Tip 161: Reading in both languages

I am impressed by Haruka's vocabulary development. She already has quite a sizeable listening and speaking vocabulary for both Japanese and English language for a baby under 2 years old. Of course, girls pick up languages quicker, yet daddy is still gleaming with pride of his princess. I am glad we started her bilingual even under 6 months old by speaking in 2 languages. I am also glad we started reading to her early. Now, as I read to Haruka, I can test her vocabulary for both languages. If she says correctly "sakana" when seeing fish in the book, I read out fish. I know her listening vocabulary already registers it, but she just forgot to say it. Yet, during this raining season, she could say "kasa umbrella" quickly when I point to the picture of the umbrella.

There is no need to worry whether the baby speaks with improper language and grammar when mixing 2 languages. In fact, it helps to build the baby's memory when the baby could associate 2 words together. A mother was worried that her child was still using some baby language together with an English word. For instance, baby says,"mum mum, eat". I would instead encourage such habit and even introduce a third foreign word with eat. Soon, the baby will give up using the baby language since it is less used in daily conversation with others. Though, the concept of having more than 1 word to describe an action or noun is best learn soonest possible. Even if the baby mixes between languages, the most important is that the baby is able to express himself/herself with as many words he/she can think of immediately.

Interestingly, a Japanese research found that Japanese babies used less nouns than babies from English-speaking countries. In Japan, babies used five times more nouns than verbs, while its 12:1 in English-speaking countries. The researcher explains that English-speaking parents emphasizes teaching on the words and names of things, while in Asia, parents tend to stress emotions and feelings.

So do you emphasize more nouns than verbs or the other way around? Have you started your baby on a second language?

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(Photos show more fun at Hong Kong Ocean Park and tasty, unhealthy, yummy Hong Kong food).

Tip 160: Steamy hot freshness hoka-hoka (ホカホカ)

Another Japanese phrase that I am introducing is again that which stimulate the senses. The aroma of fresh food cooked at just the right temperature, its hot steam rising to touch the face or fingers. This could be rice out of the rice cooker or hot baked sweet potatoes (焼き芋/yakiimo). For instance, during cold evenings, the Japanese have this iconic traditional street vendor who pushes a cart called ishi yakiimo (stone roasted sweet potato). The vendor uses the loud speaker and begins to chant,"yaki-imo, ishi yaki-imo, hoka hoka dayo" (It is steaming hot). People would come out to the cold to trade their coins for a paper wrapped sweet potato that will burn their fingers, and rush back to their homes. The irresistible smelling steam warms the room and awakens the senses, bringing a reminder of the cold season and the simple freshness of food from the ground, cooked in its simplest form providing the basic sustenance needed.

That is the Japan that celebrates simplicity and fresh natural food, bland they may be but offers sweetness from the ground. The presence of steamy hot food during cold winter seems like a ritual no different from watching the sakura at the start of spring, cooling down with shave ice at the beach in summer or queing up to see autumn leaves along the Irohazaka slopes of Nikko. The hot steam is temporal, yet is appreciated and celebrated for its purpose, role and meaning. Another example of the wabi-sabi concept.

Not tried this with Haruka, though she loves sweet potato and yam. What about other street vendors you miss and hope to introduce to your kids?

(Photos show Haruka playing at the amusement park at Hong Kong's Ocean Park).

Tip 159: Lending a hand to daddy

It was the second time Haruka laughed with excitement after handing the towel to me as I asked her to hand it to me through the bathroom door. Nope she did not see me naked. She was just thrilled that she did something useful and was laughing, clapping her hands and telling mummy. She is very glad to be doing stuff, though she has not seen too many opportunities yet. Somehow, picking up her toys does not make her feel responsible. But, daddy have been planting the seed of encouragement that she is becoming a big girl/sister (one-chan in Japanese) like the children in the Barney DVD. At times, when the chore is not something she likes, she says a loud "No!" that she is still a baby. Other times, there is an accomplished smile.

