IF I HEAR "WHY" ONE MORE TIME….

GreatAspirations

FOR UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE

FOR RELEASE: JUNE 28, 1998

GREAT ASPIRATIONS! By Two Dads

IF I HEAR "WHY" ONE MORE TIME….

It is absolutely crazy how many times we can be asked "why" by our kids. Just when we think we have exhausted all the possible whys another is surely to follow. Why is the sky blue? Why are peas green? Why are carrots good for your eyes? Why can’t I stay up? Why do I have to drink all my milk? Why, Why, Why?

There is only one thing that is more amazing than the number of whys we get asked. It is the fact that we always seem to have an answer. (Even if we have to make it up.) The only other option is to fall into the easy trap of proclaiming, "because"--and we’ve all done that. Saying "because" certainly does not deal with the inquiry; but, it does send a clear message to the kids that we have heard enough "whys" for a few minutes. The question is: Is that the message we really want to send?

When kids ask us why, it is not because they want to make us crazy, it is because they want to know something. Educators call this learning; parents call it being curious. Being curious and learning go hand in hand. It is our role as parents to foster curiosity at home.

Once we think we have mastered the why question from our kids, we need to get them to the next level. That is having them ask "why not." As stated earlier "why" promotes curiosity and "why not" promotes creativity. The point here is that we want not only inquisitive kids, but also kids who can take the next step and provide meaningful solutions to complex problems.

Our whole society was founded on the fact that great individuals asked why and why not. If Jefferson hadn’t asked "Why not buy Louisiana?," we wouldn’t have had the Wild West. If the Wright Brothers did not question "Why not fly like birds?," we would not have frequent flier miles. If Columbus did not ask "Why not sail around the world?," we would all be cramped in Europe today.

Here are some ideas to get the curious and creative juices of your kids flowing:

Big Top Research shows that kids who have attended events like the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, who have watched Walt Disney style videos at home, and/or who have Lego style building blocks at home have a significantly greater sense of Curiosity and Creativity than those who have not. Give your kids these kinds of classic experiences.

Cool Crafts Kids go bananas at the chance to build, paint, shape, and mold. Gather some cardboard, Popsicle sticks, glitter, pipe cleaners, markers, glue and beady eyes from a fabric or craft store and see what ideas develop.

Animal Hunt Take your kids for a walk in the park and look for signs of animals--tracks, sounds, scratches on the trees where a deer may have rubbed its’ antlers. Look in the sky and under rocks and logs. Show your children how to use field guides, Scout handbooks, internet sites, or encyclopedias to track down their findings in print.

Out and About Town Your best source of leads for cool stuff around town is in your hands - this newspaper! On any given Saturday or Sunday, this paper lists concerts, festivals, art shows or small town festivals celebrating some sort of local pride--from sauerkraut to honey bees. Load the kids in the car and go check it out!

You’ll never know the potential of your children if they are discouraged from asking why. As you open their creative spirits, don’t be surprised if you, too, start questioning. Why not?

(The Two Dads are Doug Hall, Director of Great Aspirations!, and Russ Quaglia, Child Aspirations Expert.)

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