For my mother, who reads to me

This morning, my sister posted a picture of my mum when she was much younger in 4 different kinds of look.  Each look a representation of her 4 different daughters. I won't post that picture up here, cos I know how shy she is ;-) 

But this post is not about my mum's looks. It's a post that I dedicate first and foremost to the woman whom I credit myself to; and to all the mummies out there who, also like my mother take on different looks, different roles and face head-on different challenges as they raise their family.

Since I was very young, my mother has impressed upon me and my siblings the importance of reading.

With her artistic flair (of which I have inherited none of; but which I believe at least 3 of my siblings have had the good fortune to inherit), she transformed our store room into a mini library. She drew a mural of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck reading a book on its wall, squeezed a table with 2 chairs into the small room and fitted several book shelves for the books.  A store being a store, had very poor ventilation, so if we wanted to go into our "library" the door had to remain open, and a fan placed outside.  In that room, beautiful memories were created.  We read, we wrote, we did our homework, we learnt and laughed.

And around the house, books were placed everywhere within our reach... Yup our house wasn't the tidiest place (There are 6 kids in our house, so it can't be all that tidy right...hehehehehe)

Not only that, I recalled each time we went out with this fashionable lady (again a trait which I have inherited none of, as seen from my complete lack of fashion sense), each one of us had to bring a book to read on the bus. And our first pit stop would always be a bookshop.  I could still recall my 1st ever book bought - A ladybird version of the "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves". Sometimes, she would leave us alone at the bookshop and she would say "Sit here, and read ok. Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back." And off she would go to shop for items for the family.  And we would remain rooted on the floor of the bookshop immersed in our storybook till she came back (Yup, at that time, somehow it was ok to leave your kids alone in a bookshop ;-))

Library visits were a treat for all of us.  Then, the library cards were made of cardboard, and the due date would be stamped on a piece of paper stuck on the 1st page of the book.  It was truly an excursion for us, because it meant that we would have books to read at home.  Books that we did not own or have at home.

She doesn't stop there.  To boost our confidence, imagination and public speaking skills, she would enrol us in whatever competitions that our preschool or primary school organised.  Be they storytelling competitions, poetry recitation, plays etc.  You name it. 

But what still sticks to my mind are not these trips to the bookshop or library; not the rooms that she designed... It was that SPECIAL MOMENT before bedtime, when she would to read to us a story.  She is not a dramatic reader; not entirely articulate all the time. But she read to us and is still reading. It is the sound of her voice, the smell of my mum being close to me and her gentle touch. It was that MOMENT.

My mum was not Early Childhood Trained.  Nor was she trained to be a teacher. And there was no internet there where you can easily find numerous articles on how to raise a good reader etc....

But she is a Mother.  And her mother instinct was so strong, that somehow she knew what she needed to do.  And this was what she did to raise a Reader in her 6 children -

• She BUILT A LIBRARY
• She MADE BOOKS ACCESIBLE to us
• She brought us on LIBRARY VISITS
• She made sure that BOOKS WERE ALWAYS IN OUR BAGS for trips
• She ensured that we had OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEAK and PRESENT
• She READ TO US

All Mothers have a NATURAL MOTHERLY instinct to want the best for their child, to want to bond and love their child.  I draw on what my mum has done for me and siblings and I bring it forth onto my children, and onto the children that come to PlayDate.  This love for Reading, this need to BOND between a child and a parent. 

And to mothers, including myself who sometimes worry so much as to whether we are doing it right with our children; Do not worry so much.  You are trying your best.  We are trying our best. And your child knows it.  And your child loves you for that very simple fact, that you are A MOTHER.

HAPPY ADVANCED MOTHER'S DAY!

PS: Mother's day is on the 10th May. Don't forget

How my daughter made me fall in love with poetry

Oddly enough, for someone who loves reading, I wasn't much of a poetry type of person. Somehow, during my growing up years in Secondary School, I just didn't get it... And I kept myself far far away from reading poetry.  This non-appreciation for poetry stayed through with me until my adult working years before I delivered my first born. 

But I reckon there must have been a poetic bone in me, because every now and then, I would pen down a poem (my own version of how a poem is to be, and which breaks every single rule about poetry that has ever been taught to me in school), as I found that to be one of the best ways for me to express my emotions and thoughts at that moment. 

