Drawings/Writing/Creativity - 3years 11months old

Zo Ee at 3years 11months old. (9th April 2012)

I can see Zo Ee's huge improvement in her drawing skill and creativity lately, most probably another growing spurt just before she turned 4.

I like her idea of the bird/chick standing on the rock.

"Mummy! I made Buster(toy) a baby quilt. "Instead of using cloth, which she doesn't have, she creatively used some colour papers instead. I am really impressed with her idea and work.
By the way,can you spot the bird robot?

These are the few chinese characters that she is able to write by heart.

I'm very impressed with Zo Ee's handwriting, as she is still 3 years old.

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!

Learning style - 3years 5months old

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

I am very impressed as how Zo Ee learns on her own. I'm not sure whether is this a plain trait of giftedness or she is just plain special. When Zo Ee reached home today, the first thing she did is to reach for some books from the book shelf. She climbed onto a stool and reached for 4 basic grammar books which I bought for her few months ago. They covered topic like Pronouns, Past Tense, Future Tense, Adverb, Adjectives, Adverb of Degree, Adverb of Frequency and Conjunctions. I did saw Zo Ee read them once or twice when I first bought them and we have not read them together. I thought maybe at a later stage. Today seeing her re-read all of them immediately after school really triggered me that she's trying to read more on something similar to what she had been exploring yesterday at the "Reading & Writing" section from Brainpop. Jr. My guessing is that she's trying to relink and make connection from both resources. Am I right?

Cutting skills - 3years 3months old

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

Just about a month ago, Zo Ee started enjoying cutting with her new pair of scissors. Look at her skill now, she is able to cut out pictures quite accurately, which is very impressive for her age. So the trick is to let them learn with children safe but real sharp metal scissors with supervision. Zo Ee noticed that she will not be able to cut properly with her plastics scissors, that's why she stopped using them totally.

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Then
3years 2months old - Cutting with a pair of scissors

Cutting with a scissors - 3years 2months old

Zo Ee at 3years 2months old. (14th June 2011)

20th June 2011 - cutting out squares from her Sudoku puzzles.

20th June 2011 - a week ago, Zo Ee cutting straight lines.

Zo Ee's independent work - 3 year old

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

Mummy enjoys leaving a workbook on the table as at the end of the day, it will be very interesting flipping through the pages to see what little Zo Ee has completed by herself for the day. Below are pages done by my little Zo Ee who just turned 3. Sometimes, its amazing to see her work, her knowledge and understanding of the subject.

This is Mummy favourite of the day, especially the yawning face below.

She is good at using the right colours to express her picture too.

Although she only crossed out the plug and bird cage, nevertheless it's a good effort from her.

Logico - 3year old

Zo Ee at 3year old. (21/4/2011)

Zo Ee excitedly came running to the kitchen, proudly telling Mummy, "Mum! Mum! Congratulation!" She directed me to the hall to see her achievement. She had completed one of the LOGICO puzzle (new card) herself, flipped the card over to check the answer and she realized that she got them all correct. This is the first time, she played this by herself since she got this as her 3rd birthday present from Daddy and Mummy.

To check the answers, flipped over the chart and compared the colour buttons with the colour on the card. As seen, Zo Ee got them all correct. And she was very proud of her little achievement.

Making agar-agar - 3year old

Zo Ee at 3 year old. (14/4/2011)

Zo Ee insisted to make agar-agar with Mummy. After a few days of persuading, Mummy finally agreed to make some with her. Mummy showed her how to measure the amount of water , mix and cook it the pot. She helped to measure the water and pour the agar-agar powder into the pot. Cool it and its ready to eat!

Read till 2.30 a.m. - 2years 11months old

Zo Ee at 2years 11months old. (20/3/2011)

Zo Ee 's reading Stories to Treasure (17 stories, 284pages) by herself. As can be seen, she is reading pages with more and more words and paragraphs. Some sample pages shown below.

Zo Ee woke up at 11pm; about the time for Mummy and Daddy to go to bed, and wanted to read books by herself. Mummy waited for her for a short while but was too tired, so Mummy left the light on for her to read by herself. When Mummy was awakened at 2.15 am, little Zo Ee was still reading. Mummy rushed her to bed, and by the time she finished another story, had milk, it was already 2.45am. She didn't fall asleep until 3am. So, she missed school the next day.

Zo Ee reading Sleeping Beauty.

