#phonics classes near me

[spokenenglishinstitute]

Roots to Shoots proudly stand by our promise to unlock the true potential of your child while fostering unwavering confidence. We provide an environment that develops young minds academically and practically for a successful life. Enroll to the best Phonics Classes for Kids, Roots to Shoots to achieve excellence!

For more information, call us: 8140988688/ 9974000888 visit: http://www.rootstoshoots.in/

[hoss70]

Why Learning to Read is Difficult? How can we help Children?

There's no denying that learning to read is a crucial skill for children, opening doors to a world of knowledge and exploration. However, reading can be challenging, and parents often struggle to support their children in this journey. But children are incredibly receptive, absorbing everything around them, which is why it's crucial to start early!

One of the main challenges children face in learning to read is understanding phonics—the relationship between letters and sounds. Many kids find this difficult because they struggle to grasp how letters represent different sounds.

Another challenge is decoding phonemes, the smallest units of sound in language. Decoding phonemes allows children to piece together words and start reading. Yet, many kids find this skill challenging, leading to difficulties in reading.

Fluency, or the ability to read quickly, accurately, and with expression, is also a major hurdle. Many kids struggle with fluency, making it hard for them to read smoothly and without errors.

How can we help your children? When it comes to teaching your children to read, why not give them the best advantage? Our phonics classes for kids at HOSS use fun activities and games to make learning enjoyable. We provide resources for practicing phonics, such as content focusing on letter-sound correspondence and games that match words with pictures. We also work on phonemic awareness, including rhyming and segmenting words into phonemes.

Additionally, we help children build fluency by encouraging frequent reading aloud. With our support, your child can overcome reading difficulties and become a confident reader!

We also encourage parents to help their children by providing plenty of opportunities to practice phonics. This can include reading aloud together, letting children read simple books independently, and encouraging them to write down words they see. Don't wait—start teaching your child to read today!

Original Source: Why Learning to Read is Difficult? How can we help Children?

[saharaedulive]

Sahara Education Dubai known as Best Educational Institutes in Dubai offers various Tuitions in Dubai and Language Courses in Dubai. For more Enrol Now.

[brainychild123]

A Comprehensive Guide to Montessori Kindergarten at Brainy Child Montessori

In the realm of early childhood education, one name that resonates profoundly is Montessori. At Brainy Child is the best preschool in Singapore, we take pride in offering a Montessori Kindergarten program that transcends traditional learning, creating an environment where curiosity, independence, and a love for learning thrive.

The kindergarten program is carefully designed for children age 5 & 6 years old. It prepares the child for Primary 1 and beyond. At the level children develop confidence, independence, social-emotional and interactive skills. The curriculum is Montessori-based and the teacher-student ratio is 1:10. Teaching of academic subjects like English Phonics & Math is done on an individual basis based on the child’s level, as we believe that even children of the same age progress at a different pace (depending on their natural ability and family background). The other important areas covered are Practical Life (learning to do simple routine tasks needed for achieving independence), Sensorial (learning through manipulation of objects by use of the 5 senses) and Cultural (science, history and geography) subjects. Children can join our Montessori Phonics and Maths program if they are not able to attend weekday classes.

Recommended Age

5 & 6 years old

Timing:

9.30am – 11am (5 years old)

11am – 12.30pm (6 years old)

Montessori Kindergarten: A Holistic Approach to Early Education

Unveiling the Montessori Philosophy: At the heart of our Montessori Kindergarten program lies the time-tested philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. This approach, founded on respect for the child's individuality, emphasizes hands-on learning, self-directed exploration, and the cultivation of a lifelong passion for knowledge.

Unique Features of Brainy Child Montessori's Montessori Kindergarten:

Child-Centric Learning Environments: Step into our classrooms, and you'll immediately notice the carefully curated learning spaces designed to spark curiosity. Montessori materials fill the room, inviting children to engage in self-directed activities that promote independent thinking and problem-solving skills.

Passionate Montessori Educators: Our dedicated team of Montessori-trained educators is more than instructors; they are guides, mentors, and enthusiasts for each child's unique journey. With a keen understanding of individual learning styles, they foster an environment where children feel empowered to explore, discover, and learn.

Comprehensive and Integrated Curriculum: The Montessori Kindergarten curriculum at Brainy Child extends beyond traditional subjects. From language and mathematics to cultural studies and practical life skills, our program embraces a holistic approach to education, ensuring a well-rounded foundation for future academic endeavors.

The Brainy Child Difference:

Montessori Kindergarten Near Me: For parents seeking convenience and proximity, our Montessori Kindergarten is strategically located, providing families with a quality early childhood education option in their vicinity.

Unlocking the Potential of Montessori:

Montessori education goes beyond textbooks and standardized testing. It's about nurturing the whole child—cognitively, emotionally, and socially. Here's how Brainy Child Montessori addresses various aspects of early childhood development:

Intellectual Growth: Our Montessori Kindergarten program lays the groundwork for intellectual development through a carefully crafted curriculum that encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and a love for learning.

Emotional Well-being: A supportive and nurturing environment is vital for emotional well-being. Our educators create a safe space where children feel valued, fostering confidence and a positive self-image.

Social Skills: Collaborative activities and group interactions are integral to our program. Children learn to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and develop strong interpersonal skills.

Independence and Self-Discipline: The Montessori philosophy empowers children to take charge of their learning. Through self-directed activities, they learn the value of responsibility, time management, and self-discipline.

A Global Perspective:

Japanese Kindergarten: Embracing diversity, our Montessori Kindergarten welcomes children from various cultural backgrounds, including those seeking a Japanese-language educational environment. This inclusion enriches the learning experience, promoting a global perspective.

