Santino's 7th Birthday: His Dreamplay Adventure

My eldest son, Santino was approaching a milestone... his 7th birthday! And just like any parent, I was scrambling to find the perfect "party" that he would like and that would fit in our budget! :) Since  we weren't planning on having any huge bday celebration, and Santino did not know exactly what he wanted to do, I had to present options for him to choose from to which he would invite his closest friends to join in not the fun.

Now, thinking of a place for a 7yr old and friends to enjoy, when I started thinking hard about it, is a challenge! haha.. but luckily, we were able to come up with options. For those in a similar dilemma, will share my full list since the option we decided to go with may not be your son/daughter's top choice.

The final list of possible birthday places to go to:
1. Kidzania (The Fort)
2. Dreamplay (City of Dreams)
3. Enchanted Kingdom (although logistics of this would make it a challenge)
4. Laser Tag (Greenhills)
5. Active Fun (The Fort)
6. Swimming Party at home (in our clubhouse, haha)

Now, I guess from the title of my blog you know which one we went to. Since I can't share a full experience on the other ones, will just focus on Dreamplay. Sanction ended up inviting a total of 11 kids. Some his classmates from school, cousins and siblings. There was a pinch in the wallet, but in the end, all the kids had a fantastic time so it was worth it. OK, Im getting ahead of myself.

First off, Dreamplay is located in City of Dreams which is near the area of SM MOA and SnR (haha).  It's open everyday by 10am. I wanted to be first to avoid the rush of people so we were all at the venue by 10 and it was a good decisions since the place was nice and clean since it just opened and we had the whole place to ourselves with just a few other people for a good 2 hours maybe... considering this was a Saturday. The rates vary for weekdays and weekends/ holidays. Obviously it's more expensive on weekends/ holidays. We went on a weekend so we got the more expensive rate (weekend rates are cheaper, and for the more full list of fees, you can check their website (cityofdreams.com.ph/dreamplay) For Adults it's a rate of P400, Kids (17yrs old and below) P880 and Toddlers (below 100cm) P100. These rates are all for 4 hours of play, which for me is more than enough time to get around everything since the place is not that big. You can also get an unlimited day pass for more. I would also advise buying tickets online since it would save you the hassle of lining up at the venue to buy. The website has a built in ticket purchase that redirects you to SM tickets. NOTE that they only email you a voucher, so you still have to go to a SM ticket net outlet to redeem the tickets.

The great thing about Dreamplay is that it brings to life great characters created by Dreamworks, which are all familiar to the kids. You have the penguins of Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and Shrek.

Santino and Friends at the entrance to Dreamplay

The place is very interactive. It has a lot of activities that kids, especially hyperactive boys can do. Run, run, run, slide, climb. There are a lot of long slides, places to climb, hands on activities to do. Each "area' inside is dedicated to a specific movie that is designed to take you into the actual movie set where the kids can pretend to be part of it.

Inside the airline of the Penguins of Madagascar

Climbing up, up and up

Slides that look like your moving inside a snake.

With hyper 7yr olds, this was the ideal place. Not too big that I couldn't keep tabs on them, but packed enough with activities to keep them busy.

The only downside  was the expensive food. Obviously, you are not allowed to bring any food or drinks, so you had to eat at their facility, how else will they make money? haha.

There are a lot of things to do for young kids, but there are also other activities that are preferable for bigger kids like 10/11yrs old and above like wall climbing or wearing a harness and climbing the steep poles like in Kung Fu Panda.

Not for the faint hearted!

Instructional activities to teach kids

Baking class

My daughter particularly enjoyed the baking class since she got to make her own gingerbread man. NOTE: you have to sign up in advance for the classes since you have to reserve a slot.

All in all I would say that is was a success since my son said it was "The Best Birthday Ever!" haha (he says that every year by the way). For first timers, would definitely recommend coming for the 4 hour pass. Would I come back again? Hmm.. maybe not since when you've gone once, you've pretty much seen it all.. unless they would add on new activities, then that would be worth going back to. But do give it a try, I think it's worth the entrance fee to see your kids favourite movies come alive and they can interact with.





And the best thing about this, to my surprise, FREE PARKING!!! hahaha...

Oh and of course you HAVE to pass the gift shop on your way out.. so naturally... we ended up getting a toothless cap for the birthday boy. :-)

Happy Birthday, Santino! <3

Summer Activities For Kids

While summer is something all kids look forward to, it's also the time most parents with toddler aged kids and up dread because it means having to fill up days with activities that will keep kids busy and active as opposed to have them just sit around and watch TV or iPad the whole day.

