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December 31, 2007
Is It New Year Yet?
I just heard a great idea. It’s not too late for you if have children clamoring to stay up until midnight and you’re not sure if you want to give in or make them go to bed.
A Mom shared with me that she let her children stay up until the ball dropped and New Year’s began. It was midnight and the kids were thrilled they got to stay up that late. She just neglected to mention it was midnight in New York and the ball was at Time’s Square-9 o’clock here in California.
Both kids and Mom are happy.
I liked the idea so much I’m going to celebrate the same way. I’ve never been a midnight person, but I can make it until 9.
Have a wonderful New Year.
Posted by Dr Joni at 06:30 PM
December 25, 2007
Christmas Day
In the last few days I have wrapped and had unwrapped presents for family and friends from the age of 14 months to 68-years-old and enjoyed every one of them. Sure it’s crazy and chaotic but that’s half the fun.
Today was one of the most interesting Christmas’s I’ve ever experienced. I watched a 14 month old try to open packages, play with bows and paper, and get hugged and kissed by everyone he encountered. I also had a one armed man, covered with tattoos, from a background quite different than mine, tell me he had never grown up with Christmases like this one and he was grateful he got to experience ours.
I sometimes take all of Christmas for granted, all of the enjoyment of the season, the gift giving, family and friends. It’s what I did as a child and it’s what my children know, but today I watched two people experience what I know as real, at least my real. A child who knows no other experience will come to believe this is the way it is and should be. A man with a new experience may come to know there is something out there other than what he experienced as a child.
It is easier for the baby. He has nothing else to compare to, no thinking to change. He can trust this as something that will happen again. To our new gentleman’s experience, as enjoyable as it may have been, there are old messages, past Christmas’s and a lifetime of learned history.
My focus is always on what children learn. Today I got to see, again, how important a child’s experience is. What a child learns as he or she grows up, is what he or she acts out and recreates is adulthood. I recreate my past joy of Christmas and I watched my daughter do the same for herself, her husband, her small nephew and a new guest.
Christmas is only one day a year, but what we learn, think about and experience every day, every minute of every day, affects the continuing experiences and outcomes of our lives. I want the best experience possible every single minute. I want the best experience possible for every child so they can grow up to share those experiences with their children.
I hope today was, as one of my other young friends said to me this week, “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.” Make every day the best day you’ve ever had for yourself and the children around you.
Posted by Dr Joni at 07:59 PM
December 19, 2007
Christmas Vocabulary
Yesterday I joined the rest of the last minute Minnies on the streets and in the shops of Chico trying to find just the right gifts. I’m not usually this late, but I’ve been out of town for a week and the season snuck up on me without my noticing.
I was in the toy aisle looking for something for my son in-law’s sister’s child, Jayden. Jayden is just over a year old and will be with us for Christmas day. He slept through most of last year, but I figure he will be quite alert this year. A couple was in the same aisle looking over the same toys I was eyeing. We got to talking while picking out presents. They were looking for something for an 8 month old grand child. They, like me, were in the ailse with the toys that were fun, but also taught something like numbers or the alphabet. We seemed to have the same taste and need for the children to learn something with their play.
They had their 18 month old granddaughter with them. She was a cutie with a big smile and eyes that didn’t miss a thing. They assured me she was safe to shop with since she couldn’t tell anyone what they were getting. I felt pretty sure they were safe for the moment, but vocabulary develops as a child sees an item or action and words get attached to that item. When the child hears the word enough times and connects it to the item, vocabulary forms. This child was building vocabulary faster than you can kiss a duck.
I enjoyed watching her as items were placed in the basket. She noticed every box and every toy. She might not be able to tell anyone anything this year, but I sure wouldn’t be taking her shopping next year. Her connects from items to words were moving rapidly. By next year there won't be a secret kept from anyone with this bright little one around.
Jayden will almost be ready to talk by next year this time. I’m already imagining the vocabulary he will be developing. I wonder how long it will take to learn the word Nintendo.
Whatever the vocabulary, I hope yours includes words like peace, joy, and love. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Posted by Dr Joni at 09:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack