Vuggestue Day 2

Today was the second day of our field practicum, and I would be attending the same vuggestue, or kindergarden, that I went to two weeks ago. At 8:30am I met up with Ava who is the other student with the same placement. We managed to get lost and confused the first day we went to the vuggestue, so we allotted the same amount of time to meet up, take the bus, and walk the the school. Our travels were much easier as we seemed to recognize the place much better than before. We had close to a half hour before we were expected, so we stopped at Lagkageguset for coffee. I rushed out of the house before getting breakfast, so I decided to grab a bite to eat to energize me for the day. I got a yogurt cup with fresh strawberries and blueberries and organic granola on top. I didn’t realize until after opening it up that there was a drizzle of an apple-like syrup flavoring with apple chunks in the middle of the plain yogurt. The combination was delicious and I was ready to start my day.

At the vuggestue, Ava and I decided to switch it up and I went to work with the younger group while she went upstairs. Today I would be spending time and observing the pedagogues with the children ages 1 to 2. I received more direction than last time, and one of the pedagogues said I could just hang out, observe, and take notes. She didn’t necessarily give me specific direction on whether I could play with the children, but I decided to do a combination of observing and playing. 

There was a group of children playing in a room full of cushion blocks and one cardboard box. I had to remind myself that these children were only one years old as they were running around, jumping on the blocks, and climbing in the box. Observing them play, I was consistently on edge and ready for a child to fall off the block, hit their head, fall down, or get hurt. Once the children were tired of the blocks they moved onto the next activity, not a care in the world, a scratch on their arm, or a bruise on their body. Allowing children o play at ease and however they choose enables them to learn through experience. If they fall off the block and get hurt, maybe they won’t do it next time. Learning through personal experience has been a common theme in Denmark schools.

As I was sitting on the chair observing their play, one of the little girls kept eyeing me. I was a new face, and I imagine she was curious if I was a friend or foe. I kept smiling and looking back until she comes over to me and grabs a book. Danish is unlike any language I’ve ever seen or heard, and there was no was I was even going to be able to sound out the words, especially with all the vowels with lines and dots and silent letters. I slowly turned the pages while gazing at the pictures with her, but she kept pointing at the page while saying something that sounded like “bombom.” After a few pages of hearing this word, I realized she was pointing to a bear. I asked one of the pedagogues how to say bear and it was a very complicated and long word that sounded nothing like what the girls was saying. The pedagogue then told me there was another word for bear which was “bamse.” This must have been what the girls was attempting to say, especially since the book was called “Min Putte-Bamse Bog.” It seems like that should have been an obvious indicator, but how was I supposed to know? After learning the word for bear, I repeated it with the girl every time she pointed to a bear.

The rest of the day the same little girl would come up to me and interact with me as best as she could minding the language barrier. As I was writing my observations in a notebook she would grab my notebook and pen and start drawing away. To be perfectly honest, she probably got more out of this notebook than I did. She would grab my pen and stick it in her mouth or play with the cap, putting it on and taking it off over and over again. My pen would probably be dripping with spit and grease by the time she was done with it, but a little slobber never hurt anyone. At one point the girl proceeded to steal my pen and notebook and take off. I was afraid I’d never see it again as I saw it disappear into the play structure. I though all hope was lost before watching it clunk down the slide. 

After free time, the children gathered to sing songs, similar to what the two year olds would do upstairs. This time there was a tin box with different animals in it. The box would be passed around as each child grabbed an animal and they would sing a song in association with that animal. Sometimes there would be accessories for the other children to play with while singing to add to the story; for example, when the caterpillar was chosen, the pedagogue would hand out butterflies to all the other students to interact with. Looking around the circle I saw a little boy trying to stick the entire toy dog’s head in his mouth. There was drool dripping from his lips, but he sure was content. It may be messy, but having the toys was a fun and interactive way of singing songs, I just wish I knew some of the words.

Who though giving one year olds paint was a good idea? Painting for 20 year olds is generally a bad idea, let along one year olds. The children gathered at the tables while the pedagogues walked around to put smocks on. The children were painting aprons because the theme for the week is food, so they are learning and doing projects in association with food. I walked over to one of the tables and a girl smiles big to reveal a mouthful of blue paint. Soon paint was flying everywhere. There was yellow speckled hair, green lips, blue tongues, and colorful speckled walls. I loved to get messy at that age, and there is nothing better than finger painting, but I’m curious how safe the paint is to be eating. It wasn’t until the children started obviously putting paint in their mouthes that the pedagogues said anything, and even after saying something it wasn’t strictly enforced. 