There are so many activities you can get your child in to.. sports, art, music, etc. As a first time summer activity parent, things can get overwhelming and super exciting at the same time. I remember  the first year my son was "eligible" to attend summer sports, I signed him up right away for a sport that turned out to be something he was not interested in. I guess you could say I was one of those "photo mommies" that just wanted that 1 great pic to upload on Instagram and FB. haha! But now I know much better. This time around, my kids are , 4 and 1 respectively and I more or less have an idea already of what they want and what is worth spending on (these activities are not cheap!).

Depending on what your kids interest is, you will be able to find something for him/her. In my case, I'd like to share the activities that either my kids are in or that I think are worth trying out this summer.


SPORTS
A good sport to try for beginners are Basketball, Soccer/ Football and Taekwondo. Futbol Fanatics for Football or in your kids school, they usually offer summer classes. For Basketball, there are a number of summer clinics you can enrol into or go for the bigger ones like Milo best. Schools also offer summer classes for all kids of sports. For Taekwondo, there's AAK in Megamall and I heard Monsour del Rosario also has a Taekwondo school.

Personally,  my 6yr old son too shy to be part of a big group. So we did not enrol him in any summer class, but what my husband does is that he brings our son with him during his weekly basketball games with friends and allots some one-on-one time where he teaches our son the basics. This way, Santino develops confidence and there's no pressure. :)

Not to mention it's a really good bonding experience for my boys. :) Excited to wear their basketball outfits. haha!

BALLET / DANCE
Now for all the little girls out there, it's definitely either ballet or gymnastics! Although there are older ones that also like other alternative dance classes or hip hop. And for those in the middle school age, you can usually try piano or voice lessons too. There are numerous places that offer these activities.

For my daughter, since she had gone to baby ballet the previous year and she still expressed interest in doing ballet again, I felt like it was time for her to attend a real "ballet school" which had more structured lessons and would also have a culminating activity such as a recital at the end. After searching, I chanced upon the Ballet Philippines newly opened school in the Fort, SM Aura.

There are a total of 15 of them in their class. A bit big, but still manageable. I've sat through 2 classes so far and Belly has been very dedicated and follows instructions to a T. haha. Although if there was something I would want, it would be that the teacher have an assistant ballet teacher to manage the class better. Let's see how the next few sessions progress. This is also more structured in a way that it's a regular MWF class so it feels much more "serious" and official... plus I love her cute little pink ballet tutu! <3


ART / WORKSHOP
If kids are not that into sports or dance, there is also art! This is pretty universal since for kids, you don't need to be an expert or know how to draw so well. It's just another great way to express their creativity! Last year, I had an art teacher come over. I gathered friends who wanted their kids to join some sessions and we put up "a class". This is another alternative to sending kids to art class where there are so many kids vying for the teacher's attention.

For my son, I noticed that he always likes to make and build things. So imagine my joy when I chanced upon this workshop beside the Gymboree place my youngest would go to. The place is called BEME and it's basically a workshop where can kids can pick which "projects" they want to do.  Then each session is them completing the project. No time limit and no minimum number of kids/students necessary. at your own pace.

Here Santino picked a plane. He was given the different parts. He used glue and a hammer (under supervision) to put it together. Then he got to paint it in any color he wanted. Pretty cool, right?


SWIMMING
An all time favourite! Perfect for kids of all ages and such a good skill they should learn! So many places to enrol for this. Basically may be any venue with a pool will most probably be offering lessons! For me, I contacted a swim coach and ask her to come once a week to our village pool where she does 1-on-1 sessions with my kids. It's logistically easier and more focused for my kids.

There is really so many things that kids can do. At one point I was even considering enrolling my kids to be part of a fast food kiddie crew. but my son backed out. haha. It all just depends on what your child wants to do or is interested in. There's also no need to rush them into an activity if they're not really into it because it will just end up being a waste of money!

Raising a safety-savvy family

I regularly contribute to SP online and one of the most recent articles they asked me to write was about safety. In this day and age, it has become so alarming for parents with all the news about kidnappings, modus and all the bad things that SHOULD NEVER happen to our families, especially our children. Making this article was also a refresher course, like a checklist for me to make sure that my family is safety-savvy. Read on and let me know out of all the tips, which one is your family practicing?