Its just amazing how spending time with young children can make so much difference. They are at an age where they yearn attention. Probably the age where the sponge assorbs most when provided with the best nutrients. Though, sometimes, we may see it in a negative light that they are being demanding and attention craving. Yes, Haruka would cry sometimes when we leave the room longer than expected while she is playing or watching her DVDs. That's because she knows the best way to learn is to have full participation from daddy and mummy. I begin to notice Haruka appreciates the people who teaches her and participates with her in interesting activities. For instance, my mother in law asked Haruka to help her pick tomatoes in her backyard in her home in Ishigaki island. Now, Haruka sees each tomato with excitement and probably have a fond memory of her Japanese grandmother.

What are simple chores fit for a 1 year old? I have not tried getting a small baby broom and pan yet. :)

(Photos show the Green Park, Piccadily Circus and the statue of Anteros, the Wellington Arch near Hyde Park corner and the Royal Academy of Arts, London).

Tip 158: A snack box for Sunday School

Haruka has not gone to school yet or to anywhere alone from daddy and mummy. So every week when she goes to Sunday School, she would cry for 10-15 minutes upon seeing us disappearing as we sneek out. In fact, during a few occasions, we would even stay back at the Sunday School to accompany Haruka.

This will probably not happen for our next child. Also, Tomomi is now a bit more confident of Sunday Schools outside Japan, as well as achieved a quicker familiarisation curve to integrate into foreign churches abroad. Previously, she sometimes would seek refuge by accompanying Haruka at the Sunday School instead of attending the service.

We recently discovered a simple discovery that probably all church going parents already knew. Prepare a snack box and water for their children even if it was just for 1-2 hours. Then, place it in a cute bag that can fit the 1 year old. Guess what? Haruka was excited the whole journey to church and was eagerly waiting for Sunday School to open her snack box to show the other children.

This acts as a symbol that Haruka has her own bag and need not be depending on her parents to meet her needs. So, when she brings the bag, she is reminded that she will be going to Sunday School alone. Though, that thought did not sound negative as there is food in the bag. Not sure when this novelty will wear out.

As it is, Haruka did cry anyway on her first day bringing the bag, but for a shorter period. Then, the Sunday School helpers took out her snack and her munching on the food stopped her crying. Wonder if she would cry again next Sunday.

(Photos show previously attended Canary Wharf's The Barge Sunday School and a usual wet day in London).

Tip 157: Benefits of watching Barney?

Haruka's favorite DVD is the purplesaurus king of kiddie pop, Barney & Friends. Ever since 7 months old, Haruka was introduced to Barney after I brought back a few budget Barney DVDs from Malaysia. At first, it seemed harmless as it did amuse Haruka and gave Tomomi some break time for toilet or to cook a meal.

After 1 year old, Haruka would actually request the same few DVDs be watched over and over again a few times a day. Though, we did not relent when she insisted on the DVD over mummy and daddy's TV programs. Haruka begin to observe when possibly she could get what she wants, when mummy and daddy's body language shows they are not too interested in certain TV programs.

This brings us to question if watching too much TV is good. Haruka does not go to school or nursery yet. Tomomi would accompany Haruka at a playcenter or playground for 2-4 hours, 3-5 times a week if the weather is good. At other times, Haruka enjoys playing and reading with us, but she would still like to watch the Barney DVD or other kids program on the TV. Yet, Tomomi ensures she has a balance of different activities for the day and not have more than 5 hours of Barney.

Society has changed that decades ago, kids would just play in the garden of the home, go over to a neighbour's home or play by a large nature area and not be confined in small space indoors. Yet, the TV has also increased the possibility of learning, enlarging the imagination of the child and allowing the child to recall different things observed. If daddy and mummy were to teach without DVD, they may not recall everything the child observed before.

Kids program can motivate the child to learn in a fun way by observing other kids in the program learning and singing. Yet, the better way is for daddy and mummy to be present at least sometimes to talk to the child while watching the program. For instance, asking the child whether he likes an elephant after watching it. I would also take the opportunity to encourage Haruka to emulate the kids by saying they seldom cry and they must have been eating a lot to be able to jump and dance so well. Then, when we are busy, we can make it a point to take leave and after some pacifying, the child will learn to be content with the quality time spent. This is much better than feeling guilty for not doing anything and giving up, or take the children out on a family project that one is not prepared for or have the attention and concentration for it.

