Reading with Umar:)

I have been busy recently especially after the birth of our second caliph..still 'terkial-kial' adapting to the new routine with two sons at home..enjoying every bits of it..alhamdulillah..

I have not doing much activities with Umar for quite sometimes..we usually only read a page per day or maybe a page in two days. The rest, Umar will read by himself as he always loves reading. When he reads alone I'll listen to him and there would be many mistakes but I just let him continue reading for not to discourage him..He must be wanting so much a new book to explore!

He demanded for more arts activities. I only managed to do simple paintings and some 'kolaj' with ayah's help on my first day of confinement.

As for Umar's learning to read the Furqan, he already proceed with his 3rd book. He says that it is quite hard for him to master it but he will try to read at least half a page per day..he also forgotten some of the 'baris bawah' because of long break due to my health status..

Here is Umar's video reading last night:

Outdoor activity!

Usually we had one day provided for outdoor activity together. This is the time when I look out for the groceries and find new reading materials for both umar and myself.

This week we went to the park. Not many photos as the camera was out of battery. We went to the Muslim groceries shop as early as 8.30am to get some fresh fish, chickens and veges.

Then we bought some roti canai and packed them to the park. The park was empty as everyone was at school and parents were working. Only few kids and parents there. So umar was free to explore all the facilities available.

exploring the 'gym' facilities' with ummi supervision

after a few minutes enjoying the playground, we had our breakfast..umar was happy as it was a difference experience for him to have breakfast outside the house!


then we strolled around the park and went back home around 10am..:)

"Hamba yang sihat lebih disukai Allah daripada hamba yang lemah"

Origami project

We did some simple origami together..initially we were folding some scrapped papers..suddenly ayah thought they were some wastes thus he threw away the papers..

umar was so sad, so i promise him to make a better origami using colored papers together..

So here are our project:

Umar's happy face
we surf together on the internet for some ideas



demonstrating his project


the results!;)

the website for some guides: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/origami_for_kids.htm

arts and kids

I've joined the 'conteng-conteng' group. It is an interesting website that appreciate kids masterpieces. Since I have taken some photos on Umar's art works so I think why not submit some of the paintings to the conteng-conteng gallery.

Hopefully we can view it there (link below at my sidebar) and umar is excited to see them there actually. I have told him and he agreed to submit the drawings.

Kids learn a lot from arts especially when we do together with them..
Art to a toddler doesn't have to be something elaborate or planned in great detail. It can consist of little things that might not register with us as being "art."

Most toddler art will look like scribbles, and that's okay. It's supposed to be just scribbles, but it's important to the child because it's his first form of expression. Eventually, it will develop into drawing, painting, and writing, but for now, we have to encourage scribbling.
Umar was learning on color contrast..I gave him white and purple colored papers and provided him with
white color. When he did the painting he commented that he can't see the white color on white paper
then we discuss why..:) (excuse the baby cot at the back, been re-setup for the baby;) )

Some of the benefit I can think of are:

• Gives children a sense of achievement
• Improves fine motor skills needed for learning to write
• Increases the ability to concentrate (which is great for school)
• Provides special, quality time with you (creates great memories!)
• Allows your child to express him or herself
• Teaches creativity
  

Besides all the above, Umar also learns discipline from arts activities where he'll make sure everything will be kept back to the right place and he'll wash the equipments he had used.

More arts to be submitted to conteng-conteng..*wink*

Puzzles activities:)

puzzle book we bought about 2 years ago from Aust for only AUD6.99..
only utilize it now..it has 6 puzzles in it..

Umar nowadays is really into puzzles..pantang nampak puzzles mesti nak punya..either kat kedai or at anybody's home.

inside the book

We spend good times together solving the puzzles..I realized the key to enjoy puzzle is to be patience and good communication with each other.

The puzzles may benefit our preschooler in many ways:

Cognitive skills: Puzzles improve a child's problem solving and reasoning skills. It helps them to see whole-part relationships, increases their visual spacial awareness

Fine motor skills: Puzzles are fun way to improve fine motor skills.

Hand-eye coordination: As a child places each piece in the puzzle they are manipulating it so see if it fits. Their hand eye coordination is enhanced through this trial and error process.

Social skills: Puzzles can be done alone but are also a great tool for fostering cooperative play. As kids ask for a piece to be passed to them, or discuss where a piece should go they are sharing the task and learning to cooperate. It can also help a child learn how to handle frustration when a piece does not fit.

Different kind of puzzle we have..cube puzzles for 3+years ..
this is quite challenging and umar needs more encouragement to complete this..

