In the school playground, Klara (5) and Bella (5) were sitting side by side, talking about how Santa might came to their classroom for the Christmas Party on that day. Bella:" You know, I think Santa will not come through the chimney." Klara: "No, he won't. I think he will just come from the door." Bella: "Yes, because our class don't have chimney. Do you know why, Klara?" Klara: "I know. All houses in Jakarta don't have chimney. My house in Jakarta don't have chimney." Bella: "My house no chimney, too." Teacher: "Klara, how do you know that all houses in Jakarta don't have chimney?" Klara: "Yes, because...you know....errr...because....in Sweden when it's cold, Mummy will make...err...like...uummmm......fire over there and the smoke will come out from the chimney. But in here, Mummy don't make fire." Teacher: "Why not?" Klara: "Because it's not cold here, so Mummy don't make fire." Bella: "Yes, my Nana (Grandma) said Jakarta is very hot, like in Bali." Teacher: "So, do you think Santa will come to our class today?" Bella: " Yes, but from he door. Not from the chimney. Right, Klara?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The children were very excited during the Christmas Party, especially when Santa gave out all the presents. After that, Santa went away and said Good-Bye to the children. Some children were still curious who behind the Santa costume was. Kayla: "You know, Emma? I think the Santa is uncle Mike again (Mike is Carol's,the teacher, husband)" Emma: "How do you know, Kayla?" Kayla: "I just know it." After a while, uncle Mike came to the class and started to mingle with all the parents and children. When Kayla saw him, she said, " Heyyy!! It must be you!" Mike: "Excuse me?" Kayla: "Yes! Santa is you. You is Santa!" Mike: "Owh..that is not possible. Who is Santa, anyway?" Kayla: "Santa Claus! The one with the long beard and red costume!" Mike: "Really? I wish I could meet him and say 'hi' " Kayla left him still with big curiosity and played with her friends again. She went to the toilet and found some Santa stuff in a big plastic bag. She ran to Mike and said, "Uncle Mike, it must be you! Emma, look here what I find!" Emma ran to the toilet and looked at inside. He came to Mike, pulled his hands, and asked Mike to follow her. Emma: "Look! See? Aha!" (She gave her winning smile) Mike: "But Santa came out from the door, and I came out from the toilet. It is impossible!" Emma: "You know, our room and the toilet is connected with the other room. You must have came in there and stayed in the toilet and changed clothes! Right?" Kayla: "Owh...it is an old joke! Hahaha....Now I know who the Santa! Ahahhahah..."
Silence is not golden. Spoken words are opportunities for learning that should take place throughout the day - especially during conversations between children and between teachers and children. -Bruce D. Perry MD, PhDÂ [child brain development expert]
