New Normal Learning at Home

     Parents know this: we thought we knew what it meant to be academically responsible for our school-age children. This involves regularly coordinating with children’s teachers in school, providing financial support for their academic requirements, and making sure they participate in extra-curricular activities. This was a system a lot of parents have become attuned to until the COVID-19 pandemic happened.

     Since the imposed community quarantine, life at home drastically changed. With the opening of a new school year, parents grapple for ideas on how to systemically operate their households while their children stay at home. As schools send out engaging virtual assignments to students, parents scramble on figuring out how to balance their household chores along with learning how to manage their children’s home-school education. And all these activities entailed embracing a new perspective on active parenting.

New Normal Learning at Home 

Stay at Home, Stay Safe and Keep Secure Online

     How are you, dearies? We are in the fifth week of Enhanced Community Quarantine and everyone is strictly advised to stay at home and stay safe. As people are required to stay home due to coronavirus, more are turning to the internet for various reasons. These include working and studying, connecting with loved ones, shopping for necessities, and keeping up with the news.

     I presume that everyone is online most of the time and it's keeping us sane these days that's why even at home, safety must be your number one priority. Here are some tips to stay safe, secure, and responsible even on the world wide web. 

Stay at Home, Stay Safe and Keep Secure Online

Manila Mini Faire Maker 2019

     Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments, projects.

     It is called the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth - a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. Glimpse the future and get inspired. Now on its 3rd year, the Manila Maker Faire 2019 will be happening on June 22-23, 2019 at The Mind Museum Canopy Plaza, Bonifacio Global City Taguig. This is a free event for the public :) Read more below what you can expect from Manila Maker Faire 2019:)

Manila Mini Faire Maker 2019

See Moana at Hong Kong Disney Land Resort

     Strong, independent, determined- three characteristics that parents want to hone their children these days. In the age of modern technology, I noticed that kids these days can't last a day without using their gadgets.

     I'm guilty of this because my son uses his iPad every day and when I try to lessen his gadget time, he will say that he's already bored. We cannot blame technology for this and as parents, all we can do is to set limits and teach important things in life that will bring out the best in them in the future. So how to inculcate this to them in an enjoyable way? Read more below :)

Nestle NANKID Parentology+ Launch

     Some ten years ago this world was vastly different, causing anxiety among parents trying hard to provide their children a future full of possibilities. Different factors have redefined the way people do and view things. Think of the shifts advancement of technology, environmental changes, and lifestyle shifts that have so much so that today’s parents sometimes feel overwhelmed by the world their children are growing in.

     Children who were born a generation ago are lucky because they often ate home-cooked meals and played games with neighbors. While today’s children often consume fast food items while playing video games on their handhelds. No more parks and outdoor spaces as they have been replaced by sprawling malls, while the ever-increasing population has meant traffic congestion, pollution, and other urban challenges that did not exist or were not as bad ten years ago. As a result, many children have become couch potatoes with limited socialization opportunities. A number of growing kids struggle with issues such as obesity, socialization difficulties, attention problems, and the like. Think you can change this situation now? The answer is YES!!! Scroll down to know more how :)

Nestle NANKID Parentology+ Launch

Mickey and the Roadster Racers

     Who here loves Mickey Mouse? I'm super excited to share with you his newest adventure as a race car driver. Disney’s No. 1 star Mickey Mouse is taking his positivity and can-do spirit on the road in Disney Junior's latest animated series "Mickey and the Roadster Racers”.

     Premiering Friday March 24 at 2.30pm in Southeast Asia, the show for preschoolers follows Mickey and his friends Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy and Donald, on various car racing adventures. Read more below :)

Mickey and the Roadster Racers

Dino Play at the Mind Museum

     Kenzo is fascinated with dinosaurs. I guess, kids this age will always wonder about the creatures who walked on earth million years ago. I asked my son why he likes to see a real dinosaur, his answer "I want to hear them roar and see how big they are." Kids like Kenzo can now learn and experience everything about dinosaurs. 

     Satisfy their curiosity and visit the interactive museum that caters to all things dinosaur! We visited The Mind Museum weeks ago and Kenzo got a chance to interact with other kids inside the latest travelling exhibition- Dino Play: Explore the Mind-blowing World of Dinosaurs. Before I show you what activities are in store for you, this exhibit will be at The Mind Museum for a limited time only. So plan your visit now!

Dino Play at the Mind Museum

 
     Dino Play was launched last June 29 and all the dinosaur fans are invited to come and explore the world of dinosaurs. A replica of Tyrannosaurus Rex's foot print welcomes the guests upon entering the venue.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
A foot print of Tyrannosaurus Rex

 
     There's a vintage original Sarao Motors jeep that Kenzo noticed first. He checked out the jeep before going inside the exhibit. He likes cars and other kinds of transportation so he will not let this one pass.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Kenzo inside a vintage Sarao jeep

The Dino Play Adventure

     The adventure begins by introducing guests as to what dinosaurs actually are, and how they are related to the more familiar, modern reptiles. I enjoyed this part of the tour because I really learned a lot and discovered some trivia about dinosaurs.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Kenzo pointing the location of Philippines in this giant map

Dino Play is divided into four nests:

1. Dino Dig

     Be a paleontologist for a day! Paleontologists, or scientists who study dinosaurs and ancient biology through fossils, regularly go to the field and dust off rocks to look for fossils and what their surroundings imply about the dead creature and its previous life.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Dino Dig

