Singing on stage -3years 5months old

Zo Ee at 3years 5months old. (1st October 2011)

Last Saturday night, we were attending DH's company function. We were walking past the stage and the singers on stage talked to Zo Ee and they asked her whether she would like to sing and she replied yes. I was very surprised she agreed to sing. Zo Ee sang 2 Hindi songs on stage, in front of about 50 people. She was cool and calm. The singers gave me this "WOW!" look for her singing and asked me about her age. Before bed that night, I asked her again, whether she will want to sing on stage again, and her answer was YES.

Last weekend, we got another positive remark on her singing at another restaurant. The waiter overheard her singing to herself and telling us that she sings so well. Hmm... Both Dh and I are not good at singing. I think she sings ok but many people commented that she never sings out of tune since young. I don't really know how to judge a toddler's singing.

Peace to the world - 3years 5months old

Zo Ee at 3years 5months old. (30th September 2011)

Look at my serious little girl; she's so into the Peace on Earth song by Bill Elliott. Look at her hands, they just cracked me up. She was swaying with her eyes closed along with the song too. There isn't any swaying or eyes closing or hands together in the video clip, very peaceful song and just purely her own reaction to that song.

Music notes - 3years 4months old

Zo Ee at 3years 4months old. (15th August 2011)

Zo Ee asked for a staff paper and wrote these herself.

C-scale - 3years 3months old

Zo Ee at 3years 3months old. (7th August 2011)

This video was taken 3 days after Zo Ee showed interest in learning the C-scale. She played once on her first day, another time on the second day and on the third day, she was so "ON"; sat down and practice till she got it perfectly. All it takes was approximately 10 minutes of full effort and concentration. .(1 octave, right hand)

Playing keyboard for 30minutes - 3years 3months old

Zo Ee at 3years 3months old. (26th July 2011)

We arrived home on Monday night after two days of travelling between 3 connecting flights; Melbourne -KL, KL- Mumbai and Mumbai - Goa and another 1hour road journey. The next day morning, Zo Ee immediately sat at her keyboard for about half and hour playing all her songs collection; one after another. Mummy could see that she was so happy to be reunited with her keyboard again. This is actually her longest time span playing all by herself comparing to her usual playing about 5 minutes a day, some days a few different occasion, much depending on her own mood. She has wanted to read musical notes directly from song book like her cousin sister which is very good sign to Mummy meaning Mummy can move her one level up.

While in Australia, she did play at her cousin's piano once and she didn't have problem playing although they isn't any notes stickers on the keys. This is because she has been playing /experimenting at different part of her keyboard, playing her songs at the bass end or higher end where there isn't any stickers on them. Even her music teacher noticed that she actually understood and knows her keys well; she knows that there are 8notes in an octave and different octaves in her keyboard and thus different C, D, ...notes in each octaves.

Playing Keyboard with both hands - 3years 1month old

Zo Ee at 3years 1month old. (8th June 2011)

Few days ago, Zo Ee started learning to play Mary Had a Little Lamb with both hands. As can be seen in this video; playing for the 2nd and 3rd time. Although it's not perfect yet but it is a good start. She is so focused in reading the notes and her fingers' position. She is someone who prefers to try on her own than seeing/copying someone playing for her for the first time. Surprisingly, she actually understood what is required and capable of learning by herself. I guessed this is her learning style - just like the way she learns other stuffs.

An Artist - 3years 1month old.

Zo Ee at 3years 1month old. (5/June/2011)

Today, Zo Ee was happily entertaining 3 tables of strangers; an European, 2 Japanese and a family of 6 locals in the restaurant-cafe where we had our dinner. She was singing Guantaramera, acting, making fun of herself with her imagination and talking and etc. The diners were happily entertained for an hour by her. She was having lots of fun getting all the attention from them. She loves when they laughed and like her "performance??". When we had to leave, the European commented that "She is an artist!" and those Japanese were very surprised to know that she has just turned 3 years old last month.

Ode to Joy - 3years 1month

Zo Ee at 3years 1month old. (24/5/2011)

Zo Ee playing a new song-Ode to Joy. This is her 5th time playing it. Adding to her songs collection; Mary had a little Lamb, Jingle Bells, Doe a Deer, Happy Birthday and twinkle-twinkle little star. All these songs were chosen by herself. I admired her skills playing songs with both her hands. As for now, we have no restriction as to which hands she plays, it's good practice for her actually. She also likes to play her songs at different locations of the keyboard, sometimes at the lower keys and other time at higher keys.

