cHiLdReN’s ABC - pReViEw

With the “success” and “popularity” of Children’s Talk, Cher Lim hereby present to you Children’s ABC!

Over here, Cher Lim will be presenting to you the different drawings of her angels in one of their class works - Alphabet Web.

Alphabet Web : an in-class activity that K2 angels love very very much. It requires them to identify and name words that start with different alphabet. The “highlight“ is that they will also have to draw them out.

Just like how Cher Lim will be amazed by her angels every week when she see their drawings - how they included the little details, how their imagination went wild etc… Cher Lim hopes her fellow blog’s readers will be too!

Stay tuned... coming soon! =)

I lOvE cArDs - 2

Birthday card from my pastors...



“Happy Birthday Teacher Lim”

In? Out?

Once I was in … and then I was out … now it seems that I am in again
Opps! Haha! =p

I lost it...

I lost .. … … my cool @ JAMs yesterday, to one of my students B.

If you know Std B, he is actually not a young and small-sized boy. Unlike my other students, Std B is one student who at times I am pretty firm with - guess got to set the discipline as he can pretty tough @ times.
If he is good, he is good … When he is not good, he is really not good.
You got to meet him in person before you can understand what I say. Haha!

Last Sun when he boarded the bus, I realized he came empty-handed where he usually came with stacks of papers etc. And the following statements was made by him several times:
“I want to go home”
“Take out my pant”
* his fingers was @ the zip already, if I didn’t use my big eyes to stare at him, he might have just you know you know *
“Play shame play shame”

Cher Yanni sensed something not right so right in the bus I started my nagging session to “prepare“ him before he reach church.

After toilet upon reaching church, Std B refused to wash his hands after doing “big business”. After using all strengths to get him to sit down, he wasn’t when I came back to him after cheer. And he wasn’t alone - he was holding the hands of a female zone helper.

He just refused to let go no matter how many times I tried to ask him to. Guess at times it depends on his mood - sometimes my one stare will be more than enough but times like this, even if I dig out my eyes for him also no use. Haha!

Few times I was so angry that I decided to leave him to the zone helper and I just ignored Std B. He knew I was angry so few times he actually tried to get my attention by pulling my arm or wanting me to look at him but I just ignored. Hee!

Really thank God for protection.
- at once I was outside with him, he wanted to get in but I refused so there was a struggle. Of course my strength wasn’t enough so I got the help from Cher F & Cher C. Really thank God that Std B didn’t attempt to hit us back - where at times like this in the past he will.

- straight after the struggle, I wanted to “talk” to him so I was actually alone with him. At the moment he was still angry, I really thank God that he didn’t surprise me with a punch. =p

He was ok during dismissal and returning trip - like nothing ever happened before but of course Cher Yanni cannot just let it go by. He got it from me “big time” - my nagging x10 too. Haha!

At the end of the day, I was 20% tired and 80% angry.
What really made me … was on one hand I wanted to discipline him as I really believe for him @ this age/understanding level, he shouldn’t have done what he did. But on the other hand I was very much “restricted” as there was the female zone helper.

My “principle” when it comes to discipline (even in kindergarten) - unless you can “sing” together with Cher Yanni if not she will prefer you to stay out of it.

the POWER of NO WORDS

One conversation I had with a friend recently after he knew I'm a preschool teacher
(or I should say this conversation is not new to me)…

Friend: What are you doing now?
Me: Oh… I am a teacher.
Friend: Wow! A teacher!?
Me: Aiya! Just kindergarten only.
Friend: Easy or not?
Me: Alright. Not too bad.
Friend: Children nowadays are very hard to handle. Look at my niece, so naughty.
Me: Haha! Ok ar… you must know how to “deal” with them.
* conversation went on *

When it comes to the discipline in my class…
If Cher Lim is too fierce… children may flee or may be afraid to come
If Cher Lim explains too chim… children may have ????
If Cher Lim is not firm enough… children may be found over her head
Balance is the key!

I always find the degree of children listening to the teachers very interesting… * that's why decided to blog about it *

For almost all of my children currently and past, I can say they have the basic respect and fear for teachers thus is not so tough getting them to listen/obey.
Children are afterall children … teachers are always teachers. Haha!
Some children behave differently @ home and in school. Very often we will get shock when the parents tell us how naughty their children are @ home but not so in school where they are like angels. Of course they can be the opposite cases too but rather rare. Haha!

"The Power of No Words" - sometime it can be quite interesting to see how at times preschool teacher doesn't have to say anything or nag a lot but with the power of her eyes or just "excuse me" and the children will behave. Mostly they know the "expectations" from the teacher and also probably they know which teacher cannot play play or when cannot play play.
Children are very smart you know! =)

relay??

First up at the starting point - throat
Then it was the inner me crying out “Hot ar! Hot ar!”
Followed closely behind - active nose that never stop running
Just when it got tired, it got blocked…

I’m down in week 11...

