Mummy, why is the Moon chasing Us ?
Posted: September 24, 2007How would you answer the question(as above) asked by your child ? It may seems a dumb question. But I hope parents will not answer ,” Silly question. Stop asking.” Parents I encourage you to think of a simple to answer to your child.
It is going to be the traditional Chinese Mid Autumn Festival, aka, Mooncake Festival on 25th Sept 2007( This Tuesday). As it suggested it is related to the Moon. Since yesterday, my daughter has been observing the moon very closely. Each evening when we are on the road or out in the open. She will start to search for the moon, not using google but really looking out and see if the moon is still hanging on the sky. However, the moon is not full as yet. It is in her term, ” Water melon moon” Why water melon ? Well, She sees us buying half a water-melon during our regular weekend groceries trip. As our family consists of only 4 persons, we can hardly able to finish the full size water-melon. So she is using the half water-melon to describe the moon. Not bad for creativity. uhm ?
Why is the Moon chasing us ? Why does she think so ? When I place myself in her frame of mind and sitting at he position where she was in the car, passing by that street. I began to understand the reasons for the questions.
We stay at North part of Singapore and travelled towards the East part of Singapore. So as we ride on the road, the half-moon which is behind us started to change from her perspective. One moment she has to turn around and look behind her to see the moon. Whenever she turns, the moon is always there. So she thinks the moon is following her.
So when we continue to ride and our navigation changes, the moon appears on her right. She no longer needs to turn and she can see the half-moon on her right. But the moon is still there. She is asking a very simple question to her but a complicated answer for us to explain to her in simple terms or in few phrases.
Children are very innocent and direct. They do not pretend and hide. They express what they think. Even if they see a acne on your face. They will tell you so and describe it in association with their knowledge of an item. ( description mini volcano, the sesame seed bun etc ) So, it is very natural for them to ask question as their natural curiosity is aroused. However, parents do not damper it by ignoring their questions or comment it as if we treat them like adults( giving very scientific and detailed depth) or even discourage or condemn them for asking questions. Encourage questions from them. But give them intelligent answers.
As for the answer to above, my silly answer is the Moon is bigger than earth so any time you see it from different directions it is always there.
Whew ! I am glad she did not ask further. But she would have asked why sometimes I do not see the moon ? How would you answer then ? I need wisdom once again to provide simple answer to my child.
I too didn’t realise I needed that much wisdom till I became a parent.
September 25, 2007 at 1:48 amYes. Children can ask the most naive and innocent question. They look upon us for an answer. So wisdom needs to know how and what to speak to them
September 26, 2007 at 1:58 pm