I went through a Montessori childcare centre a while ago - and one of the purposful play things they had was - 2 jugs on a tray which was on a mat.  One containing rice/some sort of grain.  The child is taught to pour the grain from one jug to another (fairly small jugs with a broad neck - like the pyrex measuring jug shape but made of plastic), doing the activity on a mat.  Once they've finished they pack everything away, including the mat, and put it back on the shelf.

The kindy was set up how Hypatia sets her stuff - shelves with various activities.  The child must pack their stuff away before they can start the next activity.

Sorry I can't remember any of the other things.

Aangeles - I hope you get your money back.  It's quite deceptive as you would assume that they would keep the volume of work consistent.

I just happened to watch the promo video - and was surprised to see the pin yin.  I then contacted them and received a very quick response.  I was really disappointed to find out that they changed it due to complaints/feedback ... I am still considering getting it as she will still learn how to speak - but reading is important too.  That's why I decided to put the post up to let people know (I'm glad I saved my close to $100 AUD!!  Perhaps there will be something better to spend my money on in the meantime)

Waterdreamer you're quite right if more people feel this way - they should either contact them (via their web site) or perhaps post on this thread and alert the creators of Little Pim of the thread.

It's unfortunate and I can't see them changing the discs in the near future due to the cost etc.  Also the fact they haven't change the Chinese set 1 discs to include pin yin would suggest we're stuck with it.

PS I can't believe that there are no kanji characters in the Japanese DVDs!

Hi Everyone,

For those parents who are interested in purchasing Little Pim vol 4-6 - you should be aware that they are using Pin Yin instead of Hanzi/Chinese Characters for the words.  This is apparently because there was lots of feedback asking for Pin Yin.  Its a shame that parents weren't given the option of characters or pinyin in the menu - it would've been incredibly easy to do.  Also I personally would prefer consistency across the products ... although I probably will still end up getting the second series 

So - for those who want Pin Yin - it's there!  For others who want their kids to learn characters at least you now know what you're up for!

Cheers

Thanks for putting a picture up to see!

The companion guides and scripts are available on the Little Pim website http://www.littlepim.com/for-parents/companionguides/ - I'm not sure if all languages are available.  But the Vol 4-6 don't appear to be on there for the time being (unless they are on a different page)

If only they had them in other languages eg Chinese :-)

Any chance of putting up an example of a French Flashcard on the website to look at?

Has anyone found the links for the transcripts for Vol 4-6?  I wonder when they'll put the up (if they're aren't already available)

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if you had activities that your one your old really enjoyed doing?  Excluding Flash Cards / Educational DVDs?

Wow - thanks Skylark.  They look fantastic!!  Apparently there is a way to download stuff from youku.com - if you can read mandarin then you should be able to install the downloader.  I was shown how to install the downloader by a junior colleague at work - but then couldn't work out how to use it (and it kept on bringing up pop-up ads on my computer) - so I uninstalled it.

Hi Hypatia,

My DD started day care 8.5 months old and was great until she developed separation anxiety 5 weeks later (she still cries a little when we leave her, as she only goes once a week (because that's all we can get ... contrary to Julia Gillard's claims of saturation of the child care market ...) ... and has had a month off with public holidays and going away for holidays too).  After a few minutes she is fine and finds an activity to do.  When we pick her up - she's busy doing things or playing with the carers.

Our day care centre asked us for information about our child - including routines (sleep/feed times).  They encouraged us to phone to see how things were going during the day (especially the first day - although I didn't as I was too busy working!!).  We also had 2 try-out sessions before the first full day.  The sessions involved leaving the child there for 1 hour while you remained in the day care centre.  I walked out and observed from a balcony and she didn't miss me at all ... but I know of friends who remained in the room (I think they had separation anxiety not the child).

You'd probably feel better getting to know the staff who are looking after your DD.  Some centres have a primary carer for each child (the one I use doesn't) - so if yours does it would be worthwhile having a chat with him/her, or if not, the team leader for the room.

I don't think there is much more that you can do before the first day.  I guess at your DD's age she may experience separation anxiety which is normal -and may take longer to overcome than a younger child - but if she likes other children and isn't clingy then it'll probably be an easier transition for her.  I am sure the staff are well trained and can deal with it.  Hopefully your centre's staff are as friendly as the ones I deal with - they area always happy to have a chat and let parents knokw what their child did during the day.

Good luck!!!!

how do you know when your child is cognitively advanced enough to understand what a time out is?  I know it works well with older children (eg 4 yo) ... thanks!

There is a bit of repitition in the Little Pim (like at the end of each segment they go through the words again but more quickly) - but it also builds on information given.

If you go to the website and you can get the companion guide and transcripts for some of the languages eg. chinese, russian etc.  Have a look at the transcripts and see if you're happy with the amount of repitition.  http://www.littlepim.com/for-parents/companionguides/

My DD LOVES Little Pim and gets excited when we put it on.  We don't get the same reaction to YBCR or Baby Learns Chinese!!  As she can't talk yet - I'm not sure how much benefit the DVDs have been.

Australian parents - watch this space ....

http://www.smh.com.au/national/tests-may-solve-flu-vaccine-mystery-20100426-tnbh.html
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s2881076.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s2883650.htm

One of my work colleagues advised that you should "outsource" before divorce!  However if you're going to be looking after babies and financially not in a position.

Maria Montessori, as does Gina Ford and some other toddler book authors, suggests that children can start helping out with housework.  Especially wiping things, tidying up, sweeping.  I don't know how old the babies are but you can start teaching them to put toys away when they're over a year old (my daughter's childcare centre is Montessori based), they can also help with cleaning up their dishes after their meals, cleaning up any messes they make ...

I'd recommend reading the book "Speed Cleaning" by Shannon Lush and another author.  It has some great suggestions on how to keep your house tidy with minimal fuss (essentially everything should have a place where it 'lives')

Good luck

hi Hypatia & Wenjonggal,
I've just spent the last 60 minutes looking at the Canadian and Chinese websites (gave up on the US one quickly) ... it looks brilliant.  What a brilliant resource!!  Hopefully (if they post it to Aust) it won't be too expensive for P&H, amazon.com only ships to US and Europe.  It's like Pandora's box has been opened but in a very positive way.  I wonder if they sell it in Asian countries outside China & Hong Kong - I'd have a greater chance of someone going to South East Asia and being able to bring it back for me than Nth America.
mtb999

I'm like Marimari and Nataliecxy!  When I was pregnant I found I didn't like eating the junkfoods/less healthy options that I normally love.  I really enjoy Burger King (Bacon double cheesburger deluxe) and McDonalds (Big Macs) as well as pizza .... it was probably good for the pregnancy 

I did start eating lots of icecream (don't normally love the stuff) - which increased my dairy intake!