What we can learn from children.

@Pose123 (21635)

Canada

April 26, 2010 5:35pm CST

As adults, we often approach children with ideas of what we can teach them about this life to which they have so recently arrived. While it's true that we have important information to convey, lets never forget that children have much to teach us as well.They are new to the world and far less burdened with preconceived notions about the people, situations, and objects around them. They do not avoid people on the basis of appearance, nor do they regard the clothes they wear as having any great importance. They can be fascinated for half an hour with a pot and a lid, and they are utterly unself-conscious in their emotional expressions. They live their lives fully immersed in the present moment, seeing everything with the open-mindedness born of unknowing. This enables them to inhabit a state of uninhibitedness, curiosity and pure excitement about the world that we, as adults, have a hard time accessing. Yet isn't it true that almost every spiritual path calls us to rediscover this way of seeing?

2 people like this

19 responses

@ersanmiguel (476)

• Philippines

26 Apr 10

I think a child is the most pure hearted and honest being. They say what they truly feel and comment what they really think about anything that they see.

2 people like this

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

27 Apr 10

Hi ersanmiguel, That is true and we can learn much from them if only we realized it. Thanks for responding. Blessings.

@tuyakiki (3016)

• India

26 Apr 10

I am really moved to see the innocence in them.Apart from it,the things that I can learn from them is their curiousness..I liked it very much when a child come to me and ask millions of questions.

They are so energetic and funny in their own ways.

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@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

26 Apr 10

Hi tuyakiki, Thank you for commenting and we can learn so much from children if we would only allow it. Blessings.

1 person likes this

@SViswan (12051)

• India

27 Apr 10

I've worked with little children (still am) ...and there is so much one can learn from them...only if one keeps their mind open. The approach that children need to be told what to do and we adults are the ones to discipline needs to be changed. The pure innocence of little children is something we can appreciate. Their blind trust in the people they love (which is almost everyone connected to their world), their ability to imagine and be creative in different ways...are a few of the things that have inspired me.

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@SViswan (12051)

• India

25 May 10

Thanks for the BR!

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

27 Apr 10

Hi SViswan, Thank you for coming here and sharing this with us. I like your idea that our approach needs to change, it's something that I've thought about before. I believe that we can all be inspired by children. Blessings.

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@pandawang (40)

• China

1 Aug 10

Sometimes I really appreaciate the way of children seeing things.They are always curious about everything.Adults can easily satisfy the cheildren's need.Most of the time they feel happy and don't worry too much.But our adults have a lot of desire,pains,worries,fears.Such things is a burden to us.

1 person likes this

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

2 Aug 10

Hi pandawang, Thank you for commenting and you're right we worry too much. Blessings.

@besthope44 (12123)

• India

29 May 10

Life is very short to be so much worried, live the life with happiness always, thats we can learn from children smile.

1 person likes this

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

2 Aug 10

Hi besthope, I think you have it right and thanks for responding. Blessings.

@meimeibaobei (292)

• China

28 Apr 10

every time when i play with children,i will get very happy.they are always ernergitic,funny.i can forget all the trouble and gain ernergy.all of our adaults should learn from children.

1 person likes this

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

28 Apr 10

Hi meimeibei, This is very true but few adults think that way. They feel that being children, all they can do is learn from us. When we take the time to observe children we realize that this isn't true. They are truthful until we teach them to lie. Perfectly honest until we teach them that's not how this world works.Thank you for taking the time to respond to this discussion. Blessings.

@meimeibaobei (292)

• China

30 Apr 10

hi pose123,i don't agree with taht point "all children can do is learn from adults".maly times we teach children to lie,to be lasy,to say what we think right,etc.sometimes we even teach them not trust their friends.the children get imformation from us and learn bad things from adults.compared to the children,we should learn from them.all of us should be honest,trust others,helpful as children.

@maximax8 (31053)

• United Kingdom

30 Apr 10

When I was studying to become a teacher I looked at children's literature. I liked seeing the picture books. The text and the pictures said something different. I thought it was very clever and got a child really thinking. Young children are a delight to spend time around. They have imagination and a willing attitude. They do well in art and design. They can work well as part of a team. They have excitement about the world around us. Amazingly working with bubbles excellent poetry can be written. I think adults lack that sense of wonder and excitement. Sometimes adult can think back to the past. He or she should look forward instead. Literature is important to me and many other adults I think. Adults like things to be complicated and we always long for things we haven't got. An adult should learn to treasure simple moments or holding an object like a beautiful crystal.

1 person likes this

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

1 Jun 10

Hi maximax8, That is truly a wise response and I feel that you were meant to be a teacher. It is a joy to be around young children and I think it helps us stay young as well. Thank you for coming here with those refreshing remarks. Blessings.

@Mirita (2668)

• United States

27 Apr 10

Yes, at an early they usually imitate us ,so we have a big responsibility in making sure that they learn ethical and proper behavior from us.

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@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

28 Apr 10

Hi Mirita, Thank you for that comment but there is much that we can learn from them if we will but watch and listen. Blessings.

