By: Natasha Archary
As adults, it’s easy to get stuck on the notion that you are the teacher when it comes to children and their understanding of the world, both good and bad. The truth is that there are many life lessons one can learn from kids and these can sometimes be overlooked.
Children have an untainted view of the world and perhaps it’s this innocence that can give adults a fresh perspective on how to approach things from the eyes, heart and mind of a child.
This Tuesday on Kaya Drive with Sizwe Dhlomo, the discussion was around that ‘aha moment’ as an adult you’ve had with either your kids or a relatives child.
Tyroline Franks’ 4-year old daughter has taught her about self-love and how no one’s opinion should weigh in on how she perceives her worth. At 4, most children are extremely self-aware and don’t have adult issues such as doubt or fears holding them back. It’s an important lesson that as adults we find hard to re-learn.
Keneiloe Huma’s little girl who’ll be 4 later this year teaches her how to be a better communicator. Should Keneiloe raise her voice, her toddler calmly instructs her to lower her tone because shouting doesn’t get through to her.
All this wisdom from such little people!
Listen to the Kaya Drive team’s lessons from kids:
Also read: Your child and the art of I’m sorry
5 life lessons to learn from kids
Cry if you must
What do kids do when they’re hurt, angry, overwhelmed or upset? Yup, they cry. While a temper tantrum is one thing, a good cry can be therapeutic and often as adults we’re taught to “suck it up” or downplay our emotions. Children, however, give in to every emotion they feel and the lesson here is that it’s not healthy to bottle up your emotions.
Don’t lose your inner child
Children don’t overthink things like adults do, they live in the moment and don’t focus on concepts such as timing or waiting for when you’re ready. Instead, they make the most out of every day to learn and discover and they teach adults to never lose their inner child.
It’s okay to ask for help
Many adults find it difficult to ask for help with even the most menial things because it’s seen as a sign of weakness or desperation. We’re conditioned to believe we have to do everything ourselves.
We don’t!
It’s the little things that bring your happiness
Children find happiness in the simplest things. A puddle of water after it rains. Going to the park. Finding a ladybug in the garden. Sand! Basically adults can learn to stop and smell the flowers from kids.
Allow your imagination to run wild
All of the greatest minds in the world had one thing in common, they let their imagination run wild. When a child plays or creates art, they explore their imagination and the endless possibilities that lie in the power of their minds.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” ― Albert Einstein.
