Learning Curve
As a kid, I was very curious about everything that was going around me. Whatever was in question, I thought if the adults can do it why couldn't I. And of course, I had to try it all. Expectedly (although not for me at that time), not all of my attempts to imitate the adults ended up well.
Image Source: Pixabay. Credits to elementus for girl-child, used under the CC0 Creative Commons license.
As well there were some things I couldn't do just by imitation, although I tried. For instance, reading and writing was something my household members were doing every day regularly. I wanted to be the part of that reading/writing group too.
To imitate writing wasn't that hard as I didn't know the signs they are writing are letters, in fact, which form words and sentences, and that they have some meaning as well as they could be read by someone else.
So, getting a pencil and a piece of paper to scribble something on it what would somewhat look like the lines in the letter my grandma would, e.g., write to her sister abroad, wasn't an impossible mission, or at least I thought it isn't. I only didn't understand why no one isn't that impressed with my writing. It took me some time to realize there must be something else behind those "lines."
Image Source: Pixabay. Credits to picjumbo_com for child-kid-play, used under the CC0 Creative Commons license.
Reading was an entirely different beast, just seemingly, easier to master. Newspapers, a default daily literature for my household members were very tempting to me as someone would always read something from it and then they would discuss it. I wanted to participate actively in those reading/discussion sessions.
The trouble was the newspapers were hard to get as they were continually circling and someone would always read it. I had to develop the whole "like a hawk" strategy of close watching and fast grabbing. When I finally managed to accomplish that mission, I faced another problem.
Those damn newspapers were nothing like my picture books. How the heck they manage to read all those stories from it? What the heck? What a waste of space! I was shocked!
Image Source: Author's own derivative work with photos from Pixabay. Credits to WokinghamLibraries for picture-books and MichaelGaida for news-daily, both used under the CC0 Creative Commons license.
OK, there were some pictures too but only a few, while the remaining 90% was just text - those stupid meaningless signs in strange repetitive combinations all over. Despite that, I didn't want to give up. I decided to nail it down this way or another.
For the beginning, I decided, I would focus on pictures. That part I knew, or I thought I do. It turned out it wasn't easy at all to read the story from those photos. I was genuinely impressed with my folks' abilities. But hey, if they can, I can do it too!
I would never forget that day when I proudly marched in the kitchen where most of my family members, for some reason, were mingling at the time, with newspapers in my hands.
Standing at the kitchen door, I shouted: "Listen!" They all turned heads while I theatrically opened the papers and started "reading" the photos. I don't remember anymore what was the story that I "read" but I remember well their laughter after few seconds of shocking surprise.
Then they started questioning me. Where did I find the story? How I read it, etc.? I proudly pointed my finger at the photos. When they saw the images, another wave of laughter arrived. I thought I must be doing it quite well when they are so happy and laughing so much.
When they started encouraging me to "read" some more (photos), I was sure I'm killing it. But then, someone said, quite seriously: "Ana, this is not reading. If you want to read, you have to learn the letters first." - Oh, oh! Entirely unexpected switch. The magic was gone!
Despite my shocking, complete disappointment, I didn't want to give up. I told them...
- "OK, if that's so, you have to teach me."
Image Source: Pixabay. Credits to ArtsyBee for school-learning, used under the CC0 Creative Commons license.
After that, they were not able to read the newspapers peacefully for some while. I would climb into the lap of every family member who was holding the papers and by pointing my small fingers to the letters (one by one) of some big title asking them to tell me which letter it is.
As soon as I figured out how those letters form words and how to read them correctly, I had to hunt my family members as some of them were hiding from me, especially when they would see me running around the house with newspapers in my hands. I remember my much older brother locked himself in the toilet when he noticed my preparations for the reading-chase-mission.
Image Source: Pixabay. Credits to Free-Photos for hiding-boy, used under the CC0 Creative Commons license.
They just didn't understand I need someone to check if I'm doing it right.
However, way before I reached the age of five, I was already reading very well and as well able to write but only with capital letters. But that's not the point!
Several years ago, it was some broader family meeting with few guests when the discussion at the dinner table somehow ended up on first reads. The question was brought up by one of the guests known as a good litterateur.
Image Source: Pixabay. Credits to vivienviv0 for friends-celebration-dinner, used under the CC0 Creative Commons license.
Everyone tried to remember what their first read was by bringing some book titles. Not only avoiding to disappoint the respected guest but even to impress him, some came out with the book titles of some great classics which I sincerely doubt was their first read.
Not wanting to bother too much about that show off parade I turned my focus back to my plate and local conversation I had with those sitting close to me. Therefore, I wouldn't even notice when it was my turn to speak up if one family member didn't call me loudly.
