-Marlin, Finding Nemo
The notion that children are less capable than adults is an understandable one. Children are smaller, not as strong, and less experienced than us older and wiser folks. They have a lot to learn, and as such are rarely given responsibility. However, how are our children supposed to grow without these opportunities? I’m not talking about arithmetic, or grammar, or how to play an instrument; these are skills taught in school. Responsibility and independent thinking; these are skills less commonly taught, and even less commonly exercised. In order to grow into well rounded and happy individuals, children need to be respected and given the opportunity to be freely creative.
Adults have the tendency to be hypocritical towards children; they demand to be respected and trusted, but in turn do not respect and trust their young ones. For example, when my six year old sister was given a toy shopping cart for her birthday, she was insistent on assembling it herself. Her mother, assuming that a six year old could not be trusted complete such a complicated task, would not let her. The six year old responded by throwing a hissy fit, until her mom gave in and let her help. And wouldn’t you now it, that little girl was a great help, and even attached the wheels all on her lonesome. Having witnessed this exchange, I could not help but think about how my little sister was initially not given the respect and trust that she showed, in the end, she deserved. I have since been careful not to underestimate children, and to give them every chance to show me just how much they can do.
Children also astound me with what they can cook up in those little heads of theirs. When my darling sister was learning about space in her second grade class, she asked me what the atmosphere was. I told her that it was a layer of clouds that held all the air in so we could breath. She asked, “Like a big balloon?”. I was impressed (and, admittedly, a bit jealous) that she came up with a more creative analogy than I. Children have minds that positively overflow with creativity, and as such should be given every opportunity to let that creativity flow. As a creative individual, and someone who feels just plain rotten if not allowed to express myself, I understand how important this is. Creativity is the ultimate outlet for anyone. If a child is frustrated, a chance to get their creative juices flowing is all they need to put their world into perspective. A child who is able to think for himself is a more confident child, and grows up knowing that anything really is possible with a bit of elbow grease. When given the respect and trust that they deserve and every opportunity to be creative, children can prove that they are, in fact, very capable.
“Let us see what Squirt does flying solo.”
-Crush, Finding Nemo
Adults have the tendency to be hypocritical towards children; they demand to be respected and trusted, but in turn do not respect and trust their young ones. For example, when my six year old sister was given a toy shopping cart for her birthday, she was insistent on assembling it herself. Her mother, assuming that a six year old could not be trusted complete such a complicated task, would not let her. The six year old responded by throwing a hissy fit, until her mom gave in and let her help. And wouldn’t you now it, that little girl was a great help, and even attached the wheels all on her lonesome. Having witnessed this exchange, I could not help but think about how my little sister was initially not given the respect and trust that she showed, in the end, she deserved. I have since been careful not to underestimate children, and to give them every chance to show me just how much they can do.
Children also astound me with what they can cook up in those little heads of theirs. When my darling sister was learning about space in her second grade class, she asked me what the atmosphere was. I told her that it was a layer of clouds that held all the air in so we could breath. She asked, “Like a big balloon?”. I was impressed (and, admittedly, a bit jealous) that she came up with a more creative analogy than I. Children have minds that positively overflow with creativity, and as such should be given every opportunity to let that creativity flow. As a creative individual, and someone who feels just plain rotten if not allowed to express myself, I understand how important this is. Creativity is the ultimate outlet for anyone. If a child is frustrated, a chance to get their creative juices flowing is all they need to put their world into perspective. A child who is able to think for himself is a more confident child, and grows up knowing that anything really is possible with a bit of elbow grease. When given the respect and trust that they deserve and every opportunity to be creative, children can prove that they are, in fact, very capable.
“Let us see what Squirt does flying solo.”
-Crush, Finding Nemo
Atlanta i totally agree with you. I don't think that we give kids the respect that they should get just, because we are older then them. Like you said kids have some muh creativity in there head and he should let them show it more often.
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