Keeping the Kiddos Busy

In this blog, I previously featured learning sign language as a possible lockdown activity for kids and even adults. On May 23, the De La Salle College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) announced that starting Saturday, May 30, 2020, it will be offering free sign language lessons via Facebook Live. The first session will be from 4:00-4:30. The lessons are free, but participants are encouraged to donate to DLS-CSB's #SignForSigns fundraising campaign for the benefit of  deaf students who are stranded in dormitories, indigent deaf scholars who need to return to their provinces after the extended lockdown is lifted, and faculty who are on a “no work, no pay” scheme. (Source: ABS-CBN News )  A minimum donation of P350 will give you access to an online Filipino Sign Language learning kit. Sign language is a skill that will enable you to be part of the silent but wonderful worlds of deaf people. This lockdown has taught us the value of making connections with others, and learning...

Growing your own food is one of the suggested survival tips for "the new normal", and there is no reason your children cannot help out. Growing sprouts is easy. Your children will be fascinated to see the sprouts germinate, they will learn patience, and they will feel a sense of fulfilment from knowing that they have contributed to putting food on the table. According to Elizabeth Millard, who wrote Indoor Gardening , sprouts are packed with enzymes, fiber, amino acids, vitamins, and other substances that are beneficial for the immune system. And they can enhance any meal or salad. According to Millard, alfalfa, brocoli, peas, and mung beans ( monggo ) are good varieties for sprouting.  All you need are the seeds, a clean jar, and a strainer or cheesecloth or thin dish towel. First, put the seeds in the jar, add several inches of warm water, and let the seeds soak overnight.  In the morning, drain the water through the strainer or cheese cloth or dish towel.  Add wat...

UPDATE: according to my uncle, the spiritual retreat will be postponed to the end of April. But this blog will nevertheless take a break in observance of the Easter Triduum, and I will be praying for all my readers just the same. This blog will take a break during the Easter Triduum ( Holy Thursday - Black Saturday). I plan to spend those days in silent spiritual retreat to be facilitated  online by my priest-uncle. I will be praying for all of you, my readers, during the retreat. No doubt my Catholic readers will also be observing the Easter Triduum in their own ways. For those who want to also do the retreat, please look out for announcements at my uncle's  blog.   You may also want to take your family on an online "Visita Iglesia" at https://bit.ly/2Rf2A6V  where visitors will be taken on a 28-minute 360 degree tour of 14 different Catholic churches in the country. Children can be encouraged to observe the Triduum too.  Those who are old enough...

When I was a kid, I taught myself the alphabet in sign language just for fun. It was worth it, because I could communicate with my dad's deaf cousin during family reunions. It was wonderful being able to connect with her, to see how her silent world is just as rich as mine. Filipino sign language is another skill you and your children can learn during the extra free time available in these days of lockdown. Start with the alphabet, then learn one phrase or word at a time. Practice the signs again and again until you master them. Here are videos that demonstrate some basic signs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXbEzZsWfyODLbSOi77T0-w https://youtu.be/_PYpGJdFt5w https://youtu.be/Gk9h7PYCXtQ There are also many downloadable apps that can help you learn Filipino Sign Language. They can be found at Google Play Store. You may have to pause and replay the videos again and again while learning the signs. Learning Filipino Sign Language is more than just a wholesome div...

UPDATE: Philstar  already revised its article about this initiative. Dr. Nicole Perreras, a doctor in RITM, is requesting kids to make hand-made get well cards for Covid-19 patients. The cards can be scanned and emailed to covidletters@gmail.com . Someone will print them out, and the patients will each get a card as part of their breakfast trays. Some ideas for making cards can be found here . But any hand-made card, no matter how simple and made with whatever materials you have at home, will brighten the day of someone who needs it most. Who knows? Perhaps the smile that your kid's card brings to the patient who receives it may just be that push the patient's body needs to fight and defeat that virus.

A group of friends have started a gratitude letter drive where you can write personal messages for the heroes fighting the battle against Co-VID-2019! The letters will be transcribed in a PUBMAT, posted online, and then shared until they reach our heroes working in different fields. You and your kids may write to health workers, uniformed personnel manning the borders, security guards, bankers, supermarket sales persons...You may write letters to the afflicted also. One group of frontliners who are often not mentioned are the priests. They administer the sacraments, and these days they are most likely swamped with requests for prayers and spiritual consolation. Giving these can be tiring too. We often ask for prayers and advice from priests without realizing that they also need our support. Perhaps some of you might want to write them letters too. Whatever you and your kids do, what matters is to send words of gratitude and encouragement to those who need and deserve them. And...