However, it all changed when my daughter was born. I was constantly in search of books that would interest a young one. And the best books found, were ones with rhymes. 

We started with simple books with rhymes like "Run Mouse Run" by Fiona Conboy (A book that has been in my personal library for 10 years, and is a must read to my babies).

Then,we progressed to slightly longer ones like "There was an Old Woman who swallowed a Fly".

 

By then, I was hooked on poetry.  And so was the little one. And the magnificent thing about it was that she was not particularly interested in the pictures.  She was more mesmerised with the words.  The rhythm, the wit and the emotions that is beautifully crafted in the few stanzas of the poem.

It was then also that I fell head over heels in love with poetry. At that point, I had nooooo idea why poetry had left such a great impact in my child's reading development.

It was when I was pursuing my Trinity Guildhall Foundation Teaching Certificate and  various other Teaching Certificates , did I fully realise the great importance of poetry and rhyme in developing a child's literacy.  And it has proven to be true with my kids.

So why is poetry and rhymes so potent in developing a child's reading?

Poetry & Rhyme...

• Develops Rhythm -

Making it easier for children to learn new words.  For example, it easier for one to teach 5 words with the simple phrase "The fat cat sat on the mat with a hat", then to teach the words individually.

• Builds a Child's Phonemic Awareness -

Phonemic Awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words. The beauty of poetry is that when one recites it, one would naturally have to place emphasis on the sound and rhythm of the words used. One would have to be conscious of the pitch, volume  and intonation. All these play a part in solidifying a child's reading abilities.

•  Teaches Self-Expression -

A poem will only come to life when its words are recited with the correct speed, appropriate pauses, voice, volume, pitch and inflexion. Through poetry recitation, children are taught that words are not mere words, but are vehicles for them to express themselves.

• Assist in Memorising

When we were young, we were taught to memorise certain important facts through a song or a poem. Why? Because it works! In reciting a poem, a child's auditory and visual faculties are both engaged in picking up the patterns and sequence in the poem.  This helps them develop the memorisation skills.  The ability to pick out patterns and sequences also makes it easier for a child to learn a new language and in his reading comprehension.

• Develop Physical Awareness

When a child recites a poem, he needs to be conscious of his breathing, his gestures, his facial expressions and many others.

• Develops confidence

Inevitably, with all of the above, a child who recites a poem would naturally develop confidence in public speaking. This is especially true and I can personally attest to it.  When we were in Primary School my mum, without fail, would register my siblings and I for any poetry recitation competition, storytelling competition, fancy dress competition, what have you, that was organised by our school.  To date, we can still remember the poetry that we recited when we were in P1. The stories that we read out.  The costumes that she stitched and prepared for us.  The memory of practising and reciting to her and finally to a hall full of students, though was extremely daunting and nerve-wrecking; was one of the key moments in our lives.  No doubt, these events had  helped develop our confidence one way or another. Thank you, mama!

And DO NOT be afraid to read to your young child a book or a poem with no pictures in them.  You will be surprised at how they could be enraptured with the beauty of words.

And it has been tried and tested on my kids. We read selected the poems from Penguin's Poems for Life (Penguin Classics) compiled by Laura Barber, together, and it evoked a plethora of emotions from the kids.  From laughing their hearts out at the humour and wit of some of the poems; to tearing at some others. So try it. Pick up a poem. You'll be surprised ;-)

A simple dream

A simple dream

 

I have a dream. For all kids to be able to read, and fall in love with reading.

In my own simplistic mind, if a child loves reading, you open up an infinite number of doors for them. You allow them to look beyond the horizon. You sow the first seed of learning in them.

In 2013, this simplistic mind of mine, decided to make things a little bit complex.  I dropped all that I have built the past 12 years in my corporate life, and decided to make this dream a reality.

 

Today in the wee hour of the morning, as I look through the various photos of our past workshops and activities, I can't help but smile.  Each and every picture bore a certain memory.