Simple activity together with lots of benefit! enjoy! There are many puzzles online for the preschooler as well..I'll make a post on free educational websites for preschooler later kay:)

Geography class?

I have posted this video on my FB. It was a spontaneous learning activity actually. I never planned to have any geography class with dearest umar. But after we did that, i think why not we continue it?!

While watching the tv, umar asked me, "where is Mekah ummi? Is it far?"

Then I simply answer "yes, we need to go on the plane to go to Mekah.."

Umar seems not satisfied with my answer. Then I was thinking " Better if I show him the map to have a clearer picture."

Visual aid may help better understanding. Then it was when we start learning the map. From time to time, when he came across names of any country or places on tv or through his daily conversation he'll ask me to show him where is the place on the map.

The video below was taken last night as he asked me where is Palestine after he saw the news on Palestine issue on Buletin Utama. I forgot to ask him where is London, because he so eager to know where is his ayah's university was;)

saving $$

Umar learns to save money..he loves to put the coins into his 'tabung'. He will collect any coins that he found in this house or nenek's house into it. Yesterday we made his new home made 'tabung' as the old one was broken.

He was so excited even though it was a simple project.


Thanks to ayah for helping us making the 'hole' on the top.




Later when it almost full, we'll bring him to the bank and explain to him that the money will be kept for his future. Biiznillah..

My big handsome boy :)

Oh my, alhamdulillah..looking at these photos, I realized that my son is a big boy now. How time flies and now he almost becoming a brother to another mujahid in the family, InsyaAllah..

MasyaAllah, I am so grateful to Allah with all His sustenance, loves and the chance for me to feel the best experience of being a mother especially at this young age.

Umar likes to imitate what his ayah doing. Last few weekends, ayah washed the car and he also wanna 'wash' his motorbike (a gift from atuk Kamisan) and his bicycle.

When Umar asked me, i thought to myself why not?it will be a good experience for him besides exposing him to the 8am, morning sunlight for the Vit D!;)

not yet had his bath! he was soo focus..alhamdulillah

he did exactly what ayah was doing;) so cute!

Bravo son..may Allah bless u always dear Umar al Faruq!

Mengenal hukum dalam Islam

Now umar is watching CD on hukum-hukum Islam..it has been a long time since he last watched this CD..I bought it for a charity for 'anak yatim' here in Seremban. At first I was a bit reluctant to buy it but since it has Islamic value and seerah (Prophet Nuh) I hink why not give a try..

Just now we performed the Dhuha prayer together..Umar asked me:

umar: Umi solat ape ni?
ummi: Sunat Dhuha
umar: Oh..sunnah..kalau buat dapat pahala..
ummi: mana umar tahu?
ummar: mcm dalam cd tuh ckp..

Emm not bad..alhamdulillah he gains something from the cd..

When he saw the news on flood in East Malaysia, he said "Macam cerita nabi nuh je..banjir"

Then he will tell us more on what he remember from the CD..

It is not good to allow excessive tv/cd for our kids, but it may be beneficial for short duration and with ummi or ayah accompanying and explaining on what is on the show..

Choose a proper show with educational value! Wallahualam..

vege day!

Umar always loves to help me in the kitchen..cooking is a good activity for kids to learn! never stop them from entering the kitchen or help us cooking, instead we should think creatively how we can get them to help while ensuring their safety:)

Umar cutting the old cucumber left in the fridge..he was using the secret recipe's 'cutter'. He discovered:

1. the name of the vege : cucumber (and cabbage too)
2. the texture of the cucumber
3. the feel (cold)
4. confidence (as he do adult work the way he wants to)
5. the taste of the vege

later after cooking and having lunch we surf on the net on vegetables. Umar learns on carrot, cabbage, capsicum besides cucumber.

while we are surfing I let him to hold the real vege at the same time so that he can relate.

we surf on:

1. how plants grow (on particular those veges), how the vege's plants look like..

2. what are the nutrition content e.g. carrot vitamin A which is good for the eyes (we learns this from songs)

Umar asked me to cook carrot on the next day and have cabbage soup for the dinner:)

When I asked, "who made the vege?" umar answered" Allah!"

Always try to nurture the trust and the existance of Allah in our kids!

precious moment with ayah

ayah usually is a busy man..since we have the opportunity to be together in JB thus ayah took the opportunity to spend time and read with umar ..

umar enjoying the session and surprisingly he reads better with ayah..hehe

now, he demands for more books ..alhamdulillah!

keeping up creativity and imagination

Choosing the right toys for our child is important. At this age, umar has a lot of imaginations and he links his ideas with what he observed or experienced.