@antony2best (583)

• India

27 Apr 10

we can learn alot from children.the way the smile everytime.they don't have enough responsibilities so they remain carefree.no matter how serious the situation may be they remain cool.they don't abuse people.there are many other small-small things which we can learn from them.

1 person likes this

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

27 Apr 10

Hi antony2best, They don't abuse people - that one thought says so much. Yes, they have so much to teach us, but do we learn? Thank you for your thougts. Blessings.

@namiya (1713)

• Philippines

27 Apr 10

1-Their honesty and sincerity. A child finds no difficulty in expressing what he/she really thinks or feel about anything irregardless of how her/his audience would assess or accept it. 2- How they easily appreciate and enjoy blessings, and; 3-Due to their innocence of the realities in life, they easily trust and likewise forgive or forget a wrong done to them.

1 person likes this

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

28 Apr 10

Hi namiya, Very wise comments, there is so much that adults can learn from children, that is until they learn from us. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.

@nangisha (3496)

• Indonesia

27 Apr 10

You are right we can learn so many thing from children. They not afraid to express their felling especially the bad one. They also so sincere to people surround them if they like or dislike they will show it very clearly. I have cousins who age from 2 to 7 years, its big crowded and noisy group who want to express them self, every one want to heard and tell their opinion.

1 person likes this

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

27 Apr 10

Hi nangisha, Thank you for responding and sharing. Listen to your young cousins, we can all learn something fro children. Blessings.

@anitarei321 (548)

• Japan

28 Apr 10

Honesty children is so pure and far from word lie...i learn much to stay good and being honest then full energy no matter when they are in good condition or being sick they like to get up for play and the most is they are strong more then adult think...:)

1 person likes this

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

28 Apr 10

Hi anitarei, Yes children are so honest and innocent because they haven't learned our ways yet. Thank you for responding. Blessings.

• China

27 Apr 10

They are the most innocent being.they are energic all the day.they have the most innocent smiles.

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@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

28 Apr 10

Hi viviya, Thank you for that comment and they are innocent because we haven't taught them any differently yet. Blessings.

• Philippines

27 Apr 10

all i can say is we learn from children is there honesty because children dont know what they done and importance of it..

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@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

28 Apr 10

Hi totz, Yes children are honest because they haven't been taught to lie.Thank you for commenting. Blessings.

@danishcanadian (28953)

• Canada

26 Apr 10

You are definately onto something here. In Christianity for example, they talk about seeing things through a child's eyes, not being corrupted by the harshness of adult competativeness and greed. Children are very good at helping adults keep things in perspective.

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@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

27 Apr 10

Hi danishcanadian, We can learn so much from children. Last year I attended my grandchild's kindergarten graduation in Toronto. There must have been kids from most cultures and nearly all major religions. It was such a delight to see them all enjoying themselves together. As it was a beautiful day the event was held outside. To them, color, culture, religion all meant nothing as they played together after the ceremony. Why do we have to ruin it all with our prejudices? Thanks my friend for coming here. Blessings.

@bird123 (10632)

• United States

27 Apr 10

Being spiritual is so wonderful. Why do we allow this physical world to convince us otherwise???? It is our choice to allow this.Why do we do this to ourselves???In time and after many many lessons, we will learn not to.The truth so often stares us in the face, but what do they know for they are but mere children. Nice discussion Pose123!!

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@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

27 Apr 10

Hi bird, If children ever knew anything about prejudices, about hatred or revenge, they've forgotten it before coming here. No wonder Jesus said that we must become as little children. Thank you for coming here and for coming here and helping to point the way. Blessings.

@Professor2010 (20162)

• India

30 Apr 10

Yes Pose learning is a never ending process, we learn from people of all ages, even our kids, the children are so innocent, we learn many things from them of which we were unaware of.. Thanks, God bless you. cheers

Happy posting.

Prof

@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

30 Apr 10

Hi professor, It is said that we should spend some time each day with people under the age of five and over the age of seventy. Children are honest and trusting because they know nothing else until they pick up our bad habits. The wisdom of children is amazing. Thank you for coming here and sharing your thoughts. Blessings.

@Cherwin2010 (878)

• Philippines

27 Apr 10

CHILDREN-they are innocent of all things that is why they are always asking out of their curiosity., but one thing i learn from them is they easily forget of things which can make them cry., they will never plant any revenge or hatred.,

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@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

27 Apr 10

Hi Cherwin, I think you are definitely unto something here. They do not understand the idea of revenge or hatred. Something for all of us to think about. Thanks for sharing this. Blessings.

• United States

27 Apr 10

I have learned that I dont have to go so fast. That I can and need to slow down sometimes and enjoy things the way they do. Even though my 19 month old will sit and tell you go go go and see ya he loves to just cuddle up with me and his 7 month old brother. :)

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@Pose123 (21635)

• Canada

27 Apr 10

Hi beesm, One of many lessons you will learn I'm sure. We all need to think about this. Thank you for sring your thoughts. Blessings.