Children roll out of bed every morning just as adults do. Most days, you want to hit the ground running and take care of business. Children greet the day by hitting the ground running, jumping, climbing, asking lots of questions, and exploring and absorbing an incredible world with untold secrets waiting to unfold.
Their play seems, well, playful. But in reality, a child’s play is critical for how they see and learn from the world. Their curiosity and lack of restraint are admirable, made even more so by a lack of awareness that they are doing all the things that will serve them well as they grow.
Their work is to play and figure out things, little by little, as they connect the dots. As an adult, your job is to help guide them, making teachable moments part of that work/play dynamic.
Children are also great teachers. Because, in many ways, it would benefit you to see the world through the eyes of a child and learn in ways that bring a fresh perspective to a world you thought you had mostly figured out.