On top of the gingerbread baking yesterday, there was an even more important task to be done, writing a letter to Santa. We have been slowly teaching Smallsteps to read and write and while she knows her alphabet and numbers and can do simple addition and subtraction, we haven't spent too much time actually reading and writing. In Finland, kids start school at about 7 years of age where they will learn these skills, but since she has been so interested in it since a very young age, we will support her development.
This is the first year Smallsteps has written by herself to Santa and we kept it simple and to the point - it is also in Finnish. Finnish is a phonetic language which makes it easy for spelling as words are said the way they are written. At this stage, my wife spelled the words out and other than a backward N and L or two, it went pretty well.
Smallsteps has had one thing on her mind that she wants for a year now and while we have already told her she will get it once her room is ready, she wanted to add it to the list. Exercise rings - those Roman rings that hang from the ceiling. She used them at a friend's place a couple of years ago and has wanted her own since. I think this is a pretty good gift, as I could definitely do with a little usage of them too.
While a lot of kids will likely never actually write that much in their lives, as everything is digital, I think that the mental skills associated with writing is an important foundation for other learning, as well as physical dexterity. Reading is about pattern recognition, writing adds process for pattern development. I think that while reading is a consumptive process, writing is a creative process that can add a lot of other values, such as mental hygiene.
It is pretty cool to watch her write, as the concentration she applies can be seen on her face and I can see my own granddad in there, as she reminds me of when he was woodcarving in his shed. It is funny how many of our habits are ingrained into us genetically and we have very little control over them, as we probably do not even realize that we do them.
After the rings - the second thing on the list was a scarf - because she needs one. A few weeks ago she realized that the ones she has for the winter are too small for her now and decided that she would ask for a new one for Christmas. After this, it got a little more difficult, because she didn't need anything else. We said that just because she writes the list, it doesn't mean she will get it all, so if she wants to add something, she can. To this, she said, "I already have enough toys - but I would like perhaps a little little dog. A soft one."
And the last thing on the list came form a "Daddy prompt" - a beanbag. With the rings being above a hardwood floor, I tihnk it might be a good idea to put something under her to start with and there are these big "Fatboy" beanbag chairs, or similar (as they are overpriced).These can layout flat and become a soft landing and I think that it would also serve as a nice place to sit and read in the corner, as she has been wanting her "privacy" as she thumbs through books.
Pretty good - by my standards
So, the final list:
Renkaat (Rings)
Kaulahuivi (scarf)
Pieni koira (small dog)
Säkkituoli (beanbag chair)
This is a pretty manageable list and other than the dog, are practical. What I thought was pretty interesting is that when 'signing off,* she wanted to write "love" instead of the Finnish equivalent, because it sounded better. Finnish might be a functional language, but it isn't pretty ;)
This year might be the last time Pappa is Santa and I am kind of hoping that Smallsteps realizes. My family never supported the "Christmas lies" and while we did celebrate, it was more focused on the food and company. However, I do think that there is some value in introducing a little magic in the world and having children then start to explore what that means - to question the presented narrative and start to explore alternatives.
So, do you lie to your children too?
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Dear Taraz I too lied to my children about Santa Claus, a pinch of magic that helps them in the dream factory.
As far as writing is concerned, you are absolutely right and the pen-on-paper dance has been helping children develop different modalities for over 5000 years.
With writing, the brain develops the ability to remember, learn and coordinate thought to graphic activity, a unique and irreplaceable creative process from the poor keyboard. Maybe you've already read it, I found it interesting.
New York Times
A hug with pen in hand.
I haven't read about it before, it is just from observing over time the differences in those who write or not. I think it adds a variation on thought in a way that slows the process and gives a chance to "think more" about what is being said.
Thanks for the article, I will have a read when I have a moment :)
!ENGAGE 20
ENGAGEtokens.We also lied to our son but as he soon learned it was mum and dad as all kids with older brothers in school would tell them.
In Spain, the tradition was to give presents on the Three Kings Day, which is January the 6th. Now Santa is as "strong" as the Three Kings, in a way is better as kids have a few more days to spend with their presents before coming back to school, but it is kind of sad to see how a local tradition is taken away by the consumer world we live in.
