Wiki Stix

 

I am a HUGE supporter of  educational toys for early childhood education (ECE). If you are new to this blog, you can check out my previous entries about ECE under ECE and Montessori label. Today, I'm reviewing Wikki Stix Educational and Craft Toys, provided by ThinkThank ( the exclusive distributor of Wikki Stix in 6 countries in South East Asia). 

What is Wikki Stix?

I'm sure some of you haven't heard about Wikki Stix before this *well, so do I*.Wikki Stix are pieces of yarn dipped in non-toxic patented wax *the kind used in bubble gum and lipstick*.  Wikki Stix is an award winning educational and kids crafts toy made in and hugely popular in the USA.

Wikki Stix can be easily bended, twisted, and shaped into various creations that will stick to themselves and almost all smooth surfaces.

 

 About Wikki Stix

• NON TOXIC and ALLERGY FREE! --> do not contain latex, gluten, nor peanut or other nut oils or byproducts, making it as an ideal creative activity toy for children with allergies. 

• They are 100% made in the USA!

•  BENDABLE, TWISTABLE, One-of-a-Kind CREATABLES! --> can be easily bended, twisted, and shaped into various creations that will stick to themselves and almost all smooth surfaces. So, it allows children to channel their creativity and energy into original works of art.

•  EASY and CLEAN --> the tacky properties of the wax that allows them to self-stick. So just shape, stick, play, and learn. No glue, no paste and no mess. 

• PRESS and PEEL! --> Kids can learn their letters or putting their names on their bedroom door, or creating a design on the fridge by just pressing them into place. Wikki Stix are easy to peel. So in a learning environment, “mistakes” virtually disappear, which is great to help build self-confidence!

•  Can be used over and over again 

• It do not break or tear apart, but cut easily with scissors

My Impressions
WikkiStixAsia are launching Wikki Stix for the first time in Asia (including Malaysia), and a representative from  ThinkThank (the exclusive distributor of Wikki Stix in 6 countries in South East Asia) had request for a product review featured on my blog *which I gladly agreed straight away after reading their e-mail*. 

I was given a  set of mini play pack which offers 8 Wikki Stix in assorted colors + black and white play sheet (with ideas and illustrations on one side and a fun connect-the-dot on the other) to try out with my son. This is all packaged in a 3” x 7” poly bag, self-contained and easy to hand out. 

My son, Abg SN was very happy when I showed him the poly bag as he understood well that he'll get to play with new toys.....so it's play time yeahhh!. 

+- excited to try out Wikki Stix -+

Since it is our first time to use Wikki Stix, we refer to the ideas given on the play sheet and decided to follow it first before coming out with our own ideas. Abg SN quickly grabbed the Wikki Stix and follow the numbering on the sheet to form a nice 2D bell.

+- his first artwork using the Wikki Stix -+

After some time, Abg SN had already master the art of bending and twisting the Wikki Stix so he come out with few new creations *of course, with minimal help from mommy*. 

+- super excited when we finish creating fish and apple using Wikki Stix -+

Few minutes after that, he shoo-ed me away and ask me to leave him alone and give him his own 'deep-thinking' time to create his own 2D creation *without mommy's help at all*. Such a demanding act for a 3 year old boy like him. So I leave him alone and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. When I come back to his toys room to check out on him, he has finished his 'masterpiece' of making pizza using Wikki Stix. Boy, I was so excited and proud of him that I almost tear up *ya I know, I'm such an emotional mommy*.

+- Abg SN with the pizza that he made using Wikki Stix -+

 
+- some of Abg SN's creative artworks using Wikki Stix -+

What We Like About Wikki Stix :
 
• Wikki Stix acts as a tactile, sensory and engaging product so it helps to improve my son's motor skill.
• Wikki Stix comes in different sizes and packaging for various purposes, making them perfect for all occasions from birthday parties to classroom lessons.
• It does not leave any mess after the play session, so I don't have to ask Abg SN to tidy up the place after playing ...that's a big relieved for a mom like me.
• It's easy to peel characteristic allow my son to made corrections on his own *so no bugging and fussing to mommy anymore...phew*.

