Sunday, March 18, 2012
Malaysia's first upside-down house brings a childhood fantasy to life
| Malaysia's first upside-down house brings a childhood fantasy to life. Photo: Rumah Terbalik |
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When you were a child, did you spend time wondering what it would be like to walk on the ceiling? If so, you are probably among the millions who, even as adults, continue to be enchanted by the idea of an upside-down house.
Worldwide, there are a number of upside-down houses. Some offer almost an amusement park experience, but many exist simply to turn the everyday world on end.
Imagine walking down an ordinary street and coming upon an upended house balanced on a front gable. That’s the experience for visitors to Rumah Terbalik,Malaysia’s first upside-down house. From the outside, it looks exactly like its neighbors, traditional Sabah village residences. A wheelbarrow leans against a wall and a sedan is parked in the adjacent carport. All typical except they are upside down.
| Finishing touches in the living room include a typewriter, coffee cup, soft drink, even a cigarette in an ashtray. Photo: Rumah Terbalik |
Inside, a TV, microwave, tables, chairs and sofas dangle above visitors who navigate the home’s ceilings, steering around light fixtures and ceiling fans. Playing cards and comic books strewn along the floor, a cigarette in an ashtray, make it seem as though the family has just left the room. Even the washing machine and sewing machine hang overhead. Literally everything in the 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom home is topsy turvy. But in this house it is the visitors who feel they are ones turned on end.
| An upside-down car is an everyday occurrence in this topsy-turvy world. Photo: Rumah Terbalik |
In addition to bringing visitors to the region, Rumah Terbalick’s creator, Alexander Yee, says he wants to call attention to the long term impact of unbridled development, which has the potential to turn the world upside down. “The World Stands on its Head” is actually the name of Germany’supside-down house, while the house in Poland, built during the Soviet era, was said to be a commentary on Communism and state of the world.
Maybe an upside-down house will prove to be the perfect antidote to an increasingly topsy-turvy world.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Unique Baby Names and Meanings
| Written by Monica Beyer | |
| Finding a unique baby name for your baby boy or girl can be a daunting task -- picking the perfect name, combining it with the last name and getting input from everyone around you. It can be an even bigger deal if you're not fond of naming him or her after this year's most popular baby names. Be inspired with our list of unique baby names. Coming up with a memorable baby name can sometimes be a challenge because often a unique name can come across as unpronounceable or, on the other hand, can be difficult to spell. Sometimes there is a fine line between being an individual and opening your child to teasing, so here is a collection of unique baby boy and baby girl names (with their meanings) that will hopefully be inspiring, individual and special while not being too unusual. Some even come from our own English vocabulary, from nature or have been used as names for decades. Aleta: Winged |
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Unique Thinking Skills in Preschool-age Children
Young children aren’t just "miniature adults." Preschool-age children actually think about the world from a very different viewpoint. Knowing how preschoolers approach the world can help child care providers do a better job of communicating with them.
Preschoolers are Egocentric
Most 3- to 5-year-olds see the world only from their own point of view, a quality called egocentrism. Have you ever listened to an argument between two preschoolers? You might notice that neither child really understands the other one's side of the argument. If asked what someone else is feeling, most preschoolers will describe what they themselves feel. Preschoolers who think and talk egocentrically are not intentionally being selfish. They truly believe that everyone shares their point of view.
Preschoolers Think Objects Are Alive
Preschoolers also tend to give lifelike qualities, such as feelings and thoughts, to inanimate objects like teddy bears and leaves. This kind of thinking is known as animism. To preschool-age children, anything that moves is alive,
like a piece of paper blown by the wind or a flowing stream. Sometimes children cry if a favorite stuffed animal is kicked or callously tossed out of the way, because they are afraid the animal's feelings will be hurt. This is a clear example of animism.
Child Care Providers Can Challenge Preschool Thinking
Preschoolers' logic is faulty by adult standards, but remember that it is very reasonable in their minds. Instead of correcting or arguing with young children, find positive ways to challenge their thinking. Help preschoolers notice signs that another child is angry or upset, such as crying or yelling. Talk about the fact that everyone is different, and we all have different ideas and feelings. By helping children recognize that others may have different ideas or perspectives, you will encourage them to develop compassion and empathy.
(sources : extension more mind reach)
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