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The mind of a five-yr.-old always seems to be filled with wondrous imaginings, infinite curiosity, and unpredictable observations. Today was no exception when, after an exhausting day (at least for the adults) at the state park, we stopped for a late lunch at "Dukes" restaurant.
He was wound up after hiking down and up trails for a couple of hours. His mom and I had wound out, pretty much, so we ordered lunch. Little hands were grabbing anything in reach; the little mouth was going 90 mph in a shrill tone -- whining was involved, and the food wasn't coming. So mommy decided to perform some distraction techniques: "I want you to turn toward the wall and trace all the lines in the paneling." The lasted for a full 20 seconds. I decided to give him a "quiz": "Why are windows clear?" He didn't know, but thought about it for another 10 seconds and gave up. We explained about glass and what it was made of, etc. Then his Mom again: "I want you to name three things that can fly and "birds" can only be one answer."
Small pause: "Dragon flies" ----- "birds" ---- (long pause. Mom and Papa were thinking airplanes, bats, butterflies, and other obvious stuff).
R. - "The only thing I can think of is gliding snakes!".
Now, I'm sure that would not be an acceptable answer in a Kindergarten class (or 6th grade science class, for that matter) but don't we big people wish our brains were that flexible!!
He was wound up after hiking down and up trails for a couple of hours. His mom and I had wound out, pretty much, so we ordered lunch. Little hands were grabbing anything in reach; the little mouth was going 90 mph in a shrill tone -- whining was involved, and the food wasn't coming. So mommy decided to perform some distraction techniques: "I want you to turn toward the wall and trace all the lines in the paneling." The lasted for a full 20 seconds. I decided to give him a "quiz": "Why are windows clear?" He didn't know, but thought about it for another 10 seconds and gave up. We explained about glass and what it was made of, etc. Then his Mom again: "I want you to name three things that can fly and "birds" can only be one answer."
Small pause: "Dragon flies" ----- "birds" ---- (long pause. Mom and Papa were thinking airplanes, bats, butterflies, and other obvious stuff).
R. - "The only thing I can think of is gliding snakes!".
Now, I'm sure that would not be an acceptable answer in a Kindergarten class (or 6th grade science class, for that matter) but don't we big people wish our brains were that flexible!!