Teaching kids a Language

Posted by gmirage1 on Apr 4, 2012 in Learning | 12 comments

I love learning new languages. Should I have been younger I would have learned all the languages that I possibly could. I don’t think it’s too late to learn but my brain is not like a kid’s anymore. Theirs are like sponge, you dip it in the water and it will absorb as much as it can.

This is why I train my kids to learn some of the languages I know as early as now. Kids learn differently so do adults, there are those who can easily adapt a language by hearing, there are those who can easily grasp words when associated with colors while there are those who needs spelling out words for them.

As early as a child can speak, train them in hearing different languages whether by repeating words, phrases and sentences in languages you know. For example I tell them what their favorite color is  in German, Spanish, Filipino and Japanese. For red, that’s rot, rojo, pula and aka. For blue, that’s blau, azul, asul and ao. (And yes, with the help of lego blocks.)

Watching TV shows and movies in a different language helps too. Maybe you’re familiar with Dora the Explorer and Ni Hao Kai-Lan, such shows are both helpful and fun. Dora teaches Spanish with the help of a pet monkey, Boots, her Backpack, a map and cousin Diego and an unlikely fox villain called Swiper. Kai-Lan on the other hand teaches its viewers Mandarin Chinese. She is joined by her grandfather, Ye ye, which is Mandarin for paternal grandfather; Rintoo, a Tiger, Tolee, Koala; Hoho, a monkey and Lulu, a rhino, Mr.Sun and the ants. Both shows also teach cultural value and respect to the elderly which is another reason that I, as a mom, enjoy watching. They’ve adapted both shows here but in German and English to help kids familiarize themselves with English. Sadly, it has lost the charm much like an anime dubbed in English. ^_^

There are also playgroups for kids that offer language learning. You can always search online for such playgroups. In most cases, kids that are in such playgroups may be born from parents with one or both foreigners too so it’s good to take that chance to let the kids experience an environment of diversity.

Teaching kids a different language also interest them to know more about a particular country the language is spoken. It’s subconsciously instilling in them the passion to know more about culture, history and geography. They also become more sociable in the process because if they meet someone who can speak the language they know, the first barrier in socializing is already eliminated. With such, kids learn that though people or other kids are different, through language they understand that this difference can be embraced and appreciated.

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Out in the City

Posted by gmirage1 on Apr 2, 2012 in Streetscenes | 1 comment

Kids readily posed with a friend by the golden man for the first time.

When I first came to Vienna I had a photo of me taken beside a golden robot statue (painted living statue). For some, those statues are nuisance but to tourists they are added attraction. Through the years, these street performers or human statues have become more creative (for lack of an adjective) and more rigid. They can stay without moving much longer now…until you put coins into their tin can (or what seems to be a can) of course.

Yesterday was the first time that the kids posed with one and because their friend agreed to pose too. I’ve been trying to make them for so many years now. ^_^

We haven’t been to the city center for some time now, I blame the weather since this year’s winter was just extreme. So yesterday after our bible meeting we went to have an early dinner (or super late lunch) with family friends and took some time going about, bought some sweets at Starbucks and had fun walking albeit a short time. So here’s to a long week of home fun and city adventure. No school for this week!

Games We Played That Our Kids Never Knew

Posted by gmirage1 on Mar 30, 2012 in Games | 11 comments

Or at least what my kids didn’t know. Growing up in this age of gadgets, they know very little of what we enjoyed during  our free time.

I grew up south of Manila and studied my first 6 years  in a private school an hour away from where we live. This school has a very big playground and so many open spaces to run around. During lunch time, which is a whole hour, we would hurriedly finish our food so we can play outside especially when it’s sunny. If it’s raining, we would be contented to play whatever is available in the classroom or what one of us brought along. Here are some of the indoor and outdoor games that we often enjoyed that my kids (perhaps yours too) may not be too familiar about.

1. Pick-up sticks

This is a game of physical and mental skill where a bundle of ‘sticks, usually in different colors and are between 3 and 8 inches long, are held in a loose bunch and released on a table top or the floor to fall in random disarray. Each player, in turn, must remove a stick from the pile without disturbing the remaining ones. I remember, we’re not supposed to make any other stick move while getting one. Each stick color represents a number. At the end of the game, the corresponding number for the color is added together, highest total wins!

Colorful pick-up sticks (photo via http://scissorspaperstone1234.blogspot.com)

2. Jackstones

This one is a game of quick hand and eye coordination. Jackstones are metals or plastic objects bearing six tips at right angles to one another, four of these are usually rounded, with two opposite tips more pointed to make it easier for pick up. There’s a rubber ball that functions as a timing device. A player would scatter the jacks so that they aren’t too near or too far apart and throw the rubber ball, gets the jacks which is starting from one up to the last number of jacks and catch the ball after the first bounce – both with one hand. The player goes to play if no jacks fall from the hand or if the ball has always been caught, if the player fails to do so, the next player gets the chance. This means that a player can go all the way to ten jacks if he’s a master of the game. The winner would be the one who collected the most number of jacks first.

Jackstons and rubber ball (photo via http://goodnewsaday.wordpress.com/)

3. Patintero

A game that requires running speed. The game is basically to try to cross the line without letting me touch or catch you -  an “it.” The game is set in a rectangle area normally drawn by water with 2 lines in the middle, to create 6 equal squares. There are usually five members in each group. Each member of the group who is it stands on the water lines. The it group would then try to trap the other members who are trying to pass by the squares and out to the other end.

