The Joy and Wonder of Young Children

Jul 8, 2018

All I really need to know, I learned in kindergarten – or at least that was the wisdom afforded to me by Robert Fulgham in his best selling book. Of course, I agree with him, but think it goes well beyond that. The older I get, the more I believe one key to happy living is viewing the world through the eyes of the kindergarten child.

My wife was packing for our annual trip to Vegas for the SDE Nationals conference yesterday when she found a note our youngest son, Max, had written to the tooth fairy many years ago. The moment I saw the note, I immediately forgot about all the craziness of the day and just smiled. “How sad we all have to grow up,” I thought.

Let’s face it. Adults complicate things. Young children don’t. And luckily, Max still reminds me of this fact every day. Though he is now 18 years old, he still has the heart of a young child. He looks for the joy in everything, is amazed by all the natural wonders around him, doesn’t overthink things, and laughs a lot. Sound like any young child you know?

I’m fortunate to work in a building with about 350 four-to-five year olds during the school year. Many individuals say it’s that happiest place on earth – because no matter how rough a day you are having, it only takes one interaction with a young child to turn things around. Want to be reminded of some important life lessons? Spend time with young children – and rather than focusing on what you might be able to teach them, look for ways to learn from them. That is definitely going to be my plan.

Max Letter

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