My Review of Time 4 Learning

Last August 7, 2010,  I made a blog post about reviewing an online education program called Time 4 Learning. I signed up my 4 kids for a one-month trial of the program. Now that the trial time is over, let me share with you my honest review of the program and my recommendations.

First, about the compatibility of the program with our PC.  We experienced some problems logging into the system. It says our browser does not meet the requirements of their application.  We have tried to follow what they recommended, I emailed support and they were helpful and quick to respond. They were even kind enough to extend the trial for 2 weeks more. We had it fixed for a while but then we can't access it again or there is problem loading the page. Until now, I'm not sure where the problem really lies. Was it with our browser, internet connection or what? But in the end it was only Janel's Preschool Lesson Time account that we accessed without recurring  problems, but the Playground area still did not work or was not accessible.

Note: We could have eventually fixed the technical problem with the Time4Learning system but my kids were already busy with homework and exams in school, so I did not pursue further.

Second, about the curriculum and the program.  Since it was only the preschool curriculum that we were able to access continuously and without any problem, my review will be limited to that. The website is easy to navigate and Janel, who is 4, had no problem at all with that except maybe for the waiting time when a page is loading. She enjoyed the animated and interactive learning activities included in the curriculum like the story telling, coloring, matching objects, playing of songs (especially The Wheel on the Bus) and the lesson on patterns.  The range of activities pretty much cover the skills necessary for getting the child ready for Kindergarten, except for the writing skill.

What I am glad about the lessons is that they complement what Janel is learning from Nursery.  During the trial time, they were actually learning about patterns and the Time 4 Learning lesson on patterns coincided with it and reinforced that. What I find missing though in the program is the progress report of the child.  I think they are working on that.

Time4Learning Preschool Lesson on Patterns

My Recommendations.  This online education program is a good learning program for preschool students whether as a homeschool curriculum, an afterschool or summer education activity.  But I strongly suggest to try it out first. Check the Time 4 Learning program's compatibility with your internet connection and computer system. 

Doing this would also help in evaluating the interest of the child in this system of learning.  Not all children would have the same interest in online learning.  But if she is enjoying in the learning process, make sure to make it a part of the child's schedule.  It is important to set usage limit also to avoid the child from having computer eyestrain.

Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-ibig ng Ina

This is the first time I will write a post in Filipino.  This is written in conjunction with the Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards (PEBA) theme.

Naaalala ko pa ang pag-iyak ko noong paalis na si mommy papuntang Saudi Arabia.  Ako ay labing-isang taon gulang noon at nasa Grade 5 pa lamang.  Di ko lubos na naintindihan kung bakit pa siya aalis.  Ang alam ko lang ay kailangan para sa panggastos namin.

Pilit naman akong nag-aral ng mabuti dahil gusto ko na makatulong sa pamilya.  Sa katunayan, halos taun-taon ay first honor ako kaya palaging libre ang tuition ko sa Chinese school na aking pinapasukan.  Kahit malayo si mommy, gusto ko siya maging masaya.  Pero mas gusto ko sana noon na umuwi na lang siya.

Ang Mahal Kong Mommy

Limang taon na nagtiis si mommy na malayo sa amin. (Sino bang ina ang nais na mawalay sa kanyang mga anak?)  Napakamahal pa at mahirap ang komunikasyon noon di tulad ngayon na may internet at VOIP na.  Kaya parang patak ng ulan sa tag-init ang makatanggap ng tawag o sulat galing kay mommy.  Dahil sa ganitong sitwasyon, unti-unting nalayo ang loob ko kay mommy. Bahagi na rin siguro iyon ng aking paglaki at  pagdadalaga.

Noong magpasya na si mommy na umuwi sa Pilipinas at di na bumalik muli sa Saudi, di ko mailarawan kung ano ang tunay na damdamin ko.  Masaya ako na uuwi na rin siya. Subalit, nakakalungkot man sabihin, maraming panahon na ang lumipas at nalagyan na ng puwang ang aming relasyon.  Parang nasanay na ba ako na si daddy lang ang laging kasama.  Alam kong naramdaman iyon ni mommy at ikinasama din iyon ng loob niya.  Isang mapait na kapalit ng sakripisyo ni mommy at pagiging malayo namin sa isa't isa bagamat napunan ang mga pisikal na pangangailangan.

