Visit To DinoTrek Exhibition

On the 21st March 2013, we visited DinoTrek exhibition at the Petroleum Museum, Canada Hills.  Junior 3 were doing a theme on 'Dinosaurs' whilst Junior 2 were doing a theme on 'Animals' in March.  We spent about 2 hours at the exhibition.  The dinosaurs were a sight to behold - they were huge, have movable body parts and can roar (frightened some of the children).  There were lots of interactive games for the children  too.  At the end of our visit, the staff organised an interactive session for the children.

The signage at the entrance.

The banner.

The mechanical parts in the dinosaur that makes the moving parts.  The staff explained that the dinosaur is just a robot but that did not help soothe the frightened kids.

The children recording the name of the dinosaur and looking at the nest of eggs.  Some of the eggs have hatched and they could see the baby dinosaurs.  

The nest.

This is the entrance to the 'FIERCE' dinosaurs - T-Rex, Velociraptor, etc.

Apatosaurus

Stegosaurus

Facts about Stegosaurus

Spinosaurus

This T-Rex scared the wits of the children  (these girls were an exception)  ~ it looked so real,  so mean and it can really ROAR!

The T-Rex

Another 'fierce' dinosaur, Velociraptor.

A special place set up to show fossils of the dinosaurs in the sand.

The children turned 'paleontologists'.

One of the interactive games.

The children recording the name and reading the facts of the dinosaur.

Junior 3 with their teachers and staff of the exhibition.

Fun session conducted by the staff. The children enjoyed the session and they were all clamoring to answer the questions.  

The correct answer is ' ........."

The ticket

ADHD Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), although not a learning disability, can affect one's ability to succeed. Individuals with ADHD often have trouble paying attention, sitting still, or finishing tasks. Read more about the prevalence, symptoms, and treatment of ADHD.

ADHD | LD OnLine

What is AD/HD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a condition that can make it hard for a person to sit still, control behavior, and pay attention. These difficulties usually begin before the person is 7 years old. However, these behaviors may not be noticed until the child is older.

Doctors do not know just what causes AD/HD. However, researchers who study the brain are coming closer to understanding what may cause AD/HD. They believe that some people with AD/HD do not have enough of certain chemicals (called neurotransmitters) in their brain. These chemicals help the brain control behavior.

Parents and teachers do not cause AD/HD. Still, there are many things that both parents and teachers can do to help a child with AD/HD.

How common is AD/HD?

As many as 5 out of every 100 children in school may have AD/HD. Boys are three times more likely than girls to have AD/HD.

What are the signs of AD/HD?

There are three main signs, or symptoms, of AD/HD. These are:

• problems with paying attention,
• being very active (called hyperactivity), and
• acting before thinking (called impulsivity).

More information about these symptoms is listed in a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association (2000). Based on these symptoms, three types of AD/HD have been found:

• inattentive type, where the person can't seem to get focused or stay focused on a task or activity;
• hyperactive-impulsive type, where the person is very active and often acts without thinking; and
• combined type, where the person is inattentive, impulsive, and too active.

Inattentive type

Many children with AD/HD have problems paying attention. Children with the inattentive type of AD/HD often:

• do not pay close attention to details;
• can't stay focused on play or school work;
• don't follow through on instructions or finish school work or chores;
• can't seem to organize tasks and activities;
• get distracted easily; and
• lose things such as toys, school work, and books. (APA, 2000, pp. 85-86)

Hyperactive-impulsive type

Being too active is probably the most visible sign of AD/HD. The hyperactive child is "always on the go." (As he or she gets older, the level of activity may go down.) These children also act before thinking (called impulsivity). For example, they may run across the road without looking or climb to the top of very tall trees. They may be surprised to find themselves in a dangerous situation. They may have no idea of how to get out of the situation.

Hyperactivity and impulsivity tend to go together. Children with the hyperactive-impulsive type of AD/HD often may:

• fidget and squirm;
• get out of their chairs when they're not supposed to;
• run around or climb constantly;
• have trouble playing quietly;
• talk too much;
• blurt out answers before questions have been completed;
• have trouble waiting their turn;
• interrupt others when they're talking; and
• butt in on the games others are playing. (APA, 2000, p. 86)

Combined type

Children with the combined type of AD/HD have symptoms of both of the types described above. They have problems with paying attention, with hyperactivity, and with controlling their impulses.

Of course, from time to time, all children are inattentive, impulsive, and too active. With children who have AD/HD, these behaviors are the rule, not the exception.

These behaviors can cause a child to have real problems at home, at school, and with friends. As a result, many children with AD/HD will feel anxious, unsure of themselves, and depressed. These feelings are not symptoms of AD/HD. They come from having problems again and again at home and in school.

How do you know if a child has AD/HD?

When a child shows signs of AD/HD, he or she needs to be evaluated by a trained professional. This person may work for the school system or may be a professional in private practice. A complete evaluation is the only way to know for sure if the child has AD/HD. It is also important to:

• rule out other reasons for the child's behavior, and
• find out if the child has other disabilities along with AD/HD.

