I have spent a considerably large portion of my life with little kids of all ages. I have to say, age four is a time that I particularly enjoy. It could be the child's astonishing sense of self and independence at this stage. The four-year-old that I nanny recently told me that she can make her own smart decisions because she's four now. Some of the decisions she currently has to make include the following non-exhaustive list:
-what to wear: a dress or pants.
-hair: up or down.
-vegetable to eat for lunch: peppers or carrots.
-which theme of macaroni and cheese to eat: Dory or Star Wars.
-which Biscuit books to take out of the library.
At this moment in her life, these decisions are major, and being able to feel grown is something that she's enjoying.
The following is a dialogue between my four-year-old friend who shall be called M, and myself. It's because of this conversation, in combination with countless others, that I believe that children know more about life than adults. [Pauses in the conversation are represented by ellipses].
M: What are you doing?
Me: I'm reading a textbook for school.
M: But why? (One of her favorite questions--why, why, why?!)
Me: Because I have to study for a hard test. This book will help me study.
M: It's great that you're studying. You're gonna do so great!
Me: How do you know?
M: Because you're studying and you're a smart cookie. Don't worry about your test.
...
M: Ms. Hadassah?
Me: Yes, M?
M: Did you go to school today?
Me: Yes, I go to school everyday.
M: And you come here to play with us and work?
Me: Yup, I sure do!
M: But if you go to school everyday and come here to play with us, when do you get to go to the park with your mama and dada?
Me: I don't usually have a lot of time to do that because I'm busy with you guys or I'm at school working hard.
M: Well that's not very nice. You should get to play more, like at the playground.
...
{M is going to the living room to play Irish dancing music.}
Me: M, did you finish your project?
M: No.
Me: Well where are you going?
M: My project was hard so I'm taking a break.
Me: Okay, what are you doing?
M: I'm gonna turn on some music.
Me: Are we going to dance?
M: Yes! Dancing makes everything better.
Depending on the week, I spend anywhere from 15-25 hours a week with this chick--we see a lot of each other. I know her and she knows me. In learning from her and other kids over the past few years of my life, I know that from the eyes of a four-year-old, life is quite simple: we should know that we're awesome and smart, we should make time for ourselves and our families, and we should always dance things out. We never seem to give children sufficient credit. But trust me, kids often know more.
