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One excellent book on building the character of a child that I’ve read (and re-read from time to time) is ‘Architect of the Soul II’ by Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong.

[Unfortunately, it's not written in English, but in Indonesian. The actual book title is 'Arsitek Jiwa II']

Here’s one small part of the book that I’d like to share with you today.

Do not assume that children below 12 are too ’small’ to understand anything. At 12 years old, the child’s mind is still fresh and ready to absorb new information.

After the age of 12, someone’s IQ doesn’t quite ‘develop’ much anymore. People may continually acquire more knowledge and information, but their IQ development basically stops at around the age of 12.

The IQ of a 12 year old child will not be much different 18 years down the road, ie. when he’s 30 years old.

What’s more important is whether he sharpens and exercises his mind well before he turns 30, because if he does, the ’sharpness’ of his mind will most likely be double by the time he turns 60.

On the other hand, if someone hardly uses / exercises his mind before he turns 30, he will find his own mind growing less and less sharp by the time he’s 60.

The Bible says that it’s good for young people to carry ‘a heavy burden’.

Do not be afraid if our kids face challenges in their lives.

If we tend to always help our kids with everything - not letting them fight through a challenge and find their own solution - we’re unconsciously training them to be passive, and to not use their mind to solve a problem.

If they’re trying to do something and are struggling, we shouldn’t quickly help and do the task for them.

When we let them face a challenge (like, when they find it hard to pedal their tricycle), they may cry and complain at first. But in the end, with us guiding and encouraging them, when they themselves finally manage to complete a challenging task, they will feel the sheer joy and sense of achievement!

Let’s not douse our kids’ fighting spirit by over-protecting them.

These past few days both kids have somehow refused to take their afternoon naps, leaving me with pretty much no rest for one whole day!

On a good note though, our ‘arts and crafts’ time together made a comeback!

You see, since Anya started school, it’s been very tough for me to find any time to do arts and crafts stuff with the kids at home like we used to. I so miss those times!

Today Anya made a glittery heart-shaped thingy for Daddy (since it’s Valentine’s Day! Heh.) and a chicken-shaped hat (hmm!), while Vai exercised his fine motor skills and scribbled with crayons, played with ink and chops, squashed and molded some clay and stuck colourful matchsticks onto playdoh.

Looks like the kids did enjoy themselves too!

Here’s one nice activity idea that can keep your preschoolers engaged and entertained!

The kid gets to imagine, create their own stories and stick the pieces onto the felt board.

For Vai’s case, he simply loves sticking the pieces, any pieces, onto the board (it’s a great way for us to go through some of the animal names too, btw!)

The pieces are rather tiny though, so yes I was with Anya and Vai through out their playtime. You know, just in case a little felt cow goes missing and comes out ‘the other end’ of a toddler!)

Anyway.

This particular set is called: Farm Felt Kit, by Early Learning Centre