Adults are no match for children.
I always feel this when I see children at workshops. Curiosity, concentration, and the ability to learn something. These are truly wonderful abilities that children are born with. There are a lot of things happening in the workshop.
How did you find that?” and discoveries that we, as adults, could never make. And, “How did you…?” and “How did you find that? They would happily show each other what they had made, saying, “Look at this! and play with it together. (It’s amazing how when they make something good, they are eager to show it to each other.) When they see something they think is “amazing! (It is a wonder that they want to show it to each other when they make something good. (It is strange that when I make something good, I want to show it to others without any hesitation. (It’s a wonder why people want to show off something so irresistibly when they have a “good idea”). I would look at such “good ideas” with a sideways glance and try to imitate them. Children are truly amazing. It’s frustrating, but it’s something I can’t imitate. (I do try to be stubborn and force myself during workshops, though.)
Without realizing it, I tend to see “children” as less than adults. Of course, we adults have a responsibility to protect and nurture children, who are less developed than adults. But in fact, I feel every day that there are many things that children are more “amazing” than adults.
Hideki Mori
January 2004 CAMP Facilitator Relay Column