It is a big day for Smallsteps.
And her parents.
But while it seems important today, will it matter in twenty years from now? It is hard to say. Our childhood shapes us and its events can impact on the way we think and operate for our entire lives, with many spending huge amounts of time and energy trying to unlearn the lessons or come to terms with what has come to pass. And school plays a large role in our lives, because that is where we learn so much about the world, and how our human behaviours interact with it. And while parents might not want to admit it, peers have more influence on a child's future than anyone else.
Smallsteps is applying for a new school.
There aren't really private schools in Finland and most are just general for everyone, but there are schools that focus on different fields of study. Smallsteps is applying to one that has more focus on music, and has to audition for a very limited number of spaces. But rather than showing any talent for music through an instrument, they have to sing, which isn't her greatest strength. She is getting better though.
The reason we would like her to go there, is because she likes school. She likes math and reading, she likes the language classes, she likes music lessons - she likes learning in general. The problem is, she is in a minority and increasingly, the teachers are spending the time with the majority of students who don't want to be there. And this is for eight year olds - it is only going to get worse, as the children get worse. And she isn't even in the worst of the classes, as in others, kids have to wear earmuffs, because the children are so loud and uncontrolled. This is different at the other school, because the kids are varied in interest and talents, but are more like her, wanting to improve.
It isn't the end of the world if she doesn't get in and it is far more convenient for her and us if she stays where she is, but I am glad that she is willing to try. And, I don't think she will be that disappointed if she doesn't get in, but enough to also know what it is like to miss out on something that she wants, even though she is nervous at the prospect of changing schools. But, perhaps more importantly at this point, is that I want her to know that her parents back her progress, and will support her along the way, win or lose.
I didn't have this as a child.
And I believe it is one of the things that has impacted heavily on me as I have grown. There are some good sides to it, like I am largely independent and self-reliant. But there are bad sides, like a scarcity mindset and an inability to ask for help, even when I need it. And, the list of the negatives is longer than the positives, but we needn't go into those now.
I think that the future is going to be increasingly shitty for most people, regardless of their upbringing, or where they went to school - or which country. Yes, there will be variation, but I believe that it will be overall degradation for a while at least. Technology is increasing, while opportunity is decreasing in so many ways, and the future of earning is shifting into unclear directions. People are probably going to have to embrace continual learning and change across a number of domains, and get used to being uncomfortable - which is something many aren't able to do now.
What is a good life in the future? I don't know. I don't even know what a good life is in the present. But, the opportunity to improve seems to be like a rewarding experience, and I don't think Smallsteps should be held back, because the majority of other children in her class don't want to be there. She will meet many of these types of kids later in life too, and I wonder if there will be a difference between, or it just no longer matters.
I hope she gets in, but I also won't be disappointed if she doesn't.
There are always pros and cons, and a host of opportunity-cost decisions to be made. Some will be the right decision, some will not be, but we have to live with the life we have, and make the most of what we have. Smallsteps is really loving the music angle and she has talent for it, so it would be great to see if she would flourish further if given a bit more opportunity and support that we can't provide her at home.
No big deal.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Looking at some of yesterday's "shows" in the US with Trump and Musk, I do not expect a very bright near future, but sometimes it is better to stay away from big world events and focus more on your daily local life.
Think global, act local - is that the saying?
Hello, @tarazkp
What if it will be an unforgettable day for your daughter? Who knows, judging from your own experience? I guess so. I am still grateful for my parent's decision to enroll me in a music school. So, keeping my distance, I dare say yes, it will be a great day. I understand your concerns about the nature of today's schools. But, if you stop and think about it, there will always be problems to contend with: noisy kids and those who may grow up to loathe schools. And as you rightly say, little Smallsteps, sooner or later, will have to deal with these. Fortunately, you will be there to support her, with love and wisdom, mistakes and successes. Learning the beautiful task of parenting with every step will be a source of inspiration for your daughter.
Greetings.
I wish it was as easy as enrolling - unfortunately there is a small number of places for a large number of kids who want to go.
The schoolyards have changed so much since we were kids though, and so many of the behaviours are driven by social media and the internet, with kids not even realising what they are really doing. 10 year olds sharing naked pictures of themselves with each other....
Few vacancies? That's an obstacle when there is a lot of demand. Let's hope that your little girl will excel and be admitted. Regarding the bad influence of social networks on children, it is a major problem that you have to face! You will have to work hard to educate her with good values. A biblical prescription comes to my mind that says something like this: if you bring up a child with persistence to keep the right way, as an adult he will not stray from it. So, you have a difficult task in a world with relative morals and ethics. The forces of the masses constitute a huge challenge these days, and your capacity for observance is restricted by the educational system. Courage Taraz!
btw, did you like music school?
What if I liked the music school? Yes, very much. I had excellent teachers, strict but with a lot of pedagogy back in the late 70's. I still remember their last names: Marcaida (piano) and Kaparonaki (electronic organ). From time to time, I sit at the keyboard and let my fingers flow over the black-and-white sections and the magic happens. May Smallsteps find delight and discipline in playing music! I understand that he is drawn to the piano. Well, so be it!
Yes, school-age friends play a big role in a person's life. If you have smart, honest, helpful friends, it helps you a lot.
It's great that you support Smallsteps in every way. Your actions will contribute a lot to its future success.
Studies show that if an 8 year old spends a lot of time with someone with a significantly higher IQ, they will get smarter by 12. That is pretty interesting.
Life is full of mystery and uncertainty, we just have to play our role and look forward to what comes next.
I think you are really doing great for her, trying to shape her right now.
This is the best time to give her a foundation to build on as she keeps growing.
Nice Sharing.
dealing with uncertainty is a lesson we all need to learn :)
Yes it is
It's quite unfortunate that most of us didn't learn that until we are face to face with the uncertainty itself.