Looking Beyond:

Enrichment Classes for Kindergarten: Complementing our Montessori Kindergarten, we offer enrichment classes tailored to diverse interests, from music and art to language and science. These classes provide an extra layer of engagement and skill development.

Best Playgroup in Singapore: Our playgroup serves as an introduction to the Montessori philosophy for the youngest learners. Through play-based activities, children develop essential social, cognitive, and motor skills in a fun and stimulating environment.

Conclusion:

Enrolling your child in Brainy Child Montessori's best Montessori schools near you is not just a decision for their early education—it's an investment in their future. Beyond academic excellence, our program focuses on nurturing well-rounded individuals with a genuine passion for learning.

Join us in cultivating a love for discovery, independence, and lifelong learning. Brainy Child Montessori is not just a school; it's a community dedicated to unlocking the unique potential within each child. Embrace the wonders of Montessori education and set the stage for a future filled with curiosity, creativity, and a genuine love for learning.

👉For more information on the subjects we cover, please visit our Montessori Concept page.

👉Get In Touch with Us

📍150 Orchard Road, Orchard Plaza #05-38 to 43, Singapore 238841 (Beside Centrepoint)

📧enquiry@brainychild.sg

📞(+65) 6733 7669

  👉Follow us on:

https://www.facebook.com/brainymontessori/

[jollyreadingkids]

Why Phonics Classes for Kids Are Essential?

What Are Phonics Classes?

Phonics classes are structured programs designed to teach children how to read and spell using phonics principles. Phonics is based on the idea that the English language is made up of individual sounds (phonemes) that can be represented by letters (graphemes). By learning the relationship between sounds and letters, children can decode words and understand their meanings.

Phonics classes typically follow a systematic approach, introducing children to letter-sound correspondences in a logical sequence. Children learn to blend individual sounds together to form words and segment words into their component sounds. This systematic approach helps children internalize the rules of phonics and apply them to reading and spelling.

The Science Behind Phonics-Based Learning

Phonics-based learning is grounded in scientific research and understanding of how the brain learns to read. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of phonics instruction in improving reading outcomes for children Phonics Classes near Me.

When children learn phonics, they activate the left hemisphere of their brain, which is responsible for language processing. This activation strengthens the neural connections in the brain, making the reading process more automatic and efficient. Phonics instruction also helps children develop phonological processing skills, which are essential for reading fluency and comprehension.

Research has shown that children who receive systematic phonics instruction consistently outperform those who are taught using other methods. Phonics-based learning provides children with a solid foundation of letter-sound knowledge, enabling them to decode words accurately and develop a deep understanding of the English language.

[juniordelhischoolindia]

WHY JUNIOR DELHI SCHOOL IS ONE OF THE TOP KINDERGARTEN

While we consider the case of kindergarten, India is packed with mushrooming kindergartens/preschoolson every street and every corner.While many of us start searching for the Best Pre Schools in India 2023on the internet, ask our references about the same and get to the answer of ‘What are Top Play Schools’in terms of ranking, we devote ourselves extensively toget our kids enrolled in the one which is the best for them. The question of ‘How do I find the best kindergarten school?’ is a big puzzler for parents. On one hand, many preschools in India arefocusing on unique learning methods. And to be precise many are just there to grow their business and not serving in the learning and preschool engagements. In the blog further, we will get to know, the 10 Best Preschool Chains in India, ‘What is the most effective teaching method in kindergarten?’, ‘What is a kindergarten in India?’, ‘Why kindergarten is important?’, and ‘Top preschools near me’. Before these, we will also reflect on what is a kindergarten.

What is a kindergarten?Kindergarten: is a specialized space regarded as the first step towards formal education. An early childhood education program for children of ages 3-6 years, kindergarten in India consists of Junior/Lower Kindergarten (LKG) or Senior/ Upper Kindergarten (UKG). Talking about‘what is the concept of kindergarten?’, it is a school or class for young children, usually four to six years old, that prepares them for first grade and that develops basic skills and social behaviour through games, exercises, music, simple hand crafts, etc.There are many preschool brands out of which the one working best to serve the preschoolers is Junior Delhi School.  

Why Junior Delhi School is one of the top Kindergarten schools in India?

1) The Play Method-This method for Kindergarten kids provides ample opportunity for children to play, which in turn develops confidence and social skills. This method helps teachers share experiences with the children and present ideas and materials that will help extend the play into a learning experience. Unlike other kindergartens, where children are forced to do conventional reading, writing, examination etcetera, Junior Delhi School believes that play and activity-based integrated learning is the foundational step that shall be employed.

  2)Advanced Infrastructural provisions make it a famous Kindergarten in India/Best kindergarten school in India: Social segmentthatfulfils the objective of learning from our everyday objects and surroundings. From a kitchen to a sofa, all are beneficial in use as they provide practical experience thereby helping learners develop the necessary knowledge and skills,Kids’ Creation Roomwhere your child will get an opportunity to unleash their creativity through art and craft and promote learning with contentment,Gym Area for the fact that even when the kids come from home all energetic and active, they do require a little more motivation to begin learning at school. Here in the Gym area, the warm-up and several activities help them be ready for the day ahead.Mini Auditoriumspace is provided where every student gets a space to showcase their talents during different activities. Teachers here use props and other teaching learning materials to strengthen children's concepts and carry out classroom tasks

3) DEAR program- The Drop Everything and Read method, which is employed in Junior Delhi preschool's everyday instruction, helps young readers develop a passion for reading.  

