subject: What a 4 Year Old Can Teach Us About Life [print this page] What a 4 Year Old Can Teach Us About Life
Disclaimer: I have the world's greatest4 year old grandson. There is no other way to explain learning valuable life lessons from someone younger than many of my clothes. While I like to believe he is smart beyond his years, I would guess most kids have something to tell us, if we'd only pay attention. SoI did pay attention during a long weekend with thefamily recently. Here is what I learned during that time together.
Finding Joy in Everything
He can find joy and excitement in the most common of daily activities. There is almost nothing that doesn't cause him to smile, gush enthusiasm, or run toward whatever it is that has captured his attention. He has yet to unlearn the preciousbelief that every moment ofevery day can bring a new adventure.
Sometime in the next 2 or 3 years he will probably lose this innate sense of joy. Disappointments, a bully at school, a friend who says unkind things, or a clearer understanding of the existence ofbad things in the world will cause him to exercise caution. He will moderate his enthusiasm andbe a little less free with hugs and smiles. He, his family, and our world will be a little less sunny when that happens.
Show Respect for Others
Something that used to be quite common in America, but now is often restricted to the very young is respect for one's elders. You might argue that he isn't showing respect, as much as awareness where the power in the family is. He may throw an occasional temper tantrum but Mom and Dad are going to win and he knows it. Even so, he speaks with respect to them and his grandparents. He listens when one of us is talking. He acknowledges our presence.
Respect for experience and for gaining some perspective are attributes that come with age. Respecting what someone older than youcan teach you is a missing part of our society's character.
Politeness Matters
Being polite gets you farther in lifethan being nasty. He can overpower his little sister (who is also an absolute gem!) and take what he wants. But, he has learned the uproar isn't worth it. By asking politely to share, more often than not he gets what he wants. Honey does get you more than vinegar.
For the past several years the public discourse in our country has become quite unpleasant. Polite exchanges of honest differences of opinion are out of favor. Yelling andname-calling are more our style. Those who don't agree with us are not simply misinformed, they are probablyevil. Politeness is believed to be a weakness and we are the worse for it. We need tolisten and learn from the children.
Money is often overrated
Money is completely unnecessary for many of life's greatest pleasures. I have yet to see my grandson decide not to explore something, or taste something, or do something because he has no money. He loves watching trains. He adores family picnics.He goes crazy over dinosaurs. He plays for hours by himself or with his sister. He doesn't miss any of this just because he has no wallet.
I'd contend that many of the sweetest experiences in life are absolutely free. A glorious sunset, a conversation with a friend, a cup of coffee on the back porch, a hand-in-hand walk with someone you love are still untaxed, unregulated,and available to you. 4 year olds have no concept of limiting their joy because of finances. We would benefit from remembering that lesson.
Control your own schedule
Eat when you are hungry. Nap when you are tired. Stop doing something when it bores you. Don't worry.My grandson has these guidelines pretty much figured out. Sometime soon he'll lose the freedom to act on them whenever he wants. But, for now he has life by the tail.
The lessons children have to teach us are obvious and compelling. Simply stop, look, and listen. We will all benefit.
