Sunday, June 7, 2009

2.5yo Astronomer



Taken last night when I was in the shower. 

He has been reading some books on planets and the solar system with M recently, and I know that he can remember the names of most planets. I just didn't realise that he can recognise all the planets. I have watched this over 20 times and still smiling whenever I hear my baby's voice. *.*

The boys in PJs, reading the books together and discussing about planets on a Sunday morning.

One of M's latest fascination is everything to do with space and astronomy. He reads tons about them and then tells us stories about the new planets and galaxies that are not discovered yet.

He made up a galaxy named 'Tenway' which contains planets like the 'Satan-ten' and dwarf planet like 'Nopesoe'. In this galaxy, the planets orbit the Moon, instead of the Sun. 


This was one of his early drawings of Saturn when he first got interested in this topic. 


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can see you read alot to your boys. Do you specifically buy books of any brand series? I wonder just borrowing books from the library are adequate? I try to read alot to my gals but I don't see that much results as I see in your boys.

~ my

Anonymous said...

Hi, I really envy to see how smart your sons are! Really have lots to learn from you.

I am not sure whether it is appropriate to publish the link, not sure is it considered helping to advertise the book series. So you may choose to delete it. But I would like to know your view. Have you ever heard of this series of books? http://www.learningtech.com.sg/educational-technologies/a-childs-first-library-of-learning.html I am not sure whether it is a worthwhile investment or not? Or do you think borrowing books from the library is adequate?

DG said...

-my

I do not look out for books from any particular series or authors but when my kids were younger, we started off with a few Eric Carle titles and added other children's classics to the collection. I think our NLB has a very good selection of books, but I do have issues with the cleanliness (or the lack of) of most library books, so my boys were only exposed to library books in the recent years. Before that, we just read the same few books that we own, over and over again, if the kids enjoyed them.

Besides good writing and illustrations, HOW we read and WHAT we do with the story makes a big difference, I think, in how much a child learns from the reading. Most kids like to be read to, but it may be more like a form of entertainment, rather than learning much from it.

DG said...

Anonymous, thanks! How may I address you? I am wondering if you are the same Anonymous as the previous one in this comment page?

I had a look at the series and my guess is it would probably cost a hefty sum. So here's my take (without actually browsing an actual copy):

My hb and I do not believe in buying encyclopedia or series like this, so we do not own any. With younger kids, I think we do not need such books to get them to start or love reading. Good children stories have greater appeal to most tots and pre-schoolers.

When I want to introduce thematic content like the ones mentioned in this series to my boy, I still think we do NOT need to invest $'000. Our NLB is an amazing resource if you take the time to search for the right books. But of course the catch here is we must know what to look for. But there is a wide range from very simple content to those meant for Primary school kids.

With some topics, my 5.5 y.o. may read as many as 10-15 books if we explore in depth, on his own or with us.But with others, he may stop after just one. In the recent two years,we try to purchase books that zooms into that particular topic with greater details and more difficult content (e.g. suitable for upper primary kids) if it is a topic that I know he will want to read repeatedly over the next few years.

And once the kids are able to research on the Internet, they really do not need hardcover encyclopedia anymore.

But first thing first - what is most important is to inspire your kids to WANT to learn and have that hunger to learn. Once they are curious and want to learn more, and think about whatever topics you are introducing to them, they will learn to ask the right questions and that will guide them in their quest for knowledge.

Hope this long-winded view helps! :>

Precious Memories said...

Hi there, I am not sure if this is "teachable", but do you have any advice on how we can inspire our children to WANT to learn. This is my greatest challenge so far. I am finding it so difficult to inspire my daughter to want to learn. Maybe she is waiting for mommy to help her along, but I have to admit I am sometimes at a loss too.

DG said...

Hi Precious Memories, we can definitely inspire a child to WANT to learn. In fact, that is the most important factor in determining the effectiveness of learning process.

A child who has an inner desire to learn, is a child who will seek knowledge and ask questions. Without that, even if we, as parents and educators continue to spoonfeed content, there is minimal effectiveness.

I have written a lot about inspiring kids to learn in this blog. Here is one as food for thought:

http://domesticgoddess-ourworldmyworld.blogspot.com/2009/11/parenting-thoughts-teaching-child-how.html

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