I found out that this 'educational toy' is perfect for umar and surprisingly he can keep exploring it for hours.

He will build something and later he'll explain to us what is he making.

The way he explores it was impressing. he spent some times to observe first while ayah make a demo, later he asked the function of the tools provided to build the intelligent blocks into anything he likes.

I prefer this kind of tool for my son as he not only improve his imagination and creativity but also his motor skills and thinking skills as he would explain each and everything he builds after he completed one.

*with some help and guidance from ayah..it strengthen parents-child bonding as well*

Alhamdulillah!bravo son.

Child learns while playing..let them play and guide them!

kids can learn even from simple thing

I put this small plant in the bathroom as a decoration..
umar has seen this plant everyday until 2 days ago when he asked me:

umar: "umi why u put the plant in the toilet?"
ummi: "saje nak cantikkan tandas and senang nak siram. air dekat jek"
umar: why u put on there?
ummi: for the plant to get the sunlight
umar: sun dari mana?
ummi: tu dari tingkap

umar: oo, ok..nape xletak luar je?

huhu..my son has grown up now..asking lots of questions! I enjoyed it though!

umar the science kid

yesterday we did an experiment on milk and detergent..we wanna see how the detergent breaks down the fat in milk..it was simple and interesting experiment for umar to try..

I've noticed that umar now can follow instruction and eager to see the outcome..

Asusual he'll ask many questions that challenged me to answer. It is a good signs, it shows that his brain is working and he was learning while doing the experiment.

*the things needed*

*umar's happy and enthusiastic face before we start*

*the outcome* small bubbling when the fat was broken down by detergent

After finishing the experiment, umar asked for more flour to be added to the mixture. He wants to repeat the homemade dough activity that we had few weeks back. So I add some more flour and found out that the dough was softer and smells good..new experiment by umar..bravo!

after everything was done, as usual umar will say "Allhamdulillah" (in his own slang- according to my mum, its like mualaf pronounce it *cute*)

Do more and learn more!

reading progress

Now umar taking his time enjoying a.k.a mastering & revising the 2a ladybird book..he reads about 2-3 pages a day..I just don't mind as long as he enjoy doing it. He can recognize some words clearly. While I was reading, he'll point out and read few words that he can recognize which enlighten me..

He also pointed out words on the telly and even laptop when we surf together.

I really excited and wanted to read with him more..bravo umar! alhamdulillah!

p/s: I'm craving for good books..i've finished on average 2 books per week now..ouch!need some more good bood for my brain!!

agar anak hidup bersama Al-Quran

Dalam kehidupan sebagai seorang ibu..yang paling saya takuti ialah tidak dapat mendidik anak untuk dekat dengan Nya.nauzubillah.

terlalu takut sekiranya tersalah langkah.kerana anak itu amanah.

Semoga Allah memelihara kita agar sentiasa dalam jalanNya..insyaAllah..

Mencari-cari maklumat dan terjumpa ini untuk dikongsikan..

"Agar Anak Selalu Hidup Bersama al-Quran"

1.mengenalkan
bila? seawal mungkin dgn approach yg sesuai. Cth: baby- bacakan Quran dihadapn baby, toddler: beri peluang anak memegang al Quran dan ceritakan tentang Al-Quran (walaupun anak masih tidak boleh bercakap lagi)

2.memperdengarkan:
seboleh-bolehnya semenjak dari dalam kandungan lagi..dan setiap hari dalam hidupnya..

3.menghafalkan:
ibu bapa harus menghafal juga utk menggalakkan si anak menghafal sama..tauladan adalah penting utk memotivasi anak2..mulakan dengan surah yg mudah dan pendek..sesetengah ibu bapa mahu anak fasih mengaji dahulu baru mula menghafal tetapi tidak salah jika ingin mula sebelum itu..

4.membaca:
seperti mengajar membaca buku.membaca Quran bersama-sama turut memberi impak positif buat anak..selain membantu anak fasih membaca secara tidak langsung keyakinan diri anak bertambah apabila membaca bersama-sama..

5.menulis:
apabila anak sudah boleh menulis arab, bersama-samalah menulis ayat-ayat Al-Quran dan disemak oleh ibu bapa agar betul apa yg ditulis..ia turut membantu mengukuhkan ingatan anak terhadap ayat itu dan membantunya menghafal..