4) Jolly Phonics- A child-centred approach to teaching synthetic phonics to young children. Junior DelhiSchool uses this multi-sensory strategy to help children with pronunciation. 5) STEAM-Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math incorporate a wide range of disciplines to inspire students to investigate, question, research, discover and practise creative building skills.  Junior Delhi School is endlessly serving to provide quality education to the kids and help them equip with all the life skills starting from age three onwards.For more details visit us at Top Kindergarten In India

[phonicsworldindonesia]

Phonics World Indoneisa

"We are Phonics World Indonesia, your child's one-stop English Phonics Learning Center in South Jakarta. Our fun and engaging classes for kids aged 3 to 12 provide personalized attention, ensuring effective learning outcomes. At our top-quality center, we use fun and educational materials to nurture a love for learning. Our Phonics Course, Reading Class, and English Tutoring services help build a strong foundation for your child's future. Join Our after-school program, the perfect session for kids who want to improve their English phonics skills and reading ability. Enroll today in our English Phonics Learning Center in Belezza Shopping Center, Permata Hijau, South Jakarta, and give your child a head start in building a bright future."

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Social Media Profiles: https://www.youtube.com/@phonicsworldindonesia

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Contact Mail ID:  phonicsworldindonesia@gmail.com

Business Hours:  Mon - Fri, 9AM - 5PM

Phone Number: +62878-8666-9888

Website: https://www.phonicsworldindonesia.com/

Address : 1st Floor Unit 73, The Bellezza Shopping Arcade, Jl. Arteri Permata Hijau No.34, RT.4/RW.2, Grogol Utara, Jakarta Selatan 12210

[poppy86579]

What is the Difference Between Nursery and Preschool

Looking for pre-schools and daycare in Wimbledon can be an overwhelming process. One of the most frequently asked questions by parents beginning this journey is – what is the difference between a nursery and preschool?

While both offer an excellent start to your child’s education and development, here are the key difference between nursery and preschool.

NURSERY VS PRESCHOOL – WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Nursery School

A nursery school (aka playschool or daycare) is a school that provides childcare for children who may be as young as a few months old up to when they are old enough to begin school preschool or kindergarten.

Licensed professional nurseries must be registered with their state’s education regulator, such as Ofsted, in the UK. In addition to providing daycare for young children, they are also required to follow the UK’s national curriculum to help children reach important developmental and social milestones.

In general, most nursery schools are open Monday thru Friday, but some nursery schools in Wimbledon are also open evenings, weekends, and holidays to accommodate working parents.

Preschool

A preschool (aka kindergarten) is a type of childcare that provides a more structured learning programme than a nursery school. They focus on preparing children aged 3-5 to transition to kindergarten. Children are taught some basic academic skills like the alphabet, writing their ABCs, learning to count, and how to read with phonics.

Preschools in Wimbledon have more structured days, with an emphasis on learning early academic skills. Classes are usually held either in the morning or afternoon. If needed, a child can spend the other hours in nursery school (daycare) until parents finish their workday.

Preschool teachers must be qualified as early childhood teachers and registered in the UK. They inspire children to learn at their own pace, with a focus on educating through play and social interaction to develop their minds and social skills. Preschools usually follow an educational method and model such as Montessori, Forest School, or Reggio Emilia – so make sure the preschool you choose is in line with your preferences towards education.

Preschool Near Me

If you’re looking for a playschool in Wimbledon that will give your child the best level of care and education for your child, look no further than Wimbledon Day Nursery. Our staff is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment for your child to learn basic academic fundamentals and develop their social skills.

[spokenenglishinstitute]

Roots to Shoots provides certified phonics classes for kids to help them become fluent readers! After this course, we will help them with reading and writing development as well as their cultural, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. To enroll or to inquire, please call us on 8140988688.

[etuitionslearning]

To Succeed you have to Begin.Begin with Believing in Yourself.

[penkraftcourses]

Penkraft | Learn Certified Online Live Phonics Course

Penkraft proudly offers its Online Live Phonics Course.  Phonics is an approach associated with the teaching of reading and writing the words.

[penkraft123]

Penkraft proudly offers its Online Live Phonics Course.  Phonics is an approach associated with the teaching of reading and writing the words.

Visit - www.penkraftonline.in/LivePhonics

[penkraft]

[dememarquette]

True Crime

They parked outside a cottage. Portend Point was a gorgeous neighborhood. Occupying it, 1305 Parkview was an equally picturesque property. It had everything one could want from a gentrified postcard: a manicured lawn, a white picket fence, friendly neighborhood dogs excited to see you but not too excited. A sign advertised this slice of warm American pie could be yours. FOR SALE it said, smacked across an unfortunate realtor's forehead. Kevin Locklear had a new golf cart staked on this commission. In his desperation, which reeked as bad as the scene, he ducked below the police tape to plant an optimistic 'Open House Resumes Wednesday!' picket. Adria would take personal pleasure in throwing it in the garbage.

