Monday, March 2, 2009

Observations on children

While watching our Little Hands Preschool kids I made a few observations.
Four year old girls love to scream while they play. Is this practice for when they are married?
Four year olds prefer the oldest, cheapest, most worn out piece of equipment on the playground. Is this a direct correlation to the adage that the more expensive the toy, the more likely a child will play with the box it came in instead of the toy?
Let one kid pick up an unused toy and enjoy playing with it and every kid on the playground will want that toy they had earlier ignored. Have you ever heard of, “thou shalt not covet?”
Even at the age of three, kids have a “pecking order.” They will follow and do what ever the “leader” is doing. Is it ingrained in our minds that we follow someone?” And why is it, that more times than not, that “leader” is the last person we want our kids to follow?

Little kids give the greatest entertainment imaginable – I love to watch children play and interact with one another. Put ten kids, total strangers, on a playground and they will figure out how to play together within minutes. Children are honest about their feelings and they don’t mind being themselves at all times.

Many times I have been totally caught off guard by the insight that a kid can exhibit. Children have an ability to think of things that adults can’t think of any more. The other day my oldest, Heather, called because Sir William had a question for Pa. He wanted to know, “what does Heaven smell like?” Now what adult would ever ask that question?

Take a moment and don’t teach, scold, suggest or direct – just simply enjoy watching a group of kids. It is very relaxing, entertaining, and sometimes educational. We can always learn from the children that surround us.

My answer to Will? “Heaven smells just like a spring day right after it rains.” Got any better ideas? Go to the comment box and give me your suggestions.