Easy Ways to Encourage Active learning at Home
There are many learning programmes for kids available online, but it is equally crucial to foster active learning at home.
Each week, Kiddy123’s editors come up with new ideas for your kids and family. Whether you're a mom, dad or babysitter - we have fun checklist activities for all to enjoy and share memories together!
1. Turtle Bun Making
October is the month of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, as well as the rainy season, according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar. When the Nine Emperors God Festival arrives, Chinese people will make pink turtle buns as a sign of good fortune and longevity.
However, did you know that making buns can be a lot of fun and can help your child develop creativity and motor skills? It's similar to Playdoh, but it's edible!
We'll share a recipe that can make around 10 turtle buns. Of course, you can also encourage your children to design different shapes based on their imagination!
You’ll need:
Steps:
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Dough Preparation:
- Form a dough by combining all of the flour, sugar, yeast, and water.
- Knead in the oil until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
- In a covered pot, rest the dough for 15 minutes.
- Then fold and press the dough repeatedly with a rolling pin to release air it.
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Dough Colouring:
- Divide the dough into two colours:
-- i. White Dough (600g). Cut into 10 pieces of 50g for the body, 100g for feet and tail.
-- ii. With the remaining dough, add red pigment to form a Pink Dough. Divide the pink dough into 11 equal parts. (10 parts for the skin, 1 part for the head.)
- Make round all the dough and set aside.
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Shape Making:
- Take a piece of pink dough, and roll it out to make it flat.
- Wrap it around the 50g white dough, rounded.
- Place it on parchment paper.
- Attach the head, feet and tail.
- Add two black beans as eyes to complete the look.
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Steaming:
- Steam for 15 minutes over medium heat with room temperature water.
- After that, leave a small opening in the steamer lid to let the hot air out (leave for 5 minutes).
- Ready to serve!
2. Science Play: Tissue Caterpillar that Can Move
A quick and casual scientific experiment that demonstrates the surface tension in water.
You’ll need: Tissue, Marker Pen, Water, Chopsticks (or similar things you find at home)
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First, draw horizontal lines on the tissue to resemble the caterpillar's body pattern.
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Tightly roll the tissue around the chopsticks.
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Squeeze both sides of the tissue to the middle.
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Draw the eyes and mouth with a marker pen.
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Slowly pour water on the caterpillar and watch it grow!
Explanation:
Tissue has a lot of plant fibres, which helps it to absorb water via capillary action. Due to the surface tension of the water, when water drops on the curled caterpillar, the tension of the water will expand the caterpillar’s body, thus creating this effect where the caterpillar is moving.
3. Mandarin Practice
Why buy workbooks when you can get these Free Mandarin Printable Worksheets from Kiddy123.com/elearning!
From simple strokes to vocabulary in a variety of themes, these Mandarin Worksheets are excellent for home practice with your child.
4. Share Ideas & WIN a LEGO Set!
As a parent, how do you encourage your child’s creativity? Share your creative-nurturing ideas, and learn about other parents' creative-nurturing ideas!
Winners will be announced on 8th October 2021 on Kiddy123 Facebook Page.
