Posted by Teacher Ria in Teaching Resources, Toys and Playthings | 0 Comments

No More Playtime Boo-Boos with Rubbabu Toys

One of the best learning materials EVER is a good toy. I am a firm believer of that. In fact, whether it is in the preschool classroom or my undergraduate lectures, toys are bound to make a cameo. Today, I got to discover a new brand of toys that will be hitting the Philippine markets in just a few weeks, Rubbabu toys.

So what makes Rubbabu different from other toys in the market? First off it perhaps one of the first toy collections that is not only cute and adorable, but is actually eco-friendly and child-safe. From infants to big kids, this is sure to be a delight. It is made from 100% natural rubber foam with a velvet smooth surface and it comes in such brilliant and captivating colors. The toys are very light and chunky, which is great for little hands to play with (big hands too, actually haha!). The toys are bouncy and soft and just oh-so-lovable, and I promise, I’m not just saying that.

Okay, I can just imagine some eyebrows being raised right about now (correct? hehe). Seriously though, when I first heard about the product (I googled it after all when I first received an invitation to the product launch), I was a little dubious about yet another new toy. However, after getting to play with these cutie patootey and very versatile toys, I was smitten. I loved the texture of the materials and how the smooth velvety finish made me just smile in delight.

Rubbabu comes in a wide array of shapes and styles, perfect for learning at any time of the day. From basic shapes, balls, toy cars, to educational materials such as shape sorters, alphabets and numbers, blocks and the like, kids will delight in this highly entertaining toy all day long. I sure did!

What else makes it different from a typical toy? Well, in my opinion, Rubbabu does remove the boo-boo (boo-boo meaning any form of injury, ouchie, or pain) in playtime. Here, lemme list the reasons how:

No more boo-boo for baby (or mommy, yaya and teacher for that matter!)

• soft, squishy, no corners, no danger of getting injured! except perhaps for those with movable wheels, which is why it is recommended for ages two and up.
• it is completely non-toxic and even the velvet finish doesn’t rub off or get “himulmul” so it cannot be swallowed or eaten, even if the child bites, tugs and attempts to eat (haha, exag!) the toy
• because of it’s bouncy rubbery nature,  even if a Rubbabu toy is thrown at you, it wouldn’t hurt
• also, because it is made from natural rubber, it is anti-microbial, dust mite resistant, mildew resistant, hypoallergenic and flame retardant.

No more boo-boo in learning!

• Rubbabu makes learning fun! No pressure, no difficulty and  highly attractive and captivating
• The tactile material allows for perfect mastery of hand-eye coordination, dexterity and motor skills
• Games like tic-tac-toe, blocks, and other play sets make learning fun

No more (or at least not much!) boo-boos for daddy’s wallet!

• Rubbabu toys, for it’s inherent high quality production and materials, are actually quite affordable. Prices would range from an estimated 300-1000+.
• The long-lasting quality of the toys can withstand years of use and abuse from children who will definitely love these adorable playthings.

No more boo-boos for Mother Earth

• Rubbabu is made from 100% natural rubber foam, with no fillers, and not synthetic rubber
• More so, it is made WITHOUT HAVING TO CUT DOWN TREES!
• It is 95% bio-degradable

No more boo-boos for the heart

• for kids at heart like me, playing with a Rubbabu ball is pure stress relief!
• its soft, velvety texture can help calm and pacify feelings of anxiety and stress
• they’re so cute you can’t help but gush and smile
• it is a great reminder to adults that play is indeed an important part of life and is quite therapeutic

Rubbabu has won countless accolades over the years. It has been recognized as one of  Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Toys for 2010,  and was also given the Parent’s Choice Award for 2010 as well as the Creative Child Seal Excellence Award. Rubbabu is exclusively distributed bu San Giovani Phils. Incd. Corp and is set to hit the stores this March

Posted by Teacher Ria in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Teacher’s New Best Friend

Yet another sign of aging….

I ache all over Haha. It’s been a few days since our field trip to the zoo and even though I’ve tried to rest, I STILL AM SO DARNED TIRED!!! Haha. Yes, all caps. It’s hard to believe that a few years back, I could go on for days on minimal sleep and rest, but now…egaaad. I even sent my friend a text message not too long ago complaining about how doing three hour lectures have become so much harder now that I am getting older compared to a few years back. While I can still do it very well, I just notice I kinda get winded more easily now. It kinda feels like I’m always trying to catch my breath…sigh. And lets not forget the soreness all over my back, legs, shoulders and more….haha.