I have not reached the stage where I have to ban certain TV programs for Haruka as she volunteers to not see TV programs that seem to be violent or scary. Probably by watching kids program, she could differentiate between what are pleasant and fun programs with interesting lessons compared to those that are a waste of time. Interestingly, Haruka even teased that she wanted Barney to be her papa, but just one. Probably to push me to be a more fun daddy.

How much time do your kids watch kids programs? Any benefits or bad side effects to share?

Check out another blog I write: http://lifenewcreation.blogspot.sg/2013/05/how-resveratrol-and-red-wine-activate.html to find about a new opportunity to do business anywhere besides building your family's health and wellbeing.

(Photos show Bleinheim Palace gardens and a short kids rail line to Pleasure Garden with fun play zones. That's Haruka's first hand at golf after many demonstrations by papa).

Tip 156: Tsuru tsuru (ツルツル) art of slurping

I decided to start a series of blogpost probably twice a week, on interesting Japanese phrases that speak of its culture. This would brush up my Japanese as well. Plus, many of these phrases are picked up from my toddler, Haruka. Though, not the next phrase as she has not mastered the art of eating noodles the Japanese way, as she needs us to slice the noodles before feeding her. Slurping slippery smooth noodles is called tsuru tsuru (ツルツル). As you pronounce this, notice your lips in lip-o-suction position. The first sylable sucks the noodle together with more soup based sauce. The second sylable exhales to cool it, yet gaining enough momentum to complete sucking a second time.

That explains how a Japanese could finish a bowl of noodles in 5 minutes. Some actually argue that the taste of the noodle is to be felt in the throat, not the tongue. By swallowing them whole, the texture and taste of the noodle is complete. This can be performed on ramen or udon with its hot soup, or cold soba or cold somen with its light flavoured dipping sauce. You are actually less likely to burn your mouth when slurping, as opposed to having spoonfuls of hot noodles in your mouth. For cold soba, slurping is part of the ritual to get the full experience of the simple healthy goodness of soba. First, watch the preparation of the soba, smell it, while holding the bowl of dipping sauce, dunk only half the soba noodles and slurp. The flavor of the soba is experienced with all senses.

The key to slurping is to loosen your lips for a short decisive slurp. Though, if you are in a ramen shop with other hungry Japanese, slurp all you want. Most importantly, you enjoy it and it shows from your slurping. Of course, the performance in slurping depends in part on the smoothness of the noodles, yet it takes two to tsuru tsuru. Or one if you have became one with the smoothness of the noodles. :)

Check out another blog I write: http://lifenewcreation.blogspot.sg/2013/05/how-resveratrol-and-red-wine-activate.html to find about a new opportunity to do business anywhere besides building your family's health and wellbeing.

(Photos show more of Blenheim Palace).

Tip 155: Nightmare cries

On a whole, Haruka has been a pleasant child to care for. She seldom cries. She is attached to mummy and would cry when mummy goes out, but after a while she would be distracted by my playful attention. She is also seldom sick and have never caused a mess by vomiting, probably due to a stronger immune system through breastfeeding. Her cries are often shortlived by the distraction of daddy and Haruka probably knows its a waste of energy crying over spilt milk.












Though, she has been crying 5-10 minutes in the middle of the night lately. While blogging, I hear her crying, then mummy comforts her. She still sleeps next to us and that would change as we move to a bigger place soon. So her crying has nothing to do with being separated from us. It is probably due to nightmares. I can't recall watching a horror movie today, though I watched Sweeney Todd movie DVD yesterday by myself but when mummy and Haruka came back, they caught the final 10 minutes.












Whenever Haruka sees a scary part in a movie or a mannequin, she would say "kowai" (scary in Japanese), but would not be disturbed by it. She carries on smiling and playing with her toys or walks away. Yet, these scary pictures probably stays in her memory much longer.












I read up on remedies, among others include a warm bath before bed and a nice bedtime story. Have not been reading bedtime stories as we usually switch off the lights while Haruka continue to play, talk and sing herself to sleep. Probably nightmares are unavoidable.












Anyone have any remedies? Of course, mummy have been advising me not to select those serial killing DVDs, but I can't help it when it was a musical involving Johnny Depp.












(Photos show more of Blenheim Palace).