What can be improved:

• Various sizes (wider or thicker stick) for Wikki Stix to allow more creative outcomes made by the kids.

+- Abg SN's happy face -+

For those whose are interested to get Wikki Stix for your chilren, you can shoot out your questions at e-mail : info@thethinkthank.com  or check it out at www.wikkistixasia.com   and www.facebook.com/wikkistixasia.

Wikki Stix is also available at the following stores:

(1) Books Kinokuniya – Kuala Lumpur
Lot 406-408 & 429-430 Level 4,
Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre,
50088 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 2164-8133
http://www.kinokuniya.com/my/

(2) CzipLee Bangsar
1 & 3 Jalan Telawi 3,
Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 603 2287 7699
http://www.cziplee.com/

(3) Kraf Kydz Enterprise
http://wikkistixmy.com

(4) Mama Paradise / KidsnMum
No 2-29-2 Sinaran Satu, Persiaran Anggerik
40460 Shah Alam, Selangor
Tel: 603 5131 8917 / 6016 311 8917
www.kidsnmum.com
www.mamaparadise.com

Special Discount : Readers of my blog are offered a special discount coupon for online purchase. The discount coupon code for readers of this blog is BLOG1012.  Once you make purchases online on  their website (www.wikkistixasia.com), you can enter this discount code to receive a 10% off their purchase.  This code is only valid for online purchases.

Thank you!

~ Thanks for reading this (^-*) ~

 

Tips untuk anak mengikut arahan sewaktu akitiviti pembelajaran (mengikut kaedah Montessori)

 

Dah berkurun lama Aina tanya soalan "macamana nak menerapkan Montessori dalam diri anak?'. Rasanya soalan ni Aina tanya masa I publish entry Montessori activities for 3 years old which is about 4 months ago. Sorry ye Aina...dah tua2 ni nyanyuk sikit hehe.

So in today's entry I will share sikit2 tips how to deal with your toddlers during the learning activities and how to make sure that they understand your order based on the Montessori method. These tips are based on my own observations at SN's nursery as well as based on the book "Montessori play & learn book : A parent's guide to purposeful play from two to six" by Lesley Briton.

 

+- Montessori play & learn book by Lesley Briton *best buku ni* -+

These are the things that parents should consider when your are dealing with your toddlers during the learning activities in order to make sure that they follow your order based on the Montessori method :-

(1) Children WANT TO LEARN
• All children have an inborn motivation to learn. It is worth making an effort to understand how best you can foster this, and how to develop positive attitudes to the things your child will be expected to learn.
• Children learn through active participation; by being involved in a practical way and by attempting to do something themselves by using their hands. 
• Jadi kalau nak anak ikut aktiviti pembelajaran tu, pastikan dia boleh take part dan aktiviti tu menarik untuk dia

 +- contoh aktiviti yang boleh menarik minat anak -+


+- bagi anak belajar apa yang dia suka, e.g SN suka animals; so we provide this 3D safari book for him to attract his interest into reading -+

(2) Show the actions SLOWLY
• When you show him how to do something, do it slowly to give him time to absorb it all, and repeat it several times if necessary to make sure he's got the hang of it.
• Parents kena ingat, all children learn at their own pace and time...jadi kena banyak2 bersabar masa proses pembelajaran berlansung.
• Sambil kita tunjuk macamana sesuatu aktiviti tu perlu di buat atau macamana suatu alat tu perlu di gunakan, anak2 akan improve language skills diorang berdasarkan arahan/kata2 yang keluar dari mulut parents. Secara tidak lansung vocabulary anak2 pun bertambah, jadi tunjuk ajar lah sesuatu aktiviti itu dengan perlahan2 dan dengan arahan yang jelas.

+- accompany the child while learning activity took place -+

(3) REPEATS an activity
• A child need to do things over and over again in order to perfect the actions. So, let him repeat the activity as many times as he likes as this is how he learns
• Parents tak boleh rasa bosan walaupun anak duk ulang2 je perbuatan yang sama sebab itu lah cara manusia belajar *practice makes perfect* kan?