 

I can't help but develop this fuzzy feeling in my heart,

• Seeing children who couldn't sit still when a story is read aloud to them for even 1 minute, now sitting engaged for a full 20 minutes.
• Seeing children who resisted in even picking up a book, now going to a bookshelf and picking a story by themselves.
• Seeing our lesson plans that we've lovingly developed being executed with passion and being embraced by the children
• Seeing children growing up in front of our eyes. 
• Seeing children who were barely talking when they first came to us, now chattering endlessly, full of life
• Seeing children who were just toddling when we first met them, now running and jumping.
• Seeing how children who used to be strangers, parents who used to be strangers, bond over this common love for reading.
• Making many friends along the way, of various cultures, various races, and various nationalities; all bound together by that common love.

But that dream has yet to be realised . The simple mind STILL dreams of a day when all children will be able to read and to fall in love with it.

 

Whether or not this dream will be realised, I know not. But I have got to try.

The boy who DID not like to read

 

Warning : This post is a "rambling" by a mind who can't sleep...

This is the story of a boy who did not like to read.

I know of a small boy, a boisterous little fella who liked to run and jump; laugh heartily and ever generous with his smiles. He is a boy full of life. A boy who can make you tear your hair out, but at the same time one who can warm your heart so easily with his kind spontaneous acts and words; with his sudden hugs and kisses.

So you can just imagine how it was like to read aloud to this little fella. He seem to always have some sort of insect up his pants. He just couldn’t sit still. And I always wondered.. “Why oh why little fella can’t you sit still just for a few minutes, so I can read you a story proper. Just for a few minutes.”

I tried, I became stressed, I became agitated and then I gave up. Bam! Worst decision ever!

So when I tried to “teach” him reading, he HATED it. Finally it dawned on me… I had it all wrong with him. I tried to "teach" him reading. No doubt, reading can definitely be taught; but for a child to learn effectively, you first have to break down their barriers to learning. Reading should be something natural and not stressful. Something enjoyable. Then only can the love be planted, nurtured and blossom.

So I resumed reading aloud to the little fella. He still ran around. But I just kept on reading. But I knew he was actively listening, because at certain points he would stop, approach me and ask me questions about what I had just read.

It was a natural progression. It started with him being able to sit and listen for 2 minutes, then up to 5 minutes, to finally 30 minutes. We read 2 full chapters of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe together… Me, the little fella, my 3 year-old, and 8 year-old. All together on the bed as I read the book to them. It was a magical moment.

Getting him to learn reading then on became so much easier. From not being able to blend his letters well at the age of 5 still, to being able to read an entire book at the end of K1. Yes, a bit late for some parents maybe. But it was a great achievement for this little fella.

By the time he entered K2, he was able to read much better, and scoring in his spelling. And I breathed a huuuuuuuge sigh of relief. Phew! Really!

The sight of him on his bed now at night with a book in his hands and reading independently would never fail to leave a lump in my throat. Because he is no more the boy who does not like to read.

Just to share some tips on reading based on my own reading experience with my kids -

1. Never stop reading aloud to your children. Never!!

2. Pace the learning based on your child's pace. Different children develop at different stages, and they master reading at different stages. There will come a time when "Ting" it just happens (provided we continue reading and trying)

3.Never compare one child with another (In my case I compared him to his elder sister who started reading at 2. And as such added the unnecessary pressure on myself and indirectly onto the poor little fella). Do not be stressed, mummies and daddies! If you are stressed, this stress will emanate from you.

4. Choose a conducive environment to read, away from TV distractions, IPAD distractions etc. Then cuddle up and bond.

5. Make the reading experience a fun one. Its ok to be a child with your child sometimes, you know.
There are many more actually. But I think I will stop at 5 now, and save the next 5 for another rambling ;-)

"We're Going on a Bear Hunt"

"We're Going on a Bear Hunt,

We're Going to Catch a Big One,

What a Beautiful Day...

We're Not Scared..."

"We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen is one of my favouritest favouritest favouritest (yes, yes grammar teachers, I do know there is no such word as favouritest ;-P ) children's storybooks.

Let me list at least 5 reasons why?
1. The illustrations are beautiful
2. The words and rhythm of the story is catchy and easy for kids to grasp, understand
3. You can make a song out of it (who doesn't like a storybook with an accompanying tune to it right)
4. It is easy to dramatise with your kids
5. There are so many post-reading activities that you can cook up to reinforce the story

I was first introduced to this book when my first one was 1 year old (that makes it an 8 year old book in my library).  Since then I have been reading and re-reading this book to all my kids. 

