Oftentimes I wonder, which language should we introduced first to Zidane. Shall it be English? well... that should be a no brainer since we are living outside of our "inang bayan". BUT I want my son to learn our native language and most of all our National Language - TAGALOG.
TAGALOG is one of the major languages spoken in the Philippines, mostly by people from the Tagalog regions in the main island of Luzon. It is the lingua franca in Metro Manila, the national capital region of the country. It also serves as a base for Filipino, one of the two official languages of the Philippines (along with English). Read this interesting essay on the metamorphosis of Filipino as national language.
The TAGALOG language has very strong affinity with Malay languages (Bahasa Indonesia/Malay). However, due to more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule over the Philippines, the language has incorporated a significant number of Spanish words and expressions. The language also includes words and phrases that are rooted in English and Chinese.
According to the 1990 and 2000 United States Census, TAGALOG is the second most commonly-spoken Asian language (after Chinese) in the United States, and the sixth non-English language spoken in America. TAGALOG is the lingua franca of Filipinos anywhere in the world. Most Southeast Asian scholars use TAGALOG as the tool for research in the Philippines. It is also the language of major works in literature and that of Philippine films and songs.
Here are some links I had compiled in quest of learning TAGALOG:
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
LOSERS in a POWER struggle
Who loses in a power struggle? EVERYBODY!
Parents feel helpless and useless because they can't control their child. If the power struggle occurs in public the parent feels the whole world is witnessing their parental inadequacy. And the child does not feel triumphant. Instead the child feels a bit anxious. Kids are smart; they know they're not big enough to rule the world! An anxious kid may misbehave to get rid of the anxious feelings.
Power struggles will occur in every family at least some of the time.
Why? Every human being comes into this world wanting to win all the time. We have to learn how to negotiate, compromise, postpone, defer, etc. But these are all grownup ways. Kids throw a fit because it's all they know how to do.
There are two developmental stages when power struggles are most apt to occur, interestingly enough for the same reason. The toddler and the teen either tantrum or fight with the parents for the same reason: they are intent on developing autonomy or independence. They feel as though their lives depend on winning and in one sense they are right. If they do not develop this autonomy or independence they cannot go on to the next developmental stage. The toddler has to become a child, the teen an adult and they have to test out how far they can go.
Unfortunately, parents may cause or prolong power struggles by the way they parent. And conversely, the savvy parent can prevent most power struggles. How?
Of course there will still be melt-downs. Both you and your kid are human and there will be times when what you want and what your child wants are diametrically opposed. But you will be able to avoid most of the power struggles and your home will be relatively peaceful.
Parents feel helpless and useless because they can't control their child. If the power struggle occurs in public the parent feels the whole world is witnessing their parental inadequacy. And the child does not feel triumphant. Instead the child feels a bit anxious. Kids are smart; they know they're not big enough to rule the world! An anxious kid may misbehave to get rid of the anxious feelings.
Power struggles will occur in every family at least some of the time.
Why? Every human being comes into this world wanting to win all the time. We have to learn how to negotiate, compromise, postpone, defer, etc. But these are all grownup ways. Kids throw a fit because it's all they know how to do.
There are two developmental stages when power struggles are most apt to occur, interestingly enough for the same reason. The toddler and the teen either tantrum or fight with the parents for the same reason: they are intent on developing autonomy or independence. They feel as though their lives depend on winning and in one sense they are right. If they do not develop this autonomy or independence they cannot go on to the next developmental stage. The toddler has to become a child, the teen an adult and they have to test out how far they can go.
Unfortunately, parents may cause or prolong power struggles by the way they parent. And conversely, the savvy parent can prevent most power struggles. How?
- BE AN IN-CHARGE PARENT. A parent who accepts his or her role as family-person-in-charge, who doesn't feel guilty bossing a child who needs to be bossed, who can tolerate temporary unhappiness in a child who needs to follow the rules, who understands the importance to the child of having a strong parent - this is a parent savvy enough to prevent many power struggles because the child knows who is in charge.
- PICK YOUR BATTLES. Be willing and able to overlook and not sweat the small stuff. But be in-charge for the important issues like safety, health, no hitting.
- GIVE YOUR CHILD CHOICES WHENEVER YOU CAN. This helps the child develop that important sense of autonomy.
- When something is NON-NEGOTIABLE, SAY SO AND MEAN IT.
- AVOID/PREVENT FATIGUE, HUNGER, and other uncomfortable states. Don't take a tired kid shopping for example.
Of course there will still be melt-downs. Both you and your kid are human and there will be times when what you want and what your child wants are diametrically opposed. But you will be able to avoid most of the power struggles and your home will be relatively peaceful.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Quest for Zidane's Playgroup
As far as I could remember, playgroup is just a bunch of kids running around the "kalsada" showing off their "kababata" that they are the future sprinter of "inang bayan". Every morning, every kid in our town eagerly awaits the time "nanay" allows him to go out and play. Returning home with either a bunch of scratches if not - for sure look very messed up "sipon sa nuo". BUT surely satisfied with his day activities with his "kababata". I remember my parents has to forced us to go home with them - and in most cases, "paluin pa" just to bring us home. That is how I remember how it was like in my early years.... and THAT my friend is absolutely FREE!
But these days, with the advancement of living, even these simple things cost a lot for parents. Whenever a toddler reach two year old, every parent has to go through these process when considering for a playgroup:
But these days, with the advancement of living, even these simple things cost a lot for parents. Whenever a toddler reach two year old, every parent has to go through these process when considering for a playgroup:
- location
- programs
- environment
- background of students who are currently enrolled
- fees
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