Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo / HighwayStarz
The other day I was helping my 3½-year-old (don’t try to slight her credit for half a year, she’ll have none of it) take a bath, and she started acting out a scene from one of her favorite programs with an ensemble of toys. Partway through the script, she started singing an unrelated song and laughing hysterically. I thought about asking what was so funny, but instead I just watched as she delved further and further into her imaginary world and was pleasantly amused as things unfolded. The scene wrapped up in about three minutes, and she clearly had a blast.
I share this story not because it is unique to my daughter or me, but because it captures an essence of childhood that I believe many “grown-ups” too often forget or value—boundless creativity and wonder about the world around them. And, as adults who provide a range of recreational programs for children, we owe it to them and ourselves to reflect on and respect that inherent wonder.
They Don’t See The World Like You Do
Perspective and understanding vary wildly among children and are influenced by a number of factors. Age and development are the most obvious and are topics I’ve written about previously. Family life and earlier experiences also play a role. Environment and opportunity no doubt greatly shape how children view situations as well. But one of the most important influences on a child’s perception is how others (and especially role-model adults) respond to these situations.