*************

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Here are some helpful tips on how to be safety-savvy. (Published on Smart Parenting online)

IF you turn on the television, listen to the radio or browse the Internet and social media sites, you would definitely notice the alarming increase in kidnapping and untoward incidents involving children. As a parent, you not only feel for the children and parents involved, but also pray that such an instance may never happen to you and your own child/children.

Prevalence of unscrupulous characters should not, by any means, hinder children from enjoying life to the fullest. Instead, parents, guardians, family members and our trusted kasambahays must equip themselves with the knowledge and know-how in keeping our children safe.

Please read on for some very helpful safety tips that all members of your household should be educated with.

1.    Trust only the people you know well.

It’s important to teach your kids to know who to trust. Constantly remind your kids that even though other people may seem friendly and nice, this does not mean that they should, by any means, go with them. Encourage your kids to let you know right away if someone is trying to talk to them or is staring at them.

2.    Keep a list of emergency numbers in your home.

Often times when both parents are working parents, children are left home with our trusted kasambahays. We must then equip them with the knowledge and quick thinking when it comes to emergencies. Having a list of important numbers they can call is essential. *Note: Talk to your help also about the popular dugo-dugo gang modus. Stress that in times of emergency; they should call you or a close family member to verify.

3.    Be involved in all your kids’ activities.

Get to know the other children your son or daughter spends time or plays with. Attend school activities, events and extra curricular activities your child is involved in. Be a hands-on parent as much as possible.

4.    Have a listening ear.

Ask your child how his/her day went. Pay attention to the stories they mention or talk about. For younger kids, this is the best way to learn about what happens when mom or dad is not around, be it in the classroom or in other school and extra-curricular activities. If your child starts making kwento something that is disturbing to you, set an appointment with the teacher to discuss.

5.    Keep mum.

Some things are just best left private. This most especially goes for our yayas. Oftentimes they take the kids out for a walk or to play in the park or a common area where other yayas and kids also frequent. Remind your househelp not to divulge any detailed information like a child’s school, schedule/routine, places that the family frequents, recent material purchases or talk about upcoming days that no one will be home and the like. This is to avoid any possible “temptations” to others who may be listening.

6.    Always hang around well-lit areas or populated areas when waiting.

Often times it can’t be avoided that there is idle time waiting. Always pick a place where you and your kid won’t be alone or in a badly lit area at night. Instead of hanging around a deserted street corner, opt to wait at a nearby 7-11, coffee shop or even gas station.

7.    Limit what you share on social media.

Click, Upload…. Wait! Take a moment to think before you click that share button for the whole World Wide Web to see. How much information do you need to divulge? I know you’re proud of your son’s achievements in school, but maybe you can opt to not include a picture of his section or ID number in the photo. You can also check your privacy settings. Most social networking sites provide this feature. This way, you can share away to family and trusted friends.

8.    Never ever leave kids unattended.

Everything can happen in a blink of an eye. Parents and guardians need to be alert and aware at all times, especially if you are in crowded areas. It has become very alarmingly rampant for abductions to happen in malls. Always have an eye on your children. Nothing is ever more important than your child’s safety.

9.    Be accessible incase of emergencies.

If you can, provide your kid’s yaya with a mobile phone for easy contact for you both, anywhere and anytime.

10. Teach kids how to say their name, age, phone number and address.

At an early age, you can already train your kids to know important information about them. This comes in handy when they’re lost or need help.

11. Talk to your child about the dangers of abduction… in a non threatening way.

Never hide the truth. Parents should always be open to their children especially when talking about the dangers “out there.” What’s important is that it is explained in a non-threatening way. Do not, by any means, instill fear in your child. Empowerment and knowledge is key.

12. Always double check locked windows and doors.

Be it at home or in the car, always make sure all doors and windows are locked. Don’t make it easy for intruders to get in your home or car.

13. Remind your kasambahays not to entertain anyone they don’t know unless you left word about it.

There is no excuse for ignorance. Even if it takes constant reminders, always tell your kasambahays or whoever is left at home with the kids, to never entertain people that are not expected.

14. Invest in CCTV.

The best “eyes” you can have when away while being so convenient since you can check on it from any mobile device.

15. Be social media savvy. It’s good to be on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Be up to date on important service announcements or issues that may be of good use to you and your family. Learn from the experience of others. Stay safe and informed.

16. Don’t hang out in deserted areas after hours.

You are not a leading character in a horror movie. Stay out of deserted areas.