Multiplication & dancing - 3 year old

Zo Ee at 3 year old. (5/10/2011)

Few days ago, I saw a Multiplication workbook with an attractive CD at a bargain price, S$5.50 at the local bookshop and couldn’t resist buying it. If I see a book or a toy that I like, I’ll have to buy it immediately whether its on bargain or not because people here don’t keep stock; what you see is what you get and you won’t be able to get two same items at the same shop. Neither will they help you to order later or re-order their same old stocks. Basically, imported books and toys are treated like precious here; children are not supposed to touch it.

When I got home, Zo Ee was excited seeing the new book, immediately she wanted to do multiplication. My idea was to keep it for her later, maybe after she knows her time tables as I have not yet introduced any to her. She insisted and ended up copying the answers from the table provided with the book. She finished these in 10minutes; 2 pages for 10 minutes not bad but most importantly she was satisfied. This really makes me think at her other current workbooks; where she will finish a dozen pages in that same amount of time. I’m thinking which is more appropriate for her? She can do 20 addition sums (up to 10) in less than 5 minutes and not as fast for addition sums more than 10.

She ended up dancing with her Minnie along with these multiplication songs. This is a typical her, dancing freely in front of the television which acts as her mirror; she can actually dance up to 2 hours non-stop, pausing only during songs transition. and not getting tired. She may sit down to read a book after that.

Recently, a few incidents really make me think, should I treat her like a 3 year old or a 6 year old? If she is capable of doing things like an average 6 year old, why would I hesitate to teach her Chess or multiplication or 2nd grade math but will allow her to play other toys beyond that age without second thought. Am I being fair to restrict her just because she is 3 now or will I restrict her of these similar activities if she were to be six? In fact, she has started singing along on her second day, so I foresee she’ll know her multiplication very soon.

Comment - 3 year old

Zo Ee at 3year old. (1/5/2011)

A local classical professional singer was amazed at how little Zo Ee moved her body gracefully. She was copying the singer child but did it in a very graceful manner. The singer was very impressed and I could see her impressed face expression and myself too as I have never seen her able to do so earlier or anything like that. She commented that little Zo Ee is very talented and she can see a very potential dancer. She was asking me whether she loves dancing and has she been dancing a lot at home. Yah. Definitely, little Zo Ee has been dancing a lot by herself.

Chinese Songs - 3year old

Zo Ee at 3 year old. (26/4/2011)

Song 1 (chorus and repeat not included)

Song 2 (chorus and repeat not included)

As said earlier, little Zo Ee could sing 70-90% of 7 Chinese New Year songs after about 1 month with the DVD, that was 3 months ago (end of January 2011). Mummy has been asking Daddy to copy the lyrics for her so that she can learn the Chinese words in those songs. Due to Daddy slow response, finally the first two songs was copied for Zo Ee today (above). When Daddy read them out to her, with the intention to teach her those characters, only to find out that little Zo Ee could read them well already. Since she was singing and reading them so fast, we tested her again and again, and it's confirmed that she really reads them. We pointed out to a phrase and she could read them out correctly. So Daddy's effort is too late. Little Zo Ee has learned them from the DVD itself. Again, she hardly watched this DVD after Chinese New Year, so she must have know them then too. Daddy's surprised and commented, "Amazing child!"

Music - 2years 10months old

Zo Ee at 2years 10months old. (1/3/2011)

Zo Ee actually asked Mummy to read these pages; seeing sound and wind tunnels (as shown) to her. Attentively, she listened to Mummy's reading and explanation of each picture. As her usual self, she like to re-explain her new knowledge to Mummy. This way, Mummy can judge whether she understood the topic thoroughly or need further clarification/explanation. Again, Mummy found that it's a bit weird for a 2years 10months old in showing strong interest in reading material as such.

Seeing sound

Wind Tunnels

Lobster - 2years 10months old

Zo Ee at 2years 10months old. (16/2/2011)

We went for a seafood BBQ and Zo Ee had her first lobster treat... Yum! yum! She was so excited seeing the big lobster and the way it was being grilled at the BBQ pit by the chef. After a yummy dinner, Mummy asked, "Which is Zo Ee's favourite?" Without any hesitation, Zo Ee replied " Lobster! and Jumbo Prawns! "

Zo Ee with the cute lobster napkin.

Zo Ee saw this on the TV, set this up herself to make some music. Look carefully at the water level in each glasses; she understood that in order to make different sound, she had to fill it up with different amount of water. Amazingly, she even mentioned to us that she is making different tune.

Chinese New Year - 2years 9months old

Zo Ee at 2years 9months old. (3/2/2011)



Our first Chinese New Year in Goa

Gong Xi Gong Xi

After a month with her new Chinese New Year DVD, little Zo Ee is able to sing 70% - 90% of 7 Chinese New Year songs.

Daddy bought Zo Ee a new keyboard - Chinese New Year Gift!