Gayun pa man, nagpapasalamat pa rin ako sa Diyos dahil hindi naging katulad ang aming pamilya ng ibang pamilyang alam ko na nawasak. NagOFW ang tatay o nanay at dahil siguro sa pangungulila ay nakipag-relasyon sa iba kahit may asawa at anak na.  Salamat din sa Kanya dahil mas lalong napalapit sa Diyos ang mommy ko noong siya'y nasa lugar ng mga disyerto at maging kaming mag-aama na naiwan sa Pilipinas.  At ang pananampalataya ding iyon ang nagdulot upang mapunan ang mga puwang sa aming relasyon.   

Kailangan talaga ang matibay at tamang pananalig sa Diyos upang maging matibay din ang isang tahanan.

Ngayon ay nasa ibang bansa na rin ako.  Di ako OFW ngunit asawa ng isang OFW.  Kahit na mahirap at magastos ang sama-sama kami sa bansang hindi atin ay pinilit pa rin namin na panatilihing buo ang pamilya.

Usapan naming mag-asawa ay dalawang taon lamang kaming mag-iina doon at babalik na sa Pilipinas.  Ngunit gusto ko man na sa Pilipinas na lang at ipagpatuloy ang aking career ay pinili ko na lang maging ina ng tahanan.  Di bali nang walang career, huwag lamang kaming mag-iina malayo sa mahal kong kabiyak.  Palibhasa'y ayaw kong maranasan ng mga anak ko ang naranasan ko noong ako ay bata.  Malaking pasalamat ko sa Diyos dahil sapat naman ang biyaya Niya upang tugunan ang lahat naming pangangailangan.

Dalawang mukha ng pag-ibig ng ina.  Ang isa'y nagtiis na malayo sa pamilya upang mabigyan sila ng magandang pamumuhay.  Ang isa nama'y piniling huwag lumayo sa pamilya kahit kapalit ay ang magandang career.  Alin dito ang lumalarawan sa iyo bilang isang ina?  

Ang bawat pagpili ay may katumbas na kapalit.
Timbangin ang isip at puso, tiisin ang pait.
At huwag kalimutang manalig sa Panginoon
Ano man ang mangyari Siyang laging kasama mo doon.

Napakaganda sana kung hindi na kailangan magkawalay ang isang pamilya.  Nawa ay bumangon ang Pilipinas sa larangang pang-ekonomiya upang di na sana mangibang-bansa ang maraming mga ama at ina at iwan ang mga anak.  Kailan kaya iyon matutupad?

Nagpupugay po sa mga ama at ina ng tahanan na taglay sa puso't isipan ang kapakanan ng pamilyang Pilipino.

Please vote for me. This post is nominee #21 at PEBA's OFW Bloggers Division.  Just click the banner below or at the side bar.

Strengthening OFW Families: "Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation." "Pagtibayin ang Pamilyang OFW: Mas Matibay na Tahanan Para sa Mas Matibay na Bayan"

I *Heart* My Favorite Foods in the Philippines

I've been living with my family outside the Philippines for 10 years now, and we go home for vacation only every 2 years (to save on expensive airfare ticket, we are 7 in the family).  One of the things I miss in the Philippines (aside from my parents and relatives) are the Philippine foods that are not available here. If ever they are available here, they cost triple the price or more.  So, we just have to wait until we go home to enjoy these delicious Filipino foods.

There are lots of food I like but I have just listed four here.  The first one is our Philippine mango - the Carabao variety.  It is the sweetest and most delicious mango ever.  I've tasted mangoes here from Pakistan and India, but nothing compares to our Philippine Mango.  No wonder it has been named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the sweetest fruit in the world.  This is a favorite among my kids too. 

Philippine Mango. Image by supafly, Flickr

The second is lechon and lechon paksiw.  Lechon is a whole roasted suckling pig served with sarsa or sauce from mashed pork liver and spices.   While lechon paksiw is a vinegar-based stew using lechon meat.  It is usually mixed together with ground liver or liver spread (sometimes I just use bottled Mang Tomas lechon sauce) to add flavor and cause the sauce to thicken.  This dish is definitely not allowed in this country so I miss this a lot.

Lechon. Image by Arcade, Wikipedia.