For lunch the children had pizza with peppers, shrimp, and pulled pork. I don’t know if I will ever get used to one year old children using metal forks and glass cups with their meal. Like last time, children would pour their own glasses of water from the pitcher and feed themselves with the forks. I wasn’t expecting such substantial and solid foods let alone using silverware. The children sure weren’t very clean, but you can’t expect a one year old to be completely self sufficient. At one point a fork falls to the ground. I asked the pedagogue if I should go get another one and she told me it was ok to just give it back to the child. I’m glad Americans aren’t the only ones that have the five second rule; however, I don’t think the five second rule is enforced in schools.

After lunch all the children got into their nap clothes and climbed into the carriages outside for their nap. I was cold outside with a sweatshirt on, and here all these children are climbing into carriages outside to take a nap. It still amazes me that children will sit outside in carriages in the middle of winter with snow on the ground to take a nap. What a different world we live in.

While the children were napping I spoke with a pedagogue about what it is like for a child first coming to the school. When a new child arrives, the parent spends time at the vuggestue with the child. One day the parent may stay for the majority of the day and the next day only for lunch. Progressively the parent spends less time at the vuggestue before the child spends an entire day without the parent. This generally happens over a five day span, but could potentially be extended based on the child. It seems as though Danish culture has a much greater level of parent involvement in the child’s development and educational experience. I remember my first day of kindergarden as frightening and overwhelming. As my mom drops me off on that first day of school, I’m left with a bunch of strangers where nothing is familiar. It was really difficult saying goodbye, and I didn’t want her to leave. This is not an uncommon feeling for a child that is first entering the education system, and having more parent involvement could really enhance the child’s educational experience. Not to mention, seeing how the parents interact with their child gives the teacher or pedagogue a better understanding of where the child is coming from and can work with the parent to enhance the child’s development.

Ava and I met with our supervisor before heading home for the day. Unfortunately our hours were complete before the children woke up, so we wouldn’t get to interact with them any longer. We were invited to stay for cake that one of the child’s parent was bringing for a birthday, but that wouldn’t be for another half hour and by the time we were done it would be late. Our meeting lasted close to an hour long and we spent most of the time comparing and contrasting the Danish and American systems of education. We talked about how being in the same class with the same students and teachers may make it difficult to move schools and make new friends. I have been consistently amazed that many Danish people are friends with the same people starting from the kindergarden and through college, so in some regard this system enables you to develop strong relationships with the people you learn with. 

There are things that I admire about the Danish education system, but also aspects where I prefer the American system. The two systems are different and unique in their own respective ways. I’m inspired by the vuggestue’s commitment to allowing children to guide their learning based on what they are interested in. In addition, there is a high respect for individual learning styles. The pedagogues often works with children to find what conditions work best for learning whether it is visual, audio, or tactile. The pedagogues are even mindful of the environment by adjusting the lighting or location of the tables, sometimes taking the classroom outside on a nice day. If children learn by fidgeting, walking around, or drawing there is a space for them in this vuggestue.

Because Cami and I were at two different practicum sites, we met back together at the Living Room before doing some souvenir shopping. By souvenir shopping I mean we had only one destination: the Lego store. The building is bright and colorful with life sized Lego creations in the windows. This was practically every little kid’s dream, and I would consider myself a big kid, so I was equally intrigued by the many creations. Farther back in the store there were Lego sculptures of the waterfront in Nyhavn. The concept of Lego sculptures seems silly, so I forget how much skill it takes to create these pieces that require millions of little pieces. In a way I guess Lego creations are art.

I wanted to get something for my cousin Emma who loves Legos. Every time I skype with her or come to see her on holidays she is always showing me her latest Lego car, vet, swimming pool, or the many independent creations she formed. I had a specific goal in mind, but the store was still overwhelming. There were millions of Legos in every shape and size lining the walls. There were boxes of Legos that made a certain scene forming another wall. Not to mention, there were kids running in every direction. Luckily I’m taller than the average 7 year old, so I had more visibility of the store and where I needed to look. I found one package that would create a drum set and a little bedroom area. I liked the drum set because Emma and I both play the piano and share a love for music, but I knew she had plenty of bedroom Legos. I finally decided on a magician Lego set. There was a girl with a magician uniform, a tall hat, a deck of cards, and a table to do tricks on, but what hooked me was the bunny coming out of the hat as well as a big box where you can make the bunny disappear. I would tell you how this happens works, but a magician never reveals her secrets.

After our successful shopping adventure, Cami and I went to get lunch at Smag. It was nice to spend time with Cami when our days together are beginning to run short. Even though I am always incredibly full after eating at Smag, we decided to split some fudge. We got a piece of Bailey’s, Jack Daniels, Snickers, and Carmel-Chocolate. We attempted to cut each piece in half, but the were proving to be more solid than the wooden knife. One broken wooden knife later we managed to have all of them in half and in our bellies.

