mom life – Jellybeans in the City

Capital One moms find the sweet spot in work-life balance

Balancing work and being a mother is no easy task. You are constantly under pressure to be in your best form as a mom and as a career woman. As if it wasn’t hard enough, the pandemic came and kicked it up a notch and the support that was once their anchor such as school and childcare is now upended.

Women are often paid less and are more vulnerable to retrenchment. Because of the pandemic, women are either being let go or are forced to give up their jobs to take care of the household. According to data from the International Labour Organization, because of these dynamics, 29.4 million women ages 25 and above, from 55 high- and middle-income countries, lost their jobs between the 4th quarter of 2019 and the 2nd quarter of 2020.

In an effort to show support and ensure the safety and job security of its associates, Capital One Philippines provided flexibility and expanded benefits.

“Here in Capital One Philippines, we strive to provide an environment where all associates have the support system they need to address the challenges they are currently facing due to the pandemic,” said Capital One Philippines General Manager, Osman “Oz” Parvaiz, “The last thing we want to happen is to make them feel that they have to prioritize work over self-care, or that they do not have enough resources to care for their loved ones.”

Capital One Philippines working mothers shared their personal experiences and advice on work-life balance.

Lianne Muhlfeld, a Capital One Philippines’ people manager is a mother to a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old. Since her children are doing school at home, Lianne wakes up a little earlier to take care of their needs and assist them with their classes before going to work.

“Thankfully, I have some flexibility in managing my schedule at work to help me balance my work and my family’s needs,” Lianne shared. “Having a company that considers the needs of each associate has provided peace of mind and lessened the anxiety that we each are facing during this pandemic,” she added.

Gracie Magallanes-Hawak, one of Capital One Philippines’ coordinators is a mother of three, ranging from one to eight years old, including a 4-year-old who was diagnosed with a developmental condition. In having her youngest at the peak of the pandemic last year, Gracie was very focused on the safety of her family.

“When I went back to the office and saw the safety and health measures we had in place, I felt relieved that my workplace was caring for my own and my family’s safety. I also appreciate the increase in our HMO benefits, enabling me to add more dependents for free and allocate more budget for the needs of my children,” shared Gracie.

These benefits have been furthered through the support of employee resource groups like EmpowHer, a community of women and allies, that provides support and advice while working together to continue the advancement of women inside and outside of the company.

One of Capital One Philippines’ unit managers can attest to this. Michelle ‘Mitch’ Osorio has been with the company since it opened its doors in the country and she shared, “Being with a company that promotes diversity and inclusion, there are a lot of opportunities available for mothers like me. Through the EmpowHER BRG, I was able to find sisters with whom I can communicate openly and share common interests. By being part of this BRG, I can give back to the company by helping elevate other women.”

Capital One Philippines believes its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging across all fronts is important now more than ever. Rob Nunnally, Capital One Philippines Assistant General Manager said, “We need to ensure that all associates, including mothers, continue to have a safe workplace where they can thrive and a supportive community where they belong.”

To learn more about how Capital One is living its values, visit https://capitalonecareers.com.ph/benefits.php.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A., and Capital One Bank (USA), N.A., had $310.3 billion in deposits and $425.2 billion in total assets as of March 31, 2021.

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients through a variety of channels. Capital One, N.A. has branches located primarily in New York, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “COF” and is included in the S&P 100 index.

Capital One Philippines Support Services Corporation supports Capital One’s US credit card business.

Business photo created by pressfoto – www.freepik.com

Clutter-free Christmas with Keepr Storage PH

After months of hearing all the popular holiday songs in the malls, Christmas is finally upon us. From securing the best gifts for our loved ones to digging up décor from storage, it can take a lot of work just to bring a touch of Christmas into the home. Luckily, Keepr Storage PH is here to declutter and make more space in your home!

The Hard Work Behind Christmas

There is no denying that a lot of hard work goes into each Christmas celebration. With so much to do on the days leading up to Noche Buena and Christmas Day, the only time to relax is usually at the end of the holiday itself. And this is something very familiar for the family-team behind Keepr Storage PH.

“Christmas is something we look forward to as a family,” shares Jay Buensuceso. “Anna decks out our home with lights and décor, and we’ll have Christmas Jazz and Classics playing through the entire house. We’re building fond memories for our children.”