At first, I didn't know what they want from me as I thought they must have been moved on from that topic. Then I really couldn't recall what I read it first. But then, it hit me!
Image Source: Pixabay. Credits to rawpixel for person-cuisine, used under the CC0 Creative Commons license.
- If picture books don't count, - I said, - then at the age of four and a few months more, my first read was the daily newspapers.
The sudden silence was around the whole table. Respected good litterateur guest smiled politely, thinking I was joking, but then he caught my glimpse. Though he still couldn't believe I was serious, so he started looking around at older family members searching for any confirmation that I was joking.
Anyone who knew how the daily newspapers (mostly filled with political news) at the time when I was four looked like and what kind of language journalists commonly used back then, would hardly believe a four-year-old kid would be able to read it.
My older cousin broke the unpleasant silence.
- It's true. - He said, and then added.
- As well, if you would ever need someone to read you the photos, she is the one! She had that unique learning curve.
Loud laughter broke out on the whole table.
Image Source: Pixabay. Credits to Comfreak for narrative-history, used under the CC0 Creative Commons license.
Authored by @ana-maria
intresting story all kid want to learn a lot of think because they have lot of questions n am also missing my childhood thanks for share lovely story lol.
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What a nice story. Ana was such an adorable kid, intelligent too and relentless....
hahaha - Thank you! 😊
Great post. Really enjoyed this one!
Same here :)
Thank you! Glad you like it.
Interesting story, keep it going!
Have you read this? ))
yep!
Thank you!
Great story! My grandparents always got a great laugh out of recounting my "reading" abilities when I was 2 or 3 years old. We came out of the grocery store and I looked at the truck parked in front and said, "F-O-R-D spells Ford, Grandma!" She about fell over. But, the positive reinforcement from those early days really served to fuel my hunger for learning and I really think it's served me well.
Anyway, sorry to babble, but your story reminded me of that. Very well done! Keep up the good work. It's always fun reading well-written material.
Thank you!
There is no problem with those short stories, they keep the replies lively!
Thank you very much, @dagger212! 🙂
I'm glad my story invoked your memory on your childhood and the "Ford" episode with your Grandma! 🙂
Very interesting story indeed. It seems that by nature you are interested in reading from a young age. However, you were also ''nurtered'' by having a family that has access to newspapers every day!
I would say that reading newspapers can be very beneficial for children because it shows the ''real world''. Sadly, real world stories are not suitable for children. :(
Yeah, I agree with you!
very nice post :)
Wow, Your story is just awesome.
All kids want to learn a lot of things and they try it.
Thanks for sharing.
yes true him has very god writter
Thank you!
I tell my children at least once a week, reading is the first step towards being able to teach ourselves anything we are drawn to and are interested in. Next, I will teach them to check the source of the information they are reading. I have time they are still little!
That's great to hear! The more well-guided children we have today the better world we would live in tomorrow.
The only thing maybe, we shouldn't forget or allow to slip from our intention is that children approach and understand things (especially some serious ones) differently than we do. As well they need time to play. Therefore, I believe more we manage to incorporate learning into a playful game in which they would enjoy and have some fun too, the more they would be eager to learn and greater successes they would achieve.
Lol, I love the part > OK, there were some pictures too but only a few, while the remaining 90% was just text - those stupid meaningless signs in strange repetitive combinations all over.
I can relate with that while growing up, funny thing is am currently studying mass communication in university, and everything that seemed abstract then seems to be adding up now, due to my discipline am able to understand what all those meaningless space is for 😊.
Yeah, it's funny but also interesting how from different time distances same things looks different or even can get an entirely new meaning. 🙂
@ana-maria you catch my drift...
Dear ana-mari, a man named Sheldon Cooper will love to trade places with your childhood.
Real talk.
hahaha - Maybe! I don't know! 😁
The child instinct of curiosity is narrated in so much detail while keeping it interesting for readers is appreciable. Thanks for remembers some old age of myself.
Thank you very much for such a nice comment! Appreciate it a lot! 😊
Interesting, my first reading was also newspapers. Reading is the best thing that can exist, really what motivates your writing style. Congratulations! ♥
Thank you! I entirely agree with you when it comes to that the reading motivates the writing.
I've found that all of us were born with that curiosity embedded in us. That inquisitive stare and glance. But tradition,popular belief and environment must have ridden us of the
That's true and I think that's also the exact reason why we should nourish that openminded innocent childish curiosity that for sure is still hidden somewhere inside us.
Funny, I first looked at the photos of this blog trying to get the gyst of the article. My first book I remember reading.
Your Pet Monster - Kids book about finding a monster and making it a pet.