+- mula2 mommy tunjuk dulu cara2 lipat towel; lepas tu dah pandai buat sendiri...muka gembira habis -+

(4) Provide REAL TOOLS
• Never give your child pretend tools, such as a toy dustpans and brush, or a knife that is blunt and wont really cut, because he will soon discover that he can't make them work, and will become frustrated and give up.
• Parents kena sediakan real tools, tapi mengikut saiz dan sesuai untuk kanak2 guna kan e.g gunting kanak2 dsb.

+- bersemangat bersihkan window panel sebab guna real cleaning tools e.g wiper, small towels, apron and etc -+

+- video SN yang bukan main bersemangat bersihkan window panel kat nursery sebab gunakan real tools *daddy cakap buruh percuma kat nursery kui3x* -+

(5) Prepare the learning ENVIRONMENT
• In a Montessori classrooms, everything is child-sized. So, kalau nak apply Montessori kat rumah; sediakan ruang belajar khusus untuk anak mengikut saiz mereka. * I pernah share sikit2 kat dalam entry Menyediakan persekitaran yang kondusif untuk anak2 belajar di rumah ~ aplikasi Montessori method.
• Tak semestinya sediakan meja & kerusi kecik, belajar sambil duduk atas lantai pun boleh tapi kalau ikut Montessori; kena ada tikar/carpet khas untuk proses pembelajaran. Maknanya anak akan tahu yang diorang main kat atas tikar tu je, tak lah sepah merata-rata.

 +- child-sized table and chair at SN's nursery -+

 

 +- child-sized drawing easel, chair and desk at home -+

 

+- carpet kecil yang di guna kat nursery, lepas dah siap guna gulung dan simpan semula kat rak -+


(6) Don't FORCE
• It is never a good idea to force a child to do something against his will.
• Seeloknya, sediakan banyak2 learning tools lepas tu biar anak pilih sendiri yang mana satu yang dia nak main/belajar..jangan nak paksa dia belajar ABC kalau masa tu dia rasa nak belajar 123; cenggitulah lebih kurang.

+- sediakan banyak pilihan dan letak di rak yang rendah bagi anak senang nak ambil sendiri tools yang dia nak guna *I guna rak kasut dan rak stationery je utk letak learning tools SN kat rumah, mommy yg cheapskate....biasalah* -+

Itulah serba sedikit tips yang I boleh share hasil dari pembacaan I dalam buku tu dan hasil pemerhatian cara didikan cikgu2 kat nursery SN. Bukannya nak berlagak hebat sangat siap boleh bagi tips bagai, tapi ini berdasarkan dari apa yang I baca dan perhatikan setakat SN berusia 3 tahun ni la. Kalau parents lain ada idea lain nak tambah, jangan malu jangan segan nak tinggalkan komen ye. 

Harap-harapnya tips yang I share ni dah menjawab lah soalan Aina; semoga berjaya nak menerapkan Montessori method pada Sofiy. Mungkin pendekatan paling utama yang Aina patut apply kat Sofiy ialah Show the actions SLOWLY dan REPEATS an activity. Good luck Aina!. 

 +- SN @ 3 years old; playing/learning with his wooden alphabet board -+

Oh ya, kalau ada kawan2 yang berminat nak cari Montessori toys boleh lah jenguk kat blog Smart Intelligent Toys. Kat situ ada banyak educational toys yang sesuai untuk anak2 peringkat umur 0-6 tahun, plus most of it is made of wood which means that it is durable dan tak mudah rosak. Kalau rajin, boleh jugak sediakan educational toys sendiri macam yang I pernah share kat dalam entry SN's Montessori activities at home dan Montessori activities for 3 years old.


Yang penting kita kena banyak bersabar masa deal dengan anak2 ni especially in toddlers age sebab diorang tengah banyak kerenah dan banyak akal. Kalau ikutkan I ni memang taklah penyabar sangat *ke tak sabar lansung eh?*, tapi bila tengok cara cikgu2 SN kat nursery deal dengan budak2 tu buat I rasa malu dengan diri sendiri. Sabar betul cikgu2 tu mendidik anak I, mommy dia ni pulak asyik nak jadi singa je bila mendidik anak huhuhhuhu.