“I really look at every detail when it comes to the holiday season- from how the house looks on the outside, to every garland we have inside, down to having that pine and mistletoe scent!” adds Keepr Founder, Anna Moncupa. “There are numerous challenges: from clearing out space to make room for decorations, then pulling stuff out of storage, and of course, putting it all together nicely and making it ‘Pinterest-worthy’. Some things stay and some things go, and I used to just stuff everything in a closet or our garage, which of course is basically kalat when not in use.”

Keepr: An Easy Solution to All Our Holiday Storage Needs

Keepr Storage PH is a full-service, storage solution that combines high-level security and strategic logistics into an easy-to-use mobile app. Simply download the Keepr Storage PH app, then schedule the pick-up and delivery of your items from the comfort of your own couch! This Christmas, allow Keepr to help you with all your storage needs. With Keepr’s multiple solutions, you have a safe space to keep time-honored Christmas décor before and after the holidays!

“We want families to have a clutter-free space and really enjoy their homes while making wonderful memories together,” adds Anna Moncupa. “Keepr allows them to safely store their items to create that warm Christmas environment. Even after the holidays, seasonal décor can be safely kept in our warehouse without worrying about deterioration, dust, and of course taking up unnecessary space at home.”

Why let something you use for a month or two take up space in your home all year long? Download Keepr Storage PH now on the App Store and Google Play! Keepr Storage PH provides you with a host of storage solutions combined with real-time and customizable storage management. Prices start at just ₱399.00 a month! Learn more here or call +63-917-KEEPRPH (0917-533-7774)!

Service images and details provided in a recent press release.

Kiddie treats to enjoy on BabyTV this September and October

The “ber” months are here and with the heightened anticipation for the holiday season comes more opportunities for us parents to have bonding moments with our little ones.

And what better way for us mommies to enjoy the company of our kids than to share in their wonder and laughter at these new shows on BabyTV coming this September and October.

STITCHES

A little child plays imaginary games with her felt toys. Her hero is a little cactus who interacts with whatever comes his way. A new environment is created in each episode which forms challenging and funny situations for him to deal with.

JUMP OUT OF BED, SLEEPYHEAD

Waking up the castle every day is not easy, but our two heroes manage to overcome obstacles and get the kingdom ready in time for the new day.

SNAIL TRAIL

A friendly snail explorer ventures outdoors to investigate the wild. On his journeys he meets different animals and makes important discoveries about their lifestyle and habits by asking some very funny questions.

TUTTI FRUTTI

Tutti Frutti is a musical series paying homage to Laurel and Hardy’s street performances. In each episode Tutti the strawberry and Frutti the pineapple perform a well-known musical number in front of a live audience of fruit and vegetables that laugh and join in.

So mommies, gear up for some fun learning adventures with the kiddies in these months leading to the holidays!

BabyTV is the world’s leading baby and toddler network for children ages four and under and their parents, airing 24 hours a day and completely commercial-free. It features top quality, original and exclusive shows, created by child development experts and designed for for children and parents to enjoy together. Each hour on BabyTV is an enriching journey full of stories, songs, rhymes and lovable characters.

If you’re a SKYcable subscriber, you can add BabyTV to your cable TV subscription plan for only Php20/month. To subscribe to BabyTV and other kids channels, fill up this form.

Show details and images provided by BabyTV.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

Check out my other posts on mom life and raising kids:

New kiddie show “Snail Trail” coming this July on BabyTV

Far from being just a boob-tube, TV presents a lot of learning opportunities for its viewers.

For instance, growing babies and toddlers can benefit from the BabyTV’s round-the-clock shows adapted to their needs and abilities, and developed with the help of content and childhood experts.

This July, BabyTV brings a brand new show for the little ones to enjoy:

SNAIL TRAIL

The kiddies can also continue to enjoy their favorite show aired daily on BabyTV:

BILLY AND BAM BAM

Billy and BamBam never get bored – they manage to find creative and fun ways to play with everything – leaves, bowls, socks and even oranges! This cute pair are sure to put a smile on your child’s face with their contagious laughter and cheerfulness. Each episode ends with a fun song written especially for Billy and BamBam!

If you’re a SKYcable subscriber, you can add BabyTV to your cable TV subscription plan for only Php20/month. To subscribe to BabyTV and other kids channels, click here.

Until June 7, watch BabyTV’s fun kiddie learning programs for free along with other channels with a deluge of shows as SKYcable opens up its HD and standard definition channels to its subscribers. For more details, visit mysky.com.ph/allaccess.

Show details and images provided by BabyTV.

