Please Don’t Wish for This School Year to Be Cancelled for All, Let Us Have the Option for Distance Learning

When DepEd announced that school year 2020-2021 will commence on August 24th, parents on social media went wild. It's a pretty understandable reaction for that predicament. The curve hasn't flattened yet and no vaccine is available to prevent it. The hashtag #BakunaBagoEskwela went viral. It was another proof that social media is indeed powerful, whether if used positively or otherwise. In fact, the very same sentiment reached Malacañang Palace. President Duterte said in his speech taped Monday night—"I will not allow the opening of classes na magdikit-dikit iyang mga bata na ‘yan. Bahala na hindi na makatapos... Unless I am sure that they are really safe... Para sa akin, bakuna muna."

If I have to choose one good thing the President ever said, this has to be it. No intentional parent would allow their children to basically be a walking virus sponge. My children hasn't gone out of the gate since March 9! My husband takes a bath first before entering the house. We take extra preventive measures because our kids are our treasures.

My Preschooler's Reading Apps

I don't know about other 5-year old kids but my daughter loves reading. She even has this quirk of turning on the bedside lamp and pretends she can actually read a book on her own. Of course, she has learned to memorize the story that it looks like she really knows how to read it. Hihi. Adorbs! Don't get me wrong, I do teach her to read but I also know that it must be according to her pace. I always believe that she will learn best if she is ready for it. And is having fun while leaning, too! So to teach her to read and have fun at the same time, I downloaded some reading apps from Google Play Store.

Intellijoy's Games for Kids Under 6 Years

I like how it gradually aims to teach techie kids how to read 3- to 4-letter words. It has the walking stick, running shoes and skateboard that represent reading level stages. It shows pictures of the words that help the kids on determining the correct missing letter. It has a 4.1 rating so I guess a lot of moms like me trust it in teaching their children to read.

10 Commandments to Consistently Get Along with an Abstract-Sequential Child

I got Pia's Developmental Assessment Checklist and her narrative report last week. Her head teacher, TS, said that my little popstar's love for music has clearly manifested this past 2nd trimester. He said that she can identify pitch and tone well; enjoyed the dance rehearsals for their school's Christmas presentation and showed interest in performing Math activities. On top of it all, she got a lot of WMs or well-mastered scores in the Social-Affective category of her progress report. I'm very honest about my child's tendency to be a spoiled brat, so to be told that she now has learned to reach out and mingle with her classmates is a big deal for me. 

My Abstract Sequential Child

As what I have posted here, almost a year ago, LB was assessed by her former teacher as an Abstract Sequential (AS) child. AS kids need a quiet environment to think and work and like to debate about ideas and controversial issues. I automatically thought of her father when I read about it. Rhambo must be an AS adult. Hihi. Anyway, today was the second day of the issuance of their Developmental Assessment Checklist and narrative reports. Unlike other schools, parents of each PSS preschooler has the opportunity to understand their child better through a one-on-one conference with the teacher. 

Her being an AS still manifests even on her second year in PSS. Her teacher, TS, actually told me it's much more obvious now; such as getting grumpy when disturbed in the middle of being busy about something else. Well, that's an "okay" attitude but we, her folks, must practice her to adhere to a certain schedule. My being a very spontaneous parent must have something to do with this. Speaking of, it is advisable that AS kids have to have a parent who has structure. That's an oops moment for me. What kind of structure could a spontaneous momma give her AS child? Oh well, it'll be a real challenge. But guess what? Challenge accepted!

National Teachers' Month 2013

When my daughter started going to school last year, I doubted if her teachers would be able to woo her to listen to and follow them. It sure was tough, especially on her first week. Her former teacher even confessed that she wanted to give up. Of course, it didn't happen. In fact, LB bagged the Most Improved Award in the Behavioral Category during last school year's recognition day. So yeah, there were better days. My little punk may still have you know, punk-y days, but it's nothing compared to what she has been prior her schooling. I really have the PSS teachers to thank for.

INFOGRAPHIC: 10 Things About K to 12

I would like to share this comprehensive infographic that I saw at Rappler. You may download the photo to see it more clearly, click here. 

She's Complex But Very Creative

I'm always honest about how LB could be such a handful. That's why I'm one proud momma when she bagged the Most Improved Award {Behavioral} during her school's Moving-Up Day. But no matter how complex a child can be, there's always something good about it --- my daughter's good in sketching. Yup, that is according to how I see it; according to a non-artist human being who grew up with artist relatives. All of them are from my father's family. Oscar Redrico, Elmo Redrico, Red Redrico of Creative Manila, Valerie Redrico, Bryan Redrico and Manuel Redrico III of Traces of War (my not-so baby brother). I don't want to sound like bragging so I'll just let you read what you can find in Google. 

We're very fortunate to have a daughter with artist genes.

Below are some of her daily doodles.

LB says: That's me with my new bow you make, Nanay! (awww)