by Hanifa K. Cook | Jun 27, 2009 | Music
The story of Michael Jackson’s (his Muslim name is “Mikaeel”) childhood touches me most. I published news of his auction in Feb 2009. Then I wrote: “We all know how childhood will affect the way we carry ourselves during adulthood, but none...
by Hanifa K. Cook | Mar 15, 2009 | Environment
10 weeks ago, I was still in Australia enjoying summer vacation. When I arrived back home, I received a phone call from my daughter’s Mandarin tutor. She spoke to me in English with a very heavy Mandarin accent, “Hello! Is your daughter coming to register...
by Hanifa K. Cook | Mar 1, 2009 | Internet, Montessori
Do you wish to build your vocabulary of foreign words in a matter of days or weeks? Here is a great tip. When I showed kids candies before class began, they would wait in great anticipation. To get them to speak their first Mandarin words, I said, “我要。” as...
by Hanifa K. Cook | Feb 16, 2009 | Childhood, Language, Learning Skills, Personal Blog
People who love children are usually intrigued by the new tricks that kids can do as they grow. At what age does the child learn to sit, walk, laugh or grip on an object? For me, there is nothing more fascinating and magical than the child who learns to speak before...
by Hanifa K. Cook | Feb 3, 2009 | Childhood, Montessori
Silence is golden and ignorance is bliss. How are we to understand the real meaning of silence if it were not for the presence of noise? This is a blog about silence. On a cold winter night, the fireplace in the family room at home would be the perfect place for...