I was so obsessed with reading the book... Hmmmm... let me see... no it wasn't me who was hooked onto the book.  It was my kids (Yes, Nora shift the blame onto the kids...wink* wink*) who were so obsessed with it.  They've had me read and re-read and re-read and re-read and re-read and re-read.... I can go on forever writing re-read, cos that was how frequent I have been re-reading to them. So I finally decided, that I am going to record my voice reading it.  Not with the intention that I would finally get a breather or a break from reading the book, cos I personally love reading it, but because I wanted my children to be able to listen to my voice and feel the comfort of listening to it when I am no longer around.  For them to look back when I have departed, and find a recording of their mummy's voice lovingly reading to them their favourite book.  For them to relive their childhood when they have grown and become parents of their own.

As you can see, I have said very little about the technicalities of this book, about the words used, its age appropriateness etc... Because this book is more than words to me and my kids.  It is an experience for me and my kids.  And that's why even if it were tattered and torn and worn out, I will mend it and ensure that it remains in my library for many more years to come.

So to end this blog... here's a video of the reading of "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb-nTnriTP8

Enjoy!

A Baby on my Chest

Yesterday, a customer came into the shop with her 2-month old after having brought her child to the BabySpa just next door.

After chatting with me about books and parenthood, somehow she was confident enough to leave her baby with me while she went to the ladies (Seriously, it’s not easy going around by yourself with an infant, especially when you are on high tide).

So there I was with an infant, prematurely in my hands. Why prematurely? Cos mine will come only in a month’s time ;-)  It felt good to have her in my arms, to smell the scent of heaven from her soft hair.  She was sleepy and getting cranky, and so I had to find the most comfortable position to carry her, what with my bulging tummy and all.  I decided then, to sit in my magic armchair and lay her on my chest, with a book in my hands – “Guess how much I love you”, a classic authored by Sam McBratney (Yup, this book can be found in Playdate Books ;-))

 

As she laid there, contented, her eyes, slowly drooping shut, I read the book softly.  It was a beautiful moment for me, as it allowed me to relax after a hectic day at home and at the shop; and I hope for her too, as she dozes off to sleep against the backdrop of a soothing voice, assuring her that everything’s ok.

(nope that's not me... hehehe)

 

This moment was between a stranger, me, and a baby I hardly knew.  Can you imagine the feeling I would have felt, if that moment was between me and my very own child?  Can you imagine the bond that would have been forged, if this reading aloud “ritual” is practised with your child daily.

So, that night, I told myself, Nora, when baby is born you have to pick up this book again.  Lay your small infant on your chest and read to her.  Cuddle her… Sing to her… Love Her to the Moon and Back J

I'm Back!

Wow! What a long hiatus... And now I am back :-)

As I scan my old postings, I smile, I giggle, I cry at the memories that me and my 3 lil' ones have formed together... just through reading.

Many of my friends and my reflection in the mirror (yes I talk to myself in the mirror, and so I believe my reflection knows me best) know me as someone who is very enthusiastic and a wee bit eccentric, though also very cautious and risk averse.

I knew I loved books and reading.  But never never never ever in my wildest imagination did I envision myself to open my own bookshop nor to start a business revolving around reading. NEVER!

My obsession with reading aloud and its positive effects on developing readers started when my first born was a mere one year old, I think. I knew my daughter and I enjoyed our reading times together.  We bonded, we learnt and the bonus was when she started to read independently without any compulsion from me whatsoever at the age of 2.5 years old.

Then during one of the early childhood courses that I took up voluntarily (just to escape from the boredom of auditing in the corporate world), I picked up a book "Reading Magic - Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever" by Mem Fox.  This book changed my life.  From that moment on, I decided that I would pursue literacy for young children on a more serious level.

But, I didn't know I was going to get this serious ;-)

And today I planted this determination in my heart, as I re-opened my blog, to truly pursue Playdate's mission - "To encourage reading and enhance literacy among children, by making reading an enjoyable experience." To ALL children, from ALL walks of life, from ALL types of backgrounds,

And of course, to ensure that my children, the very gems that I seek to protect, shine and polish, remain bonded with me through the seeking of the true knowledge.