Something that we all have in common is that we have all been children. Many of us will retain fond memories of our childhood. It would have been a time of numerous firsts. These initial experiences would have been crucial to our own development as children. But they can also be the inspiration for profound lessons from the children themselves. We have so much to learn from them; in fact, we should all go back to being a little more like children! What do children know that grown-ups have lost? We always hear about how children are our future, but there's plenty we can learn from them right now!
C.S. Lewis' novel, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, features four child protagonists: the Pevensie children. When they enter Narnia, they're treated with honour by the citizens of this fantasy world. Meanwhile, the evil tyrant of this world fears them and their potential. In the story, the three elder Pevensies are in their adolescence. It's the youngest child, Lucy, who first finds the magical entrance to Narnia. Despite her sincere explanation, no one else initially believes her. It can be easy for grown-ups to ignore what children say as incoherent or silly. Yet some of the most astute lessons about life have been uttered by children. You can never be sure what words will come out of a child's mouth. It's no wonder Lewis chose to make children the heroes of his adventure story. Lucy initially mopes at first, but soon convinces her siblings to join her. Through their valiant efforts, the Pevensie children complete their quest.
Lewis wasn't the only author to realize the lessons we can learn from children. The Canadian author L.M. Montgomery created a memorable protagonist in her novel Anne of Green Gables. Anne is spontaneous and honest. At one point in the story, she asks, "Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" Children truly know how to make the most of each day. It's true that many of us share a similar dread of mornings regardless of our age. However, children have a knack for finding something memorable about each day. There's always something new for them to experience or explore. We can learn to approach each day with that same youthful exuberance.
We don't need the eloquent words of a professional writer to learn from children. The internet has allowed for some valuable (and hilarious) messages from children to be shared all over the world. There is no doubt that being a parent is an immense task. But the benefits can vastly outweigh the challenges. Parent Alexandra Müller was having trouble helping her son take a bath. As she tried to remind him not to make a mess in the tub, he quipped, "But I MUST have fun!" A great reminder about the important things in life.
Having fun can also mean learning to be more unguarded. As we grow older and enter school and then the workforce, we can become conditioned to behave in certain ways. While some of this conditioning teaches us how to interact with each other, some of it makes us inhibited. We might not always be our best selves. Children know how to have fun without worrying about what others think.
Children also know how to appreciate the little things in life. Sometimes this can be irritating. No one enjoys a long road trip with someone whining, "Are we there yet?" Other times, this can be enlightening. Kristina Briant's five-year old daughter told her, "I like wind because it makes everything dance." How poetic.
Childhood is a period of many firsts. But it's also a time of many changes. Children have a knack for living in the moment. They can also adapt to change. Although childhood is a fleeting moment, the lessons we can learn from it last a lifetime.