What you need to prepare

To create your own home-made materials, below are what you would definitely be using frequently..

1)Paper...LOTS OF IT!!!!!!!! A5 or A4 size, at least 270gsm, 1 side matt and 1 side glossy
2)Colour printer (get a really good and fast one)
3)Laminating machine (if you want your materials to look neater and last longer, laminate them.)
4)Scissor, glue, velcro ... etc (get enough supply)
5) TIME (most important of all...)

The 6 learning categories

The early learning home materials I create are catered for children 0-3 years old, which I'll break into the 6 different categories below.

1)Flashcards
- A quick learning technique which can activate the right-brain of young children, as well as improve memory, association, language and vocabulary. Flash cards aids in the retention of basic concepts to young child’s mind. A child could not be forced to memorize but could easily and effectively learn through flash cards.
In the Shichida Method, flashcards activate the right brain when it processes the pictures on the cards at high speed,while at the same time, stimulatates the left-brain when it processes the words or language that you say. In addition, cards are not repeated, therefore it consequently developed the child’s instant memory.

2) Photographic memory
Photographic memory is a right-brain memory training technique which allows immediate access to information stored in the memory. The child is taught to remember by capturing the entire picture and viewing it on the screen in their mind, like a photo snapshot.

3)Finger-Training
It is important to enhance motor skills as well as to exercise the use of the child's thumb and index finger, which are essential in learning to write. A child has weak control of their fingers and the earlier they practice finger-training, the earlier they have full control of their fingers and able to hold a writing tool well, which eventually lead to early learning of writing in their young age. Finger-training also helps to improve concentration span and eye-hand coordination; eyes to direct attention and the hands to execute a task.

4)Language activity
Alphabets, phonics, reading and recognizing words or short sentences, ability to express emotions and imaginative experience into words...etc

5)Math activity
Recognizing numbers, counting up and down , simple concept of math , sequence...etc

6) IQ activity
Comparing, measuring, sort according to similarities and differences, preposition, classification,basic science and general knowledge...etc

A child's "window of opportunity"

The first three years of a child, as what many named as “the window of opportunity”, is the most critical time to shape a child’s brain architecture. It is also the “golden” years when a child is most receptive to learning. The foundation laid in their early years is fundamentally important as it will truly shapes a child’s happiness, growth, development and learning achievements in future.

Let me begin with a short intro of my background. Hi, my name is Adeline and I’m a “just-married” woman with a passionate interest in children. I used to work as a Shichida trainer, currently a teacher in an educational centre, and also a speaker for workshops and seminars in the education field. At the same time, I’m also a private trainer guiding parents on early-learning and home practice for their child.

This blog is created to share information, ideas and simple home-made materials to parents learning to start their child’s early learning route.

Let us start to brainstorm....what can you input to your 0-3 years old child?