Iphone Apps

Still tend to agree that passive activities such as watching tv, and even playing the "so called interactive" apps are not suitable for kids before 2 yr old. As kids should build on their social/environment etc awareness during this age. Nevertheless, at whatever age, it takes away time which could otherwise be used for physical activities or any activities with other human beings (playing mahjong online live with other adults, do not count as "real" activities with other human beings!).

But of course...look at who's talking? Updating this blog itself, doesn't sound like should be encouraged! Nevertheless, came across some recommended apps (to make the bad activity of playing with apps...a little less bad..)

1. Tozzle – Toddler’s favorite Puzzle (By nodeflexion.com)

Looking for something entertaining but also educational for your kid? Then Tozzle is the perfect App for you! It keeps your toddler entertained as he or she learns to improve shape recognition and motor activity, with 39 different puzzle pictures with funny and sound effects to choose from! Very user friendly, all your child needs to do to solve the puzzles is to drag and drop. Once a puzzle is solved, your child can play around with the sound effects by simply tapping on the figures. Designed for children from ages 2 and up, you can now look forward to relaxed car rides, and not fret over what to do to entertain your kid child while driving!

Costs: US$1.99 (Search for Tozzle Lite for a free version)

Promotes number and shape recognition

2. SUPER WHY! (By PBS KIDS)

Help your child achieve the power to read with this collection of four SUPER WHY! interactive literacy games. Your child can play along with each of the four main characters from the TV series: Alpha Pig, Princess Presto, Wonder Red, and, of course, Super Why, while practicing the alphabet, rhyming, spelling, writing and reading. A Super Duper App for children indeed!

Costs: US$2.99

Promotes language and literacy

3. Lola’s Magic Cube (By BeiZ Ltd)

Have your children met Lola Panda yet? Lola Panda is back with an all new and fun children’s education puzzle game. Lola’s monkey friend has accidently used Lola’s magic wand and mixed up the magic cube. Now Lola needs your help to solve the puzzles and put the cube back in the correct order. Use the magic wand to solve each magic cube puzzle and progress on to ever more challenging puzzles. Enchant your child on your iPhone with Lola Panda’s magic cube. Fun and easy to play, this app is designed to develop new skills for children aged 3 to 8.

Cost: US$0.99 (Search for Lola’s Magic Cube Lite for a free version)

Promotes concentration, visual and mental skills

4. iStory Books (Infomarvel Business Solutions, Inc)

iStory Books is a collection of 25 free children’s story books with fun pictures, text & audio for your little ones. It comes with interactive stories which include text and audio for every story. The books will even read to your little ones! With a new book published every 2 weeks, your children can enjoy these books on their own or with you, when you can read to them. New books they will appear automatically in the App, and all books we published will be picture books with audio included. Types of books available include: fairy tales, animal story books, folk stories and educational books.

Cost: Free

Promotes language

5. Juno Jr’s The Day The Music Stopped (The Juno Company)

Based on the wildly popular Juno Jr. DVD of the same name which won a gold Parent’s Choice Award, this full length musical eBook features loveable Juno characters, colorful animation, original orchestral music, mini games, unique touch screen interaction and more! Through dazzling pages, videos and games, your child will embark on a journey inside the 3D world of Harmonia Springs, where everything is made of music! Action, adventure, original orchestral music, and breathtaking animation provide a new element of reading entertainment for toddlers and preschoolers. What’s more, you can even create your own melodies, harmonies, and rhythms throughout the book!

Cost: US$2.99

Promotes language and music awareness

Online Grocery shopping

Online grocery shopping which come with free delivery, is great especially for heavy items such as drinks and detergents. Hmm, doesn't sound too good to say "drinks and detergents"..sounds like detergents can be drank!...maybe should change to "detergents and washing powder"..

If only the price can get even lower than in physical shops!

Household.sg - free delivery for S$ 40 and above
KimSang - free delivery for S$200 and above

Making mooncakes

Looks like this year's hot cartoon is angry bird...sees lanterns in shapes of angry bird, all over the place..And..we bought cc angry bird as well.

Hmm...perhaps the strange "snail" lantern which hubby bought, is more unique after all (but who would ever think of buying lantern in the shape of snails? this is like buying a car in the shape of turtle!)

Disciplining a child

Consistency and more consistency

Baby sitting

When you feel that you could have done better (with regards to baby sitting), read this..... Orlando Bloom feels so, even when having assistances and resources

Learning to eat

French toast cut into tiny pieces for tiny hand with tiny fork.... for tiny mouth with 4 sharp teeth
(everyone commented on the "blackness" of the toasts....hey... it's the effort that counts hor)

toys

a site recommended for educational toys suitable for singapore's moe education. no prices though...
http://www.kydzedu.com/

Organic or not?

When should we eat organic, and when is there not a need?
---

Why Should You Care About Pesticides?

The growing consensus among scientists is that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can cause lasting damage to human health, especially during fetal development and early childhood.Scientists now know enough about the long-term consequences of ingesting these powerful chemicals to advise that we minimize our consumption of pesticides.

What’s the Difference?

EWG research has found that people who eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat the 15 least contaminated conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables ingest fewer than 2 pesticides daily. The Guide helps consumers make informed choices to lower their dietary pesticide load.

Will Washing and Peeling Help?

Nearly all the studies used to create these lists assume that people rinse or peel fresh produce. Rinsing reduces but does not eliminate pesticides. Peeling helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the skin. The best approach: eat a varied diet, rinse all produce and buy organic when possible.

How Was This Guide Developed?

EWG analysts have developed the Guide based on data from nearly 87,000 tests for pesticide residues in produce conducted between 2000 and 2007 and collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Bounce Around @ Changi

Changi Airport has always been a favourite hangout for families, and now there are more things to do.
Just for the June holidays, a new giant inflatable playground or kids has opened at Terminal 3.
Called Let's Play@Changi, children can have a memorable experience there, bouncing around and snapping shots with inflatable model airplanes, slides and even a minature replica of the Changi control tower.
Those younger can opt for a smaller playground at the side.
Why not have a go if you're there for a meal or a stroll?
Useful information:
Visitors are only required to produce their Changi Rewards card or a reciept of any amount spent at the airport to gain assess to Let's Play@Changi.
It is located at Terminal 3, Departure Hall, near Check-in Row 11.
Opened daily from May 28 till June 26 2011, from 12pm to 10pm.
For more information, visit www.changiairport.com/shopping-and-dining/shopping/singkids-playsystem.