Check out my other posts on mom life and raising kids:

What to teach kids about traveling

Traveling is a rewarding activity for many of us. Going to unfamiliar places broadens our horizons by exposing us to novel experiences, diverse cultures and to new friends.

It can be more so for kids; taking them on out adventures into the wider world affords us opportunities to teach them lessons that will prove valuable to them in the future, not just when they venture out on their own trips, but as they go through their daily life.

Here are some of the lessons that you can impart to your kids as you go on the road.

One: How to travel light.

There is a limit to what you can take with you as you move from one place to another. Whether it depends on what your body can carry or the luggage capacity of your means of transportation, this limit forces you to prioritize which of your possessions will be of most use to you as you travel.

You will need to guide your little ones as they pick and choose items for the trip such as clothes that are easy to clean, those that don’t take up much space in your luggage and their essential toiletries.

Two: How to keep themselves entertained.

Not every moment you spend traveling will be exciting or interesting. You can expect downtimes when you can either rest or find a way to occupy your time.

The little ones may get antsy or bored during long wait periods or while in transit. So it would be wise to plan ahead with them on how they can keep themselves entertained while still packing light. They will need to leave behind their bulky game consoles in favor of easy-to-carry books, a pack of cards, and, with your permission of course, mobile electronics.

You can also take the opportunity to point out the sceneries you’re passing through or fill them in on the places where you’re going to drum up their excitement or spike their interest.

Three: How to discover on their own.

Some kids are adventurous by nature. They will want to strike out on their own. Nurture this inclination by helping them identify interesting places where they can safely venture out by themselves such as parks or play areas, with you keeping yourself easily accessible to them should they need you.

Of course, you will need to equip for their quest. Teach them to read maps and road signs, agree on places where they can meet up with you and point out places they can go to in case they need help.

Four: How to keep themselves safe.

Foremost among our concerns as parents is the safety of our kids. When traveling, little ones should be instructed to always stay near or within your sight, to be wary of strangers and to keep your contact details handy so that they can ask someone to get in touch with you should you get separated.

Five: How to stay on budget.

A big consideration in traveling is, of course, our budget. There may be times when the things you want to buy or the activities you want to experience may be beyond your means. Usually, you prioritize those that are more affordable or you limit yourself to those that are essential to your travel experience.

Similarly, you need to help your kids understand that they won’t be able to buy all their hearts’ desires during the trip. You can negotiate with them on which purchases you can afford that they can still enjoy.

Six: How to be good guests.

Remember, no matter which place you visit, you are basically visitors there. You and the kiddies should therefore behave as good guests. Aside from being polite to the people that you meet, you would also need to brush up on the basics of local customs so as not to offend anyone.

Furthermore, it is important to respect the local environment by following their conservation laws and cleanliness practices. As the famous quote among travellers goes:

Leave nothing but footprints.

Take nothing but pictures.

Kill nothing but time.

Seven: How to be thankful.

Not everyone has the means and opportunity to travel. It is therefore important for the kids to realize and appreciate the fact that they are able to.

For me, the best way to be thankful for opportunities such as these is to make the most of them in terms of learning and enjoyment.

Planning a trip with the kiddies any time soon? Do share your tips for traveling with kids.

How moms can nurture a love for reading among kids

With all content available in a myriad of forms and platforms, sometimes we parents wonder how we can instill a love of reading among our kids.

Wishing to do so is not being out of touch with the times. Studies have shown that avid readers have certain advantages over their peers. Since reading is a more complex activity than watching video content on television or other gadgets, it helps to exercise their brains, improving concentration and imagination, as well as their vocabulary and language skills. A well-read child may have a better and more expansive understanding of the world around him and may be able to develop empathy for others.

In a recent Mommy Mundo #MomSchool learning session “Raising Readers and Writers in the Digital Age,” mom and Keys School literacy coordinator Monica Lopez Javier shared some insights and tips on how parents can help foster a love of reading among their kids.

For Teacher Monica, talking to your kids starting from early childhood is very important.

“Talk is the foundation of learning,” she shares. “Through language, meaning is built.”

She encourages parents to develop oral language at home, to facilitate kids in communicating and interacting with them. Kids should learn how to tell stories to learn how to put the things and situations around them in perspective or context.

