Reuben Learning Phonics

We started Phonics class for Pb when she was about 4.5 years old. Rb is 3.5 when we started Phonics for him. I didn't really put on high expectations on him because I thought he was still young. However, Rb was able to achieve beyond my expectations. He is able to read and blend after one month of Phonics. We are very happy with his achievements and he enjoys doing all the blendings. We keep practising with him. We also video down his achievements to show it to him, as a form of encouragement. I'm so looking forward to seeing him read independently on his own. I always pray that my children will grow up into independent avid readers and I am witnessing this prayer being answered in Pb. She is already moving to Roald Dahl and Nancy Drew's books!! :) The day will come when Rb will read to learn, just like Pb. Right now, he is still learning to read, and I'm already very happy and satisfied with his achievement! Praise God for answering my prayers!

Learning the Piano

Phoebe has started learning the piano in November 2010. She has progressed well, but she is quite reluctant to practise the piano. Maybe it's my fault because I know how to play the piano, so whenever she plays wrongly, I would bark at her. Hence, she is rather afraid to make mistakes and is very dependent on me to guide her in her home practice. I have to find ways to undo my mistakes and encourage her to play the piano more confidently. I will show her video clips of my friends' children playing the piano and also video her playing the pieces that she is familiar with. This has helped to boost her morale. It works, well, sometimes... :) So until she becomes more independent in her playing, I still have to continue with my nudging and pushing :)