The Magic Is In The Child

To Tweet or Not To Tweet?

2009-12-19T10:54:00.003+08:00

Recently web 2 point O has made a big impact in the www. But as things become so drastically advanced, I get further confused.

My biggest confusion is Twitter. Somehow, one way or another, I cannot seem to get the idea of how tweeter is able to communicate properly with my peers.

I have an account in Twitter for Glenn Doman and till this date ,I have received a lot of messages from friends like "I am taking a shower!" "It smells funky in here" and commercial messages like "earn big bucks with Business Today"

It seems that people are posting almost everything and anything on twitter? and the purpose of it is to reconnect with busy friends? share whatever you do with everyone? shouldn't picking noses be a little more personal and private?

What happened to giving our dearest friends a call to ask how they are? Or even better, calling friends out for coffee.

Has twitting become an excuse for being a lazy way of reconnecting with close friends during busy times? Imagine this, you happen to walk along Orchard road, suddenly you notice a familiar face. He calls out to you, "Hey Joe! How have you been!? It's been a while? Called you a few times and couldn't get you" Being the twitter abuser that you usually are, you replied "Hey! I'm good! didn't you see my Tweet the other day?!" If i am Joe's friend, I'd smack Joe.

While the Internet has become a little more convenient for everyone, let us not forget that bonding and fellowship is important in these times of celebration. Christmas is around the corner and there are many friends and family members waiting to pass this harmonious time with us.

My take on this is to get out and reconnect with friends and family. Rather than to grow fat sitting behind a monitor, telling people how much I love them with Mr Querty, the keyboard.

Getting up in peoples faces IMO is more sincere. What's do you think?

Leave your comments here!

Baby Einsteins: Not So Smart After All

2009-12-17T00:19:00.001+08:00

Baby Einsteins: Not So Smart After All

The claim always seemed too good to be true: park your infant in front of a video and, in no time, he or she will be talking and getting smarter than the neighbor's kid. In the latest study on the effects of popular videos such as the "Baby Einstein" and "Brainy Baby" series, researchers find that these products may be doing more harm than good. And they may actually delay language development in toddlers.

Led by Frederick Zimmerman and Dr. Dimitri Christakis, both at the University of Washington, the research team found that with every hour per day spent watching baby DVDs and videos, infants learned six to eight fewer new vocabulary words than babies who never watched the videos. These products had the strongest detrimental effect on babies 8 to 16 months old, the age at which language skills are starting to form. "The more videos they watched, the fewer words they knew," says Christakis. "These babies scored about 10% lower on language skills than infants who had not watched these videos." (See the top 10 children's books of 2008.)

It's not the first blow to baby videos, and likely won't be the last. Mounting evidence suggests that passive screen sucking not only doesn't help children learn, but could also set back their development. Last spring, Christakis and his colleagues found that by three months, 40% of babies are regular viewers of DVDs, videos or television; by the time they are two years old, almost 90% are spending two to three hours each day in front of a screen. Three studies have shown that watching television, even if it includes educational programming such as Sesame Street, delays language development. "Babies require face-to-face interaction to learn," says Dr. Vic Strasburger, professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. "They don't get that interaction from watching TV or videos. In fact, the watching probably interferes with the crucial wiring being laid down in their brains during early development." Previous studies have shown, for example, that babies learn faster and better from a native speaker of a language when they are interacting with that speaker instead of watching the same speaker talk on a video screen. "Even watching a live person speak to you via television is not the same thing as having that person in front of you," says Christakis.

This growing evidence led the Academy to issue its recommendation in 1999 that no child under two years old watch any television. The authors of the new study might suggest reading instead: children who got daily reading or storytelling time with their parents showed a slight increase in language skills.

Though the popular baby videos and DVDs in the Washington study were designed to stimulate infants' brains, not necessarily to promote language development, parents generally assume that the products' promises to make their babies smarter include improvement of speaking skills. But, says Christakis, "the majority of the videos don't try to promote language; they have rapid scene changes and quick edits, and no appearance of the 'parent-ese' type of speaking that parents use when talking to their babies." Read "Parenting Advice: What Moms Should Learn From Dads.")

As far as Christakis and his colleagues can determine, the only thing that baby videos are doing is producing a generation of overstimulated kids. "There is an assumption that stimulation is good, so more is better," he says. "But that's not true; there is such a thing as overstimulation." His group has found that the more television children watch, the shorter their attention spans later in life. "Their minds come to expect a high level of stimulation, and view that as normal," says Christakis, "and by comparison, reality is boring."

He and other experts worry that the proliferation of these products will continue to displace the one thing that babies need in the first months of life — face time with human beings. "Every interaction with your child is meaningful," says Christakis. "Time is precious in those early years, and the newborn is watching you, and learning from everything you do." So just talk to them; they're listening.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1650352,00.html#ixzz0Zry5Krd7

Old Classic Vid but still good.

2009-12-03T16:53:00.000+08:00

Promo!!

2009-12-03T16:46:00.002+08:00

Our Ency Kit is on Promo!

Call us at 64563526 or email us at gdbabyprogram@gmail.com!