Psssttt : Selalunya mommy SN ni insaf kejap je lah pastu masa naik angin lupa balik kui3x.

~ Thanks for reading this (^-*) ~ 

 

Montessori activities for 3 years old

  

Dah 3 hari berturut2 duk share pasal kisah YLS je, hari ni mari lah kita sama2 berpijak di dunia nyata pulak  eheh. 

For those yang dah lama baca blog ni, mesti dah tahu yang I suka menerapkan Montessori method to my son. Especially sebab nursery SN pun memang guna Montessori tools. Since we went back to Malaysia last Nov, SN has to stop going to his nursery for a while and will only be enroll again this coming April.

## Arkib bacaan di blog ni untuk Montessori method :SN's Montessori activities at home, Montessari Education for infant is taught at Baby SN's nursery, Montessori tools for 2 years above, and Educational toys for toddlers at SN's nursery. ##

Untuk mengelakkan SN boring duduk rumah berdua je dengan Cik Lin dia kat sini, I've introduce several activities suggested by Montessori method to keep him occupied at home. So hari  ni I nak share few Montessori activities for toddlers age 3 years old yang boleh di buat kat rumah. Tak semestinya kena hantar anak2 ke Montessori nursery je, parents pun boleh introduce sendiri method ni kat rumah.

 

+- Montessori play & learn book by Lesley Briton *best buku ni* -+

First of all, kena ada jadual. Kalau kita hantar anak ke nursery, kita tanya jadual dan apa yang dia buat kan?. So kalau kita jaga sendiri anak kat rumah pun, jadual memang penting. Bila ada jadual dan rutin yang sama tiap2 hari, the kids will know what to expect and what he/she was expected to do. Dah ada jadual tu, at least kita akan lebih aware dan lebih berusaha untuk ikut jadual yang dah di tepek tu.

+- SN's daily timetable at home -+

Here are some Montessori activities for 3 years old toddlers :- 

(1) Transferring activity

• Cotton balls transfer using chopsticks

• Strengthens the small muscles of the fingers and hands and coordinates eye-hand movements.

+- cotton ball (18biji = 100 yen) -+

+-kejap guna tangan kanan, kejap guna tangan kiri..bersungguh2 nak pindah cotton ball -+

(2) Lacing cards

• Lacing is an excellent activity for developing fine motor skills, improving hand-eye coordination and concentration, and keeping little kids happily amused!

• Print and cut out our lacing cards. Laminate, and cut carefully around the edge. 

• Using a single hole punch, punch holes evenly around the edges, just inside the solid line, following the shape.

+- print sendiri -+

 +- muka tak sabar2 nak start activity -+

• Use a shoe lace or lengths of coloured wool (yarn). 

+- bersungguh2 masukkan tali ikut lubang2 yang ada -+

• I download printable lacing card kat sini, then lekat kat atas kotak cereal..lepas tu guna tali kasut harga 100yen yang beli kat Daiso je. Seronok bukan main SN bila dapat siapkan lacing cards tu.

+- senyum penuh bangga dapat siapkan lacing card activity   -+

(3) Lacing Beads

• Lacing activities call for children to not only use their fingers and wrists, but help promote visual coordination as well.

• These activities help develop fine motor skills needed to perform future functional tasks.

• I beli set ni kat Daiso jugak (100 yen). SN learns a lot through this activity e.g shapes, colours as well as develop his fine motor skills through this activity.

+- buat sikit2 tiap2 hari, tak payah terus siapkan pun takpe -+

(4) Playing with dough

• This jack-of-all-trades medium provides hours of fun while improving hand strength, dexterity, and motor skills. Using fingers and hands actually stimulates children brain and increases the number of neural connections it makes. 

• When your child digs into play dough, he's not only building little figures and shapes, he's building his brain! 

• Here are some ideas for the activity :- 

(i) Make an impression: With a rolling pin, help your child roll out a handful of play dough. When the dough is smooth and flat, he can press small objects with different shapes and textures (e.g: fork, buttons, dried pasta, seashells) into the dough to make imprints and create an interesting pattern. 