So, meet my new best friend:

Meet Precious, my handy, comforting and so darned lovable bead pillow. I pop it into the microwave for a few minutes and OH MY GOOOSH….relief I tell ya. I just kinda wish it was bigger so I can wrap it around my body completely!!! I want my whole back to lie flat on a heated surface, and this only goes on one section at a time. Usually I place it in my lower back and just lay there in complete comfort. The beads, however, can be a little bumpy if I don’t place it down well which is why I’m about a hairs breath from ordering one of those heated mattress pads from my sister in Sacramento haha. I’m not sure, though, if that would be quite practical for here.

I bought this heated pillow over the holidays for about Php 600 if I remember right and it has been worth every peso! Sadly, I did not know I was supposed to keep it in the bag and in the freezer when not in use so now the scent has completely worn off

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Gimme Money Please, Says Teacher….

If there is one thing, just one thing, that keeps me from teaching preschool for the rest of my life, it’s the fact that I don’t earn what I want to earn. Haha. I will be fair and call it that. After all, I do get paid okay, considering the work that I do, however, it is not commensurate to what I can make if I were in a different profession, hence the pending resignation. It’s so sad, actually, that teaching is not given the compensation that it sorely deserves. There are so many teachers, for example, who end up having to take out salary loans and online cash advances because of circumstances that come their way. However, I do recognize that in my case, I do tend to spend too much, hence the tight budget….nonetheless, can I just say gimme more money please? I would so love to do this forever if I could afford to. Haha.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Classroom Escapades, Preschool, Teacher's Corner | 0 Comments

Field Trip Destination: Paradizoo Theme Farm

A few days ago our school took a field trip to Paradizoo in Tagaytay City.

The kids had so much fun in the vast open spaces of the farm. Bad teacher wasn’t paying attention to the tour guide so I cannot, for the life of me, remember how many hectares the farm is haha, but it took us about 45 minutes to tour the different areas in the venue. From the animal farm to the plants and vegetables, a butterfly sanctuary and a bee center, the different stops we took allowed the kids to see nature at its best.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Online Learning Options

Obtaining a college or masters degree is undoubtedly much easier nowadays, what with the advent of modern technology. I remember back when I was in college, there were not only less options for learning, but also limited venues for off campus or distance education. Nowadays, it is easy to find scholarships, programs and institutions offering a wide range of courses and programs where you can earn online business degrees and the like.

Although distance education can allow students to have alternative options for obtaining their online business degree, or other degrees for that matter, I would still like to enroll in a regular school program if I had the chance to do so. Why you ask? Well, for one, I really do like going to school. Sitting in the classroom for example, listening to the discussion and participation in this verbal exchanges have always been fun. The paperwork, on the other hand, is a whooooole other story haha.

If I were to get a further degree (assuming I finish my masters mwahaha), I surely would like to explore creative writing or literature. Now if only I can get this online too…haha.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Things I Will Miss

These are among the things I will miss most when I give up my job:

I have enjoyed every bit of running around, climbing up and down, squeezing and hugging, and even the occasional fall or bump on the pull up bars and jungle gym in the playground. My heart is somewhat conflicted nowadays as I count down the days to the end of a period of my life that has meant so very, very much to me.

It’s time to move on, I know, but yes, I will miss this so much.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Advocacies | 1 Comment

The Gift of Education: Bannister Academy’s Search for Scholars

Although I am at the cusp of ending my early childhood teaching career, I am still a big believer and advocate for a good education. It’s sad that so many deserving students are unable to receive this great gift, and it warms my heart to know that so many institutions, organizations and groups are ready and willing to offer these students this chance. One such institution is Bannister Academy.

If you know of any deserving 1st or 2nd year High School students, do take that step and nominate them to the Bannister Academy Search for Scholars. Two deserving students (1 male, 1 female) will be given a 4-year full financial scholarship to deserving high school students.

Details are as follows:

Who is qualified?
• Anyone who is eligible for transfer to 1st or 2nd year high school*;
• Demonstrates good moral character;
• Has a strong drive to excel

*It is necessary to present supporting documents of eligibility

How many entries can be nominated?
• You can nominate only one (1) entry.

What should the entry contain?
All entries should include the following:
1. Your name and your relationship to the nominee
2. Basic Information of the student:
- Full Name
- Address
- Date of birth (date-month-year)
3. Contact details: Landline number, cellphone number and e-mail address
4. A 300-word essay by the student, answering the question, “How can I change the world?”

Where should I send my entry?
• All entries should be e-mailed to changetheworld@bannisteracademy.com on or before March 9, 2011.

