Zo Ee's Update - 3years 11months old

Zo Ee at 3years 11months old. (22nd March 2012)

Zo Ee has been very interested in helping me doing house chores. One that she has mastered is at folding clothes; neat and proper way. Cutting is her favourite past time too, cutting and cutting many hours daily. As usual, she is more active and very confident and agile in physical movements comparing to kids her age or a year or two elder. She has been pestering me to sign her up for Gymnastic classes which I’m still considering.

Assembled this last week.

Cut out this heart shape with free hand.

I think this is cute too. Zo Ee cut a hole to fit it onto Piglet's head.

Handwritings – Recently, since she has stopped schooling for many months now, I’ve started requesting her to pen a line each day as her handwriting practice but she’s always penning more. This was completed over 3 consecutive days. I’m not particular at the content; it’s all solely her work. Occasionally, she asked to confirm her spellings on a word or two. Usually she is able to notice misspelled and self-correct. Once she has the idea in her head, it doesn’t take her long to write one sentence, usually less than half a minute.

COGNITIVE STUFF:

In merely 2 months, she advanced from not a gamer(not expose to any) to an I-phone Expert gamer on many Adult version games. Scoring mostly “A” for the Edge game up to level 13. (video) From talkative to super talkative girl since back to Singapore. Everything she has a say, a reason too etc. Whenever she wants something, she has them think and plan thoroughly; before suggesting it to us with all her reasons and her plans and precautions to make sure everything will be ok and as planned. She talks non-stop to herself and soft - toys for hours, so pretend play has been back into the house recently. Puzzle solving games are still her favourite, her latest love is Pete’s Spike age 8+ though she loves Rush Hours (bought both recently). Super fast at solving those memory games; matching two similar cards from Brainpop.jr.

ACADEMICS:

Still an avid reader as usual; reading 4-5 hours/daily by herself. Most days; 80-90% of her readings are on fact books while the remaining are fiction books. Although we just moved back to Singapore, and has no access to public library for the past 2 years, I found that I couldn’t find her any fact/reference books at the Junior section (age 5-9) anymore. Age 10+ reference section fits her alright now. Since my last update; she has read the SAT Cartoon Vocabulary I and II for the 3rd time and Idiom books for age 9-15 twice. Once she was out reading one in the stroller, and the 2 commuters in the train trying to figured it out whether is she really reading it or merely looking at the pictures. Math: I’m seeing that she is interested in Graphing-made me a few past weeks, money and their value, and using Metric units. When I asked her what is the temperature in a typical tropical country? I was expecting an answer - hot all year round but she said it’s 95 degrees Fahrenheit. When back to Singapore (2 months ago), Dh has been so busy with the move and new job position and has not time to read any Chinese with her since last October. I didn’t want her to forget her Chinese so I’ve bought her a children Mandarin songs karaoke (84 minutes). After watching less than 5x, she remembered all the songs and could read all the 800 characters, even telling DH some similar characters which have different meaning and read differently, comparing those found on this DVD to her previous reading. For the first time, DH is finding her daughter is smart. (?)

CREATIVE OUTPUT:

Zo Ee wrote me another silly poem this month, a better one this time, unfortunately I couldn’t find it any where now. Most probably she has cut it into pieces and throws them away.

According to Zo Ee this is a strange animal with a big snout.

One day, I found this in the living room which I think is cool. Yes. She has been experimenting with folding and cutting. I did show her once many months ago, and she’s trying them out by herself.

Map with many sign- 3years 9months old


An origami aeroplane from Zo Ee, completed with drawings for turbo engine and parts inside the plane.

Zo Ee’s collage – the caterpillar(Zo Ee), Daddy and Mummy the butterflies ( somthing to do with caterpillar life cycle).

I found this the other day, from her ex-school drawing book. – 3years 7months old. The many lines in circle shows fluttering movement of bees.

EMOTIONAL ISSUES:

Winning a game has becoming very important to her.
She is still my funny, loving and happy girl. She is still worrying about dying and didn’t want to grow bigger and older because she didn’t want to die. She worries about others violating the laws or misbehaving and their safety.

SCHOOL UPDATES: Still reluctant to go to school, got extremely upset upon hearing the idea of going to school.

