From the day Sinterklaas arrives in the country, the children are allowed to put on their shoes. The next day they find a treat or a small gift. Does it matter how clean the vocals sound and whether a carrot has been left for the horse? How often can the shoe be worn? And what do you do in it?
In the Netherlands, putting on the shoe is a tradition that has existed for centuries. A long time ago it was done in the church and the proceeds were for poor people. Today, children put their shoes in front of themselves.
Every family handles it differently, so there are sometimes big differences in what children get. How bad is it and how do you deal with it as a parent? We ask educator Romy Ros.
One gets the latest Baby Born, the other a handful of pepernoten. Is it bad?
“As a parent, it is often noticeable that the differences between them are large, but children are much less concerned about this. Young children are primarily concerned with themselves and do not yet focus on others. Older children do, but understand why.”
Excess is harmful, so save that one crazy big gift for Pakjesavond.
“It can be annoying when gifts of shoes can be taken to school. If this happens in your child’s elementary school, ask if agreements can be made about this; many schools agree with the students that gifts are for home.”
Many parents wonder: what do I put in the shoe?
“As a parent, you have to consider: what value does Sinterklaas have for our family? What do I want to give my child? What suits us? The gift in the shoe doesn’t have to be big, choose something that literally fits in the shoe. Practical gifts that you also always wanted to score well, think about gloves, new clay and paint.”
“A gift that leads to an activity is also successful: a rolled-up recipe for cookies or spiced nuts, or Sinterklaas stickers to decorate the windows. Alternate small gifts with some candy. Excess is harmful, so save the one crazy big gift for Pakjesavond and don’t be tempted to give it now.”
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Kom je er niet uit? Dit zijn de achttien leukste schoencadeautjes onder de 3 euro, vindt Ouders van Nu.
How often should young children put on their shoes?
“As a parent, you need to decide how often your child can put on their shoes and communicate this to your child. Many families go once or twice a week, but as a parent you can see what is possible for you and what is convenient evening and morning are to be aware of it.”
“Children like fixed routines, so add putting on the shoe to the evening routine. If you have a board or weekly schedule hanging at home, put a sticker on the days when the shoe can be put on. This makes it clear and gives your child rest. This The ‘perk’ this month should be something fun, not something that causes unhealthy stress for all family members.”
Is singing, recorder playing, drawings and roots important to Ozosnel or not?
“The best thing is if you manage to turn the shoe into a nice ritual. Some children have their own ideas about this, other children will follow you in this. There are children who refuse to sing Sinterklaas songs, in which case you must don’t force your child to do it.”
The point is that you have fun together, not that you force your child to do something.
“The point is that you have fun together, not that you force your child to do something. Teach your child to pay attention to the event. The next day you can give your child a choice: how do you want to thank Sinterklaas? Do you want sing a song or do you want to draw a picture?”
And what if you still have a disappointed child because she wanted a game console?
“It is important to explain that Sinterklaas has been thinking of her. Mention the positive aspects of the gift. A pitfall is that you start shouting things that you cannot deliver, for example that the gift she wants will probably come another time.”
“As a parent, try not to worry about how other people feel. Focus on togetherness: Being at home together on Pakjesavond and baking gingerbread is more valuable to children than an expensive doll or gaming computer. Don’t be fooled by the idea of , that you give children great gifts and are kind to yourself: you know your child and know what he or she needs.”
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