We live in a flat

Our toddler has an obsession with cars, particularly construction vehicles. So books about how buildings are built became a logical extension of the theme when it comes to reading. Here are 6 books he enjoyed time and time again. At age 1+/2 we were more looking at and talking about the pictures when younger. He is still enjoying them at 3+ and likely will continue to do so for quite a while yet. There’s 4 for English readers and 4 for Chinese readers. English and Chinese book names are bolded in the bulleted list below.

Super Structures by Chris Baker
Up! Up! Up! Skyscraper 《摩天大楼，起！起！起！》 by Anastasia Suen
How is the MRT System built? by LTA Singapore
Construction 《哐当哐当，去盖楼》 by Sally Sutton
《快来！一起盖房子》(Let’s build a house together ) by Takeshita, Fumiko
《电梯来了》(Here comes the lift) by Kowase, Moriyasu

The Final Thoughts section at the end of this post reviews the books based on Montessori concepts when selecting books for young children.

Lego Brick Exhibition Brings World Structures to Life

By weliveinaflat

On August 13, 2022

In Explore

We happened to be reading this book – Super Structures – and it happened to be the last few days of the Brickman Wonders of the World Lego Brick Exhibition at the Singapore Science Centre. So on the spur of the moment, I took Little P to see some super structures in 3d, albeit Lego-fied.

Super Structures by Chris Baker. This is a Read it yourself with Ladybird Level 4 book. — **Super Structures by Chris Baker.** This page links iconic structures with geographical location. This is a Read it yourself with Ladybird Level 4 book.
Check back to find 6 Books That Help Kiddo Understand How Buildings Are Built for more building and construction themed books on my blog next week!

Bosch Dishwasher Review – Free-standing 45cm

By weliveinaflat

On August 6, 2022

In Home & Furnishing

We bought our Bosch Serie | 4 Free-standing Dishwasher when we redid kitchen counter and cabinets in 2018. It has been 4-years since. Our dishwasher recently stopped working and we had to get it repaired. So now is certainly a good time to write a Bosch dishwasher review. In this review, we cover the after-use review AND also a support service review of the on-site repair service from Bosch. Hah!

toddler montessori fine motor work 36 months

Little P’s Montessori Work – Art & other Fine Motor (36 – 41 months)

By weliveinaflat

On July 9, 2022

In 36 months -

I’ve talked about how I have been storing Little P’s fine motor Montessori work and art work done at home and at school in a clear pocket folder. You can check out a review of his work between 18 to 36 months in my previous blog post here.

This blog post reviews Little P’s 36-41 months work. I do intend to update again at the end of the year with his 42-47 months’ work so we get a complete review of the year. So I guess you can say this is an ongoing review. It’s really just easier and more sustainable for me to break up the digitsation work of his paintings, etc in a staggered manner so that it doesn’t become one whole big monumental project at year’s end.

Now here we go.

Salmon Cucumber Sandwich – Making food with toddler

By weliveinaflat

On June 11, 2022

In 36 months -, Practical Life

This Salmon Cucumber Sandwich involves an easy no-cook recipe that lets toddler slice and mix ingredients for a yummy sandwich with omega 3 and probiotics. It is a cold sandwich, perfect for the hot weather we are having lately. ;)

Little P has been asking to make food with me again in the kitchen, but truthfully speaking I’m the type who needs to do kitchenwork in peace for my own safety. Because I am that person who will end up with a knife cut on the palm on her hand needing stitches while making something as innouous as avacado toast. #truestory

So simple recipes that are easy for toddler and a distracted mom to execute together are very important when we attempt this aspect of Montessori practical life work together.

3 Bilingual Songs about Scarves in English and Chinese

By weliveinaflat

On June 4, 2022

In Books & Language

Little P was 16 months. We had some play scarves that Little P wasn’t all that into for a while now.

Then I happened on someone who suggested using scarves for music activities on Facebook. She was even kind enough to send me a video how it looked like when done with kids! Unfortunately, that video is no longer available but I found something similar.

Exploring the concept of Direction with – “Scarves Up and Down and Around”

Video by Joy Girard. View on youtube.

I knew immediately this was something I wanted to do with Little P.

After Covid – Notes on Cleaning & Products We Used

By weliveinaflat

On May 28, 2022

In Home & Furnishing

So in the end we unfortunately caught Covid. 😒 But let’s be thankful that we caught Omnicron since it is the milder version. Then comes the painful process of cleaning and disinfecting the flat. Cleaning after Covid is Not Fun. But I count myself lucky to have a helper and we got it done (more or less) between the two of us. Many thanks to my helper for I could not have done it by myself really.

This post gives you links to info from NEA and videos for the more visual and auditory learners among us to get you started on cleaning after Covid.

Little P’s Montessori Work – Art & other Fine Motor (18-30 months, 31 – 35 months)

By weliveinaflat

On May 21, 2022

In 18-30months, 31 months -

Let’s talk about what is art and drawing to a toddler around 18 to 35 months old. We’ve been storing Little P’s art work done at home and also his Montessori work from school in this sort of clear file folder with transparent pockets (透明插页资料册).

40 months - Folder displaying Little P's latest paintings from Montessori school. I have no qualms folding them to fit in the folder because they came home folded anyway. HAHAHAHA! - Little P's Montessori Work (18-36 months) — **40 months** – Folder displaying Little P’s latest paintings from Montessori school. I have no qualms folding them to fit in the folder because they came home folded anyway. HAHAHAHA!

But I also want to put down a sort of digital record of what he had been doing across the months on this blog because eventually he will fill up the folder. Then will come the time to declutter. So it just makes sense to digitise his work little by little now before it becomes too immense a project. That will just activate the procrastinator in me and I will end up becoming THE hoarder. So here I am diligently blogging Little P’s work. ;)

If you’re interested in what a pre-schooler may bring back from his Montessori school, read on. ;)

6 Activities for Toddlers to get to know Hari Raya Puasa

By weliveinaflat

On April 27, 2022

In Peace Education

With only a few days left to Hari Raya Puasa, there’s really no time for any sort of well-informed activities kit for my little one. Time-strapped moms will understand me. 😅

So here are the cheat (free) resources that I am scouring off the Internet to start off Little P’s racial harmony education. Please note that this post is really more for non-Muslim parents as Muslim parents would already be subject matter experts in this already!

1. “Know your festival – Hari Raya Puasa” English Printable & Mandarin phrases

Before we start, we of course have to do be the prepared adult (somewhat, cos time-strapped remember? :P ) So check out this free printable infographic from NLB as it’s a short and sweet summary of What is Hari Raya Puasa… cos I do need to arm myself with some general knowledge and talking points to introduce the festival to Little P right?