Pearls of Preschool Wisdom
Part 1: Because they know stuff
Before we jump into the wisdom of preschoolers, I wanted to share a free bonus podcast for December. Typically the bonus podcasts are for paid subscribers, but it is the holidays after all. Really I just wanted to say hello and rant on a couple holiday hot topics. So enjoy.
Their antics are frustrating, irritating, confusing, and outright ridiculous. But is it possible that they know something we don’t? Or maybe things we once knew but have forgotten? I am talking about the tiny tyrant demanding their toast be cut into tiny squares because it only tastes good that way. Your toddlers and preschoolers. A little change in perspective can provide insights that perhaps we have forgotten. Preschool pearls of wisdom begin now…it’s only part one because they have a lot to offer.
Rocks and sticks have incredible value
When I post something on social media or in an essay that mentions something about inside rocks or treasured stick collections, there is an overwhelming response of recognition from fellow parents. This would suggest that this is indeed a common phenomenon, and perhaps it needs a moment of thought as to why children are so drawn to coveting nature’s knickknacks.
Some of this phenomenon relates to the understanding of boundaries. In our adult brains, the outside is the outside and the inside is where we don’t store sticks and rocks. We can view it as a learning opportunity, they just don’t know, right? But maybe it’s a place to pause and remind ourselves that many adults believe in houseplants…just saying. Staying connected to nature and understanding how we are all connected, rocks and sticks included, is the stuff of great philosophy and religion.
A connection and closeness to these natural elements may also have something to do with the wonder they invoke. They are still interesting to the young ones. They have something to offer; it might be the sensory experience of holding a stone in your pocket or the transformative properties of a stick that becomes a wand. Young kids have a willingness to see more in what is in front of them. However, as adults, this is counterintuitive. We have spent too much time in a world that teaches us to seek more and more from somewhere far away, often in a warehouse or a delivery truck.
Okay, I am not saying you have to say yes to the inside rocks or the box of sticks in the corner of your child’s bedroom, but perhaps we can give them a little more credit. They found something wonderful right in the backyard and wanted to cherish it. That might be a practice everyone needs from time to time.
Food on another person’s plate tastes better
Feeding kids is hard. The internet is full of hacks and tricks to help you feed your little humans. Have you heard this one? Put the food on your plate? Yes, what is on your plate tastes better. Did you know that? I know you would think that having made the food and having lovingly dished it out for everyone from the same bowl, it was the same. No, it is not. Yours is better.
My child is a strong believer in this concept. When we sit down, she will saunter over and ask to sample my meal. Does anyone remember the episode of Friends where Joey will not share food? I am a little like that (and especially with French fries). So this is hard to muster perspective on, at least for me. However, their curiosity about what their trusted adult might enjoy is a compliment. This is not a surprising concept. As adults, we are influenced by strangers with filters and good lighting to purchase things we might not otherwise purchase. She sees me eating something and thinks, “Hey, she likes it, it’s probably pretty good.” I am her first influencer.
It's also less of a commitment, or not taking more than you can chew, so to speak. Given how protective small ones are of their coveted particular shape or plate color, it shouldn’t surprise us that the plate is a part of their precious territory. They want to be careful about what they let enter their eating zone. Eating it off your plate is much safer than bringing it into their favorite Dino bowl. I think we can all appreciate how important a Dino bowl is.
So maybe they know stuff
You can still implement boundaries for these young thinkers. Yes, storing a small forest in their room may result in spiders. Or five rocks in their pockets may make their pants fall down. And it may be preferable to eat at the table instead of hiding to eat your meal, standing in the corner, not daring to chew too loudly and be discovered. But let’s acknowledge that these kids know some stuff, and maybe we can learn from them, too.
I loved your perspective on seeing these arbitrary pieces of woodland clutter as things they cherish. That reframe is such a good one because to me, I can’t fathom what’s exciting about wood chips, but it there’s something in it my kid clearly sees and wants to treasure and how can I not support that? Always love your perspective.