Went inviting - 3years 6months old

Zo Ee at 3years 6months old. (11th October 2011)

When I dropped Zo Ee at school today, her teacher asked me, " Did she tell you about what happen yesterday?" I have no idea since Zo Ee didn't say anything special other than being extra tired after school. Zo Ee's class teacher told me this morning that she took Zo Ee around the school to send out invitations to the headmaster, vice and all the big shots in school yesterday. This is not a small school considering the classes they offered; Nursery1, Nursery 2, Kindergarten, 1st Standard - 10th Standard, as the school has been divided into different sections with their own heads and occupying different blocks. No wonder, Zo Ee was so tired yesterday after school that she actually napped for 2 hours which she hasn't been for months. The walking to other blocks and the heat must have exhausted her plus the ongoing rehearsal for tomorrow Nursery 1 Poem Recitation Day. Her whole class will be reciting and performing the Hush, Little Baby (with acting) which her teacher modified to a longer version for all to take part in and a poem on My little Naughty Monkey.


So yesterday, Zo Ee was representing her section to invite those important people to witness their performance tomorrow. Her teacher taught her what to say and do just before hand and Zo Ee did the talking and handing out those invitation cards at each individual office. Her teacher said that she did so well and amazingly impressed all the invitees. I'm glad she was given the opportunity to boost her public skill (anyway so far she has no fear at all talking to strangers) and to carry on a special task like that. I think its such an invaluable learning and experience for her since this is not something she can get from her beloved books. What a good way to mark the day Zo Ee turned 3 years 6months old (yesterday). I'm very proud of her.

Here is a photo of her on the actual Recitation Day, today (13th October 2011).

The whole class is wearing Green blouse/shirt with Denim Shorts, plus a little makeup. Zo Ee was excited about the makeup since she did have some idea from her DVD, those kiddy ballet dancers getting ready for their performance and I'm not into make up myself. I don't really like children to wear makeup at such age but didn't want her to be left out since all her friends will be having them. She was very cooperative. Anyway, I just put very light makeup for her; eyeshadow, blusher and a lip gloss instead of lipstick. I'm not good at make up but I think she looks alright. This is how she looks with her make up!

Prodigy? - 3years 5months old

Zo Ee at 3years 5months old. (4th October 2011)

Today, while on my way to pick Zo Ee up, I was stopped by another lady a few meters away from Zo Ee's class. She was saying, "Hi! You must be Zo Ee's Mummy." I smiled at her and said Yes. From my puzzled face she must have known that I have no idea who she is. Initially, I thought it must be another kid's mother from Zo Ee's class since she actually walked out from there earlier. She later introduced herself, saying that she is from another section of this school. She is teaching English for the 9th and 10th Standard in the school. [10th standard is the highest standard offered in this school; Nursery 1 (3 years old), Nursery 2 (4 years old), Kindergarten (5 years old), 1st Standard (6 years old), Secondary Standard is divided to middle section 5th Standard- 7th Standard and senior is 8th Standard -10th Standard.) English, Hindi, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, EE, SUPW, PE, Computer Applications, Commerce and French are offered to the 9th and 10th Standard. At the end of 10th standard, students have to sit for the national board exams.] She was telling me that every teachers in the Nursery/ Kindergarten section has been talking about Zo Ee and that she is very famous in school. This teacher who didn't want to believe what she has heard; a 3 years old is reading at very high level? So the Nursery coordinator actually invited her over to judge for herself. And today, this teacher came over to Zo Ee's class with a book for her 10th standard pupils. I'm guessing she must have had her read to her. That's what Zo Ee said too. Zo Ee even asked that teacher, "What is your name?" before she left the room which cracked her class teachers.

This particular teacher commented:
"You have a prodigy child. She is amazing. Her reading will put my 9th & 10th Standard pupils to shame. Her reading is much beyond that. Until I met her just now, I would not have believe that a 3 years old could read at such high level. And she has photographic memory too. "

Sometimes, it's good to hear such comment especially from an English teacher(someone else other than me or DH to agree that she is reading at very high level) who has been teaching secondary school students for many years and from the best school in Goa. Also this is not the first time, someone has commented using the word Prodigy although most people preferred to use the word Genius to describe her. It's a little awkward to get such remark. And I really don't know how to react to such remark, other than just a smile while saying that she is gifted. But on the other hand, I just don't want her to be a topic in the school although the teachers are not doing it in front of her or in class.

Letter M - 3years 5months old.

Zo Ee at 3years 5months old. (4th October 2011)

I am guessing most her friends will be submitting pictures for the letter M such as mango etc and here Zo Ee chose Minnie and Mickey. She copied these from her colouring book.

3months in Nursery - 3years 5months old.

