I sincerely believe that for the child, and for the parent seeking to guide [her], it is not half so important to know as to feel. If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow. The years of early childhood are the time to prepare the soil. Once the emotions have been aroused – a sense of the beautiful, the excitement of the new and the unknown, a feeling of sympathy, pity, admiration or love – then we wish for knowledge about the object of our emotional response. Once found, it has lasting meaning. It is more important to pave the way for a child to want to know than to put [her] on a diet of facts [she] is not ready to assimilate.
~ Rachel Carson
(The Sense of Wonder)
Love the photograph – such wide eyes – what thoughts could be going on behind them?
Thank you, Aubrey. It will be interesting to hear what Katherine has to say once she begins talking and sharing her thoughts. She seems to be a keen observer and problem solver, and is quite a serious child, much like her maternal grandmother (me) and paternal grandfather.
Absolutely. And that’s part of the joy of being a grandmother. Not needing to worry about teaching the facts, but instead instilling the wonder of living. (And of course, our grandkids teach us to see that wonder all over again!). Sweet, sweet photo.
Thank you, Pam – I love the photo my daughter took, too. It’s a precious gift given to us grandparents, the time to explore the wonder with the little ones. Katherine and I had some lovely, wordless, meandering walks when I visited. So many things to notice again vicariously through those eyes…
Great quote- I was surprised when I saw that Rachel Carson wrote it. I think of her more in regards to environmental issues, and hadn’t realized that she had done some wonderful writing on other topics.
Thanks, Sheryl. I also loved her book, “Under the Sea Wind,” which tells the life stories of Silverbar the sanderling, Scomber the mackerel, and Anguilla the eel. It was enchanting imagining living in their environments…
I’m continuing to learn more about Rachel Carson. The only book of hers that I was familiar with until this post and comment was Silent Spring.
That’s one I haven’t read yet, Silent Spring…
I can just see you helping in instill that wonder, nurturing the wide-eyed openness. She’s such a cutie!
Cute as a button, as my grandmother used to say. 🙂 She loves being outside and wanders all over the neighborhood… Exciting times!
Wonderful image of your grand daughter. Bright, inquisitive face.
Thank you, Sybil! She is a curious child – you can almost see her thinking…
Oh, what had a beautiful picture of your granddaughter, Barbara! So wide-eyed and full of her own thoughts! Catching up a little and want to thank you for your visit to my blog. Hugs. XO
Thank you so much, Diane! We got to see the little one a couple of weeks ago and she will be coming for another visit in July!!! No doubt, she is the apple of our eyes. 🙂 *hugs*