I know help others beat their fears in life... interesting.
Thanks for the post!!
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Glad you liked the story.
Great Story. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you.
lol
Interesting, my first reading was also newspapers. Reading is the best thing that can exist, really what motivates your writing style. Congratulations! ♥
I did enjoy it! Great piece
such a smart kiddo , thanks for sharing this ^^
You just took me down the Memory lane. Thanks a lot😊
.
Very inspiring story. thank you for sharing your great article, it was help me a lot of kindness and achievements in terms of being humble.
That's such a wonderful story Ana! Photo reading is quite the skill :)
hahaha - Thank you! 😊
What a riveting story... I am awestruck
Thank you. 🙂
I am very impressed. the story is beautiful
Thank you very much.
I find as an adult i'm interested in a subject many times for about 3-6 months and then I kind of drift into a different subject... this has been one trend within other shorter and longer turn trends. life is a wheel, a pyramid, and calliope all at once.
this is great , i guess every child passes through some light difficulties while growing up , i passed through one of these you narrated in your post , writing was a hell of trouble to me , i wonderd how people will create letters on books and pages , but it took me time to learn and now i wont say my handwriting is that good , but AM GONNA say that it is very clear for one who knows to read ..
i
this post
nice coming from you
Nice and thanks @adsactly, this just glimpse what im going through on crypto world, i try to relate as doing something new and suite with learning curve.
At the very beginning of crypto venture, i got excited and talk to my few friends and family about crypto, and as what you have felt that they were running around, i felt the same too, only different they knew how to read and running away and hiding to less you bugging them, but over here, i and also them knew nothing about crypto, thus they avoid me as they cant understand what the heck was crypto world...
But overtime i learn through hardway as im not an IT person and etc, only deal with machine and manufacturing... :)
But very impress, u learn to read at the age of 4, that indeed shows the passion of you, and you write quiet well now, i enjoy reading your post, since always have some mixture of curiosity of next para, funny and always rekindle our own old memories... thanks a zillion for the post.. :)
Thank you! I'm glad you like it! 🙂
Thanks for reply, appreciate it..:)
You are very welcome! 🙂
You should definetly keep going! It was amazing and great to read. I tried to remember how I figured out reading and came up with lots of stories
Maybe you should bring them up so we can read it. 😉😊
that s great idea :) let's find a hashtag for that may be many people can join this :)
My 2 cents for that idea...
Great story it reminds me my childhood i used to think the same thing
Thank you! Glad you like it.
This reminds me of when I was younger. I loved to write and I would write a lot. I didn't read that much. One of my teachers commented that I was gifted. Recently, I became a paid writer after teaching for 20 years and working as an application developer.
Yeah, at the end seems it always turns out that we are the best in those things that we are most passionate about.
Enjoyed it...was it a true life story?
Yes, it is. 🙂
Awesome post, @adscactly . I too love reading photos. Texts are good , But photos speak much more. For me it is an art to speak through a photo and to read a photo. :) ... You have used awesome text to support your subject and photos :) ...
Thank you very much!
my pleasure, @ana-maria and @adsactly
Great post.enjoyed this one😊
Thank you! Glad to hear!
Interesting and very funny post, loved it!
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing
You are welcome.
Mind blowing... Very beautiful. 👍
Thank you!
Awesome story..Thank you for sharing :)
Thank you and you are welcome.
Interesting story and an awesome lecture for life.I want to see more stories like this one.
🙂 Thank you very much!
The first steps in reading lead us to understand the world
Yeah, among other things... 😉😊
The writing is really beautiful. If there is a child already the place will be beautiful somewhere.
is this text a continuation of a series?
Well, it wasn't my intention but it might be. Good idea, btw!
I want it 😁
I was corious about everything that went behind me as well! If i heard a word i didn't know, I started saying it non-stop. and a huge percentage from it was curse words ( LOL )
No wonder i love reading books and writing :)
thanks for sharing Ana-maria's post.
Yes, I read fast.
hahaha - Yeah, kids as by some unwritten rule usually pick and learn easier and faster those things that they shouldn't rather than those they should. 🙂
@adsactly You are always standing up
small children can also mature if he often associate with adults.
why I say like that because adults come from small children
That's is lovely and good narrative essay with information worthy to be embrace
Thank you very much for your kind words!
You wanted to play a fast one by attempting go jump the learning curve. But it was a good juvenile character formation which would latter launch you into a very goal oriented person as adult. Thanks for sharing @adsactly
hahaha - Yeah, you are right! I was always in some hurry to pass through the learning curve so I would be able to use my knowledge the way I wanted as soon as possible to accomplish who knows what all sorts of goals.
However, glad you like it! 🙂