"Jean and Sidney Morin," She briefed, as Ian punched in the door code. "They're from New Gisen, reported missing 72 hours ago. Gas station footage has the suspect grabbing Jean at the Circle K. Sidney was seen by traffic cams in hot pursuit, but we have nothing after the first intersection. Men are checking doorbell cameras along the street. So far, nothing." The stolen car in the driveway was similarly combed through. Every stray hair inside was documented. There wasn't much left that wasn't bagged, tagged and sent off to the lab, but Ian liked one last intimate walk-through before tossing the keys to clean-up. If he was absorbing one word of what Adria was saying, it didn't show. Her partner worked like a TNT detective. Adria pictured the world bottoming out around him. He'd suffer 50 consecutive epiphanies after looking at something stupid like a tipped ketchup bottle, and construct a convoluted MO from there, but that's not how she worked. If reading the block text helped, murder's hooked on phonics, by God she'd do it. "Neighbors didn't hear anything. We have no idea where the struggle took place, if there was one. Judging from the looks of this place-" "It wasn't here." He said, tuning in only for silent confirmation. She nodded, and he killed the lights. His UV swept over the walls. The inside had the aesthetically-pleasing insipidity of a gourmet cracker. It had been sanitized for a showing, but according to the carpet, the perp wasn't admiring the crown modeling. A modest drip-trail led straight from the front door to the basement, and there wasn't a petal out of place before it. After a quick scan of the rooms composing the ground floor, Ian got his fill of Ashley HomeStore's heritage collection. To the basement they went. Each wood plank creaked under their feet. The floor consisted of a flat slab of water-stained cement. The space was fashioned into a man-cave. Shelves were bolted to the walls. All the sofas were leather. Posters on the wall were swapped for something more palatable, flanking an entertainment system that was to be marveled. In a move that didn't appear to serve any purpose toward the room's breathability, all the furniture was shoved to the side to clear the center. A single bulb hung by chain overhead. Energy funneled through a copper wire made it hum. Evidence photos never did it justice. The victims were strung together by a lawn hose. A single cloth gag- maybe a sheet- knocked their heads together, pulled taut at the pocket of their jaws. Their height difference forced Jean's face heavenward. The whites of her eyes were visible from the top, but you had to be at the bottom to see the shadow she sat in was actually a pattern. Their blood leaked into a paste-like outline, seeping color into the circle etched into it. Where the natural tug of gravity didn't fill the trenches, the killer dropped to their knees and started fingerprinting, casting away any macabre elegance it formerly had. Their hands scraped to fill the pattern all until it got to the bottom of the arc. Ian read her mind. "They were interrupted." "By what?" She asked. His mouth pressed into a hard line. He didn't have an answer. Instead he completed his circuit before dropping closer to the gag. Adria knelt beside him, her boots toeing the edge where the brushwork tapered. Fingerprints- fragmented and smeared- were shipped off to IAFIS. Problem was, when the suspect hadn't indulged in some casual DUI, she needed something to match it to. She sized her hand up against theirs, while the deceased husband stared on. Adria avoided eye contact. Violent crime wasn't anything new. She's seen her fair share since moving to the city, but never a throat cut this deeply. Sidney had been nearly decapitated. Skin folded off his Adam's apple like a bow-tie. Stringy matter underneath was on full display. "What about the design? Does that mean anything to you?" "The team is working on tracking it. So far they're thinking it’s some type of online cult." "And that?" She tipped her head to the bowls skirting the outline. Ian grabbed one, sifting through it with a finger. Its contents stuck to the latex, white. "Cinnamon, and salt. The last one's pyrite. Offerings." "Then what were they?" "Bait." The moment he said it the lights died. Ian shot up. Adria pulsed to follow, but her balance teetered. Neither were near a switch. "Who else is here?" "No one." The bowl Ian was holding warbled a low note, spinning where he’d been. He shouted from the foot of the stairs. "Has to be the breaker. Don't move." "What?" "Don't move." "Wh- I'm not going to touch anything!" Adria lurched on steel-toes. Offense had her fumbling with her flashlight. Sure. Okay. Fine. So in the past she hasn't been the most careful. Maybe she's stomped through one or two crime scenes. But never when it mattered! So it's not like she'd- Something blew past her ear.  With a graceless shriek, she made it a third. "God DAMN it!" Coagulated blood gunked to her jeans. She fell onto her back, swearing and curling to assess the damage. Ian would take one look at her and scowl. He'll do that smoldering, glower thing of his that she only liked when it was directed to other people. And then she'll have to go home, change her jeans, and hope he lets her back onto the property before they break out the body bags. He's going to see right away that- There's smoke? She dropped her knee. Sniffing, she swiveled. Air was escaping somewhere, hissing like a busted soda can. Whatever it was suffused the room. Her eyes burned just to move, but she couldn’t shut them. It could be more than the breaker- But that wouldn't explain why it was in the middle of the scene. With a yelp, she witnessed a spark fly between the corpses. Her heels planted into the floor. She kicked, hastily wedging distance between her and smog lifting off the concrete. She could've pretended she missed the class where she found out cinnamon was flammable. She could've maybe let it slide that denim wasn't an accelerant, but this was straight up sulfur. A ribbon of light unwound between them. A silhouette stretched out from behind it, towering. "Ian?" She asked, already knowing it wasn't. It had too many feelings to be. "What is this?" It croned. Miserably, it picked up a leg. "Ugh." Fingers acting faster than her brain, Adria whipped her gun from its holster "HANDS. Hands up, now!" "Sticky-" It groused. She heard a wet, staggered ppmf-ff. That suspiciously sounded like bodies toppling. In a maneuver she couldn't repeat, she blindly vaulted over the sofa, jamming herself between its backing and the wall. Her vision developed slow. First outlines, then shapes. Colors a little after when the smokescreen fanned out, blurring the glow around his face. She propped up her gun. Old leather gave away her position. The red light of eyes widened, vaguely cartoon-ish. "WHOA, hey now. Don't shoot." "Get on the ground." She ordered. "I said I wanna see your hands! Both of them, now!" "Aye-aye!" He complied. There was something sarcastic about the way his shadow wiggled to the floor. "Happy?" "Who are you?!" "Demetri Marquette, at your service." He tried to bow, until the violent rattle of her pistol suggested that was strictly prohibited. "What are you doing here?!" "Same as you, I imagine." "What?! What does that mean?" "You know. Working. The hustle." He shimmied. One by one, the candles surrounding them lit. The man in the center appeared nothing as he did in the shadows. His stature halved. The reddish glow vanished from his face, but most perplexing yet was that he somehow found a cover to throw over the bodies. With the blanket over them, they looked like fucking sock puppets. Adria sucked in a breath, sputtering nothing but inarticulated syllables for solid five seconds before, "Hey- stop fucking with my scene!!" "Oh- this?" He patted the victim's heads. The disrespect alone should’ve been grounds to fire. "I was meaning to talk to you about that. I'm sorry but two? Overkill. We’re not in the business of extra credit but I do appreciate the enthusiasm. So, uh. What's it going to be?" She swore nothing about this conversation was tracking. "Huh? "Money, fame, power, et cetera?" Nonsense! Complete nonsense. What was he implying? That this was an offer? A transaction for the bodies? It didn't matter. He overstayed his welcome before he popped in. And the fact he got in here at all may mean he knew something they didn't. This ridiculous, unexplainable