A Child's Perception

We, adults may often think that children know nothing. Think twice. Children especially on their first few years are very inquisitive. Their minds think critically and their eyes are powerful observers. They give questions which may seem shallow for adults but admit it; even the wisest men cannot answer some of their queries.

Their young minds are like that of a sponge. They absorb all the details they see around them. They even have different perceptions with things.

On my journey as an educator, not as profound as others but I have a wide experience with teaching people; variety of people that is. I have taught children from preschool during my stay in public school in our area. During my OJT because College Graduation, I have taught subjects English, Math, Filipino, Values Education, Science and History to children of ages 8-12 years old and there were at least 40 kids in a classroom. I have taught intensive English training with my previous job as an English Trainer for jobless, College Graduates (who still wanted to pursue further English studies), out-of-school-youth and even professionals who were not well versed in English.

Seeing a student who could interpret an abstract picture or painting is very normal because that kind of thinking is expected from them. But seeing a child less than 4 years old interpreting visible and obvious things in a different way is a total shock.

This letter E on my laptop keyboard is never just an E for a child.

My son said it's a COMB.

This is what my son saw before he said that letter E is like a comb.

My big tooth comb.

Only during the time when I had my son, did I realize that the minds of a month old – 4 years old are really amazing. They have different impressions about just anything they could see or hear. They ask several things mostly how and why. They have the exact hunger for knowledge and thirst for answers.

These are plastic spoons. But my son, Kurt said it's SCISSORS.

Kurt and I playing with the electric fan. He said its like a microphone.

Probably because of the sound when you try to sing or talk in front of a turned on fan.

Just imagine how these little geniuses would accentuate one thing from the other considering the fact that they know less than adults. An example of this is when a child being a showed a picture of a squid and says it’s an octopus and when you try to ask why, the answer would be “because of the tentacles”. They do not know at first that these creatures belong to the same habitat but because of their keen observation regarding the tentacles, they give impressive remark that one animal is like the other; however we all know it isn’t. But the mere fact that a child compares one sea creature with the other is already a progress on their HOTS or higher order thinking skills.

The cardboard of a tissue roll is also a microphone for my son.

It is the same with 12 months old to 2 year old kids incorrectly giving the sound of “aw aw” for a cat or “meow meow” for a dog. This kind of response is not wrong at all. As young as they are, they still explore and haven’t noticed the difference between the two mammals however, consider the existence of how they scrutinize these two animals. Try asking further questions and verify why they have to a conclusion that the sound of that particular animal is so different with the other. Some kids would say “well, I thought it’s a dog because it has four legs and fur. And like dogs, cats stay at home.” That is another proof of intelligence on their reasoning skills.

The simple bucket could be a hat and a big basket for little kids.

There is always an endless possibility for the youngsters. They just have to be guided carefully. Parents or guardians should show good example all the time for kids are watching and they imitate. They are very excellent imitators in every aspect adults do like how elders act, say something or response to situations. They even act out the way moms and dads dress up. Kids are always “mommy and daddy wanna-be”.

Role of Parents / Guardians in a child’s brain development:

1.       Never underestimate little children.

2.       Knowledge is unending so encourage your young ones to be the best they could be.

3.       Induce positive thoughts and be a good influence.

4.       Encourage positive and good attitude, discourage bad ones.

5.       Be there when your child needs you. No matter busy you are, give time.

6.       Answer their questions honestly and if there are certain answers which are negative turn it into positive. For example: My son Kurt is not allowed to eat chicken meat because of his asthma and allergy. So when he asks why, I would tell him that it’s not good for him however, he could try other meat like pork, beef and fish. So he wouldn’t think about chicken and egg.

Besides, it’s the parents’ choice whether they want they child to become a genius or a dullard.