Teachers are the pillars of society, these people who work in schools are literally shaping how generations grow up.
It might sound a bit dramatic, but it's at least half truth :D
Unfortunately these days, they are often uninspiring, and also unable to actually do anything, because they have to do what the parents want. Even the bad parents.
It is true that every child has different characteristics and every child has different learning interest or talent or whatever and they learn in their own way.
Supporting their interests and styles as a parent can be harder than people seem to think, because parents often don't have the insight, or the skills.
Best of luck to her with the tryout today. I hope it goes well for her. That has to be scary for her. I know she would probably feel more comfortable playing the piano or something like that. As much as I support public schools, you aren't wrong about the troubled kids getting more attention. It's a sad reality with the standards and finances the way they are. Especially in the US education system.
I am not sure, but in general the school system is pretty god here, but it is degrading fast and becoming more American. I think that it will happen everywhere though, because let's face it, in an AI world, how many of these kids are going to be able to add academic value?
I don't think American school would be so bad if the politicians would keep their noses out of it.
Parental support is the most important thing in a child's life, but that parental "diamond" will be polished among its peers.
The parent is there to choose what kind of society it will be, because, unfortunately, not all diamonds turn out bright and shiny, if they fall into the mud and mire of society.
That's why it's important to choose a good school for her, regardless of how well it matches her wishes.
This is a good way to visualise it. :)
I wish the U.S. public schools would allow for specialization in certain skill sets, like trades or the arts. Right now everything is just general studies in nature unless you go to a private school of some type which are very expensive. They used to teach basic trade skills when I went to school, but due to lack of funding, these have been cut in a lot of public schools, as have the arts.
I was a substitute teacher for middle school age kids once right after retiring from military service. It was a most horrible experience. Most of them would not pay attention, had little interest in learning anything and had the worst manners. It was all I could do to contain the military man in me.
"tech" was one of my favourite classes. Got to learn how to do basic woodwork, metal work, welding. It was fun and useful.
:)
My daughter said to me the other day, "you could be a school teacher" until I reminded her of how patient I am with stupid.
It was one of my favorites too. I wasn't very good at it, but like you said, learned a lot of useful skills. We even had some basic Electricity and Electronics classes and those were my favorites.
The fact that a kid's peers have more influence than parents is what scares the crap out of me. That, along with the fact that so many teachers are incapable of teaching without bias, is what turns me off of public schools. Those little sponges inside those fragile little heads absorb everything, good or bad and come away with beliefs and morals not in alignment with parents. A school with a narrower focus sounds great! Best wishes for Smallsteps's audition!
Here, the bigger problem for the teachers is that they can't teach without the influence of the parents. They have no way to actually scold a child for bad behaviour anymore.
When I was a kid, it was still possible to be sent to the principle and they could use the "beach bat" - I never got hit.
Fun times!
And children were far better behaved.
Oh you were a good boy then! I know the threat of something like the beach bat would tend to keep me in my place lol. We had 'the green thing', not at school, but at home. The green thing was a bumper off of my brother's toy pool table, a skinny piece of rubber about 15 inches long. That thing would hurt like hell if you earned a whack with it lol. There were 6 of them from the pool table and we each got one when we had kids of our own. You didn't really have to hit them with it but the threat worked like a charm lol. I think my niece still has hers, even though her kids are grown.
Indeed, what we lived or experienced in our childhood deeply affects our personality and charecter later, and it is not easy to change them.
However well we bring up our children, their peers could affect them, generally in a negative way.
I think I had some friends who had a positive effect on me - but I didn't have many friends and the ones I did, were with me for a long time :)
I think that makes a difference too, because there is two-way investment.
The fact that you’re backing her progress and allowing her to try, even when things are uncertain, is such a valuable gift. You're providing her with the encouragement and security that so many children miss out on, and that will have a lasting positive impact. Best of luck to her on this journey!
She enjoyed the experience at least!
It's wonderful how you trained and supported your daughter in developing her talent from a young age. She is fortunate to have you as a parent.
I am not so sure. At dinner tonight I was telling her about when I am old, she will have to change my nappies ;)
Ha ha ha that is hilarious! I wonder what's her reaction.
I noticed something while exploring Hive Tools and thought it might be worth sharing. It looks like your account has several active authority permissions granted to other apps. While some of these might be intentional or necessary, others could be outdated or unused, which might expose your account to potential security risks.
There’s a new app called Authority Management that makes it super easy to review and manage all your permissions in one place. It’s a great tool to ensure your account stays secure while you continue creating amazing content!
Just wanted to give you a heads-up and keep our Hive community safe and thriving.
Keep up the awesome work!
Interesting bot. Who created it?
The problem is, it looks like phishing.
I hope you read this, otherwise I might nuke it.
Bro this is my intern did you even click on his blog?
I hope the embarassment does not cause you to act so rashly, we are checking top authors to try and help HIVE.
Bro, I have no idea who you are.
The comment links to a site that looks to be written in html for a high school assignment, with a login. It looks like phishing.
Bro, have you been in crypto long?
its not a bot its manual, good feedback let me give it some profile info
Might be worth having a post that explains the bot, who is behind it, what it does etc, and a link to it in each comment.
*It did remind me to check my auths :)
All good feedback! just a bit of passion from the growing team, some profile information is a good first step.
I'm not sure javascript is less likely to steal your info 😅 but for what it is worth HiveTools will always be free to use by HIVE users without login.
Yea, I didn't recognise the domain at all, and I am pretty wary :)
Side note:
What would perhaps be a cool AI tool would be an assistant for new users that helps them navigate Hive and gives them tips on the different aspects of it, from the social to the economics.
I really like this idea... although good ole fashioned MLM might work too
you I know! :D