2009-11-10T17:09:00.001+08:00

Parents who read childrens stories aloud to their kids provide a strong, positive influence and build a foundation for a lifetime of significant benefits. But what really are these reading aloud benefits? What kind of difference are we talking about?

Below is a summary of the significant ways in which reading stories aloud to kids will change their lives . . . and yours. It won't happen overnight, as change is gradual, but continued and dedicated reading will most definitely bring noticeable, long-term changes.

Did you know . . .

In this day and age of hectic lives and busy schedules, reading together is a simple and enjoyable way for parents to take time out and focus on the family. Young children need lots of special, dedicated time with their loved ones.

Reading childrens stories aloud to our kids is just plain FUN!!

Reading childrens stories is a wonderful bonding experience that fosters meaninful one-on-one communication with our kids.

It shows our children in no uncertain terms that they are important to us.

It molds our kids into becoming readers, and raising a reader significantly increases our child's potential for academic success as well as lifelong success in general.

It is a vital and integral part of teaching our kids how to read as children learn how to read by being read to.

It helps our children master language development.

It builds listening skills, increases a child's attention span, and develops the ability to concentrate at length of which all are learned skills.

It develops children's ability to express themselves more confidently, easily, and clearly in spoken AND written terms.

It develops and fosters a child's natural curiosity.

It develops creativity and a child's ability to use their own imagination!

It expands our children's horizons, quells fears, exposes them to new situations, and teaches them appropriate behavior.

Reading childrens stories to our children provides the best opportunities for true " teaching moments ."

Reading picture books develops a young child's appreciation for the arts through exposure to many different styles of art and illustrations.

I still can't believe it - Kenny Leow

2009-11-03T11:55:00.005+08:00

Kenny began our program about a month back. He still can't believe that the math program is this effective. What would your opinion be? Leave us a comment.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/matthiasleow/GDMathsCardIStillDonTBelieve#5391387738505388978 <-- cut and paste in your browser

Click on the link to see Kenny's little boy play with math dots!

HOW TRUE!

2009-10-23T13:51:00.000+08:00

IAHP's CORE

2009-10-13T12:05:00.001+08:00

The IAHP's methods are based around the following core beliefs:

Every child has genius potential.
"Every child born has, at the moment of birth, a greater potential intelligence than Leonardo da Vinci ever used." - Glenn Doman

Stimulation is the key to unlocking a child's potential.
"The world has looked at brain growth and development as if they were predestined and unchangeable facts. We have discovered that brain growth and development are a single dynamic process. This is a process which can be stopped (as it is by profound brain injury). This is a process which can be slowed (as it is by moderate brain injury), but most significantly, this is a process which can be speeded." - Glenn Doman

Teaching should commence at birth.
"The first year of life is a critical time. This is the time when the brain is growing explosively. The brain literally grows by use - and if we use it, we're going to grow it. And if you don't use it, especially in the first 12 months, then you literally will lose brain cells - you won't have as much brain power as you would've had." - Janet Doman

The younger the child, the easier the learning process.
"Before the age of five a child can easily absorb tremendous amounts of information. If the child is younger than four it will be easier and more effective, before three even easier and much more effective, and before two the easiest and most effective of all." - Glenn Doman

Children naturally love to learn.
"Kids would rather learn than eat; kids would rather learn than play. In fact, kids think learning is play." - Glenn Doman

Parents are their child's best teacher.
"In your worst minute of your worst day with your child, you will be your child's best teacher - better than anyone in the whole world. On an average day or the best moment of your best day, you are absolutely spectacular - because you know your child better than anyone else. And you happen to adore your child - that's the perfect combination for a teacher." - Janet Doman

Teaching and learning should be joyous.
"Parents deserve to experience the joy that comes from teaching their baby, and babies have a right to appreciate the joy of learning with their parents." - Glenn Doman

Teaching and learning should never involve testing.
"One of the beauties of teaching a tiny child is that the process of teaching is a pure process of giving information without asking for it back again." - Janet Doman

METHOD
The Doman reading and math programs are flash card-based. Lessons are given three times per day, starting from the age of three months. The physical program involves a range of activities - from encouraging babies to crawl from birth, to developing their sense of balance, to teaching children to brachiate (traverse a horizontal ladder, also known as monkey bars). There is also a music program. Starting from birth, parents teach their baby musical appreciation, rhythm, note reading and perfect pitch. There is no book dedicated to the Doman music program, but details are available online as well as through courses given by the IAHP.

Manila storm leaves over 70 dead

2009-09-30T12:06:00.006+08:00

Rescuers in helicopters and boats worked to pluck residents marooned by flooding in the worst storm to hit Manila and surrounding regions in decades, leaving at least 70 dead and thousands homeless.

The Philippine government appealed for international aid yesterday (September 27) after declaring a state of calamity in the capital and 27 storm-hit provinces after tropical storm Ketsana struck on Saturday.

At least 300,000 people were left homeless while hundreds remained trapped on rooftops.

Filipinos long used to annual storms and flooding admitted they had never seen anything like it.