 
     Here, guests use their Paleontologist Field Kits to reveal fossils hidden in the excavation sites! Kenzo enjoyed being a Paleontologist that day. Amidst the coarse texture of the sand, he gamely use his kit to dig and dust off rocks to see what lies beneath. He found a large fossil of fighting dinosaurs in the photo below.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Dino Dig

2. Dino Lab

     It's time to investigate the fossils to discover at Dino Lab. It's the second nest where you can examine actual fossil remains. Take a look at dinosaur bones, petrified wood, ancient shelled creatures called ammonites, and even dinosaur poop that has since turned to stone.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Dino Lab

 
     I also enjoyed examining different fossils inside this nest. Kenzo and I were examining a baby dinosaur fossils (head) and for us to know what kind of dinosaur it is, we need to use the magnifying glass then observe its appearance then locate the name of that dinosaur in the given chart.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Dino Lab

3. Dino Fun

     This is the third nest where you can go hands-on with a variety of activities. These activities are actually for kids to learn and play on their own. They can do this with other kids just be sure to guard them at all times and assist them in the following activities:

A. Make your own fossils- using sand art materials.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Make your own fossils

B. Dino Family Tree- Play and learn about a day in the life of a dinosaur.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Dino Family Tree

C. Dino Lookout Tower- climb and spot any rogue dinosaurs that may be hiding in the vicinity!

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Dino Look Out Tower

4. Dino Den

     Once you've fully immersed yourself in the world of dinosaurs, why not become one yourself in the Dino Den? In this activity area recommended for kids 2-8 years old, they can put on their dinosaur costumes and stomp around in a forest land with their friends and classmates.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum
Dino Den

 
     Each nest not only provides you and your family with fun activities but also with ample information on how dinosaurs lived and are studied. Adult Guides are also provided for parents and teachers; these are manuals that can be found in each nest, highlighting the activities and supplementary information they can use to engage their students and enhance their learning experience.

Dino Play at the Mind Museum

 
     Even the outside areas provide interactive learning: you can measure your height and compare this to those of the dinosaurs!

Dino Play at the Mind Museum

 
     Dino Play provides an excellent opportunity for kids and kids at heart to learn about some of the most intriguing creatures that have ever lived in our Earth’s history! Thank you so much, The Mind Museum for having us. Kenzo not only enjoyed the day but he learned so many things inside Dino Play's nests. 

For more information or for interested parties who would want to host the Dino Play exhibition, 

visit their website at www.themindmuseum.org

send an email to:  inquiry@themindmuseum.org

Like them on Facebook: The Mind Museum

Follow on Twitter: @themindmuseum

Follow on Instagram: @themindmuseum

Good Times!~

*The Mind Museum’s traveling exhibition Dino Play will be on display in the Museum for a limited run, until September 30, 2016 only. The exhibition aims to travel to cities and provinces around the country as part of The Mind Museum’s mission to bring science closer to the general public. 

Hi-5 Philippines Nationwide School Tour

     Kenzo loves watching television most especially if the program is educational. He's easily distracted when there are puppets, singing, and dancing in front of television that's why when he heard the them song of Hi-5 first thing in the morning, he will immediately rise in bed.

     So when I've heard that there will be a Filipino version of Hi-5, we're all smiles and excited to watch the show in our own language. I'm more happy and excited to announce that Hi-5 Philippines will be having a school tour nationwide. Actually, the tour already started last August so for more information about this nationwide event from Hi-5 scroll down please.

Hi-5 Philippines Nationwide School Tour

     Followers of this generation’s edutainment program of choice, Hi-5 Philippines, are getting a chance to experience the exciting and fun-filled learning activities that the vibrant cast has to offer as it sets out on a nationwide school tour. Hi-5 members Gerard, Aira, Rissey, Alex and Fred are gracing school events with their trademark bopping performances of all-time favorite Hi-5 songs.

     The Hi-5 Philippines nationwide school tour is a way for kids to get up-close and personal with the cast, as they bring their upbeat songs and creative dances for kids to see live. Aside from showcasing their musical prowess, the cast will also incorporate cool learning segments through workshops and games.

Hi-5 Philippines Nationwide School TourLittle tots got the chance to sing and dance live with Gerard, Aira, Rissey, Alex and Fred of Hi-5 Philippines, as the vibrant cast goes on a nationwide school tour.

     The Metro Manila leg of the school tour started in August at St. Paul College Pasig, wherein preschoolers were treated to a morning of singing, dancing and adventures, capping off their “Buwan ng Wika” celebration. The cast followed through by visiting the preschoolers in Miriam College, St. Mary’s Academy-Caloocan, Sienna College–Taytay, and Makati Hope Christian School, to name a few.

     There are still a lot of opportunities to catch the cast on tour. They are scheduled to throw a Hi-5 party at Assumption College in Antipolo, Hope Christian High School, and Golden Acres Elementary School in October. After its Manila run, TV5 aims to bring the Hi-5 experience to every kid across the country by rolling the school tour to private and public schools in the provinces.

     Don’t miss out on the Hi-5 magic and catch the ever-bright and engaging quintet by tuning in from Mondays to Saturdays at 8:30 am and on Sundays at 9:00 am, only on TV5.