suspension of belief kept her from feeling imperiled but this fuck was going to ruin the whole case if he didn't already. She pinched the button on the side of her walkie. "Ian, I need back-up downstairs now." The stranger sucked his teeth. "Ah. I wouldn't do that.” ’Oh my God, shut up. “Come on, talk to me.” He cooed. “What would make you more comfortable? Fresh air? The lights- is it the lights?" She glared, trigger finger satisfied with rapid-fire button clicking. Ian's hip would be going off like the fire alarm should be. "You know, I was going for ambiance, but." He snapped. Suddenly the power was back. She twisted from her fort. Corner to corner, stomping cleared across ceiling. The basement door creaked. Ian came swinging down the stairs, perfectly on cue. "The breaker fixed itself." He announced, sounding leery of it. "Imagine that," Said Blondie. Adria’s aim stayed fixed, prepared for sudden moves. There weren’t any, even from her partner. Ian’s velocity slowed to a stop. His grip on the handrail turned rigid before the bottom, tightening like it was the only thing keeping him upright. His eyes roved over the ruined scene, the magnitude of it driving a huge crease into his brow. He did not notice the stranger directly beside him. Adria desperately looked between the both of them. "He can't see me," Demetri elaborated. "Adria?" Said Ian. The gravelly rumble of his voice asked fifty questions- none of which she had an answer to. She had a gun aimed at nothing. Two bodies were down, bizarrely set up for a picnic. "I-..." She stuttered. "Word of advice," Demetri picked a piece of lint of Ian’s shoulder. The detective reacted with only the slight drift of his eye-line, before his attention snapped back to Adria. "Don't say anything or you'll buy yourself a ticket to a psych eval." "Ian, you can't-?" "Nevermind. From this angle, you already look insane." Ian waited for her to continue but she lowered her gun. If he was right, there was no coming back from this. "...I thought I saw someone in the smoke." "Smoke?" There was no smoke. No fire, no light. Demetri's trapeze around the basement hadn't even left footprints. To Ian, she used the two minutes he was away to go nuts. Just lose her mind. Sanity to the wind. Who needs to critically think when you can barricade yourself behind a sofa, wildly waving a gun around? Defending yourself from scary shadow people that a paid electricity bill keeps at bay? Ian stared, impatience surging from a quiet simmer to a boil. She realized it’s been too long since she even tried answering a question. "Are you alright?" He rephrased. What she heard was ’Are you an idiot?’ Her face burned hot. "I think-" She slung her bag over his shoulder. "I think I need a minute. I'll be back." The tight set of his jaw meant he agreed. She ran past him, bolting for the cruiser. Now she was going to have to type up an incident report. Scrub her pants. Contemplate the onset of her paranoia induced insanity, and hope they wouldn't take her badge for this. She threw herself into the front seat of her cruiser. The door slammed behind her. Before she’d let frustrated tears get the better of her, she pulled up a Chrome browser. Occult. Satanism. She typed. Demon summoning. Symbol. All the results looked close. Matching the exact twisted pattern would be a nightmare. "Mind if we hit Starbucks?" Demetri necked her seat. She jolted, narrowly stopping herself from throwing her elbow through his eye socket. Knowing he was fictional made her wish she hadn't hesitated. "Why are you in my car?!" She swiped at her face. "For a frap. Hopefully. Is butterscotch still in season?" "No! Get out." His cheek squished against her headrest. "Aw, c'mon." She adjusted the rear-view, only for him pop up passenger side. "I get it." He said, proving he did Not actually. Devoid of any understanding of what 'Get out' meant, "More of a Dunkin' girl. That's fine I guess. Oh! Hope you don't mind. I dug through your glove department. I was trying to get to know you." He waggled a scrap of stationary. "Does the department know you're dating? Seems naughty. Is that against HIPA or something?" She flustered, red-faced. That note had been in Ian’s lunch. "OUT!" "I mean, I'm not judging. I like it. You'd think detective romances would get cliché but ugh." He pressed it to his heart. "There's something so enticing about seeing the ugliness of humankind hand-in-hand with the one you love. A real testament to love's resilience. Do you listen to Rihanna?" We Found Love belted from her speakers. Forget the psych eval, now she had to worry about the HOA. "What do you want, huh?!” Adria punched her stereo. “What do you want? Why are you here? Turn this OFF-" "I want to know what you want." He shrugged. "I want you to leave?! I’ve said a million times!" "No can do. Gonna need something more substantial. Unless, gasp." He made a show of patting down his slacks before producing a pen. The document it came with looked real and official. Spooky, until it came to 'Officer Hardass' at the top of a memo. It read "I forfeit my eternal soul to get Demetrius Marquette to GTFO" in gold. She looked down at the paper, head reeling. This was a fever dream. A nightmare. A joke, but she could feel the weight surrounding the document. Metaphysical. And as tempting as it would be to physically take his pen and jam it through his palm, five finger fillet- "NO." She shouted, chucking it back at him. "I'm not selling anything." Rihanna's chorus guttered and died. Its volume fell with his face. Hopeless indeed. "I don't get it." He huffed, impossibly exasperated. Like she was the one being objectively difficult here. "Why did you even summon me, then? What's the point?" "I didn't summon you, asshole! Some psychopath did!" "Huh." He pondered, deciding that did make more sense after-all. "...SO GO AWAY." "EeeeeEEEH. I don't think I will." He kicked back in the seat. A pair of sunglasses slid down his nose, gilded logo hitting the sun just right. How did a Dolce and Gabbana sales associate see him but not Ian? "You see. The problem is that I'm here now. I can't go home without something to show for it." "That's not my problem," Adria said, incredulously. "YOU are my problem! I don’t know who you think you are, but I don't owe you anything. You came onto my scene, jeopardized my career, made me look like an idiot, and now you're making my car smell like eggs!" Demetri recoiled. For a moment she thought she got through to him. Then it became abundantly clear it was just the egg part, actually. "Wow." He said. Hurt gave his voice a raspy edge. "Wow..." “So GO AWAY.” She tried for two. Three would be a taser. “You- you know what?” Demetri splayed his hands. “Fine. We’re done here. I’ll go-” “THANK YOU.” He scowled. “-I’ll go, but I will be back. And when I return, we're continuing this discussion in earnest. I hope, I sincerely hope Detective Kyro, that you think about it." She wouldn’t. But he vanished before she could say so. - - - By the time she got home, the scene was cleared. Since it had been cataloged ad nauseam, there was no need to report his partner’s lapse in sanity. Ian let it go. He covered her ass by risking his to shuffle in clean-up before anyone with a badge audited the damage. She got off easy. Despite earning every letter of a psych referral, confrontation fell away into 'unspoken' territory. He said nothing, but it was strongly encouraged by his cancellation of their Friday after-work happy hour that she take an extended weekend to 'rest.' That part he phoned in without her approval. Defeated, she threw off her jacket. She hooked her gun belt on a peg by the door. Her jeans were just going to burn- they were as good as cursed as far as she was concerned. There was nothing left to do but take a long, hot shower. Maybe she’d feel better if her skin ran hotter than the shame. The rest could be dealt with Monday. What choice did she have, really? She jammed a thumb through her braid. The plaits fell loose as she kicked off her boots, Adria went through the motions of attaining tentative comfort. And the moment she thought she could let it go (until she’d inevitably replay it at all again tonight) she smacked into the chest of someone in the bathroom. Her bathroom. This motherfucker made himself at home. “So,” His finger wound in the cord of her hairdryer. Freshly washed, and expertly coiffed, Demetri smelled exactly like her body wash. "Did you think about it?"