Looking for information-2years 11months old

Zo Ee at 2years 11months old. (19/3/2011)

Little Zo Ee was reading this book about daring cell defenders and came across this cartoon invader attacking with a funny weapon (stone-age weapon). Little Zo Ee asked Mummy, "Mum, What is this weapon?" When Mummy couldn't answer her, immediately she thought of her book on weapons. She searched the book through until she found this page below. The weapon little Zo Ee trying to look for is the one below the Bizarre word(Title). Unfortunately, there isn't any name to it either.

Although little Zo Ee has been relating to similar information between two resources, eg. between books, book and chart, book and flashcard or book and toy, etc... since 14-month old. But today experience is a little different, it shows that she is independent in looking for more information regarding an object by herself.

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.

Making Fruit Salad - 2years 10months old

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

As today, little Zo Ee didn't have to go to school (1 days school holiday), Mummy decided to make fruit salad with Zo Ee for lunch. When Mummy told her that we were going to make fruit salad, little Zo Ee was so excited; helping Mummy to get the things ready. Usually, she will not cooperate much unless it was her choice of activity. This time, she gave Mummy her 100% cooperation! Mummy helped to peel the apple's and kiwi's skin while Zo Ee peeled the orange all by herself. (She actually peeled her first orange all by herself when she was 2years 8months old.) Then Zo Ee cut the kiwi and apple into smaller cubes (that's little Zo Ee description) before mixing them all together. Finally, Zo Ee was very happy with her effort, "There you go...Fruit salad is ready. Mummy please get forks. " So we ended up having fruit salad as our lunch for today.

Set up the table- 2years 9months old

Zo Ee at 2years 9months old. (2/8/2011)

Mummy was so surprised to see these on the table; table mats, forks and spoons being set nicely on the table for both Zo Ee and Mummy. She did all this without being told.

Buttoning up - 2years 9months old

Zo Ee at 2years 9months old. (21/1/2011)

Wow! Wow! Wow! I am pretty impressed with little Zo Ee self-determination, enjoying doing things and stuffs for herself. She refused any help from us and will keep on trying. Most of the time, she can handle each situation pretty well but can get very frustrated if she were to fail due to her inability to control her tiny hands and fingers to her desires. Physically(fine motor skills) she may not be ready but she sure knows what and how she wanted it to be. And today, little Zo Ee happily showing Mummy her new skill, buttoning up her blouse. I think those bigger buttons helped make her task easier. And she is so happy to learn another new skill.

I have not really read up, what is the usual age for toddlers to be able to dress themselves up but am a little shock to overheard this from another 3 1/2 - year old, she was telling Zo Ee that "I still cannot put on my own socks." That comment really shocked me a little, as my little Zo Ee has been putting on her own socks since 22-month old.

Dressing up skills
13-month old - persistently trying to put on her own velcro sandals
20-month old - putting on sandals (self-taught)
22-month old - putting on socks (self-taught)
before 2years old - able to dress up in simple blouse/shirt and elastic pants/shorts(self-taught)
2years 1month old - removing elastic shorts/pants(self-taught)
2years 2months old - putting on velcro shoes (self-taught)
2years 3months old - undressing slip on shirt/blouse(self-taught)
2years 6months old - buckle her brand new shoes. (self-taught)
2years 8months old - zip zipper up and down, putting on jacket with zipper(self-taught)
2years 9months old - buttoning up her blouse(self-taught)

Setting table - 2years 8months

Zo Ee at 2years 8months old. (28/12/2010)

Zo Ee playing aeroplane with her "friends" and serving them food.

If you look closer, Zo Ee actually set up the table for some passengers; pooh and teddy bear. Looking at her skill, she knows the right place to place the fork and spoon.

Dusting - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 20days old. (31/5/2010)

When little Zo Ee saw Mummy dusting the TV cabinet, she insisted in helping Mummy, she kept saying "Zo Ee's turn! Zo Ee's turn to dust the TV cabinet."

Tidied up play area - 25months old

Zo Ee at 25months 11days old. (22/5/2010)

Little Zo Ee surprises Mummy; tidied up her play area without being told before came telling Mummy, "Oh! Zo Ee tidied up. Look! So neat and tidy! ". Finally, this moment has come!

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Then

Putting things back - 18-month old
Book shelf - 17-month old

Publish Post

Making the bed - 24months old

Zo Ee at 2years 15days old. (26/4/2010)

Little Zo Ee helped to make Mummy's bed most of the morning nowadays.

Putting on socks - 22months old

Zo Ee at 22months 22days old. (4/3/2010)

Little Zo Ee knows how to put on her socks since the last week of February 2010.

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)

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Then

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