“Dad, where does the wind come from?” These were the words of a little boy that floated out of a tiny window from a beautiful Winnebago parked next to my chariot at beach today. The morning had turned into a small victory at sea sort of day and as his dad approached carrying two armfuls of stuff that were getting launched in our June wind storm, the boy was concerned for his toys and the promise of a day at the beach with his family. The innocence and depth of the boy’s question floored me (in a good way) and was like a Walt Whitman line out of Leaves of Grass, ” a child said, what is the grass?”
Kid’s ask Dad’s and Mom’s big questions. Nature, biology, spirituality, fantasy, really there are no limits to the vastness of the questions that come out of young human’s mouthes. I believe the answers that parents and care providers respond with to these questions should include but is not limited to these points.
- Affirm the child’s curiosity
- Address the facts in an age appropriate way (as much as you can)
- Allow space for the kid to explore and perhaps embrace their own opinion
- Be mindful of the question behind the question
Kid’s need to know their questions matter, that their curiosity is encouraged and that even when the issues/questions are scary it’s ok to ask.
I’m thankful for my mom, and for a few very special teachers and a not so small family of lifesavers who listened and comforted me in my questions of life, death, nature, athletics, pain, relationships and healing.
Whether the questions we mostly answer come from children or adults how we handle the concerns, fears, defeats, triumphs and victories of those that are brave enough to ask us matters a great deal. Our answers not only profoundly shape the other person but they also shape who we are as friends, teachers, parents, and partners.
Be well, be brave, and do your best,
PCD
