What You Can Learn from Kids

I love to watch kids play!  They are so willing to take chances and push boundaries.  It is fascinating to watch how they seem to discover a toy or something for the first time.  Have you ever watched a child interact with a dog?  They will pet the dog and laugh.  Then it goes further until the dog signals he/she has had enough.  Children are naturally curious!

Children are great sales people! If they want something, they stay after you until they get it.  Is that being stubborn or tenacious?  Good sales people are persistent until they reach their goal.  Children watch cartoons and see McDonald’s commercials and will convince you that they will starve to death unless they go there.  If they want a particular toy, they have all the reasons or they meet all you objections to persuade you to buy the toy.  Children are great sales people.

Children are fearless! They go to the top of the jungle gym or the top of the hill with their skateboard.  I remember my children skiing down a ski slope when they were small going as fast as they can.  Whether it is going to the heights or going fast, children are fearless!  They do things that as adults we have apprehensions.  Why is that?  Maybe, we should be more fearless.

Children learn faster! Most children learn different languages quickly at an early age.  Most adults have some difficulty learning a second language as an adult.  As a child you do not have to unlearn so many things, so it is easier to absorb new information.  The younger the child the easier it is to learn new things.  As we get older, our brains are filled with information collected over time.  It is just easier to absorb new information.

Children do things their way! Have you ever watched a child play?  They do not have the benefit of years of experience or know how they are supposed to play.  Play is the way children learn!  They build skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and develop ideas about the world.  These skills are important to their learning and social development.  Learning to play is important in success in school and life.

Children learn from play how to be successful! They use their imagination through telling and hearing stories.  When children pretend play, they develop skills in language and developing their imagination.  They are developing language, solving problems, self control, and social skills.  When children play games, they are learning how to share, play together and enjoy learning.

I read about some “8 Kid Entrepreneurs to Watch“ on CNNMoney.com.  Why is this unusual?  Children have all the right skills to start a business.  As we get older, we learn that there are rules, risks, consequences and other things that prevent us from starting a business.  When you are a child you may have a lemonade stand, deliver newspapers, or sell candy.  The main purpose was to raise money.  Maybe, the main purpose should be to hone business skills.

Future business leaders, entrepreneurs, or success stories start when we are young children.  Children are more adventurous, fearless, persuasive, and tenacious.  Through play, they learn success and other skills that will help them learn in school.  Those same skills may help them succeed in business.  Encourage your children to experiment and support their desires to have a business.  We can learn a lot from children; they are risk takers, persuasive, independent and successful.  Some time ago, I wrote an article about How to raise successful children which discusses how to use children’s interests to learn financial skills. These are skills everyone needs and a reminder to use them!  What are you going to do? You can learn from kids too!

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