Some tips she shared include:

Respect their think time. Younger children take time respond to your conversation prompts. Allow them the time to process the conversation and respond to you.
Establish rituals of conversation. Make time when you’re available to converse with your kids. Set up long talks with the kids when you can communicate with them at length.
Talk about complex topics. As kids grow older, allow them to process more complex ideas as they communicate with you. When letting them talk about their day, ask them what they learned or what they plan to do.
Don’t shy away from trouble stories. Don’t raise your kids in a bubble. For example, tell them about the bad day you’re having and how you cope with it. They will be able to express to you their similar emotions as well as model their response to challenging situations after yours.
Teach them to listen. Kids should be encouraged to respond thoughtfully. Help them understand that when they listen, even to opposing views, their ideas can grow.
Support their language development through reading. Kids’ vocabularies are better developed by reading. It also through reading that they encounter fresh concepts and ideas. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to younger kids so that children will develop a love for words and imagination that reading affords. For older children, parents are urged to discuss the books that the kids read; this will help them process what they learn from books and develop critical thinking.

Parents may be worried that buying more and more books may be a strain on the budget. Teacher Monica advises looking for libraries in your area where you or your kids can borrow books.

Growing up as a child of a reader, and becoming an avid reader myself, I can attest to the hours of enjoyment and the fun of discovery that I experienced since childhood. Being a reader has also informed my writing and my current work in marketing and in blogging.

I’m proud that I have helped to instill the same love for reading in my daughter.

This #MomSchool learning session held at the Ayala The 30th Activity Center was organized by Mommy Mundo, a community of moms dedicated to making motherhood easier, happier and more fulfilling for every mom through various avenues and activities.

Want to be on your way to developing future avid readers? Below is a list of the books that Teacher Monica recommends for reading aloud to kids.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

My World by Margaret Wise Brown

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola

Tom by Tomie dePaola

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells

Freight Train by Donald Crews

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Stuart Little by E.B. White

Matilda by Roald Dahl

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Header photo by Kim Sergeev on Unsplash

Li’l Twinkies showcases fun parenting baby products at Momzilla Fair

New and expectant mommies were able to get sneak peeks into the latest and best of baby care products at the 12th Momzilla Fair held at the Fifth at Rockwell Event Center. Together with fellow mumshie Sherile of Shescapades, I scoured the event for some great finds.

Li’l Twinkies, one of the participating brands, is a maker of high-grade and safe parenting tools that facilitates effective baby care and infant nursing. Believing that a fun parenting experience leads to stronger and happier bonds between parents and children, it advocates joyful and convenient parenting through safe and easy-to-use products for milk storage, feeding utensils, teethers and health accessories.

For instance, many new moms may feel apprehensive at the prospect of breastfeeding. Working mommies, in particular, would need to find a way to conveniently store their nutritious breastmilk until they can bring it home from their workplace.

Fortunately, Li’l Twinkies Milk Storage Bags – made with safe and non-toxic materials – are freezer-safe self-standing bags that made extra durable with their dual layered seams and double zipper seal to lock in freshness. Each bag can hold up to 8oz/250ml of breastmilk for later consumption. Breastfeeding moms can rest easy, knowing that their precious milk expressed at work or elsewhere will reach their babies safely and with freshness intact.

Breastfeeding moms are also sometimes faced with the hassle of leaking milk in between feedings. Recognizing that every drop of breastmilk counts, Li’l Twinkies Milk Collection Shells are designed to fit most maternity bras to effectively and hygienically catch these leaks, while protecting nipples made sensitive breastfeeding or milk pumping. Their pour spouts facilitates easy transfer of the collected breastmilk to a feeding bottle or milk storage bag.

And speaking of feeding bottles, some moms would probably notice that their babies have some trouble adjusting from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding. With this in mind, Li’l Twinkies launched its NutriLatch Baby Feeding Bottle. Its super-wide teat approximates the texture and feeding motion learned from breast-feeding, facilitating hassle-free switching between the breast and bottle. It also features dual anti-colic air ventilating valves that reduces gas intake, thereby lessening babies’ burps and discomforts.

Moms of babies four months and older are faced with quite a challenge: teething. At this point, babies’ first teeth begin to emerge, resulting in itchy and sore gums, as well as cranky babies. They would be happy to know that products are available to help them comfort their littles ones at this important – if uncomfortable – stage.

Li’l Twinkies Sensory Teethers, for instance, are made for babies’ easy grip so they can bite into them for comfort while stimulating their senses and curiosity with the teethers’ attractive designs and multi-sensory features. Li’l Twinkies Teethers with Clip, on the other hand, have the added clip-on feature that facilitates babies’ easy access to their soothing teethers whenever they feel the need.