What about treatment?

There is no quick treatment for AD/HD. However, the symptoms of AD/HD can be managed. It's important that the child's family and teachers:

• find out more about AD/HD;
• learn how to help the child manage his or her behavior;
• create an educational program that fits the child's individual needs; and
• provide medication, if parents and the doctor feel this would help the child.

 Tips for parents

• Learn about AD/HD. The more you know, the more you can help yourself and your child. See the list of resources and organizations at the end of this publication.
• Praise your child when he or she does well. Build your child's abilities. Talk about and encourage his or her strengths and talents.
• Be clear, be consistent, be positive. Set clear rules for your child. Tell your child what he or she should do, not just what he shouldn't do. Be clear about what will happen if your child does not follow the rules. Have a reward program for good behavior. Praise your child when he or she shows the behaviors you like.
• Learn about strategies for managing your child's behavior. These include valuable techniques such as: charting, having a reward program, ignoring behaviors, natural consequences, logical consequences, and time-out. Using these strategies will lead to more positive behaviors and cut down on problem behaviors. You can read about these techniques in many books. See "Resources" at the end of this publication.
• Talk with your doctor about whether medication will help your child.
• Pay attention to your child's mental health (and your own!). Be open to counseling. It can help you deal with the challenges of raising a child with AD/HD. It can help your child deal with frustration, feel better about himself or herself, and learn more about social skills.
• Talk to other parents whose children have AD/HD. Parents can share practical advice and emotional support. Call NICHCY to find out how to find parent groups near you.
• Meet with the school and develop an educational plan to address your child's needs. Both you and your child's teachers should get a written copy of this plan.
• Keep in touch with your child's teacher. Tell the teacher how your child is doing at home. Ask how your child is doing in school. Offer support.

Tips for teachers

• Learn more about AD/HD. The resources and organizations at the end of this publication will help you identify behavior support strategies and effective ways to support the student educationally. We've listed some strategies below.
• Figure out what specific things are hard for the student. For example, one student with AD/HD may have trouble starting a task, while another may have trouble ending one task and starting the next. Each student needs different help.
• Post rules, schedules, and assignments. Clear rules and routines will help a student with AD/HD. Have set times for specific tasks. Call attention to changes in the schedule.
• Show the student how to use an assignment book and a daily schedule. Also teach study skills and learning strategies, and reinforce these regularly.
• Help the student channel his or her physical activity (e.g., let the student do some work standing up or at the board). Provide regularly scheduled breaks.
• Make sure directions are given step by step, and that the student is following the directions. Give directions both verbally and in writing. Many students with AD/HD also benefit from doing the steps as separate tasks.
• Let the student do work on a computer.
• Work together with the student's parents to create and implement an educational plan tailored to meet the student's needs. Regularly share information about how the student is doing at home and at school.
• Have high expectations for the student, but be willing to try new ways of doing things. Be patient. Maximize the student's chances for success
• Taken from LD Online  By: National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) (2004)

'Myself'

These are the work of the 6 years old.

Theme 'Myself'

In the theme 'MYSELF'  in the month of January 2013 ~  the children were introduced to the letters of the alphabet in their names, to introduce their names and to practice fine motor skills development.  They also learned the parts of the face and gender.  The four years old tried to draw themselves and practise holding the pencils and colouring.  In doing the pasting, either with the beans or papers, the children were also encouraged to be creative.

Recognising own names :  One activity is to write out the name and paste mung beans on the letters.

Children also learn to recognise the letters and practice fine motor skills when pasting the beans on the letters.

Another activity in recognising one's own name and pasting coloured papers.

'Myself' by Aliff (4 years old)

'Myself'  by Ali (4 years old)

'Myself' by  Hazzim (4 years old)

'Myself' by  Afiqah (4 years old'

'Myself' and learning parts of the face.

 

Sisters ONLY Conference

Saturday 29th June 2013

Putrajaya International Convention Centre  (PICC)

10 am - 10 pm

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes

This is one song that the children loved and enjoyed when we introduced it in 'Myself" theme.  The children can recognise the different feelings  - happy, angry, sad. 

 It's Japanese.

HFM in Miri

Yes, have been very slow in updating the blog this year  ~ too many happenings and going through a bit of 'TIME POVERTY'  but insya Allah will be on track!

Latest report is the high rate of HFM incidence in Miri now, causing a lot of concern and anxiety among our parents and ourselves,  the teachers.  We have put in extra effort in sanitizing the school premise, including the toys and other things touched by the children as well as enforcing the children to stringent personal hygiene practices. We have been doing checks on the children once they are in the class but not at the school gates as they come ~ to avoid long queues to drop off the children and for the teachers to do a thorough check. Some of our planned activities have to be postponed or cancelled in view of the current situation. 

We urge our parents to check your child's health before sending them to school.  Please do not send them if they are feverish, coughing or having running nose.  If they have fever, check their mouths, hands and feet  for any sign of blisters or spots; and please see the doctor immediately.  Do read the notices and advice given by the Health Department and doctors.

Take care !