Number 1,2,3

Maximus is learning to recognise the numbers in a unstructured learning experiences. Most of the time we will be talking to him about the numbers on the Computer keyboard (started by his daddy). Eventually, he is able to recognise some numbers when he sees them and say those numbers out loud. I hardly correct him and allow him to say whatever from his perspective. He will tend to get confuse (sometimes) between number 3 and the letter g which I can understand from his perspective since the number 3 and letter g look much alike.
I am glad that he has such good memory to store his knowledge. Being a MI trained person, I am sure that my boy is a very visual spatial intelligent person. He learns from looking, visualising and looking at the pattern. That explains his ability to compare things and apply his knowledge.
This video was taken in the event when he was reading the calendar on the wall. Every time when we pass by to go up or down the stairs he will tell me the number on the calender. It's amazing to see how he learns by himself in an unstructured learning environment.
I like it when he says that the number 10 as "1 and letter O".

Experience in Kuantan

It was a good opportunity for me to bring Maximus to Kuantan with me. It was a business trip where I have to carry out teacher's observation & assessment and a pre-QC for the centre. Besides have a great and talented colleague with me, Maximus was at his best behaviour and not to mention being independent too.When we arrived in Kinderland Kuantan, Maximus was having a good time with the 2 pet-rabbits and the outdoor play. It allows me to conduct a briefing for the new teacher and also a short discussion with the franchisee. The next day, he followed me around as I went from class to class according to the schedule. He was independent and yet enjoyed his time playing especially with the bigger children.
Through out the trip, I felt that Maximus has grown so much and such an independent boy now. When he wants to go to the toilet, he will ask, "Mummy, want to pass urine." And not a time he wet his pants. He was also exploring around independently too. During meals time, he may be overly excited to eat but yet he was obedient and allowed me to feed him.
I think we had a good time too at the beach before going back home. Through out the journey home, he slept during the 3-hours journey.

Cut-cut...

As the common understanding, a toddler's attention span is less than 30 mins but I think this is also depending on the activity. Maximus was concentrating in his cutting activity for 1 hour!!! I was the one who wanted to call it a quit but looking at him being engross in the activity, I decided to leave him as he enjoys doing it. It isn't the reason that the cutting activity was something new... we have had this activity for few times and each of the session, he will be fully concentrating and ensure that all those strips of papers are cut. *This will allow some personal time for mummy - to take bath or on fb or checking emails.
My little-perfectionist also prefers to do his cutting with the rubbish bin so that those strips and bits of paper will be in the bin.

Colouring activity

I do not have much expectation on my toddler (2yrs and 4 mos) to get prefect in his colouring. It's only for fun and having to practice his fine-motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Although Maximus may not have the right grip of holding the pencil / colour pencil, he is able to have a fine control over the wrist movement. He filled up every empty white space in the picture too.
I am documenting all his colouring work and realised that he does progress from time-to-time as he "scribble" the colours onto the picture.
But this colouring activity can only be performed once in a while as he will get bored... The picture of 3 caps is the result of him getting bored - lost interest in completing his work.
So, occasionally when he started to show interest and look for his pencil-box, it shows that he is in the mood for colouring.

My 27-months old Imagination

This video was taken to observe Maximus fine-motor skill in peeling the egg shell but I discovered that my lil 27 months old toddler has a wide imagination while peeling the egg shell.

Visual Spatial Intelligence

Multiple Intelligences is a theory introduced by Professor Howard Gardner to highlight the different area of Intelligence - Visual Spatial, Logical Mathematical, Naturalist, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Musical, Bodily-Kinesthetic and Verbal-linguistic. Looking into the different strength in each child, that's how a parent or teacher should approach each and every individual differently.
Being a mother and educator is not an easy task for me since I know what I should cultivate especially in my son. However, I do prefer that my son develop naturally when given the opportunity and environment. Other than that, I am sure I own it to God for other blessings too. Maximus is now 27-months and I discovered his 1st intelligence - Visual Spatial (definitely he took over me).
Looking and judging from his colouring skill, he managed to fill every space with colour for every picture. He enjoys colouring. I also noticed that he can relate shapes with objects. After recognising Kong Ming Deng, he started drawing the shape of it and saying "Kong ming deng". And he drew a oval-circle shape.
Check out his colouring pages...

Speaking Mandarin

Mandarin is the 2nd language for Maximus. He is able to understand simple instruction in Mandarin and sometimes he speaks Mandarin to us.
Although we are not Chinese-educated, we are blessed to have parents and parents-in law who can teach Maximus Mandarin. How I wish that my mother and father have more time to spend with Maximus that enable him to communicate more with them in Mandarin. From me, I only introduce 3 words: tang yuen, Gong Xi Fa Cai and Kong Ming Deng. These 3 words are being used regularly during the suitable occasion.
Check out the video of Maximus saying "Kong Ming Deng".