[beenjen]

This little guy has been working with me most days and I had forgotten how soothing it was to have a cat just sit in your lap and purr.

Chihuahua is the first in many changes going on in our little cocoon.

A big one for me, is that my milk is finally drying up and Lils though displeased, isn’t hooked on phonics near as much. It’s been an adjustment though, because when she’s upset, she wants that comfort, she still asks for it and latches, though there isn’t a supply for her. I’ve been pushing her sippie and coconut milk, and while it’s melancholy that this time is coming to an end, not just with her, but my childbearing years, I’m also completely 10,000% over it.

Another is that my work is expanding back to clinic hours. While I’ll only be seeing a handful of patients in person per day, I’ll be in clinic Tuesdays and Thursdays starting the first week of July. It’s not official official, though even if they push it back a week or 2, it’s coming. I’m going to miss so much being home, not having the drive time, lunch workouts, staying in leggings all day, putting on makeup only if the mood strikes... I’ll also have to wear a mask and face shield all day while I’m there and I’m not looking too forward to that part, though I am super excited to see my work compadres.

I’ve also been feeling super emotional - sure my posts range from complete polar opposites at times, that’s just my personality, but I’m usually not so raw feeling? The kids for the most part have been sleeping so it isn’t a super tired emotionality. Work is work so there really isn’t more added stress or fear of losing my job, so it isn’t that type of strain. Moms illness isn’t new and we haven’t gotten a poor report so it isn’t that heaviness type of pressure, too, all dads health checks have come back normal and he’s doing well... I can’t quite put my finger on it. I feel more friable. More fluctuations with my mood. Lower lows if you will.

Realizing this, I’ve been making a daily effort to do the small things that make me feel better. My morning and night skincare routine. Weekly deep hair conditioning. Lotion on my feet at bedtime. Straightening up around the house daily, not scrubbing and cleaning so much as picking up the flotsam of day to day life. Taking my vitamins. Slathering with lavender oil. Talking to girlfriends. Making time to check in with chris throughout the day for little texts, sharing screenshots of stuff that only he would get, chatting in the evenings once the kids are down on the back porch or curling up on the couch. I’ve noticed this has helped, and can it really be that simple? Was I in Jen head land or was I neglecting important aspects? I don’t really know. I did feel cloudy and now more so clear, and I do withdraw, so maybe that’s just my interpretation on that manifestation?

Whatever. Sometimes I think you don’t ‘get it’ but that it’s more important that you noticed and made an effort to correct it.

