A VOCABULARY ENHANCING ACTIVITY

This is one of the techniques that I used to use as I was doing some self study on a language during my university years. I was trying to learn French but I was aiming to learn only the spoken language for practical reasons at the time. A good friend of mine was quite  fluent and accurate in that particular language, French, and he was kind enough to help with especially vocabulary. I used to learn words and their meanings (as well as some grammar points) from him and then using my own strategies, I used to memorise them.

Below is one of the methods I used and found helpful then. It can be used for whichever language you are trying to learn and it is practical and easy. You can also use this technique for phrases, idioms, opposites or synonyms too.

Just cut up some blank double sided paper into squares. The size is upto you but I believe that 8x8cm should be appropriate enough. On one side, write a word (or an idiom or a phrase) in the language that you are trying to acquire and on the back of it, depending on your level, write the definition/explanation/synonym/ in either your native language, especially if you are a beginner, or in the same language as the one you are trying to learn. Then, fold it in half and then fold it in half again. So, it becomes a little square and you cannot see the writing on it.

What I did with this was that I put may be 15-20 of those squares in one of my pockets at a time (this was particularly easy especially during winter when I had big jackets with pockets on me). Every time I had a chance, I took one out of my pocket, read the writing on one side, and tried to remember the info on the other side without looking at it. If I remembered it well, I put it in my other pocket. If I wasn't sure or correct, then, I put it back into the same pocket. At the time, I used buses for transport quite a bit and the travel time on buses gave me a lot of practice time. You can do it wherever and whenever suits you. This activity is pretty flexible and is easy to personalise.

Have a day when you learn something new and useful today!

EASY POM POM TUTORIALS

There are different types of pom poms that are often used for decorative purposes and here, I will be sharing with you two videos using different methods and materials.

Enjoy a day that is worth celebrating!

HANDMADE RECYCLED PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

I must admit I am in love with this design which doesn't originally belong to me. In my opinion, it has it all: use of recycled items, fun, functional, unique, would put a smile on any kid (or adult) any time! 

I have not tried it myself yet but it doesn't seem to be an extremely challenging project to work on. I am definitely looking forward to coming up with my own design (or Mr. Junior may like to design it by himself). 

Enjoy something that makes you smile today!

DID YOU KNOW ...? (20)

Each year, around 9 million children die from preventable and treatable illnesses before reaching their fifth birthday. Many die during their first year of life. 

A FABRIC FLOWER TUTORIAL

I enjoy working with fabric and coming up with different designs for fun. One of the things you can do with fabric is flowers. This is one of the many very easy fabric flower styles that even your children can achieve a great result of by themselves (be mindful of needles).

To make a flower similar to below, you can easily use some scrap fabric pieces. You can use various types of fabric and the size is totally upto you too. Even for the same flower, you may prefer to have different sizes of petals (eg. one large, one small, one large, one small and so on). Especially a small to medium sized flower can easily be formed by putting 5 petals together but you can change the number of it if you see the need for it. There is not many right or wrong options with this project. 

Note: Please excuse my poorly taken photos.

1) Cut out a circle shaped fabric piece (You will need about 5 of them in total)

2) Fold the circle in half 

3) Fold it in half once more so that it forms the above shape and stitch the wider/open end

4) Hand stitch the fabric flower petals

End result

RICE SALAD

This is an easy to make salad that is not only tasty but is also very healthy.

Ingredients:

Pilaf/pilav
Boiled peas
Grated carrots
Gherkin slices
Finely chopped dill
Lemon
Salt
Olive oil

Once your rice/pilaf is cooked, put it aside to cool down and in the meantime, you can prepare the rest of your ingredients. Once they are all ready and cooled down, mix them all together and add your dressing lemon, salt and olive oil to taste.

This makes a great side dish or lunch even on its own. You can make your pilaf the day before and mix the rest on the day of serving. You can also use your leftover rice (preferably pilaf) to make this salad.

Have something fresh and healthy today!

HEIGHT PREDICTION

Below is an estimation guide that is based on the genetic factor. Here is how you can estimate your child's adult height.

Based on the genetic factor, you can estimate your child's adult height by adding Mom's and Dad's heights (in inches), dividing that number by two, and adding 2.5 inches for boys or subtracting 2.5 inches for girls.

Another rule of thumb is that a person's height when full grown is double his height at the age of 3.

Have a fun Monday!