Another options is to wrap babies’s hand with Wrap Li’l Twinkies Chewy Mittens. With these, babies can also entertain themselves – and learn to self-soothe – when they hear the cute rattling sound from the mittens whenever they move.

Moms worried about keeping their babies’ items clean and hygienic have a new go-to device: Li’l Twinkies Magic UV Wand Sanitizer. Using this is a chemical-free way to sterilize babies’ bottles, toys, play pens and other items using UV germicidal technology. What’s more, it has an automatic temporary shut-off switch when face-up to safeguard the user’s eyes. Its portable size makes it a must-have for on-the-go moms.

Li’l Twinkies has loads more of innovative items that make baby care easy and fun. (In fact, I’ll be writing more about its Silicone Baby Feeding Set in a later post). I’m absolutely thrilled that products like these are available to make parenting even more rewarding for new moms.

Check out its various products at the Booth C28 at the ongoing 12th Momzilla Fair at the Fifth at Rockwell, R5 Level, Power Plant Mall, Plaza Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati. During the fair, enjoy 20% discount on the featured products. The fair will run until March 3.

Catch the next legs of the Momzilla Fair on the following dates:

May 18-19
July 6-7
September 14-15
November 16-17

You can also shop for Li’l Twinkies products online at Shopee and Babymama.

New SKYcable kids channel ZooMoo hosts panel on animal conservation

Well, first there was IQ, and then there was EQ. Today, we have another aspect of child development that we, as parents, would do well to address: our children’s animal quotient (AQ).

From the apex predators in the wild, the little critters in the fields, and our furry friends at home, all animals have their own important place in the world.

ZooMoo, the new English language-based learning channel on SKYcable, aims to help parents in honing their preschoolers’ AQ, as well as fostering a love for animals and nature. The channel is a product of the collaboration among the world’s foremost wildlife filmmakers, early childhood educationalists and technology developers. Its entertaining and engaging animal-centered programs are designed stimulate and develop kids’ innate emotional connection to the natural world.

Recently, ZooMoo hosted a panel discussion for parents and guardians at the aptly themed Zoo Coffee. Here, the attendees were able to gain insights on the importance of teaching kids about animals and nature at an early age and how to further integrate technology into their kids’ early education.

The panel is composed of photojournalist and environmental advocate Gregg Yan, lifestyle television host and online influencer Kelly Misa-Fernandez and the marketing manager of ZooMoo’s parent network Blue Ant Media, Trippy Padilla. Together, the panelists imparted tips and information on how to foster kids into becoming good caretakers of the planet, which include:

The benefits and challenges to parents of being in the digital age

With the ubiquitous influence of technology, parents do wonder whether access to these gadgets, apps and social media is beneficial or harmful to their kids.

The answer is: As with most things, technology is neutral. It can be both good or bad, depending on how you use it.

In his line of work, Gregg Yan has seen first-hand how technology helps in animal conservation. For example, conservationists can upload photos of the lieft fin of the whale sharks they encounter on the Wild Hook system which helps them identify individual sharks as patterns of spots are unique to each shark.

Furthermore, access to animal and nature-related content through digital media has grealty helped in disseminating conservation awareness, even among kids.

“With digital technology, you don’t have to carry a fifty-pound backpack and go up mountains,” he said. “All you have to do is watch ZooMoo and you’ll be able to see the animals in their natural habitat.”

ZooMoo’s programming is comprised of 1,500 self-contained shows that combine spectacular wildlife footage with a range of puppetry, animation and narrative techniques to create a unique viewing and learning experience for a very young audience. Centered around five themes – explore, create, play, puzzle and quiet – ZooMoo’s shows are geared towards helping kids develop appreciation and compassion towards other creatures.

Through the ZooMoo App, kids and parents will have a second screen to enjoy ZooMoo’s animal-centric content. Parents can allow their kids to immerse themselves in the world of ZooMoo through interactive games, music, puzzles and other fun activities. The app’s Parent Page also provides personalized support to parents to aid in their children’s learning.

How to develop good conservation habits among young children

To Kelly Misa-Fernandez, modelling good behavior is key to raising socially and environmentally responsible kids.

“At this age, kids will immitate what they see.” she shares. “I want my son to see the real situation and I want him to be empowered to know that he can do something about it. And it’s best to lead by example.”

Recently, for example, her family has started assembling eco-bricks, environmentally friendly bricks made of recycled plastics from home waste. They stuff plastics like wrappers and cellophane tightly into sturdy containers which can later be used in construction while keeping harmful plastics away from the ocean and sea life.