The third is lumpiang sariwa (or fresh spring rolls) especially lumpiang ubod like the one served at Goldilocks. It is termed fresh, in contrast to the spring roll, because it is not fried.  This dish consists of minced ubod (heart of palm), flaked chicken, crushed peanuts, and turnips (optional) in a double wrapping of lettuce leaf and a yellowish egg crepe.  The accompanying sauce made from chicken or pork stock, a starch mixture, and fresh garlic completes the delicious taste of this dish. Other variations of this dish is substituting other fillings for the ubod like camote strips, bean sprouts, green beans, cabbage and carrots.

Lumpiang sariwa is available here.  I don't cook but just buy through a friend who knows someone who makes a delicious and tasty version of this.  But it is still not the same as those sold in Goldilocks because it is prepared not with ubod but the other vegetables.  Oh well, it tastes good anyway but I make sure to eat some lumpiang ubod when in the Philippines.

Lumpiang sariwa. Image by Kguirnela, Wikipedia

The fourth food or snack that I miss in the Philippines is the taho.  Taho is made up of soft tofu, mixed with arnibal or dark caramel syrup, and sago or tapioca pearls.  Since childhood, my siblings and I buy taho from the magtataho or the street vendor who yell out "taho" in our neighborhood.  We have actually befriended the magtataho that he alternately yells the name of my younger brother with taho when he passes by our house.

It has been two years since I tasted my last taho.  I can't wait to go home and taste my next one.  How I wish that all of my kids have the same fervor we had when we were young when it comes to drinking taho. It is a very healthy and nutritious snack.  But so far, only 3 of the 5 like it.  Oh well, I'll just try convincing all of them again next time.

Magtataho.  Image by Kguirnela, Wikipedia.

That's it for this post.  How about you? What are the favorite Filipino foods you would surely miss if you go out of the country and live overseas?  Or what Filipino food you don't ever get bored eating?

[This is an entry to MISSION: I *HEART* THE PHILIPPINES]

Boggle Me Thursday

If you like to play Boggle, then you can join this meme.  It is fun and it improves word skills.  To participate, just click on the Boggle Me Thursday button below.







This week's Boggle, I played with my son last Thursday.  But I wasn't able to post it because of poor internet connection.  Anyways, I found 28 words but my son found 3 other words I missed so the list totals 31 words.

Oops I just noticed that I missed the and them in the listing above. It should be 33 words in all.  Unless I missed more words.

Use in a sentence...silly or otherwise.
The math game we played on the mat in the cute hut by the sea while drinking tea made us hungry.  Thus, we just shut up, dreamed  riding on a jet set off to Italy and ate some pizza.

How Fluent Can Your Child Read?

I saw a video (in Spanish but with transcript) last week related to public education in Peru. What caught my attention is the fact that there is a very low reading fluency rate among 1st - 2nd grade pupils. That is true, not just for Peru I guess, but for many other countries as well.

Reading fluency is highly correlated to reading comprehension of the child.  The more fluent the child is, the more he tends to understand what he is reading.  If the child can automatically read and recognize the words, then the brain can go to work and focus on understanding its meaning.  So, it is very important for our children to have the right foundation in reading.  If he can read successfully early on, he will be more likely succeed in school.

How did they measure fluency in reading?  By facilitating the oral reading fluency test.  It is a test which asks the child to read a certain unfamiliar passage and measure the amount of time he finishes reading.  A second grader should be able to read at least 60 words per minute to qualify as a fluent reader.

As an example, let your child read the passage below, if he can finish reading it in about a minute (less than a minute is better), then he has developed fluency in reading.  Then, try asking questions about the passage like "What is the name of the dog?" to check the child's comprehension ability.

There was a fat and fluffy puppy named Dogo. The family he lived with loved him very much. Dogo was an obedient dog and he took care of the house. But he didn't eat all of his food. One day he went for a walk with his owner, Lucas, and got lost. Lucas was very sad but luckily Dogo showed up soon after. Lucas picked him up and took him to his house.

How did your child do?  Hoping your child passed this oral fluency reading test and simple comprehension test.  Below is a video explaining more about the importance of fluency in reading and comprehension for additional information.

My Most Memorable Blogging Experience

This my contest entry post to Red's First Blogversary contest.  She is asking "What is my most memorable blogging experience?"  Hmmm.  That is a little tough to answer.  I've been blogging for about 3 years now and I have 3 blogs which I regularly update.   So, I'll just limit the answer to what I experienced with this blog.

I really get excited when I see visitors coming to this blog and leaving their comments, so allow me to list 2 instances that made my blogging memorable so far this past year.