Zo Ee at 3years 5months old. (26th September 2011)

Almost 3 1/2 months in her new school, minus one full month away (Australia) and another 1 week school holiday (Ganesh Festival), Zo Ee is doing great in her new school. Monsoon(raining season) is almost over and she is wearing socks and shoes to school instead of sandals. With the hot weather, seeing the sweating her, (she sweats more than the local kids), the teachers placed her directly under the class fan. She is happy (so far) and teachers like her especially her curious little mind with her huge knowledge to share with them. According to her teachers, she is very comfortable with them now, expressing and chatting with them on a daily basis. Opposing to the initial month, Zo Ee's very passive and preferred to observe than expressing herself like now. Zo Ee loves to share her knowledge with others and the teachers are acknowledging that, listening and asking her questions which allowed her to express more. They agreed that she is definitely special, especially seeing the way she observed and sees things/the world around her in a very different ways, much higher level than her friends. Teachers are always amazed with her little mind and doing. Last week, she was telling her teacher something about our body, that the heart is the organ that pumps blood in our body. Heart is also the center organ in our arteries system. When the teacher asked her how many kidneys are there is our body, she replied two. These are just a fraction of her huge knowledge and her teachers already showing this "WOW!" in their face.

In class, Zo Ee finished her work fast (baby work to her - if given the chance, you can finish the whole book in less than 30minutes), and spend the time chatting and talking to her teachers while her friends are still struggling with their work. I don't mind she has to do them, especially doing them neatly, correctly and quickly. Now, she gets the idea that once she has done them and submitted them, she is free to do things. She still cannot understand why her friends refused to do their work nicely or correctly, where some even can't hold a pencil correctly yet. To her, they are just naughty and refused to listen to their teachers. When I asked her whose work is the best. Without hesitation, she replied, "Mine." Teachers always said that my work is neat and beautiful. One month ago, her teachers even mentioned to me that they don't have to tell her anything, she'll know what to do and how to do them. I guess at that time, they have not realized that she is capable of reading the instructions yet although I have mentioned to them that she is capable of reading at high level, but they just don't quite get it especially at which level exactly.

Last year, when I took Zo Ee to see the school, we did meet the previous school coordinator, who did mention that they do have some kids joining them already reading but definitely not at Zo Ee's level. She mentioned that they allowed such kids to bring in stuff/books to do/read after they are finished their work. This year, her Nursery/Kindergarten section has a new coordinator ( they rotate every 3 years), and this new coordinator didn't know the whole story initially. She didn't see why I was anxious when Zo Ee started school 3 months ago. She and the teachers are positive all the time but they just thought that I'm just one of the many parents who boasted about their child and worries too much. I did told her that my main concern is for her to like school. I don't expect much from the school and was not sure whether she will learn much from school but I'll be very happy as long as Zo Ee is happy and enjoying school. 3 months passed, I didn't ask for any changes or specific requests since Zo Ee has been enjoying school. Learning the alphabets and numbers are just a minor part of the school days. I heard that they will learn 1- 30 this year. According to the coordinator, this school is very advanced comparing to the other schools, they do reading early, like they are teaching the alphabets with the phonics from 3 years old. They will introduce 3 words sentences next year for Nursery 2(4 years old) and number 1-100. Ok, none of these are relevant to Zo Ee since she is already reading and knows her numbers up to thousands, she knows what is million and trillion too. Anyway, they do learn more than that; topic of the weeks etc. For example last week, they were doing water transport and the teachers took them out to the beach (opposite the school, just crossed the road) to look at the "barge" passing by. They do a lot of art works where Zo Ee picked up new words and technics, eg. "Blotching" which the teachers did hang this word next to their works in class. I'm not sure how much other kids are absorbing or learning but Zo Ee is absorbing everything. Her writing improves tremendously although the teacher intention is to teacher the children how to recognize the alphabet, so she has been showing them the strokes and how to write them properly. I think they are doing the letter L now. Zo Ee just grabbed the concepts and applied them in her own writing. They are learning songs and dance and most importantly oral speaking. I really like this weekly oral speaking (public speaking) in class. Other that this, they already performed once and will be another coming this October (poem recitation for Nursery 1) - the whole class is performing and November (Children's day). So lots of activities to keep the children busy. Zo Ee has been assigned to play the keyboard and giving a long speech for the coming Children's Day.

On Monday, I bumped into the new coordinator, she stopped to talk to me, asking me how am I and how is Zo Ee doing? This lady that I have not talked to since the first week of school, is telling me that Zo Ee can read so well and she is such an amazing girl. She told me that they have started to pull her out of the class for higher reading and learning. I don't really know what but when I asked Zo Ee, she said there is this new teacher reading books with her. I am really liking this school. No wonder, this is the best school in Goa and parents queued long hours to get the admission forms and some even 24 hours. Dh actually queue for 8 hours last January. It's really worth the effort. Anyway, all these kids are from rich families since this is a local private school. I've seen kids coming to school in Porsche, Jaguar and fancy cars. They have very talented kids, musically talented kids and recently one 14 years old who just published an adult thriller book of 400 pages. The reason why I'm choosing this school is that it's fairly a good school with good teachers and just 5 minutes drive from our home.