(ii) Shape it: Roll out the dough to about a quarter-inch thick. Then have your child pick his favorite cookie cutters and show him how to lean on them with both hands to cut out his shapes. 

(iii) Snip and cut: Roll out half-inch thick sheets, pass out the child-safe scissors, and watch your child become a super snipper. Play dough is a good learning material because its rigidity provides resistance so your child can feel what he's doing with the scissors.

+- mula2 golek2 dan leperkan, lepas tu guna cutter. lepas dah berjaya,senyum simpul   -+

• Macam biasa I beli kat 100yen shop je, siap 2 set dough and cutting tools lagi. Plus I beli cutting board tu untuk elakkan dough tu melekat atas lantai/carpet.Kalau tak nak beli dough, boleh jugak buat sendiri --> homemade play dough.

(5)  Colouring activity

• Coloring activities are perfect for toddlers, preschool and kindergarten children learning colors.

• Since I malas nak beli water colour, I beli buku colouring yang dah ada colour on the paper. Bila kita basahkan berus dan sapu atas kertas tu, automatically warna tu akan keluar sendiri.

• Buku ni I beli kat kedai 100 yen Seria, tak sure kat Daiso ada ke tak.

+- Leonardo Da Vinci -to be -+

• Kalau tak nak beli, boleh je print sendiri, download kat sini.

(6) Flash card activity

• Flash cards are a simple, versatile, yet often underexploited resource.

• For children at reading age, flash cards can be used in conjunction with word cards. These are simply cards that display the written word. Word cards should be introduced well after the pictorial cards so as not to interfere with correct pronunciation. 

+- SN's flashcards collections -+

• I beli yang jenama Alex Toys and Feels Cards kat Toys R Us yang jenis touch material tu so that he can also learn about smooth, grumpy and fluffy surfaces.

+- Alex Toys and Feels Cards -+

+- sambil belajar words, sambil belajar pasal surface -+

• I also bought him a box of set of flashcards i.e Early Learning Fun Flash Cards by Vincent Douglas, McGraw-Hill Childrens Publishing that includes "Alphabet, Colors and Shapes, First Words, Sight Words, Phonics, and Numbers."

• Beginning with the concepts of colors and shapes, and progressing through letter recognition, sights words, and phonics concepts, the colorful cards offer children the opportunity to learn and practice basic skills at their own pace. These cards also provide suggestions for fun games that will reinforce learning. 

+- belajar mengira sambil golek2 atas kaki mommy -+

• Dulu masa SN kecik, I print sendiri je flashcards macam yang I pernah share kat dalam entry Nazhan learns to read & count @ 20 months old. Kalau nak print sendiri, boleh download kat sini.

Also, bear in mind that it is better to turn off the TV, radio, and stereo during the learning session. Your toddler cannot be selective in the sounds he blocks out, like we can. This means that he will be blocking out your voice along with any constant background music. Playing in silence will aid his concentration and help him to process his thoughts.

When you talk with your toddler without the distraction of background music or chatter, he will be able to really listen to what you are saying and distinguish the sounds of our complex language. Talking and interacting with your toddler on a daily basis is very important for his language development and self-esteem. 

Pretty much all of the activities and games on Clever Toddler Activities can become tools in fostering your toddler's bond with you while you play together. So, sibuk macamana pun at least spend lah 15-30 minutes of your precious time to play with your child.

Macam biasa lah kalau entry pasal early childhood education ni panjang berjela sebab I summed up everything in one entry je, senang nak  refer in the future. Harap korang tak bosan baca entry ni and harap2 ianya bermanfaat pada yang nak cuba activity ni kat anak2 di rumah. Good luck guys!.

Pssssttt : part nak tutup TV masa learning session tu memang susah sikit nak buat *sebab mommy nak layan drama2 Melayu*   tapi kena kuatkan hati dan buat jugak demi anak tercinta. Yosh, gambatte!.

~ Thanks for reading this (^-*) ~