Do you have a little kid or a couple? That’s great, because you have a scientist living in your house.
Do you know a scientist? Like a real one, a pro, probably working at some university doing serious, mind-boggling research? That’s great, because you know one more (or couple) more kids than you thought you have.
It’s logical if you think of it — because tasting different kinds of crayons to see whether they taste different is doing actual, practical science. Being curious about why people’s hair turns grey is scientific interest; wondering why some men go gray and why some go bald is even a higher level of scientific curiosity.
Up until certain age, all kids possess this intricate ability to work real science most grown-ups have lost (I can assert than even most real scientists lost this ability; and had to regain it back, painfully, when older). Girls tend to lose this gist faster, due to societal pressures of over-the-top consumerism and Western values of “girl things” and “boy things” to do. Disassembling gadgets, trinketing with bugs or examining weird twigs are invariably boy things to do.
Infinite curiosity, the feeling of obligation to understand how things work, almost infinite capacity to absorb new, desire to have a hands-on experience with important things and issues — this is pretty much every, every three-year old. It’s hard to kill the talent of an adult scientist; we all know stories how they keep up with their research despite all odds. Yet, very little is needed to kill your kid researcher — do you remember being harsh to your kid for asking a question you couldn’t quite manage to answer? Scolded your kid for mingling with something on the ground because it’s dirty, and, ergo, dangerous? Denied a toy your kid actually wants in exchange for nothing (not the worst case) or some shiny gizmo that’s utterly pointless yet you will think will keep them occupied (worst case)? No?
Well, I do. I watch you on the streets, in the commute, in toy shops and kid stores, and I see you, mothers and fathers, doing these things every day, all the time. Screw you.
I beg all parents that read me or can potentially read me — whatever you do, don’t let this spark fade, don’t let it with all your might. If you kid is average, this spark is the most important gift she has; if your kid is special, though, this is the most important gift he might have.
Your child is a scientist — and you are supposed to treat scientists with respect.
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