When will candidates be selected?
• 10 finalists will be selected, 5 girls and 5 boys. The Names of finalists will be announced on March 11, 2011. They will be contacted personally and through their registered guardians.
• All finalists have to take an entrance exam and interview on March 14. Winners will be awarded on March 19, during the Bannister Open House.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Advocacies, Arts and Crafts | 0 Comments

The Heart of Art

Over the weekend I was invited to attend a Toy Making (well, redesigning/reconstruction more like it) Workshop with the Pilipinas Street Plan (PSP) at the Lopez Memorial Museum and Library. It surely was a wonderful way to spend a lazy Saturday morning and I had so much fun tapping into that creative side of me. The event was also attended by some other bloggers and a handful of art enthusiasts. During the workshop, we got to personalize and rework an ordinary vinyl or plastic toy, like those you get at the tiangges or in places like Divisoria for example, and make it into something different.

This was my piece, Astrogirl reinvented

The photos on top show the original toy, before I coated it with a white base and reworked it. I actually wanted to do something different, but I didn’t have enough time to do so. I think it  came out interesting, nonetheless. This was a piece inspired by my yoga practice, and my quest to find balance in my life. Nice right?

We had a lot of fun getting our hands dirtied during the workshop! We used Boysen Acrylic Latex paint, the kind used for walls and houses. I thought these paints would trigger my asthma and smell bad, but it didn’t at all and since it’s water based, it was quite easy to handle.

artists hard at work

My fellow artists also had a grand time making their own pieces, and this is what we came up with:

artist and jewelry maker Tara with her reworked bear

blooger Karen Ang's (aka Dementia of burymeinthisdress.com) dementia car

Toy Making Workshop Masterpieces!

During the workshop, we were told that we can actually do this technique for a wide range of other items and surfaces, which got me to realize, maybe that’s what I was doing all a long with my craft boxes and paintings on walls. According to Epjey, one of the members of PSP, this is actually inspired by graffitti art that can be seen in so many of our streets. This is also why the group is called Pilipinas Street Plan. It is a local community of artists that aim to make art accessible to all and to showcase local talents which is often grossly understated, and as stated in their blog, is “committed in showcasing and celebrating ephemeral artworks on streets. From graffiti, posters, stickers, objects and happenings”. And that’s actually  what the heart of art is all about, right? Tapping into that spontaneous , free-reined part of one’s self that needs to be expressed with no limits, no bounds, no censorship, just pure spirit no matter where it takes you.

In collaboration with the Lopez Memorial Museum and Library, the PSP has created a showcase wherein they have “mapped out” specific sites where graffiti art has taken place across the country. This is in line with their current exhibit, Extensions . The goal of the project, as I understood it from my conversation with MaryAnn, a representative from the musuem, is to be able to capture the essence of what Filipino artists are. In the musuem, a video is played on loop where it was said that the musuem hopes this will be a way of recapturing what the Filipino identity is all about. More so, the project, aptly called extensions, aims to highlight the fact that art is not just limited to the typical painting on a wall, but also to open up spaces and include different media as part of the true heart of art.

These were some of the wonderful paintings, artworks and installations I was able to see when I walked around the musuem:

The museum is located at the ground floor of the Benpres Building, Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center and is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

The toys we participants were able to make during the workshop are going to be on display and up for sale in this upcoming weekends Art in the Park event, which will be held in Salcedo park Funds raised from the project will benefit the Knowledge Channel. So, if you’re free this Saturday, February 19, and are looking for something different from the usual malling fun you and your family often do, do drop by the park

Posted by Teacher Ria in Advocacies, Teacher's Corner, Teaching Resources, The Library | 0 Comments

When Little Readers Grow

One of my major advocacies as a preschool teacher, despite the fact I don’t read as much as I used to anymore, is to foster a love for reading in my kids. I feel a little guilty, actually, that lately I am not as able to integrate stories to my lessons as much as I used to, or want to for that matter. Before I would have a story EVERY single day. However now, I tend to have about 2-3 a week. Sigh.

What I try to do, however, is set aside book time everyday for the kids to explore the different books in class. I allow them to have free reign of the books they would like to check out and read during this period. I go around and sit with them and together we go through the book. Often times the books that are in our booktime shelf are those that we had read already, so they are often familiar with the story line. However today, as I sat beside one of my little girls, I couldn’t help but be amazed at how far her reading skills have come

isn’t she so cute! hehe. yes, those are real prescription eyeglasses.

Although the book in the picture, I think, is being read from memory, she can now read longer words and has a better grasp over sight words. At times, however, she still relies too much on this, but that’s normal Her phonetic mastery is also something she is able to rely on in our spelling games. Scenes like these are definitely going to be among those I will miss a lot pretty soon

Posted by Teacher Ria in Classroom Escapades, College | 0 Comments

Today’s OH MY GOSH IM OLD Moment.

In class today we were playing one of those games where you throw out a question and the students answer whatever comes to mind.

Yes, I joined in and got toinked.

Question: If you were transported to cartoonland and can take on the personality of a cartoon character, who would it be.

My answer: Rainbow Brite.

Students: Rainbow who?

Ouch.

Ktnxbai.