We parted ways to change and get ready for tonight before going into the city center. When Cami came over later she brought her tarot cards. She commented that she hasn’t been doing readings for that long and that she gets a lot from the book, but you have to learn somehow and I was ready to be a guinea pig to practice on. Before I get into what I discovered from the reading, I have to comment on how much Cami reminds me of my aunt. The past few years I’ve started to develop an awesome relationship with my aunt Karen. I practically lived with her last summer and I can always depend on her to talk me through a difficult situation or listen when I have exciting news. I often call her from Vermont and we will talk for hours. Karen and Cami are very similar in regards to their spirituality. They are both interested in horoscopes, how the placement of the planets influence human experience, tarot readings, or higher connections. When being with Cami it felt just like being with my aunt. I hope one day I’m able to introduce the two of them because I’m sure they would love each other.

When I went downstairs to let Cami into the building she commented that she was feeling a good connection and knew it was going to be a good reading. She also said that the feeling could be because of the alcohol. Either way, I was excited to give it a try. It was getting late and I still had to put makeup on and get dressed, so it was going to be a relaxed reading. I quickly shuffled the tarot cards and picked 10 after Cami spread  them in an arch on the floor. As I was doing my makeup Cami interpreted the cards and their placements. The main focus of the reading that was indicated by the central card said I will be entering a time of applications, change, and transition. With one year of school left, this is an appropriate message to be receiving. Even though I still have a year, I have to start applications in the next few months to prepare for life after college. Cami continued the reading and it was almost as if she was reading my life like a book. She told me about tendencies I have, things I know about myself, things I’m unsure of, and what I need to be mindful of in the future. Between each card description I would engage in a conversation with Cami about what it meant and how it could apply to my life.

One of the cards provided the message that I don’t often open up to other people and I’m careful before letting people into my life. This couldn’t be more true. Throughout this past semester I’ve thought a lot about this. Last year was the first time I lived in an apartment compared to on-campus housing. I was on the outskirts of town, a 10 minute walk to the bus station and a 10 minute bus ride to class. In a town with few cars, it was difficult for people to come visit. Annabelle, one of my best friends, came to visit or I would go to her because she is someone at school that I’ve really invited into my life to share the good and bad. I found that moving into an apartment away from the densely populated campus housing was difficult to stay connected. I didn’t necessarily lose any friends, but some drifted. I often wonder if by sharing more information about myself would have helped develop stronger friendships. I’m constantly debating whether I should be more vulnerable with people around me. What I thought was interesting about the tarot card was that it said I knew that I am cautious about letting people into my life, but I’m okay with it, that I like it this way. I felt a sense of relief to get this validation. Even though there are times where I could be more vulnerable with people, I live comfortably. Sure, it might be nice to have more people to share my life with, but it is okay to be cautious. Even being with Cami and talking to her about each card was a way for me to vulnerable. I felt very comfortable with her and I see her as someone who I can really trust and talk freely with. I’m also happy to say there is a positive ending. My hard work and future endeavors will get me where I need to go, where ever that may be.

Once in the city we went to Kulør Bar. Tuesday night is apparently American night and after you pay a cover charge there is free beer until 1am. Because this was our last week in Copenhagen, there were many exchange students from our program and it was a lot of fun seeing so many different people. As the beginning of summer vacation, a lot of Danish students that just graduated high school were also at the bars celebrating. Kulør Bar was packed to say the least. There was a line clear out the door and down the street. Our plan of action was to get in the doors, pay the entrance fee, go to the bathroom, and get some beer. I walk inside the door and almost turn directly into the mens restroom. What a way to start the night. Luckily I caught myself in time and quickly headed to the women’s restroom. We drank a lot of beer and did a lot of dancing. Kulør Bar was way too crowded, way too hot, and we still a lot of fun. 

It was approaching 5am and we had class in the morning, so it was beyond time to go home. Cami was certainly holding her own, but wasn’t doing as well as Hannah and me. As we are riding the bus she starts to not feel very well. I don’t blame her, the bus drivers in Denmark don’t know how to ease onto the brake without causing whiplash. So Cami goes over to the trashcan in the bus just in case. Hannah and I were very impressed and commented how she made it to the trashcan. Cami then yelled at the top of her lungs, “My name is Cami and I was raised to never puke on the floor. We make it to the trashcan!” The three of us, the bus drive, and two passengers behind us were the only ones on the bus. Hannah and I couldn’t stop laughing; meanwhile, the bus driver is cautiously eyeing us, probably considering kicking us off the bus if Cami really is going to be sick. I grab the trash bag and walk back to our seats. We begin talking about growing up and how being raised to not throw up on the ground is probably a good thing. Cami then proceeds to yell at the top of her lungs again, “All my life lessons I learn from Blues Clues.” At this point we all lost it and were practically rolling on the floor laughing. I later learned that Cami never watched Blues Clues as a child and had no idea why she made this comment.