Helicopter - 3years 5months old.

Zo Ee at 3years 5months old. ( 26th September 2011)

Another drawing for school tomorrow; Air Transport - Helicopter

Submarine - 3years 5months old.

Zo Ee at 3years 5months old. (22nd September 2011)

Zo Ee came back from school today, telling me that she'll need to bring a submarine picture to school tomorrow. I have no idea what is it for but she said just a submarine picture. So she drew it and this is her complete version. I thought a submarine with propeller, fins and a periscope will do. Zo Ee insisted to add in the stairs, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, doors into her submarine. I'll check it out as why does her teacher need such a drawing from her.

Teacher's & other comments - 3years 5months old

Zo Ee at 3years 5months old. (21st September 2011)

A conversation with her class teacher. All the teachers; 25 teachers from Nursery 1 , Nursery 2 and Kindergarten sort of know that Zo Ee can read at high level except this one teacher who came into her class yesterday. Coincidentally, Zo Ee was allowed to read her teacher's psychology book. ( I have no idea of that) and this teacher who had no idea of her reading walked in and was so shocked to find out that she can read so well. So from this conversation, I can assume that all the teachers know that Zo Ee can read at very high level, including adult books.

It's actually quite common that strangers stopped by to ask, "Is she really reading?" especially in a bookstore. Basically, she will be reading a book beyond her age, usually books for fluent readers or chapters books or even adult books. Occasionally, she will read out aloud for fun and this usually caught many passerby's attention. From her look, Zo Ee definitely looks like other toddler, that's why it's always followed by the question , "How old is she?" Whenever they got to know that she is 3, or recently going to be 3 1/2 next month, most are shocked beyond belief.

Hindi Poem - 3years 4months old

Zo Ee at 3years 4months old. (27th August 2011)

This video was taken on the 27th August 2011 (2weeks ago). I am still not use to the new video camera as how to edit video; to add date and title to it. I still can't. Sigh... I am missing my old broken video camera.

Zo Ee's teachers were very surprised when Zo Ee chose to recite this Hindi Poem in front of the class the other day as this was taught in class while she was away during our Australia holiday. Teachers said she can recite so well! That's why I wanted to capture her in action but I have not a single idea what is it about. According to her teachers, Zo Ee also sings 2 other Hindi songs(adult song) and the India national anthem!

School - 3years 2months old.

Zo Ee at 3years 2months old. (16/5/2011)

When I dropped her at school, most of the children were given their own drawing block and some crayons.

Teacher: Zo Ee, come and let's do some colouring. Which drawing block is yours? Can you find yours?

Zo Ee found hers but didn't proceed to do anything while just staring at the first empty page.

Teacher: Zo Ee, why aren't you colouring?
Zo Ee: It's empty, there is nothing for me to colour.
Teacher: You can do whatever you want or like with that page.
Zo Ee : Shall I fill it up then?
Teacher: Yes. Go ahead and filled it up.

She went ahead to fill it up with her drawings.

Sometimes, she just cracked me up. Yes, I know most 3 years old may not be able to draw well, thus the teacher suggested colouring instead. But, seeing Zo Ee's advanced progress, my perception is always skewed at what other 3 years old are capable of doings. Anyway, that's Zo Ee, she was already able to differentiate writing, drawing and colouring since she was 15 months old. She is very precise and particular as the words being used and has been correcting me too.

New School - 3years 1month old

Zo Ee at 3years 1month old. (9th June 2011)

Zo Ee in her new school uniform. Students have to wear black sandals or rain shoes during the monsoon.

Today is Zo Ee's first day in a new school , attending Nursery 1. When I went to pick her up 1 1/2hours later, her teacher told me, she was doing great and she even asked the other kids not to cry as crying is painful She learned her teachers' names too.

Independence - 2years 11months old

Zo Ee at 2years 11months 2days old. (13/3/2011)

Mummy was surprised to see this laying on the table. Zo Ee completed this all by herself and left it there on the table. So Zo Ee must had picked up this book, sat at the table and finished a few other pages by herself. Although, Mummy did see her sitting at the table, it didn't cross Mummy's mind that she was working on her maths workbook, instead Mummy thought she must be either doing some colouring or drawing by herself. Mummy is sharing this page as Mummy found this is the most trickiest page of all. The position of the vases are reversed. She understood the instructions and was able to complete this page correctly. Zo Ee actually tried to draw some flowers in the first vase although it didn't look like it should be. Anyway, this is an excellent work of a 2years 11months 2days old toddler.