17.  Never go near someone in a car asking for directions.

Stay a safe distance away from anyone asking directions from inside a car, especially if it’s a heavily tinted one. Raise your voice to be heard, or if you feel uncomfortable, don’t say anything at all. You are not obliged to give directions.

18. (In another perspective) When asking for directions, no need to open your window all the way down.

The inside of your vehicle is your safe zone. Don’t let anyone cross into that zone.

19. Carry handheld or pocket-sized pepper spray.

Your family’s best defense is a quick and reliable one. You can purchase a pocket pepper spray at any local hardware store (try Ace or True Value).

20. Pray and always ask for the Lord’s guidance and protection.

There’s nothing stronger than divine protection.

Heaven is indeed for real.

I recently got invited to a special screening of the movie "Heaven is for Real" by PLDT Home DSL. This was one of the movies I was really watching out for since I read the book it was based on a few years ago. It's a story about a child who had an out of body experience and got to spend some time in heaven. Isn't that just amazing? What I wouldn't do to spend time in heaven (hopefully forever when my time comes :)).

After reading the book and watching the movie based on the real-life events that happened to the Burpo family, it just made me appreciate and work on having stronger connections within my own family. I was able to watch this screening with my husband and eldest son, Santino (5 1/2 yrs old). It's really a different feeling when you're able to connect with a child who can sit through a movie (non-animation) and understand the story and message behind the movie. :)

Heaven is something we talk a lot about in our family. It's one of our favorite subjects actually. :) What it would be like, how to get there and how one day, we can all be complete as a family with their brother Giovanni... one day in heaven.

I was really amazed at how my son understood the whole concept of heaven and how much he enjoyed how heaven was described and shown in the movie.. plus of course all the free popcorn helped in putting him in a good mood. ha ha.

Kudos to PLDT for arranging this special screening. I was equally entertained when the Ledesma family from the "Ask Diego" TVC spoke a bit in front since Diego himself reminded me so much of Santino. That stage where they're curious about "girls" -- sometimes they live them, sometimes they hate 'em. haha. When Diego was talking about "how to get a girlfriend" I couldn't help but nudge my boy and told him to "listen to Diego's advice." To which my son replied, "he said treat her like your mama! That's you, mom!" Good advice, Diego!

So thanks, PLDT Home. Fun night, great movie, good advice for my son and a strong, reliable family-sized connection allowing me to post this blog post. Not to mention, limitless family sharing makes this blog soooo easy for my family to view, share and like! :) hooray!

Ps: have a love question for Diego? Ask him here- facebook.com/askdiego

Kids Day Out: Fun kiddie friendly places to bring your kids

Last week my son Santino had his first ever field trip. It was a wonderful bonding experience for him and I, and a great chance for me to interact with fellow parents and to see him interact with his teachers and classmates. This also got me thinking about fun and kiddie friendly places one can bring kids.

As a parent of 3 young kids, I know that one cannot just bring hyper kids just anywhere. Each outing should be well planned and kid-friendly. So, this has inspired me to compile a list of places to bring your kids where they will be sure to enjoy. Great ideas for the long weekends where you can make it an overnight trip or a day-trip on Sundays! I also know that price and expenses are a factor (especially for those with more than 2 kids and yayas tagging along), so will also include my own little pros and cons and whether it's worth spending on.

*Remember, all comments are strictly my own and not official whatsoever.  :)

1. Mind Museum (Fort Bonifacio)
PROs:
+ Lots of things to see, ride, touch. Their playground is very interactive.
+ Kids (especially gradeschool aged ones) will learn something.
+ Brand new so everything is well maintained and clean.
+ You can finish the whole place in half a day, just enough time to grab a bite with the family after or hang out in the Serendra.
CONs:
- Hefty entrance fee (P600 for adults, P450 for kids)

2. Philippine Aerospace Museum (Beside NAIA 3 and Resorts World)
PROs:
+ Cheap entrance fee (P50)
+ Actual planes and helicopters so kids will be in awe seeing it all up close.
+ Kids can ride in the cockpits
CONs:
- Small museum, you can finish it in 2 hours.
- Non airconditioned
- Dusty (unless you are a scheduled big group then I think they clean it, haha)
- Everything is Old (I guess ergo the museum, right?)