I wOnDeR... I wOnDeR

I wonder why is it now so and so…
no longer on for responsibilities
no longer has the initiative
no longer ask
no longer seem “willing” to do xxx and yyy

STRENGTHEN him

Unlike any other 8 years old, Std M needs support when it comes to large muscle skills.

All along I know that his legs are pretty weak due to muscular disorder but it has never hit me as hard as two weeks ago when I was alone with him.
We were @ the staircase towards mrt … it is not those “high ones” that require big step.

As I work with little children - whenever they reach this kind of stairs, think I will be very busy trying to ask them not to run up.

But … … … … … … … that’s not the case for Std M.
He struggled to go up the stairs … I got to SUPPORT him as he pushed his way up.

My heart breaks…

Actually this happens almost every week when Std M board/alight the bus. He needs support to climb up/go down the bus. No matter how busy I am (at once was “scolding” Std B for standing on the chair), I will still excuse myself to rush to him.

"Dear Jesus, I pray that You will strengthen Std M's legs! Let him grow stronger and stronger! Give him a strong immune system so that he will not fall sick often. Let Your joy, peace and love overflow him and his loved ones! Thank you Jesus for watching over him"

ps: to protect his identity, I will not show his photo but I guess most of you in JAMs will know who he is … join me in prayersssss! =)

SAME but DIFFERENT

Std J … one of my JAMs students
She been attending JAMs for couple of years, though at times not very faithful but the turn-up-rate is definitely improving.

Still remember - during the first week when JAMs’ timing changed to the morning, Std J’s father called me out of the sudden and said Std J wants to come and that’s was during her backsliding season. Since then, during big day and during on and off weekend, she will join us.

Each time when she on board the bus, she talk to no one but just look out of the window with a “don’t approach me” face. It can be pretty challenging to strike a conversation with her, be it with the teachers of with the bus friends.

Recently or I could say this year, she changed.
Not only is she more faithful in coming to JAMs now, she is also very opened and vocal to the teachers and the friends.

Not only will she offer to help me to distribute flyers/take care of the younger ones, she is even eager to join whenever I bring students for lunch (that’s one that she used to reject whenever I invited her last time).

All glory to God! =)

sEe SeE tAlK tAlK

PTM - Parents Teacher Meeting

Since Mon, Y Laoshi & I had been meeting parents after parents.
Even today, we also had a long session with parents, many parents.
We talked and talked from 8am to 1pm ... with just 30mins break.
There was a period where it was so tight as parents came in flock that we don’t even have time for a slip of water, not to mention time for toilet.

Put aside the tiredness (really tired), really want to thank God for the favor!

Compared to 2008 … this year I approached PTM with much more confidence.
It was really a very good encouragement having many good feedback from parents. =)

JIAYOU Teacher Lim!

tern-ly thingy???

Hmm… is it a term-ly thingy that the teachers/children will fall sick during the last few weeks of school, especially week 9 & 10? Haha!

The most unbelievable I remembered happened last year-end. Believe it or not, MANY children were sick - the highest I ever encountered in my career as a teacher. Half of the K2 children and almost half of the K1 were down. Not forgetting the teachers, one after one and that included myself. Think it was pretty sad on the teachers’ and children’s side to end school year like that.

Can you imagine on the day of excursion on the last day of school, two teachers (one of them was me) were on mc.

This week … being week 10 of Term 2.
Just when I thought “Wooo… I escaped!” as I already have colleagues who are not feeling well.

Guess I was wrong…...

I lOvE cArDs!

When I first got hold of the card (above) … I’m so amazed by the design and cant wait to read the greetings from my friends.
Just when I came across the sentence on the cover … for a second, it bought tears to my eyes.

“There is no pay for being a bus captain, but you have earn our respect”

The moment I saw the mini cards (above) in the box, I just went “Wow! Wow! Wow!”
Just amazed and appreciate their effort and thoughts.

Extra blessing! =)
According to the (above) card gifter, this card was prepared with a “purpose”.
Thanks for the effort and the thoughts!

x2 bDaE

Is official … I am one year MATURED. =)

I had more than one celebration…
I had a self-baked cake, an adorable cake…
I had more than one $$$$$-quality present…
I had a self-designed card, many mini cards…
I had more than one hongbao aka love offering…
I had many wishes by smses, calls, facebook…

I’m touched by their presence and their $$$$…
I appreciate their effort & brain juice…
I enjoyed every celebrations…
I’m amazed by their thoughts and the extra mile they went…

Most of all … I thank God for another memorable birthday!
Wooo… this year I can really say I had a very quality (in term of $$$) one!







once again … a big THANK YOU THANK YOU to you, he, she, they, you and you!!!!

DoN't FrIEnD yOu AlReaDy!

Today I bought to school with me the bdae “gift” Mr Sato gave it to me last Sat…
As it was too obvious a “gift” … many of my children asked me what happened.

=p The “gift” was actually a short scratch (really short, not serious) a distance near my eye.

Of course it was done unintentionally - the bus was moving where Mr Sato stood up and wanted to move to the back. Concerned of the safety of the other students and especially Student WY who Mr Sato just hit seconds ago. I stretched out my hand to attempt to stop him.
I guess I think too highly of my palm … haha … don’t know how don’t know when (everything happened too fast), he gently knocked onto me. The next sentence I heard was, “Your eye there got blood”.