Maths - 2years 10months old

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

Zo Ee decided to do some maths today. She was telling Mummy, " Mum, I want to do some maths, showing me the work book of her choice." We don't have any specific schedule in doing anything, but little Zo Ee has all the freedom to decide what she wants to do each day. Just coincidentally, she found these books from the book shelf. She did many pages for about an hour before feeling too tired and wanted to nap (not her usual self). After her nap, immediately, she wanted to continue doing maths again. This time, she sat for almost 2 hours; covering many topics and finishing page after page. Her hands were tired from colouring and writing; so she switched between her right and left hand. She was still very enthusiastic and was demanding for more but mummy's too tired to continue. Little Zo Ee was not happy but after some negotiation, she finally decided to watch VCD.

Some of the Subtraction sums done by Zo Ee.

Addition, graphs, comparison-heaviest and lightess etc

She is able to write most numbers and letters without much practice. She actually figured them out as if she was drawing some numbers and letters pictures. Occasionally, Mummy will show her the proper way to write but most of the time, she will not allowed me to hold her hand, only limited to showing her while Mummy writes on another piece of paper.

Filling in the missing numbers. She even drew some bells on the roof of the house, saying "Some bells are hanging by the roof."

Zo Ee's very persistent, determined and very self-driven in learning something new. She will not give up easily although her hands were sore from both writing and lots of colouring. She didn't colour as well as she normally does because she just wanted to finish the challenge on each page before moving on to another page etc... Same as for reading, just yesterday, she spent the whole afternoon; about 5 hours reading non-stop. She picked up those ladybird books from the book shelf; reading one after another, from the easiest to the most difficult. Occasionally, she came over to Mummy, asking for clarification.

Math update:

Zo Ee has been playing/doing some online maths on this IXL website; a few times before our last trip in November and this soon became an occasionally event since January 2011 (2years 9months old). Initially, she started with Pre-K, then she wanted to do Kindergarten and First Grade instead. Mummy thought they may be too difficult for her but she insisted. After a few sessions, Mummy was surprised that Zo Ee actually knows many(most) of the kindergarten and first grade skills already and was mastering new skills at great speed. Everyday, she will choose some new skills (not wanting to repeat any) from the list, and Mummy will show her one or two examples. Surprisingly, she is able to get most answers correctly. We didn't subscribe to this website, limiting to 20 free questions daily, still Zo Ee is mastering new skills everyday without the need for repetition of the same skill. Although, we have not touch on any addition or subtraction on this website (Mummy thought they will be too difficult for her.) , still she managed to finish most First Grade skills at ease. Soon, at 2years 10months old, she wanted to do Second Grade Math instead. Again, Mummy was hesitating to let her but surprisingly after a few trials, Mummy found that Zo Ee already knew quite a number of the skills there too...; simple fraction, reading clocks, days of the week, months, seasons, read a calender, more, less, repeating patterns, skip counting, number lines up to 100...etc (Zo Ee actually knows her numbers up to 1000 at 2years 9months old, and is mastering thousands now; not perfect yet but is doing pretty fine most of the time.) She actually stopped asking for this website for about 3weeks before venturing into maths again today, on math workbooks instead. So this is Zo Ee's unique way of learning, persistently wanting to learn certain skills until she has had enough, she will stop for some time. And past few days, we have been reading on this big book of nursery rhymes , so big and heavy, that even Mummy found it too heavy to hold. It took us 3 nights to complete (because Mummy was too tired, again if given the choice, Zo Ee will want to finish the book in one night.) On the 4th night, Zo Ee browsed through it all by herself, pages after pages, stopping only to tell Mummy details of rhymes that interest her the most. So Mummy is foreseeing that she will not want this book for sometime, for months maybe.

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

Before two years (23month old) she completed her IQ test book (age 3-5) in a month. She answered most orally and circling the correct answers, nevertheless she was enjoying each challenge very much and will insist Mummy to complete a few pages with her everyday. Mummy is surprised that she actually understood and was able to answer most questions correctly then. And now, almost a year later, instead finishing a book in a month, she will want to finish one workbook in a day if possible. Also she is able to fill in the answers by herself.

First Sports Day - 2years 9months old

Zo Ee at 2year 9months old. (29/1/2011)


Zo Ee's first sports day. (Eurokids Playgroup)


Garland Race.

Zo Ee with the green pom-pom, jumping up high.

Getting ready for the Hokey-Pokey Dance!

At the end of the day, every child gets a certificate and a medal.