My friend Trent shares a Weekly Smile, and encourage others to join! There’s so many things to be grateful for, small and big things.
My smile this week goes to my daughter, she have been working so hard with all her school projects lately. I’ve always encouraged her to read. I started reading to her on a daily basis when I became pregnant with her, and she sees me read every day. My daughter started to read a few words when she was 3 years old, but after that she wasn’t very interested for a long time. She could read simple books by herself a year ago, but did not enjoy it. Some time late this summer that changed. She now enjoys reading. She asks if she can read to me several times every day, ands she does. She reads very well, and have started to read rather advanced chapter books. This makes me insanely happy, since books always have been a source of joy to me.
We have a very similar scenario with her Swedish. During her first years we only spoke Swedish at home, (her English had a Swedish accent even though she’s never been to Sweden.) Around age four she lost interest, despite all my efforts to make it fun. Now she is all of a sudden super interested, and we have Swedish lessons almost every day. Makes me very happy! I want her to be fluid in at least these two languages. She has double citizenship. She’s not fluid yet, but I do believe she understands a lot more than she speaks. We play word games, speak Swedish, write Swedish words and simple sentences, and watch movies/documentaries from Sweden together.
Today we watched a few short episodes about the Swedish language and culture on a very easy to understand Youtube channel. We also watched a few videos from the town I lived in as a child/teen/young adult. Last week we learned about some major cities in Sweden, and fall traditions.
I have been holding her back a little in math, because she is almost done with 2nd grade math. I want it to sink in, before moving on. The only thing my daughter doesn’t enjoy is writing by hand, and cursive writing. I have to be very inventive to engage her in writing. She does it, but not happily. She is good at it too, but doesn’t enjoy it. I think writing well by hand is a valuable skill, and I’m not letting go of that. She builds sentences, and writes super fast on the computer. I’d say that I am more than happy with the homeschooling progress this semester. Thinking about all the precious time we get to spend together makes me warm inside, and put a big smile on my face!
What makes you smile this week? Share some of your smiles!
Love,
Maria
Oh how nice that you value all the time you have while you are experiencing it – some folks only see the deep value you later – so that is a huge perk.
And I agree with you on the value of handwriting and cursive and it sounds like you have a good balance with not forcing it – but keeping it in the queue — she will thank you for it later. (And will thank you for so much more…. wink)
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I feel blessed for this gift of time together. I’m very grateful for it. I hope your week is fabulous so far!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My mother was just here for a quick visit and that was a huge treat….
And good start to a nice autumn month 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is wonderful! You are blessed!
LikeLike
It’s so wonderful that she is at home learning! Your home country is very beautiful, you must miss home deeply. Will you move back home in the future?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙏 I love being her teacher! I do miss Sweden. The only thing we know about the future is that we don’t know, right 😉
LikeLike
What a lovely smile!! I’m so HAPPY the homeschooling is going so well, and the videos you shared are awesome! I especially enjoyed the swedish, since my grandma was from Sweden! My Mom spoke some swedish but never taught us or tried but maybe gave up on us… I think having 6 kids makes things like that more difficult! (My older sisters new swedish better than us younger 3 siblings) But you are doing a WONDERFUL job. What a nice update. 😁🥰♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much my friend ❤️ I had no idea your grandma was from Sweden! Do you know where in Sweden she came from? I hope your week is wonderful so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to hear about your daughters progress. I did sample a little bit of the videos. I guess it’s not too early to start thinking about skiing… Of course the English days of the week are based on the Nordic gods, so they’re pretty similar, with a few little differences like we use Woden instead of Odin.
Nice smile 🙂 I hope you have a great week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It’s never too early to think about snow 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do sometimes get October snows here, but I have my fingers crossed not this year 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL. I would jump for joy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must be the Swedish blood 😉 I’m not ready for it yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to see the enthusiasm your daughter brings to her learning. I’ve always admired folks who know more than one language, and it’s good to start young!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!
LikeLike
This is fabulous. She reads to you!! What a gift you have given her; the gift of reading and the love of books. This post made me smile. Also our weather here is bliss. Sunshine, fall colors and cool nights but warm, not hot, days. Took my horse for a ride in the forest today. beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I do love that she reads to me. She reads to other people as well. I love that! The photo of her reading is from a picnic last weekend. Your weather made me smile!! Sounds marvelous! And the ride in the forest… can’t be much better. You’re such a good horse mom, giving your horse the best of everything, shows, training and nature.
LikeLike
What a smile! I think your daily reading to your daughter is paying off. What a gift to give a child – a love of books. She’ll have a life full of adventures. And good for you for teaching her Swedish. In a smaller and smaller world, being able to communicate across boundaries is critical. Plus it’s just another way to have fun. Happy Teaching!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad she likes to read now, and that she’s enjoying math as well…and Swedish! Wow, that’s all really exciting! She will be able to go far in life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Dawn!
LikeLike