Kids say the darndest things
And they ask the best questions
Hello friend,
If you spend any time with people under three feet tall, you know that children are often the funniest and wisest among us. A child’s innocence and clarity about the world in which they are in constant discovery pierce the heart of who we are as humankind. They don’t mince words.
A child’s language is full of unique expressions. If you don’t have a word for that “thing,” invent one. When our children were young, we had cereal overfloats. That’s when cereal spills out of the bowl as you add the milk.
My youngest sister became confused about why the green can of cleanser (Comet) was on the dinner table as we ate spaghetti. Who would think of putting parmesan cheese in a similar green container?
Our grandson couldn’t reach his toy, which was swept away on the swimming table. He was familiar with outdoor pools, so renaming the indoor “pool table” made perfect sense.
We gather around, laughing at these imaginative twists of language and perception, but serious mind work takes place. Children do not fear mistakes. They take seriously making sense of the world and bravely “try out language.”
Is there any adult who has not cringed at the umpteenth “why” from an inquiring urchin? I laughed, then pondered over a list of 34 questions from first grade posted by picture book writer, Max Barnett. He found deep, thought-provoking questions written by six-year-olds pinned to a classroom wall.
Who made the universe?
Why can’t I see air?
Who made texture?
Why do people love their mom and dad?
Who made the DNA of dinosaurs if people were not alive?
And, “Why can’t I have a dog?”
I read the list and spent the rest of the day in wonder, not just about the possible answers to those questions, but the fact that I hadn’t thought of even asking some of them.
Your assignment for the week, should you accept it: Ask one really good question. Think about it for a while. Use your imagination to make sense of the world, and if you get stuck, spend a few minutes with a child.
I’ll meet you at the swimming table to chat about our questions.
My friend Joe has a good question that might be helpful these days.
Never heard of Art Linkletter or his segment interviewing kids—listen to his experience with kids saying the darndest things.
A few playful songs for kids and grown-ups: Sing from Sesame Street; I sang this Burl Ives classic to my children, The Little White Duck, and this playful song from Roger Miller, Oo-De-Lally.
“There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.”
—Walt Streightiff
“Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.”
—Yoda
If you would like to read more from me, visit my website. I’ll be waiting for you there.
With gratitude,
Kathryn
I always welcome your thoughts, so please leave a comment or click the little heart—you can also respond to this email.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to forward this weekly note to someone who would enjoy a few words of inspiration.
Or if you received this from a friend and want to receive my weekly post,