On an unrelated note, I’ve been increasing my daily activity. I usually do a workout earlier in the day, then in the evening, the kids and I will pull up a barre class or whatnot online, throw down a mat and get our wiggles on - these sessions aren’t so much about a workout as having fun together. The other night, hubs came into the kitchen to see what was going on and he captured this little moment 💚

My babes are awesome xx

[ryik-the-writer]

Rumbelle fic: A Sitting Deal

A Sitting Deal 4/6

A03 Link

Rating: T+

Summary: With the threat of a rent increase being held over her head, Lacey E. French makes a deal with Mr. Gold to babysit his three-year-old son. Soon however the town troublemaker finds herself getting close to her landlord and son…which just can’t be good!

Note: for my Rumbelle Secret Santa recipient…@of-princes-and-savages, based off the prompt: Hey, who’s kid is this

Lacey was positively pissed when she woke up on time the next morning. She had hoped she would have slept in late and Gold would give up on her.

Yet Lacey found herself trudging to Gold’s house, her hair unwashed, her clothes unfitting. She shot dirty looks at passersby and hoped Gold would tell her to scram when she rung the doorbell.

He didn’t.

“Do come in,” he insisted as he held the door open.

Lacey groaned as she obeyed, noticing with a snort that the expansive mess she and Bae had caused yesterday had been cleared away.

She followed Gold into the kitchen where Baelfire was munching on dry cereal. His eyes widened when he saw her.

“Bwasy!” he sang, holding his pudgy arms out to her.

Both Lacey and Gold stopped in their tracks.

“I…I thought you said he couldn’t speak yet.”

“He can’t…” Gold breathed, the corner of his mouth twitching in an almost proud smile.

“Well then…congrats?” Lacey shrugged, trying to wrap her head around the idea that a kid she hadn’t known for a full twenty-four hours would waste his first word on her.

Gold nodded with a hum and began cleaning his son off.

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday,” he said suddenly.

Lacey blinked. No one ever apologized to her.

“As you should,” she stated, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint what he was apologizing for.

“I shouldn’t have pried the way I did,” Gold said. “Your business and decisions are your own, and I have no right to weigh in on them.”

“Ah,” Lacey said, nodding, but felt empty. Though what he said had stung, it had felt nice to have someone see her potential and remind her of it.

Now he wouldn’t bring it up again. He didn’t care.

“But I stand by what I said,” he added. “You can do something amazing with your life.”

Lacey shrugged, desperate to shrug off the mixed feelings Gold was making her feel.

“And I also thought of what you said,” Gold added, bringing Lacey back to present.

“Oh?” she pressed.

“I have been rather rigorous with Bae’s schedule,” he said as he unlatched Bae from his chair. “If you’re willing, I’d like you to take him to the park for a few hours after lunch, long enough for him to tire himself for his nap.”

Lacey choked a bit. He’d actually listened to her.

“Um, yeah of cou—” she gasped when Baelfire suddenly ran into her leg, just as he had at the bar. She met his little pools of chocolate as he met her blue ones.

“Bwasy!” His little hands stretched up her leg, like a kitten still learning the ways of the world.

Lacey twitched at the knowledge of what he wanted.

Gold sensed her hesitation and came up behind Bae to lift him up.

“Hold out your arms,” he instructed. “Now place one under his bottom…yes that’s it. Now the other around his shoulders.”

Lacey obeyed, her heart pounding as this tiny creature nestled himself in her arms, wrapping those pudgy, softer-than-silk arms around her neck.

She could smell cereal on his breath and count every eyelash he had.

“Bwasy,” he said again.

“Yeah.” Lacey swallowed. What the hell was she feeling?

Gold chuckled knowingly and placed his hand on Lacey’s to guide it to the center of Bae’s back.

He stopped when Lacey’s eyes shot up to his.

And could only stare.

Lacey French was trouble in human form. She stayed out too late and drank too much and had not held down a functional job until now. Yet with his little boy in her arms, there was this strange and beautiful vulnerability to her. And though there was panic in her eyes, her posture was poised, professional almost.

He swallowed.

And Lacey looked away, swerving to sit Bae on top of the counter.

“So uh…you’ll be back by five?”

Gold blinked. Right.

“Yes, I’ll call you if anything changes,” he said, straightening his lapels and falling back into his overly professional persona. “Good day.”

“Same to you.”

“Make sure he at least does his phonics cards.”

“Uh huh,” Lacey nodded as she willed the aggravating blush on her cheeks to fade. She listened as the tell-all sound of the door closure signaled his departure.

With a groan she collapsed against the counter. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” She recalled that she was in the presence of a post-toddler and glanced at him, the smirking boy staring at her like she was a god.

 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Lacey decided to take their lunch with them to the park. Bae had been strangely clingy to her most of the morning to the point where even actual educational television wouldn’t distract him.

She wasn’t angry, or even frustrated with is new-found likeness for her. It was just so odd to have a tiny person actively seek her out. Lacey had sworn since early tweenhood that she would never have children or anything to do with them.

She scoffed at the irony as she loaded Bae and a bag of supplies onto a stroller she had found in a closet.

“Belle would shit her pants if she could see me now,” she said out loud, then chastised herself for conversing with a three-year-old.

As they reached the park entrance Bae began to get antsy, excited for familiar surroundings.

Lacey released him and laughed as he made a stumbling tumble to the sand box.

“Dork!” she called after him. Lugging the stroller to the nearest bench. “And don’t get kidnapped!”

“Lacey?”

The woman in question looked up and struggled to recall the tired blonde in front of her who was pushing a little girl only a year or so older than Bae.

“Um…hi?” Lacey greeted uneasily, glancing on and off at Bae just in case this was part of a kidnapping plan.

The woman laughed wetly and took the space on the bench. “You haven’t changed a bit. You still look exactly as you did in high school.”