Arrrggghhhh … Disfigured already!!!!

After I carefully explained to my children what happened (they really listened attentively) … one of the children replied, “So you still friend him?”
.........

cHiLdReN oH cHIlDrEn

I was in the bus this morning when a young girl (prob 4 or 5 years old) with her parents came and sat in front of me. Firstly the girl was annoyed about her wet shoes/feet so she was mumbling away but was ignored. And minutes later, the girl was angry when the mum “messed” up her bag while trying to get the rubber band to tie her hair.

Wooo… I was shocked by the way the girl talked or I should say “scolded” the mum. It was really with power + attitude.

The girl snatched over her bag and started nagging” at her mum … “See lahz! Now everything messy already. I cannot put this inside already lahz” etc.

In her “anger”, she beat the mum on her arm… the mum beat her back and guess what, the girl beat the mum back. @@!
In her “wrath”, the mum grabbed hold of the girl’s mouth and talked right into her face.

When I finally can see the girl‘s face, her next sentence to her mum was “I don’t like you ah!” Dad finally intervened … “Enough is enough”

I got to alight…
Is definitely not easy being a parent.

Since I am not a parent yet, my closer contact with children will of course be my angels in school.

Personally, I really think is very important to strive a balance when it comes to discipline a child. Never will I want to see my angel/s climb over my head.

The one thing I definitely don’t like/can’t tolerate - - disrespect.
That’s one point that I always stress to my K2 angels.

*caught on camera * Is storytime ... check out the "special one"

I wish... I wish... I wish...

Mrs Chia asked me to come out with a wish-list for my upcoming 21st birthday.
I want .. * shy * I hope to have .. * shy * I wish to have .. * shy *

Feel shy to say what I want here … haha … in short, four words:
“Friends, use your discernment” =p

Actually to me, to receive presents is a bonus/blessings!
Put presents aside, what’s really important to me is the smses/calls of wishes from my friends and of course their presence over simple makan session.

PS: though Yanni’s birthday is only one day but she has this self-declared “tradition” that her celebration will start one week before and last for a month … muahaha… so start booking her now @ 969xxxxx!
* shy shy *
if you are getting cake for Yanni, please remember to put ONLY two big and one small candles. =p

BIRTHday

Went to three birthday celebration in a day! =)

Happy Birthday Ah Ma! =)
May you stay youthful & healthy & happy!

Happy Birthday Mr Cher! =)
Shine brightly! Be mightily blessed in EVERYTHING you do!

Happy 21st Birthday Tang Mei! =)
May your new phase of life be filled with love, blessings & joy!

pRoTeCt HiM?

Was @ Toa Payoh’s HDB few days ago … was the “personal security” of Mr Sato.

His parents need to be in discussion with HDB staff thus they foresee having problem controlling this cant-sit-still boy so I was asked to help.

When the parents were away … I was ALONE with Mr Sato everywhere the building.
We used the lift xx times. We were @ 1st/2nd/3rd floor yy times, we sat on zz chairs, up/down the escalator vv times (I realized Mr Sato afraid to make the first step on the escalator. Unbelievable! Hee!) and in/out of the building ww times! Haha!


Unlike JAMs in church, this time pretty “challenging” as we were in the public so you know you know BUT thank God for the protection. =)

AwEsOmE tImE

Wooohooo… had a fruitful loooooooong weekend.

Started with Lim Clan & GYSS get-together on the same day.

~ Simple dinner (with unforgettable bill … haha!) with Lim Clan members but it was indeed filled with laughters, high fun, non-stop talking and singing!
Who says cousin cant have wowow moments together?! We did! =)
Can you believe it!? Yanni was at the KTV and … … SHE SANG! Haha!

ps: though Yanni seem to pay more (ktv really cant be a always-go-place ar) than she sing ... haha ... but all worth it, it was the company that she rushed back for. =)


~ As with GYSS, I came late thus was only able to join them for a while before they went for second round over b_ _ r! Haha!
Though it was only for that short while but the rush was all worth it.
It was pretty cool, put aside facebook, for most of us, this our first meet face-to-face after like 9-10 years. Wow!

~ Not forgetting Lily‘s zone “Movie Mania” over both weekend.
Simple outing, simple movie, simple “feeding-the-thousand” but awesome time together!
Praise the Lord! From W5 alone, 2 backsliders and 1 friend came!


Another long weekend coming up, looking forward to it!
Long Night Prayer Meeting … Birthdaysss Celebration … Church On the Move

mOnTh Of MaY

the month after April, the month before Jun is the month of MAY! Haha! =p

though still have two weeks plus but just on the very first day of May, I have a friend asking me what I want for birthday and another friend asking me what’s my birthday wish.

Wooohoooo! That’s a good start! Muahahaha! =)

But somehow having mixed feeling for birthday this year … haha … you see, I am not celebrating my 18th or 21st birthday. *shy*