Animals Know- Children Know Too
Hoteliers built Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia on an elephant herd’s annual migration path. The path leads to an appetizing mango grove. Although the hotel is elegant with brick columns, high ceilings and exotic blooms, ten elephants regularly walk through the main lobby sometimes four times a day for a mango munch. The elephants know where food is available and contractor blue prints ignored these travelers and their trunks.
People who dislike cats are the destination for cats when entering a crowded room. Cats know. I rode a horse on a trail ride when I was eight. I had begged for the opportunity since I had read every book about horses in our local library. Three minutes into the ride, I was terrified. I only liked horses described in paragraphs. The horse broke free from the orderly horse line, and bounded across an empty field. Petrified I hung on. The horse knew...
I recall the day I returned home late, weary, and grumpy. Sam, our golden retriever, and I had a regular routine. Usually, I came home at an ok time, strapped on my running shoes and Sam and I would take off. We would lope through the neighborhoods. On the evening I returned home so late, Sam had pushed open the hall closet, and removed a running shoe and placed it in the middle of the dining room floor. He had taken my second running shoe and placed it downstairs in the middle of the family room. He had selected my running shoes from tennis shoes, boots, and other running shoes that belong to other family members. The dog knew.
Why is it if animals are so smart we believe that children don’t get it? We need to believe that they can think, be competent, and learn to problem solve. We need to start trusting them early. When it comes to brains and ability I never met a kid that wasn’t smarter than any dog. I have never met a child who wasn’t more in need of attention than any cat. Children are capable. Why do we continue to discount them? Children thrive when they are trusted, encouraged to make decisions, and reassured with a consistent structure of rules and limits. Too often adults focus on filling toy chests, buying more videos or outsourcing their role as parent. Taking time to refuel the spirit provides energy and hope for the adventure of growing up. Present parents are daily presents in a child’s life. Children know.
People who dislike cats are the destination for cats when entering a crowded room. Cats know. I rode a horse on a trail ride when I was eight. I had begged for the opportunity since I had read every book about horses in our local library. Three minutes into the ride, I was terrified. I only liked horses described in paragraphs. The horse broke free from the orderly horse line, and bounded across an empty field. Petrified I hung on. The horse knew...
I recall the day I returned home late, weary, and grumpy. Sam, our golden retriever, and I had a regular routine. Usually, I came home at an ok time, strapped on my running shoes and Sam and I would take off. We would lope through the neighborhoods. On the evening I returned home so late, Sam had pushed open the hall closet, and removed a running shoe and placed it in the middle of the dining room floor. He had taken my second running shoe and placed it downstairs in the middle of the family room. He had selected my running shoes from tennis shoes, boots, and other running shoes that belong to other family members. The dog knew.
Why is it if animals are so smart we believe that children don’t get it? We need to believe that they can think, be competent, and learn to problem solve. We need to start trusting them early. When it comes to brains and ability I never met a kid that wasn’t smarter than any dog. I have never met a child who wasn’t more in need of attention than any cat. Children are capable. Why do we continue to discount them? Children thrive when they are trusted, encouraged to make decisions, and reassured with a consistent structure of rules and limits. Too often adults focus on filling toy chests, buying more videos or outsourcing their role as parent. Taking time to refuel the spirit provides energy and hope for the adventure of growing up. Present parents are daily presents in a child’s life. Children know.
posted by Ada at
8:08 PM
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