Websites That Teach Kids How To Code

It is interesting to note that coding may be introduced in Malaysia's school curriculum next year and details may be out as early as August. Parents who wish to introduce their children to coding can do so on some of the following websites that teach kids how to code.

Code Monster

1. Code Monster - Code Monster is a tutorial that teaches kids how to code for free. There are 50 short lessons in all. The screen is split in the middle and kids can explore by coding on the left and seeing the results on the right. Very cool and easy to follow.
2. Tynker - Tynker offers interactive coding courses for kids on a subscription based platform. However, you can also access Tynker Free Play to test out some of the free coding activities for kids.
3. Code.org - Code.org is a non-profit organization that aims to encourage people to learn computer science. Learn an hour of code or go to the Code Studio for 20 hour courses. The hour of code lets kids explore coding with famous characters from Star Wars, Frozen or Minecraft.

Here's a video from Code.org. In this video Jens Bergensten, the lead designer and developer of Minecraft, introduces the basics of computer science and how to programme your own  game with Steve and Alex, characters from Minecraft.

Here are more cool coding apps and website for kids.

Free Printable Times Tables Awards Certificate

There are many ways to learn for your child to learn multiplication tables but whichever way you use to teach, one thing is clear. It is important for your child to feel a sense of achievement. It's just like games. All children like to level up in a game.

Similarly, to encourage your child to level up in his mastery of the times tables. Whether he chants it, sings it, writes it or learn the times tables using some special method you found on YouTube, you can use this free printable times tables awards certificate to encourage him.

The name has been left blank so you can fill in your child's name. There's also a space for date and your signature as the issuer of the certificate of award and a space for you to fill in the number for the level of times tables he has mastered.

Login our website now to download and print this free printable times tables award certificate.

To Pokemon Go Or No - What Should Parents Do?

Image Credit: Pokemon Go website

Pokemon Go has hit the world by storm and parents will be faced with the dilemma of whether to allow their kids to play. Some may even allow it without knowing what the game is all about.

As parents living in the 21st century, I think we should be aware of new games like this and talk about them with our children. Here's some reading material for parents on Pokemon Go.

1. How To Play Pokemon Go (So you understand the game better)
2. Should You Let Your Kids Play Pokemon Go

Here is the Pokemon Go Trailer so you have an idea what the game is all about.



Pokemon Go Related Accidents

There have been reports of highway car crashes, people falling off cliffs, stabbings and other Pokemon Go Accidents due to the new Pokemon Go mania. Why? This is because the game is distracting, addicting and uses geo tracking.

What Parents Should Know

• The game uses geo tracking so other gamers may know your child's location and use this to lure children to secluded locations
• The game is based on augmented reality in real life situations. It combines the virtual world and the real world on the screen of your smartphone. While this may be a lot of fun, it is also very distracting because your child has to keep on looking at his phone to spot Pokemon in actual real life locations so he can "catch" the Pokemon characters and train him
• Your child may be playing with strangers and as he plays he forgets all you have taught him about stranger danger lessons 
• You will need a data plan to play

What Parents Should Do

• Educate and inform your child. This is going to be big. It is better that your child hears it from you rather than his friends 
• You can play together as a family if your child is young
• For older children, if you choose not to ban the game (banning may be hard given the huge phenomenon it has become immediately after release everywhere in the world), you must teach them how to play safely and set limits for game playing time

Parents be informed. Know what your child is playing and set a good example. Parents playing the game should not be overly engrossed or addicted to it.

What's On At Books Kinokuniya Malaysia Webstore

One of the ways of shopping smart online is through clever and focused browsing and that includes shopping for books online. 

You should zoom in to offers, promos and discounts available to help you save when shopping online.

Let's take Books Kinokuniya Malaysia webstore for example. Did you know that there is a "What's On" tab at the webstore? When you navigate to the webstore, you can find it at the top of the right sidebar. 

Once you go to the What's On Page, you will be able to see all the highlights, promotions, events, new releases and other spotlights for current and ongoing offers. 

Highlights is rather like the front display at a physical bookstore. This will show you all the latest books with a synopsis and grouping of books together for your easy browsing.

Promotions show you the current offers for the month. This is really good to browse through for discounts on books. The same thing goes for New Releases. You will get 15% off selected titles for English, Chinese and Japanese books. New Releases are updated weekly. This is an excellent way to look for new titles.

So what's on at Books Kinokuniya Malaysia Webstore in July? We did a little browsing and found the following notable links for parents and kids this month.

• Alice In Wonderland Books
• Roald Dahl Dictionary And Books
• Tomica New Releases and Best Selling Models
• Beautiful Japanese Colouring Books For Moms, Kids And Teens

Not Another Parenting Facebook Group For Malaysian Parents?

We have added a new dimension to our umbrella of Facebook groups and no, it is not another parenting Facebook group for Malaysian parents. I think we have enough parenting groups. This group is not about how to parent your kids but it is about taking care of yourself. We can only take care of our family if we take care of ourselves well. Putting yourself first at times, is not being selfish. It is necessary for your own well being. A happy mom or dad leads to a happy family.

Come and join all the other happy mom and dads (errr at the moment just moms cause moms always lead the way) for light hearted banter and fun to lighten our days.

About the group: This is a happy place for us to practice positive thinking and mingle with like minded individuals. A place for us to banter, laugh and exchange ideas on how to take care of ourselves.

In order to take care of our families and that includes not only kids but siblings, parents and grandparents, we must first take care of ourselves. Taking care of ourselves is not being selfish.

We're going to be discussing things like How to get more "me time": What Korean drama to watch now, housekeeping hacks or tools that make our lives easier; relationship tips; losing weight after kids; and anything else about "you" rather than "the kids" including what we do during our spare time, what good series is on TV, where to eat, what to buy, how we feel as stay at home mum or career mum, how to take care of ourselves, household problem or home organization tips,

The main thing is NO RANTING ALLOWED! Let's be happy together.

Join us today on Facebook at Happy Mom Happy Dad