3. Fun Ranch (Beside Tiendesitas, Pasig)
PROs:
+ Lots of things to do and ride for the kids.
+ Many places to eat and so kids won't be bored while waiting since they can play.
+ No entrance fee, accessible to public
+ Free parking
CONs:
- All rides have a fee (P50 per ride)

4. Manila Ocean Park (Roxas Blvd, Manila)
PROs:
+ Lots of things to see and do, kids will enjoy
+ A lot of places to eat
+ Small tiangee area for a little shopping, toys for kids
+ Great view of ocean
+ Hotel H2O for those coming from out of town and looking for a place to stay (think Disney hotel in Disneyland)
CONs:
- Pricey entrance (but then you can get bundles for a certain number of attractions)
- During weekends there may be long lines and lots of people

5.  Luneta Park (Manila)
PROs:
+ Free!!
+ Great for outdoor activities: think picnic, sportsfest, kite flying, and anything else you can do outdoors!
+ You can visit nearby monuments 
CONs:
- Rain (If it does) and Heat 

6. Enchanted Kingdom (Sta. Rosa, Laguna)
PROs:
+ Fun for the whole family
+ Lots of rides, attractions and shows
+ Open until late at night with shows to watch
CONs:
- Price
- Far location: you will need a car or a private rented vehicle (think Gas and toll)
 - Could have long lines if there are a lot of people

7. Avilon Zoo (Montalban, Rizal)
 PROs:
+ Huge facility with a lot of animals
+ Some parts you can interact with animals and take photos
CONs:
- Far (think transpo, gas)

8. Nuvali Water Park (Sta. Rosa)
PROs:
+ Boat rides, shopping, bike riding
+ Lots of good places to eat
+ Out of town but not too far
CONs:
- Not much to do aside from the boat ride
- Need private car, toll and gas

 

9. Zoobic (Subic, Pampanga)
PROs:
+ Big facility, lots of things to do
+ Can spend the whole day there with the family
+ Lots of shows, attractions, animals
+ Reasonably priced for the place
CONs:
- Far, out of town trip (gas, toll)
- You might have to consider staying overnight somewhere so not so tiring for kids

10. Ocean Adventure (Subic, Pampanga)
PROs:
+ Big facility, lots of things to do
+ Can spend the whole day there with the family
+ Lots of shows, attractions, animals
+ Reasonably priced for the place

CONs:
- Far, out of town trip (gas, toll)
- You might have to consider staying overnight somewhere so not so tiring for kids

11. Active Fun (Fort Bonifacio)
PROs:
+ Affordable
+ Huge play area for kids to run and do whatever they like
+ Parents can stay at food area while waiting
+ Air conditioned
+ Accessible
+ Can make an outing out of it and head on to Serendra for some snacks or for kids to play some more in the park
CONs:
-  Kids are naturally drawn to toy store there and so you might end up buying them something, haha!

12. Gymboree
PROs:
+ Safe in terms of everything being padded
+ Good for even infants
+ Enroll kids in classes or just free play
+ Free trial sessions
+ Easily accessible
CONs:
- Pricey

13. Open park in the Fort
PROs:
+ Well maintained
+ Lots of areas to play
+ Free and open space
CONs:
- Could have a lot of kids there, may be a bit rough
- Hot (if during afternoons)

Well, these are just some of the places you can consider going to... but I am sure if you ask around from family and friends, you will discover new places and fun things to do. Share them here! Would love to discover these places too. Have a fun-filled family weekend! :)

Positive Parenting

Since the article is already out (and has been for quite a while now) just wanted to re-post the article I did for SP Online about Positive Parenting. :) You can also find the official post in their website here.

Positive Parenting: 10 Phrases that will Make your Child Listen  

Your child will be more attentive and will be more likely to follow if you use positive words instead.

Ever catch yourself always beginning sentences with “Don’t…” or “Stop…” when talking to your kids? It’s a very common thing for moms to be saying these same lines over and over again with little or no effect at all. So before frustration and exasperation set in, think about trying a different approach. When dealing with determined kids, an effective way of getting your message across is using positive reinforcement.

Here are 10 common “nay” statements that can be turned to “ayes”:

1. Instead of “Don’t do that!”
Try “Mommy would be happy to see you do this instead.”

2. Instead of “Stop crying or else!” or “Don’t be a cry baby.”
Try “I know that you felt bad about what happened, Mommy is here to help you.”

3. Instead of “I’m busy.”
Try “I want to play with you. Mommy just needs to finish something important and then we can play.”

