They may need to paint one side first and then wait for it to dry before painting the other side.
5. Once the colour on both sides is dried, cut approx 2cm in height near the head and tail respectively (from bottom up).
6. Cut approx 2cm in height in the middle of the legs (from top to bottom).
7. Slide the legs to the body and you will get this:



I will share with you in my next post on how to make a river when the crocodiles can swim in it!

That's How You Brush Your Teeth!

Another impromptu imagination and creation from the 5.5 year-old which caught me speechless!

First, he made a brush by rolling up a piece of art block. Then he cut the top portion for it to look like a brush.

Then came the teeth in the mouth.

And not forgetting the toothpaste!

Arts & Crafts by a 5.5 year-old

Is this a pig?





A map to lead you to the treasure ... on the way.. you see dragon, snake, lion, tiger....



After watching the movie Transformer, these are his versions.

Monkey Puzzle

"Hush Hush Little Monkey don't you cry, I will help you to find your mummy."

A fun book for toddler illustrating a baby monkey has got lost in the jungle and in desperate mood to find his mummy. He met this funny butterfly who always got the idea wrong and brought him to the wrong animals.

You see, butterfly's baby is a caterpillar. Its baby does not look like her at all! She doesnt know little monkey looks like his mummy!

The wordings are put in rhythm and a good book to teach kids to describe an animal.

Title of the book: Monkey Puzzle

Author of the book: Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Publisher: Campbell Books

ISBN number: 978 0 333 962190

Fireworks in the Eyes of a 3-Year Old

This is an art piece by a 3-year old after he saw a firework display. You may think otherwise though. :)

Art Gallery of A 5-Year Old

Below pictures were drawn impromptu without any reference by a 5-year old. You will be able to see what he likes and how he experiences his life. I am happy to learn that he is happy as you can see from the various colour he puts in his pictures and the smiling suns he has drawn. And I trust the family has played an important role in his life as a few of his pictures show houses and family members.

A family portrait was drawn when he was 4.5 years old. See his progress after half a year later in the next picture.















this was drawn when he is 5 years old.