Patintero at the beach (photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcmedina)

4. Traditional Bingo

Bingo is a game of chance we play during the weekends and not really in school. This is played with numbers pre-printed on matrices. The matrices are  25 squares arranged in five vertical columns and five horizontal rows with a number each with the middle as a free slot.  A typical Bingo game utilizes the numbers 1 through 75. The five columns of the card are labeled ‘B’, ‘I’, ‘N’, ‘G’, and ‘O’ from left to right. The range of printed numbers that can appear on the card is normally restricted by column, with the ‘B’ column only containing numbers between 1 and 15 inclusive, the ‘I’ column containing only 16 through 30, ‘N’ containing 31 through 45, ‘G’ containing 46 through 60, and ‘O’ containing 61 through 75. A host will draw numbers often in mini-balls from what I remember before as something like a plastic bottle but some have nestles like the one below (photo). A game is concluded when a player achieves a specified pattern from the drawn numbers. He or she also has to shout “Bingo!” to alert everyone. Now, one can play online bingo for free, which is the same idea but only there are no balls drawn; they use a random number generator instead.

Bingo cards, marker and drawing nestle. (photo via http://www.houzz.com)

5. Sekqu/Agawan base

This one is a game of defense and requires players with speed. There are two teams each with a base, usually that’s a really big stone. The goal is to tag the base and tag the players. When a player gets tagged, they are “imprisoned” at the base and must be rescued. Usually, the tagged players would extend their hands out for their team mates to be able to rescue them…that’s by touching any of them in line.

Kids playing Sekqu or perhaps Agawan base (photo via http://pitikbulagdokyu.blogspot.com/)

6. Piko

This game tests one’s balance. Patterned after Hopscotch, players draw a course on the ground. I remember we use the remains of a cracked plant pot to draw a course which is usually 12 squares. Although courses vary, I remember we have two spots where we’re allowed to lower our feet while hopping on the rest. There’s usually a marker too, we would often pick the shiniest stone or the most stable piece of cracked pots. A player throws that marker into the first square (marked 1) and it should not fall on the line or outside the square otherwise the player loses turn. He or she would hop through course skipping the square where the marker is and hop back and pick the marker up. Player then throws the marker throughout the course of numbers.

If during the hop in either direction the player steps on a line, misses a square, or loses balance, his or her turn ends. Players begin their turns where they last left off. The first player to complete one course for every numbered square on the course wins the game.

Numbers on a piko (photo via http://ssteelbutterfly62.multiply.com/journal)

There are a lot  more games that we enjoyed as kids but I will feature them next time. Though we would occasionally play Nintendo family computer games, we prefer playing outside even until around 8 at night.

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Importance of a good conference venue for events

Posted by gmirage1 on Mar 29, 2012 in Business | 0 comments

Facilities. Consider a venue that offers excellent and top-of-the-line facilities and amenities. See to it that the rooms are well-lit and well-ventilated. Check the lights, the air conditioning system, and of  course the chairs, tables, and the white boards. Also, check the toilets and the comfort rooms. Consider if they can accommodate the number of guests expected to attend. Importantly, the venue’s valet parking should also be considered. Your guests may bring in a load of vehicles with them. So you should not surprise and disappoint them with poor parking facility in your chosen venue.

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Why an Accountant Will Make Life Easier

Posted by gmirage1 on Mar 28, 2012 in Money matters | 1 comment

The obligations and requirements set by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can be a real mine field if you are not familiar with keeping financial records. Becoming self-employed is an exciting time, but it is important you are aware of the value of good book-keeping.

The Role of an Accountant
An accountant is either an employed or contracted individual that is responsible for keeping a company’s financial records in good order. In addition to financial record keeping, an accountant can also provide services such as advice on tax and auditing. An accountant can be a useful asset to your overall business planning, providing advice as to what type of company you should be setting up. HMRC requires the legal status of your company to be registered, whether it’s sole trader, limited company, partnership or co-operative.

Accountants can also offer regular financial reviews on a quarterly or annual basis. Depending on their experience, they may be able to act as a general business advisor. Another beneficial role accountants can perform is networking. It is possible that they will have vast experience across multiple industries, which may provide you with a means of identifying business opportunities. They may be able to use their contacts to put you in touch with other financial-services providers such as lenders and investors.

Why Hire an Accountant?

If you are self-employed it is a good idea to consider hiring an accountant or financial expert. Accountants can provide a professionally trained eye to look over and control the financial statements of your company. Preparing your own financial statements for the tax year is also feasible. There are a number of good software companies that provide easy to use accounting software. However, to ensure you don’t make mistakes and under- or over-estimate your figures, an accountant can be a welcome resource. The last thing you want is HMRC investigating your company’s financial performance. There are two main options in hiring the services of an accountant: employ a person full time or outsource to a freelance accountant or third-party company. If you intend to outsource your accounting needs, it is important you identify recommended accountants for contractors.

How to Select a Good Accountant

Choosing the right accountant is very important. You will be allowing them access to very sensitive company information. Therefore, you want to be able to trust them and know they will abide by data protection and privacy laws.

There are a number of steps you can take to ensure you get the right person for the job. The best way to ensure you hire a reputable individual is through recommendation. It is also good practice to research their qualifications. If you can locate an individual or accounting company that has a good reputation in the market, you can be assured that they are trustworthy. When you first meet your prospective accountant, ask for references and come prepared with a list of questions. Questions could include the following. What type of companies have they worked for before? Is there a particular industry sector they tend to operate in? What kind of financial services can they provide? What is their working pattern or availability?

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Zoe is an ardent blogger and freelance writer from the UK, and she loves to share her health and legal knowledge through content on the internet. Feel free to tweet your thoughts on this article to @bloggingstyle.

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