We also used to write a letter (the Three Kings did) telling him how we were happy about the good things and what he needed to work to improve during the next year. It was funny to hear he recognized my wife's writing in the letter as he was growing up.
as a kid, I was told that some people believe in it and it isn't my place to tell them the truth - they will find out soon enough.
The Epiphany is a holiday here too, but not a gift giving day. The 13th of Jan is an interesting one as in some small areas, the tradition is to knock on the neighbors door and ask for something to drink :)
this is part of the fun of it for parents perhaps. =)
!ENGAGE 20
ENGAGEtokens.Awwww this is the sweetest thing! I can't remember if I wrote to Santa, but I did believe in him. There is a sort of magic in it and I admire the parents who entertain this cute little dream. I think it's adorable that you let her dream
!ENGAGE 20
She dreams quite a lot as it is and I think if I had "my way" (I don't), this isn't where I would have the magic of childhood. But, my wife enjoys it, so it is fine.
Smallsteps will hopefully start reading pretty young, so she can start exploring new worlds that way. I was 8 when I read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings and by then, I had already finished everything in the library below it. The benefit of being an outcast =)
Oh you were quite precocious! Nice! I loved Jules Verne and reading fairytales, I loved that I was able to imagine all sort of outer worlds after reading. I was a sort of an outcast too and books were my friend
!ENGAGE 15
ENGAGEtokens.Lying to your kids about Santa does no harm. Realizing Santa was never real teaches them a bit of healthy scepticism.
But there are also so many other things to lie about :D
At least there are cultural traditions to act as a framework to help you keep your lies straight. :)
lol - fair point.
@tarazkp, Will you grow her Finnish? Or would you like to teach her English that she is of Australian descent? I think Australians and Americans are New World people. However, you seem to want to be a European.
I have always enjoyed reading your writing. Thank you!
She speaks both languages natively, so there is no need to "teach" her anything, just talk with her.
I think you are quite mistaken about Australians, as there is still a very strong European based culture there, since pretty much most of the country has emigrated from Europe in the last 150 years. :)
Can she speak both English and Finnish? cool. I envy her ability because I speak English wrong.😲
Probably because I'm not good at English, I used to express myself too straightforward.
The Americans I've met in the Hive so far have argued that the Republic of America, democracy and capitalism are superior to Europe.
Americans argue that through the confrontation between the United States and China, the ideas of freedom, equality, and liberation in the United States are superior. By the way, you seem to me to have a European socialist orientation.By the way, Dear @tarazkp, You seem to have a more European mindset and sensitivity than Americans.
I wish you understand the fact that I am expressing this to you. Please understand first that I am not good at English.
I think you are an anarchist.There is a tendency to Freemason.
Haha, she is already learning where Finnish language works, and where it doesn't :D Smartsteps!
I think Finnish language in bed would make me want to get out of bed... :D
The most romantic thing you can say in Finnish is "you want coffee?" but any sweet talk in Finnish makes me want to gag.
no comment.
I think a lot of kids have that N and L issue, I know I had it for several of my early years, along with a backwards S on occasion. keeping the magic in kids early life I think is fine, reality can be pretty harsh at times for kids, so nothing wrong with santa, the easter bunny, or the tooth fairy. By ten most kids are past all that anyway.
I think early writing does tend to help a person become a better reader, and then you have a simple genesis machine where one skill enhances the other skill, and builds a third skill, the imagination.
pretty
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Do not miss the last post from @hivebuzz:
ENGAGEtokens.Very, very rarely, much more often I do not finish speaking. For example, with an explanation of where the son was born.
I came up with a story that dad gave mom a seed. Mom planted a seed in the belly where you grew up from her.
I haven't got into the details thankfully yet. But when I told my daughter,
You are the best thing I have ever made.
She replied,
"You didn't make me, I was in Mummy's belly."
I left it there. :D
This is how the role of the father is minimized from childhood. And without us, well, nothing :)
I still enjoy writing cursive. But sometimes pause and think... How do you make a capital F?
And sometimes I mix in a few non cursive letters.
It's part of the magic of childhood. We have the tooth fairy and Easter bunny visit too. It's fun for a few years, then you get to feel clever for having worked it out.
Ahhh clever child I remember when my kids used to write like that I'm dying of cuteness overdose it's too late for me run save yourselves.