6.mengkaji:
di dalam Al-Quran terkandung terlalu banyak ilmu yang boleh dibicarakan dan dikaji bersama..ibu bapa boleh memulakan kajian ini sejak dari anak itu kecil.mungkin dgn mengadakan satu sesi kaji al-Quran bersama selepas solat jemaah dan sebelum tidur.. seperti 'bedtime stories'

7.mengamal dan memperjuangkan:
ilmu tanpa amal umpama pokok idka berbuah..amalkan ilmu yg dibaca,dihafal dan dikaji..serta perjuangkan agar setiap mukmin di muka bumi ini merasai keindahan Al-Quran dan tidak dibiarkan sebagai hiasan sahaja..

Wallahualam..sama-samalh kita usaha mencari redhaNya!Tangan yang mendodoi anak bisa menggoncang dunia!=)

gardening with your toddler

We did some gardening around the house together..early morning after umar wakes up before taking bath we went out, water the plant, clean the drain and water the grass which turned yellow after mowing..

Umar asked lots of questions while helping:

1. why we need to water the plant?

i took this opportunity to applied science knowledge that we learn together before. I taught him in simple way using human as analogy where we needs water to drink, food to eat (fertilizer and minerals from ground for plant) and lights a.k.a sun to grow.

2. why the grass turn yellow?

again I applied the need for sun for the plant to make food and gow healthy.The best part is when the grass become green again and umar was so proud of his daily routine watering it until it become 'healthy' again! superb cutiepie!

more questions as below:

3. ummi, kenapa pokok ni ade bunga?

4.pokok kene tido tak umi?

5. kenapa tempat siram ni berat bila isi air penuh-penuh?=)

Gardening is good. Encourage my son to think, encourage self esteem as he can do a lot of adult work, a form of exercise in the morning and applied team-work to maintain our small precious lawn;)..

He can read at 2 years 10months old

Alhamdulillah..alhamdulillah..alhamdulillah..today umar had finished his 4th books, the ladybird 2a book..he became more and more interested in reading..everytime we passed a shopping mall he'll say "ayah, there's bookstore"..masya-Allah..with Allah blessings, he can finish his book in one day..good boy..he'll be uneasy if he still not finish his new book..the first book took 2 weeks to finish but after that reading is easier for him..alhamdulillah:)

He actually started reading on the 4th of Oct and on the 18th October 2009 Umar had finished reading his first book..book 1a of ladybird series..he read himself with me supervising..

My target now if to enrich his vocabulary daily..I'm making my own flash card now..(continuation of our old homemade flashcard)..he can read few of the flash card that i've showed him when he was a baby..subhanallah..

My aim is to make him read at early age so that he can treasure a lot of books out there..and by reading he can explore anything to enrich his knowledge..

besides that I'll pray to Allah and try to make him read arabic as well...after watching the 'salasilah Rasulullah' I have this strong determination to help my son memorize the Quran..oh Allah please help us..

now i feel like my holiday is too short for all these..biiznillah

reading with my toddler project

A few points on how to read with your toddler:

1. introduce him with books or words since young (I started introducing the flashcard to umar since he is about 2 months old..the earlier the better)

2. parents must be good example (mother especially) , when they see us reading, they'll be interested to read..e.g. for umar, he'll grab his own book when i'm reading my book

3. read when he wants to read.find a suitable time.do not force them to read especially a toddler.they need to move around to explore their world.while reading, if the child looks bored/tired,its ok to stop..morning is the best time as they are still fresh..stop if they wanna stop..

4. start with parents read aloud to them.do not ask or test them. young kids don't like to be tested e.g. dont test them on the word we just read to them.even though they look as a passive listener but they do learn!

5. choose a suitable book to thier age (will be elobrated in other post)

6. DOA utk anak sentiasa..doa ibu itu makbul..seriously, ana kalau rasa susah nak ajar anak sesuatu, doa specific utk anak tu, sebut nama dalam doa..iAllah, Allah akan bantu..

7. appropriate for toddler: after reading/showing flashcard, may reinforce the word by other means. e.g. after showing flashcard on 'cucumber', show them the 'cucumber' and surf encyclopedia online on 'cucumber'..

8. to encourage kids to read, reward method. e.g. used sticker they like (e.g. umar like sticker on cars) and stick on the page they have succesfully mastered..

9. choose appropriate font size for appropriate age..younger infant could not see small print and they see better in red colour..because of the immature cells of the eye..choose bigger print even for toddler and simple sentence a page..by age may change to smaller font and black colour font..:)

10. try to make a routine to read everyday..its ok if only a page or even a sentence a day..make it an enjoyable experience for both ibu dan anak!!

enjoy reading everyone!