What Children Can Teach Adults

There is much to be learned by watching children

Photo by Islander Images on Unsplash

Note: I originally published this article on Medium on September 22, 2021. I thought it was worth sharing here too.

As adults we often focus on what we hope to teach children. What we say and do can have a huge impact on young minds, so that’s understandable. It’s becoming increasingly clear to me, though, that adults can also learn a lot from children. Here are five things children have taught me recently:

1. Take time to play. I have a harsh inner critic that tells me there’s no time for fun, at least not until all of the work is done. She likes to remind me of everything I should be doing instead. When I ignore her and go for a swim or a walk in the park, I come back refreshed and better able to concentrate on what I want to accomplish. There is plenty of scientific research to support this; just do an internet search on “the benefits of play for adults” if you want to learn more.

2. Express your emotions. While throwing a temper tantrum may not be advisable, I have learned that keeping my emotions bottled up inside isn’t healthy either. I am one of those sensitive souls who cry easily, and I used to fight desperately to keep my tears from spilling out. Now I am starting to recognize them for the gift that they are. For more details on the healing power of tears, check out this article on Psychology Today’s website.

3. Don’t worry about what other people think of you. Young children are refreshingly candid (sometimes much to their parents’ embarrassment). They say whatever comes to mind, ask questions when they don’t understand something, and sing and dance regardless of who is watching. While it is good and necessary to develop some mental filters based on social cues as we age, as teens and adults many of us let our fear of how others will react keep us from doing what we know is best for us. We try to please others at the expense of ourselves. I’m relearning the importance of being true to myself.

4. Accept the fact that mistakes are a necessary part of learning. Imagine what would happen if children learning to walk gave up after falling down the first time! Thankfully, they realize that they have to keep trying until they master this new skill. I tend to expect myself to be able to do something perfectly after being shown once, give up when it turns out to be more difficult than I thought it would be, and then beat myself up for failing. I’m working on reminding myself that making mistakes along the way is not only okay, it is also

   the only way to learn anything.

5. Laugh more. Have you noticed that children laugh much more often than adults do? One of the reasons I enjoy watching children playing is that there is usually so much giggling going on. Their joy is contagious; seeing them having so much fun makes me smile. As this article on the Mayo Clinic’s website explains, laughter relieves stress and benefits health in multiple ways. I am trying to incorporate more laughter into my life.

In all of these ways and more, children show me how to enjoy life more. I hope that I am wise enough to continue learning from them, and that the insights I have shared here inspire you too!

What have children taught you? How has spending time with kids changed your life? Please share what you’ve learned in the comments below!