My most important title is “father.” And while I dedicate an extensive amount of time to keeping my kids safe, educated, fed, and entertained, I have also learned more from them than I ever expected to. Today, I want to explore some of the life lessons adults can learn from kids. We will discuss the importance of being playful, curious, present, creative, kind, resilient, and forgiving.
Children have a unique way of looking at the world that can teach us a lot about life. Because they are naturally inexperienced, children allow themselves to feel a full range of emotions. They also feel these emotions more intensely; the good feels amazing, and the bad feels horrible. A new ball or just a piece of candy can make them jump to the sky with happiness. On the other side of things, minor events like a balloon popping can cause a meltdown.
As we grow older and gain more life experience, we learn how to regulate our emotional expression by distinguishing between what is really important and what is not. This is undoubtedly an important skill to learn, but it also makes it easy to lose the best and most useful qualities of childhood as we transition into adults.
So, why should adults also learn from kids?
There are three major reasons. First, kids are naturally curious: they are always asking questions and exploring their surroundings. This can help us to stay open-minded and to learn new things or pick up new skills.
Second, kids live in the moment. They are not afraid to express their emotions and enjoy the simple things in life. In the fast-pace and stress of daily life, learning how to slow down and to appreciate the present moment can do us a world of good.
Third, kids are naturally creative. They have a natural sense of imagination, and they are not afraid to let their imaginations run wild. This can help us to be more creative and to express ourselves in new ways.
How can adults learn from kids?
- •Play!
- Enjoy yourself and be creative. Find ways to relieve stress. When we play, we get to let loose and have fun. This will help to reduce stress levels.
- •Be curious. Children are constantly asking questions and exploring their surroundings. They are not afraid to converse, try new things, and learn
- from peers. Make mistakes, and learn from them. Be on the lookout for new experiences!
- •Be present. Children live in the moment and are not afraid to express their emotions. They are not bogged down by the past or the future.
- •Be creative. Children have a natural sense of creativity and imagination. They are not afraid to let their imaginations run wild.
- •Be kind. Children don’t use “tactical kindness.” They are inherently kind (when they choose to be). They are not afraid to help others or to stand up
- for what they believe in. Adults can learn to be more kind by being mindful of the needs of others and by doing things to help others without
- expecting a return.
- •Be resilient. Children bounce back from setbacks. They are not afraid to fail, and they learn from their mistakes.
- •Be forgiving. Kids are forgiving, and they’re able to let go of grudges. Sometimes I watch my children coming back from playtime upset, and they
- declare how they don’t want to play with this friend anymore! And a few minutes later, they ask to schedule more play time with this very same
- friend. Adults can learn to be more forgiving by practicing forgiveness and letting go of anger.
These are all qualities that we can all strive to cultivate in ourselves, regardless of our age. It is scientifically proven that we should learn from kids.
A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, found that adults who spent time with children were more likely to be resilient and optimistic than those who don’t. The authors of this study believe that this is because children are naturally adaptable and hopeful, and they can help adults to bounce back from setbacks and stay positive.
Another study from Psychological Science found that children are better at problem-solving than adults. The researchers suggest that this is because children are more likely to think outside the box and to come up with creative solutions.
Lastly, a study published by Pediatrics found that children are more resilient than adults. The study’s authors believe that this is because children are better able to bounce back from setbacks, rather than be consumed by them.
The list of studies in this field is long, and the findings are conclusive – kids can make us better adults.
We all started out as playful and curious children. But as we grow older, we seem to forget how to be these things. Why is that?
I believe the answer lies in how we define a “grown-up person.” We often associate being grown-up with being responsible and accountable. But these qualities don’t have to mean that we lose interest in the world around us.
The amount of times I have heard my teachers tell children to “grow up” is far more than I could count. The thing is, I was still a child when they said that.
I am sure I am not the only one who heard that. That kind of language makes us feel like we need to suppress our natural curiosity and playfulness in order to be taken seriously. We can become more focused on the future and on achieving our goals, which can make us less likely to take the time to be playful and curious. Additionally, we become more afraid of failure, which can make us less likely to take risks and to try new things. Finally, we tend to experience more stress as we get older, which can make us less patient and less likely to be playful.
Even if all these factors contribute to us forgetting our playfulness and curiosity as we grow older, it is important to remember that we can all re-learn these traits as well, regardless of our age. There are many things that we can do to cultivate these qualities, such as making time for play, expanding our mindsets, taking risks, and learning to relax. By making an effort to be more playful and curious, we can enrich our lives and make them more enjoyable. We can also learn new things and grow as people.
So next time you feel like you’re losing your inner child, remember that it’s okay to be playful and curious. These qualities are not just for kids. They’re for grown-ups too.
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