Click here to read more,

Posted also on the China View

We're are doing what ever we can to help our friend and ex Philippines senator Nikki Coseteng to raise some donations for the people stranded in the flood. As reported by Nikki who runs a school in Quezon City, Manila.

Her teachers have been standing on the rooftop for 3 days, Nikki reported as we spoke to her over the phone with a heavy heart. She told us that she needed all the help she could get.

She also mentioned that she does not need any monetary help. Donations would be best in the form of clothing and other daily needs like toothpastes, pots and pans, and ready to eat can food.

We feel very much for her and now the team of GD Baby's Singapore is asking for all who reads this blog to help donate clothes that you do not wear and other daily needs to our office at 95A Soo Chow Walk. You can also give us a call at 64563526 for more help.

Below are more pictures of the flood.

Great Success!

2009-09-24T12:31:00.002+08:00

Kymberly Lee Yin Mei has scored 1st in class for Mathematics beating the rest of the class of 27 students! Now studying in Marymount Primary, she is an ambassador for the school exchange program of international students due to her ability to interact and converse well. She is also very active in sports participating in the school's golf club.

But really, who is this little girl? Look into our website under the "About Us" page, you would see this lady showing GD word cards to her little baby girl.

YOU GUESS IT RIGHT! That is little Kymberly, merely 7 months, she was interestingly and curiously paying attention to mummy.

At 7 months, the Reading, Math, Chinese and Encyclopedic programs were performed concurrently. It was pretty easy as according to mummy.

Mummy mentioned, "With the proper frequency, intensity and duration, as quoted from Glenn Doman, anything is possible. I did my program just by showing stimulus cards and each session per day would last about 5 minutes."

A insignificant 5 minutes could lead to Great Results? Most people find it hard to believe. But in its defence, I would have to say, even the greatest poets would take time to digest a simple language in his earlier days.

It would not seem much to do, but it sure is effective. As Glenn always says, "The Brain Grows By Use." With that etched in my mind, I am sure that 5 minutes have sufficient stimulation power to provide any child a basic ability to read.

With all said, Congrats Kym!

I'll leave you today with an inspiring quote from Zig Ziglar. Check him out here, Zig Ziglar.

When you put faith, hope and love together you can raise positive kids in a negative world. - Zig Ziglar

Simple but reassuring.

Kids who start ahead stays ahead!

2009-09-22T13:16:00.006+08:00

Kids who start ahead stays ahead! Look at this little one go at the drums. Only goes to show that Glenn Doman preaching the right stuffs for over 50 years. All the while he's been saying that "Your Child Has A Greater Potential Intelligence Than Leonardo da Vinci Ever Used in His Lifetime".

We sometimes as parents have too many concerns about the well being about children. Especially in Asia, we have a great deal of cultural beliefs about kids. In Chinese families for example, it is believed that when the parent speaks the child listens.

In this video of the handsome young drummer, I believe that his parents believed in him and gave him the opportunity to learn the drums. He could very well learn how to play the piano as well! At the end of the day, he MIGHT be the next Travis Baker! (travis is one of the drummers from the famous rock band Blink 182)

Apart from all the videos and quotes, I believe that we as humans must learn something when we very well know that it would be good for us. After all, humans are designed to learn for the purpose of self improvement. Even more, parents should learn facts about their children so that they can raise smart kids!

As days to come, I will update this blog with articles concerning early development and if you read something that strikes your instincts, take that piece of information into consideration. You might find it useful!

Chestnut Hill

2009-09-18T17:15:00.001+08:00

P1050817, originally uploaded by Daryl Austin Ang.

This is where we stayed when we visited IAHP. It's a really great place if one is looking for a rustic country side feel.

Glenn Doman

2009-09-18T17:12:00.001+08:00

P1050979, originally uploaded by Daryl Austin Ang.

Poor Glenn, by the time we took a photo with him, he was really tired of posing for the camera.

The IAHP Auditorium

2009-09-18T17:10:00.001+08:00

P1050991, originally uploaded by Daryl Austin Ang.

All of us who where attending the celebration packed into the auditorium. This is where the Domans held their lectures.

Susie Aisen

2009-09-18T12:35:00.001+08:00

P1050993, originally uploaded by Daryl Austin Ang.

Our host for the night. She tells great jokes.

Glenn's Speech

2009-09-18T12:31:00.001+08:00

P1050997, originally uploaded by Daryl Austin Ang.

Doman Family

2009-09-18T12:30:00.001+08:00

P1050999, originally uploaded by Daryl Austin Ang.

Singing a song for the Birthday Boy!

Glenn's Cake

2009-09-18T12:28:00.001+08:00

P1060008, originally uploaded by Daryl Austin Ang.

It was pretty Good!

Our Team In IAHP

2009-09-18T12:27:00.001+08:00

P1060016, originally uploaded by Daryl Austin Ang.

Happy 90th Glenn!

2009-09-17T16:30:00.001+08:00

P1060010, originally uploaded by Daryl Austin Ang.

Glenn Doman Baby's Programs

2009-09-17T16:18:00.001+08:00

start of a new blog!