Playing Keyboard - 2years 9months old

Zo Ee at 2years 9months old. (2/1/2011)

Zo Ee self-taught, her very own "up above world so high." on the keyboard. She excitedly asked Mummy to see her in action playing GG FF EE D on her keyboard and proudly telling Mummy that she's playing Twinkle-Twinkle little star on her keyboard. So seeing the interested Zo Ee, Mummy showed her the whole song. Amazingly, she is able to play the entire song a week later and she is enjoying every moment of it. Since then, she has been playing it over and over again on her little keyboard.

Zo Ee playing twinkle-twinkle little star with her toy keyboard; she can play with either hands or alternate hands.

Zo Ee loves singing -24months old

Zo Ee at 24months 28days old. (8/5/2010)

Past few months, Mummy was so occupied with this relocation and is too busy to notice her development. Suddenly, Mummy realized she can sing so many children songs, recite so many nursery rhymes (full version), read a short paragraph without the need of finger tracing word by word and she can recite 1-50 all by herself. She can play hop scotch;hoping with both feet. WOW! she has grown so much after turning "2"!

In fact, little Zo Ee is singing all day long. She can sing more children songs (complete version) than Mummy now. For example, if she is eating on her highchair, she will sing "finger food song.", she will sing "hair, hair beautiful hair song" whenever she brushes her hair after bath. She will sing hot cross bun whenever she is eating a bun...etc...

Daddy's Birthday - 25months

Zo Ee at 25months 2days old. (13/5/2010)

Celebrated Daddy's Birthday at Alfama, Cidade de Goa Resort.

Not many diners, Summer is off peak season in Goa.

Lobster with tomato rice.

Orange glazed duck.

Can't wait to taste Daddy's birthday cake.

Zo Ee loves singing and she has been singing many children songs (complete version) all day long. In fact, she can sing more children songs than Mummy now. Will upload more video of Zo Ee in action. Below, little Zo Ee sang Daddy a birthday song, with a birthday kiss on his cheek.

Happiest Dad on Earth!

1,2 buckle my shoe(complete)-21 month old

Zo Ee at 21months 5days old (16/1/2010)

When we were about to go out, little Zo Ee put on her sandals all by herself. When she was ready in them, she happily called out to us; informing us her achievement (putting on her own sandals) and proud little Zo Ee was all ready to go out.








The happy and contented her spontaneously bend down to touch her sandals while recited the whole 1,2 Buckle my shoe rhyme for the first time.

This is the first time, Mummy heard the complete version recited by little Zo Ee.

One, two buckle my shoe

Three, four shut the door

Five, six pick up sticks

Seven, eight lay them straight

Nine, ten a big fat hen.

When Mummy praised her, little Zo Ee recited it a few times in a row.

(Video added)

....................................
Then

19 month old - 1,2 rhyme
13month old - 1,2 rhyme

Happy birthday Mummy - 21 month old

Zo Ee at 21months 1day old. (12/1/2010)

Surprise! Surprise! another sweet surprise from my little Zo Ee today. My 21 month 1 day old toddler sang me, "Happy Birthday to Mummy, Happy Birthday to Mummy..." a few times while we were at the Coffee Bean just now.

What actually happened?
When little Zo Ee saw the piece of tiramisu cake on the table, she happily commented, "Birthday Party!" When Mummy asked, "Whose birthday is it?" and little Zo Ee answered, "Zo Ee's birthday." but later, the excited her spontaneously sang, "Happy Birthday to Mummy...Happy Birthday to Mummy." while happily looking towards me. She usually sings "Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you.." at home and today's her first time singing "Happy Birthday to Mummy." Again, Mummy is very surprised that she substituted the "you" with "Mummy" in the song. : )

I wish my little Zo Ee will sing me this on my actual birthday or did she sing it in advance?

7th,8th,..14th songs - 20 month old

Zo Ee at 20months 4weeks old. (10/1/2010)

Is this Zo Ee's singing month?

Merely 2 weeks ago, Mummy heard little Zo Ee sang her 4th, 5th and 6th songs, and she added more to her collections; 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th songs. Although little Zo Ee only sings them partially; still Mummy heard her singing eleven new songs this month. Again she may know more than these; yet for Mummy to encounter!

7th song - old macdonald

8th song - sing a song of sixpence

9th song - bingo

10th song - peek-a-boo

11th song - head and shoulder

12th song - if you happy and you know it

13th song - are you sleeping

14th song - row, row, row your boat


.....................................................
Then

20 month old - Incy Wincy with complete action
20 month old - singing more songs
19 month old - 3rd song
18 month old - complete version of Twinkle-twinkle little star
17 month old - partial of Incy Wincy Spider
17 month old - 2nd song
15 month old - 1st song (1st version) ,1st song (2nd version-video)