4. Instead of “Hurry up!” or “Move faster!”
Try “Can Mommy help you with what you are doing?”

5. Instead of “Stop that!”
Try “If you continue to do that, you might hurt yourself.”


6. Instead of “You’re so kulit!”
Try “Can you be Mommy’s little helper and do this (a chore) for me?”

7. Instead of “You never learn!”
Try “You are a big boy/girl already. You already know what you should and shouldn’t do.”

8. Instead of “You don’t listen to me!”
Try “Mommy will really be happy if you follow what I say.”

9. Instead of “Why can’t you be more like your other sibling?”
Try “Your brother/sister is doing something really pleasing to Mommy, You should do that as well.”

10. Instead of “Hala! Isusumbong kita kay Daddy.”
Try “Remember what Mommy said about that (fault)? You should know what to do by now.”

Remember, kids don’t respond well to commands, especially if you are asking them to do something other than what they want. The best strategy is to explain why you want your child to do a particular thing. Try using these alternative statements when faced with similar situations and you just might get the response you are looking for.

Make sure that you also devote enough time with your kids, because one of the reasons children often act up is because they are seeking your attention. It is important to have that special “mommy and me” time, as it will surely boost your child’s confidence and self-worth.

The search for the right Pre-school.

Every time summer starts to come to an end and June is just around the corner, I, along with other "last-minute" moms are frantically in search for the right pre-school for our kids. We recently moved to the Pasig area (from Antipolo) and being new to the area, I was anxious to find a pre-school for my very curious, hyper-active and eager to learn 3.9 (in June :)) year old boy. As of today, I have enrolled my son in a pre-school already. I am happy with my choice.. for now.. but just like any mom, I am hoping that the teachers will be able to address the needs and bring out the best in my son.

Just as I know there may still be a few moms out there looking for a school, it's never too late to post the different schools I personally went to and inquired at. I would also like to make a short definition between Traditional and Progressive schools, as this is always the area which parents decide among when it comes to picking the right school for their children. Knowing the different teaching and classroom styles are important in making a choice between schools.

Traditional	Progressive
School is a preparation for life.	School is a part of life.
Learners are passive absorbers of information and authority.	Learners are active participants, problem solvers, and planners.
Teachers are sources of information and authority.	Teachers are facilitators, guides who foster thinking.
Parents are outsiders and uninvolved.	Parents are the primary teachers, goal setters, and planners, and serve as resources.
Community is separate from school, except for funding.	Community is an extension of the classroom.
Decision-making is centrally based and administratively delivered.	Decision-making is shared by all constituent groups.
Program is determined by external criteria, particularly test results.	Program is determined by mission, philosophy, and goals for graduates.
Learning is linear, with factual accumulation and skill mastery.	Learning is spiral, with depth and breadth as goals.
Knowledge is absorbed through lectures, worksheets, and texts.	Knowledge is constructed through play, direct experience, and social interaction.
Instruction is linear and largely based on correct answers.	Instruction is related to central questions and inquiry, often generated by the children.
Disciplines, particularly language and math, are separated.	Disciplines are integrated as children make connections.
Skills are taught discretely and are viewed as goals.	Skills are related to content and are viewed as tools.
Assessment is norm-referenced, external, and graded.	Assessment is benchmarked, has many forms, and is progress-oriented.
Success is competitively based, derived from recall and memory, and specific to a time/place.	Success is determined through application over time, through collaboration.
Products are the end point.	Products are subsumed by process considerations.
Intelligence is a measure of linguistic and logical/mathematical abilities.	Intelligence is recognized as varied, includes the arts, and is measured in real-life problem-solving.
School is a task to be endured.	School is a challenging and fun part of life.

Source: http://www.wingraschool.org/who/progressive.htm

Ok, with that in mind, I was in the search for a progressive school since I knew that my boy needed this type of education in order to really bring out his talents and basically bring him out of his shell since he does have moments when he is very shy and introverted. Some of the schools I was able to visit in the Pasig Area:

Aheadstart Developmental Center

www.aheadstartpreschool.com

Britesparks International School

www.britesparksschool.com

LEAP School

www.leapschoolforyoungchildren.com

Kids Academy

www.kidsacademy.com.ph

Creative Beginners

www.creativebeginners.com

There are also an increasing number of parents out there who have turned to homeschooling, bit just because of how expensive education has become, and if I only had the drive and discipline to do this (am not one to pretend I can do this), I would definitely pursue it.

I found my school for my son, I hope you also find yours! Good luck! :)