That one word filled Lacey’s mind with memories of a time so long ago. Chaotic lunches with her friends. Unwarranted fights with her frustrated teachers. Sideways smiles at her sister as they parted ways down the hall.

And then Ashley Boyd. The trailer park queen who thought she was the next Paris Hilton.

Lacey had been snarky, but Ashley had been downright cruel. Belle had coached her sister how to stand her ground against the blonde tyrant, but it did little to settle her into humbleness.

That is until the day her father dropped a stepmother and two stepsisters on her.  She was no longer daddy’s little girl and her new sisters made her life at school an absolute nightmare.

She only seemed to spiral further when she fell pregnant and left just before graduation season. The queen was finally dethroned and the rest of Storybrooke High’s year was much quieter for it.

However, Lacey would give her credit where it was due. Becoming a young mother strengthened her. She took some night classes while she was pregnant and soon began running the local daycare.

She’d made something of her life, which filled Lacey with a grainy bitterness.

“It’s good to see you,” Lacey said half-truthfully.

“You too,” Ashley returned with a warped smile. She released her daughter from the confinement of her stroller and sat back as she ran to join Baelfire in the sandbox.

“Well look at him,” Ashley mused. “He’s absolutely adorable.”

“He’s not mine,” Lacey pointed out quickly.

“Oh, I know who’s he is,” Ashely concluded.

Lacey glanced at Bae and then back at Boyd, her stomach turning when she saw the darkness in her eyes. She had the sudden urge to snatch up Bae and run, but Lacey French ran from no one, especially not ex-bullies.

“Is that supposed to mean something?” Lacey growled, locking eyes with Ashley when she shot back around.

She shrugged so casually Lacey wanted to wrap her hands around her throat.

“Mr. Gold wanted to enroll him in my daycare,” Ashely said, her voice chirpy like she was talking about a recent vacation. “I told him not a chance in hell.”

Lacey wrinkled her nose and looked at Bae as he filled a discarded bucket with sand. Though her experience with children was slim to none, she could confidently say Bae was the most well-behaved toddler in existence.

“Why?” Lacey pressed. “It’s not like he couldn’t have paid the fees or anything.”

“I have the trust of every yoga and soccer mom in Storybrooke,” Ashley relayed. “If I let Gold or his sprawn anywhere near their children, I’d lose that trust without a second thought.”

Lacey flinched, gripping the underside of the bench for dear life. “Bae’s three. Whatever beef you have with Gold shouldn’t interfere with you giving him the same respect you give any other brat in this town.”

“I don’t expect you to understand because you’re not a parent,” Ashely said. “But those who associate with that man sink, and they don’t even have time to hold their breaths.”

Lacey rolled her eyes. “Why the hell are you bothering me?”

“Consider this a warning from someone who almost ended up just like you,” Ashley said, her smirk triumpth. “Gold is toxic, and no matter what you do his kid is going to end up just like him,”

“You’re wrong,” Lacey fought, losing her temper fast. “Gold might be a dick, but he cares about his kid,”

“Don’t let the paycheck blind you,” Ashely scoffed. “He’s a snake, and he will ruin your life if you keep your distance,”

Lacey jumped up, twirling her fingers in her belt loops. “Well, Ashely,” Lacey breathed, biting her inner cheek. “I’m more than capable of ruining my own life, so being around Gold will hardly give me damage points.” She turned towards the sandbox and whistled, earning Bae’s attention.

“Come on kiddo,” she called out, her breath catching when Bae emerged from the sand and came toddling after her, his tiny legs barely carrying him.

She picked him up, and for once the motion of swinging him onto her hip was second nature.

“The next time you want to strike up a conversation,” Lacey growled at Ashley. “Stick to the weather.”

She grumbled fantasies of taking Ashley’s face through a meat grinder as she hazardously pushed Bae in his stroller. When she glanced down she found the boy to be otherwise unfazed.

Why did she feel so strange around this little boy? Why did she suddenly feel this need to hold him, and protect him from bitches like Ashley Boyd?

Lacey scoffed in denial as she lugged Bae’s stroller up the stairs, jumbling her curses so that he wouldn’t catch on.

This was just part of the job. She was protective of her ward because she was getting paid to, nothing more.

She nodded at this thought comfortably as she undid Bae from the stroller. But the second he was free, he launched himself into her arms.

“Bwasy!” he cheered, nuzzling his face into her bosom.

“Geez kid,” Lacey groaned pushing him away just enough to give them some space. “I’m having a crisis here!”

Bae laughed gleefully, his tiny baby teeth gleaming.

“Oh come on.” She groaned. How was he so damn cute?

The boy babbled has he reached out a hand to paw at her cheek, his soft fingers pressing into her smooth cheekbone.

Lacey followed his hand as it wondered over her face. What was he trying to do? Was this something all kids did? Was he feeling her out to suffocate her later?

His fingers made a dangerous path over her mouth and Lacey took hold of his hand before they could venture past her lips.

She glared at him, hoping to deter his strange toddler affection. No one liked her except drunk slobs. Kids were supposed to avoid her at all cost.

Yet this one was staring at her like she had just given him the moon, and she hadn’t even given him lunch yet!

“Kid…” Lacey sighed, looking at the tiny hand clutched in her own.

“Bwasy.” Bae responded.

Lacey’s throat tightened. He was too cute, too good for Storybrooke and all his its self-righteous heathens.

She laughed tightly. “Damn it kid,” she chocked as she brought the tiny fingers to her lips.

“Miss French?”

With a horrified gasp she dropped Bae’s hand, turning to find Gold at the kitchen entryway, staring at her like a ghost just walked through his door.