"Growing up" is considered to be an achievement. We are given the message that it is successful to rid of our childish ways. What if, however, kids have it right? Now, let me be clear that I don't believe adults should be running around calling people "tattle tales" or wetting their pants (you know it happens), but there are many attributes that children possess that, if acquired by adults, could really help to make the world a better and more peaceful place. Here are 6 things that 6 years olds do that we should too.
1. They ask questions.
Now, sometimes this is a little excessive. I have gotten in many a run-a-around conversation with the child's only response being "But why?". However, whether it's asking how much longer until we get there, why the sky is blue, or why some mommies and daddies stop loving each other sometimes, children are full of questions. When we grow older, those questions don't just disappear. There is still so much to learn about the world and each other but for some reason, asking questions become a sign of weakness as we age. We like to appear as if we know everything we need to know when that is far from the truth. We are never done learning.
2. They show emotion.
Once again, sometimes this is a bit on the excessive side (i.e. temper tantrums and spontaneous tears), but nevertheless, children are not afraid to show their emotions in the way that adults are. They are not under the impression that crying makes them weak, being happy may come off as annoying, or that giggling is silly, they show emotions when they feel them, as we should too.
3. They use their imagination.
Imaginations are one of the most beautiful things about childhood. Cardboard boxes are race cars, swing sets are pirate ships, and the bathtub is an underwater submarine. Children see the world as a colorful place full of potential for creativity, and adults should start looking at it the same way.
4. They play.
"Playtime" ceases to be a thing once you pass the 2nd or 3rd grade. But why? Adults become so work-oriented that anything not involving productivity becomes unimportant. Our brains need just as much time for exploration, rest, and recreation as they did when we were children but we aren't able to see that. Now I'm not saying that we need to sit cross-legged on the floor with some blocks every day, but personally... I find water toys and sand boxes just as intriguing now as I did when I was a child. Playing might look different for adults than it does for children, but it means the same thing.
5. They aren't afraid to look silly.
I don't know about you, but I love to hum to myself, I love skipping when I walk on the sidewalk, and I really wish it was more acceptable to wear my sparkly eyeshadow than it is. The child's heart is a happy heart full of smiles, giggles, and knock-knock jokes that don't make sense (knock, knock. Who's there? Cow. Cow who? Moo.... actually a joke that was told to me by a young child), and when we become adults we rid of this fun, light, happy silliness. There is a time and a place for these things (maybe don't do a cartwheel in the middle of a board meeting) but we need to stop being afraid to look silly sometimes and let loose.
6. They believe in themselves.
Like a majority of the population, I love asking children what they want to be when they grow up. "A ballerina! An astronaut! The president!". Children don't consider the possibility of the outcome, the potential wages and benefits they could earn, or the years of schooling they would need to work in this profession, they set their sights on a dream purely out of passion and what bring them joy. We need to do this. We all need to believe in ourselves, and our dreams, much more than we do.