My number one memorable blogging experience is when I joined the BC Bloggers' Party. The BC Bloggers' Party was a get-to-know party organized by Mommy Paula among BC Bloggers members.  We were asked to write a post telling a little something about ourselves. It was a really great idea that I joined that one because I met many bloggers during the blog hopping and I learned a lot from them.  It introduced Stay at Home Blessings to other bloggers as well.  That blog post harvested the most comments in my entire list of blog posts.  It taught me the importance of socializing to blogging.

There were other special instances when I see visitors coming to this blog.  One that is memorable to me also is when I joined Just Another Pixel's Make a Wish Blog Contest where I won one of the prizes.  The blog post A Mother's Wish which I wrote for that contest still gets some visitors dropping by.

On top of that, I remember that my blog was unranked by Google before joining that contest (It used to be PR2).  After the contest, which coincided with Google updating page ranks, I was so happy to discover that my blog is now PR3.  It must be because I got one month advertising spaces on 4 blogs including in Just Another Pixel's blog which is PR4.  Wow! It taught me that you can build quality back links when joining contests. Back links help in the search engine optimization of your blog.  For this reason, I occasionally join contests aside from the motivation that the handsome prize brings.

I hope this post of some of my memorable experiences as a blogger did not just tell you something about myself, but also taught you some lessons to learn about blogging.

Join Convergys Philippines Online Job Fair

*Convergys Philippines* is the biggest & the best call center in the country today.  They are currently hiring Customer Service Experts for a leading worldwide communications provider in the US.  Successful applicants will be housed in the lifestyle & fashion center of Makati, Glorietta 5.  They are also hiring for other positions like Fashion Specialists and Technical Gaming Masters .

In line with this, there is an online job fair which started August 13 and will end on September 11. Candidates who will register and take part in the online job fair will have a chance to win a *16gb Apple iPad*.  If you are currently seeking a job opportunity, this is one job fair you wouldn't want to miss.  Go to the Convergys site now for more information and fill-up the registration form.

As a Nuffnang blogger, I am joining Convergys referral program where I can get *Php2, 000* per successful hire.  So, if you saw this ad from this blog and would be registering at Convergys online job fair, please don't forget to include the name/URL of my blog (http://stay-at-home-blessings.blogspot.com) in Convergys Referral Program Form.

If you think you're qualified to be part of Convergys Philippines, take the shot and apply.  Hope you get hired.

Dealing With Vomiting Children

Same rule applies at home.  Image by Roy Blumenthal, Flickr

About 2 weeks ago, all my children experienced vomiting and complained about stomach pain.  First, it was Angel, the following day, it was Yuan and Janel, then the next day, Kristel and Emmuel.  I really can't figure out why.

Was it because they have eaten something that caused their stomach to be upset? If that was the case, why didn't they fell sick all at the same time?  Maybe it was just a viral infection because after about 5-6 episodes of vomiting, they were fine.  They just needed to gain back their appetites. 

During the time that they were sick, I just made sure that they were rehydrated.  I let them drink (water and Gatorade) a little (5-10 ml) at 5 minutes interval.  That would allow them some time to absorb some of the nutrients in the drink before they vomit again if ever they do so again.  (That's what we learned as per doctor's advice from previous experience).  If they feel like eating, I give them a soft diet - porridge / lugaw or soup.

It was a good thing that they didn't have any diarrhea. I expected that they will have lose bowel movements (LBM) in the days that follow since they had eaten little - mostly fluids.  But thank God, no diarrhea.  Having to deal with both vomiting and diarrhea can cause serious dehydration.  Every parent should know something about diarrhea home remedies in case diarrhea (more than 3 LBM in a day) occurs.  I have shared some information on dealing with both vomiting and diarrhea in my previous post.

How Do Children Learn?

How do children learn?
  by learning through play.
By freedom to swing, skip, run and jump,
   the child develops his body.
By playing with dolls and stuffed toys,
   the child understands human emotions.
By using simple imagination,
   the child develops intelligence.
Simple joys, simple toys
   Great learning.
~ by Chin chin

When children are given more opportunities to learn through play, they develop their motor skills, their emotions and their intelligence while having fun at the same time.  This better prepares them for going to school later on.  Do you know if your child is ready for Kindergarten?  Click to find out.

Just want to post this play house that my children were busy doing during the vacation. They played with our bunk bed and all the pillows and came up with this playhouse.  An example of how children can learn through play.  Kids are really very imaginative and creative, huh?