Through the talks with the panelists, it is easy to see that conservation awareness is becoming a more important issue for today’s kids. Fortunately, with ZooMoo, parents and kids can get their start in becoming environmentally aware and doing their share to protect nature and animals.

ZooMoo ‘s program line up is packaged in an easy to understand format that is fun for both parents and kids. Among ZooMoo’s well-loved shows are Dinosaur Train wherein young Tyrannosaurus Rex Buddy travel across the Land of Dinosaurs with his family and friends), and ZooMoo Wild Friends which take kids on a journey to discover animals and the world around them.

SKYcable subscribers can choose to add zooMoo (channel 120 in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Lipa) to their channel line-up for only Php20 per month via SKYcable Select. For more details or to subscribe, visit mysky.com.ph or call +63 2 418 0000.

What we need in dealing with a child with special needs

Being a mom of a child with special needs, I sometimes balk at the enormity of the added responsibility. I feel guilty at times for thinking that while parenting is hard enough, it is sometimes made harder by having to contend with the all the extra support, attention and understanding required by a special needs child.

The reality is that, as with all life, there are good times as well as bad; and some days are better or worse than others. I’m grateful that, for the most part, the good times far outweigh the bad.

My son is in the autism spectrum which means that he has difficulties with communication and social interaction. He has overcome a lot of his previous difficulties in managing himself in social situations at home and in school. In fact, far from the stereotype of kids with autism who have difficulty looking people in the eye, he has grown gregarious and friendly, waving and saying hi to strangers in restaurants and malls (which present a new set of problems).

Still, he struggles with schoolwork. For instance, while he is already included in mainstream classes, his reading level is not at the proper level for his age. His difficulties at school prompt those little nagging doubts in my head about his future and how he will need to cope with more and more challenges as he grows older.

These doubts lead me to thinking on what I need to provide to help him deal with what he needs to face, in the present and future.

Fortunately, in a recent seminar held at his school, assistant chief of DepEd’s SPED Unit Dr. Elvira Rocal effectively sums up these points in her talk “3 C’s in Educating Learners with Special Needs in the 21st Century.” You would think that these C’s would involve technology but they are pretty much basic and common-sense.

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Just finished a talk by Dra. Elvira Rocal on the 3 C’s in Educating Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) in the 21st Century, which are Connectivity, Collaboration and Compassion. #childrenwithspecialneeds #momlife #buhaynanay

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Aug 10, 2018 at 8:03pm PDT

Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) would benefit from:

Connection. Being wired differently from their peers and even their own family can feel very isolating. They need to feel like they’re still a part of our group, that they belong. We need to build emotional connections with them to motivate them to learn and to minimize their feelings of isolation. Since my son is a budding foodie, I try to interest him in learning how to prepare simple meals and how he can add his own touch to his food. I am proud to say that he can prepare his own bowl of cereal every morning (a simple task for most but a significant feat for us) and has incorporated his own variations such as using his Milo as a substitute for milk to suit his taste.
Collaboration. They say it takes a village to raise a child. It is even more so when it comes to raising a special needs child. You would need to rely on the expertise and help of developmental pediatricians, therapists, teachers and school personnel in assessing and providing for the requirements of special needs kids. At home, I have come to rely on my daughter, #ExhibitA, in helping my son with his homework and projects. My son also has a network of grandparents, uncles and aunts, and family friends who treat him as just another ordinary kid while also on the lookout for opportunities to help him with his special needs.
Compassion. I have come to accept that there will be things that my son will always have difficulty with. In many ways, he will never be like other kids his age. However, he has his own point of view and opinions that he wants to express and his own wants and dreams that he wants to achieve. My role as his mom is not to regret what he cannot do, but to encourage and celebrate what he can.

Raising and educating a special needs child is already a huge challenge and responsibility. If you are a parent dealing with this situation, do reach out to professionals who can help you and to your family and community as well.

Click here to see Smart Parenting’s list of developmental pediatricians in Metro Manila.

Click here to know more about the Special Education Unit of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Read this post about my initial struggles with my son’s condition.

For more information on supporting the learning efforts of kids with special needs, check out these books on Amazon.com:

Parents and Families of Students With Special Needs: Collaborating Across the Age Span

How the Special Needs Brain Learns Third Edition

Steps to Independence: Teaching Everyday Skills to Children with Special Needs, Fourth Edition 4th Edition

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