This is my grandson, Reece. He’s five. And he chose to be a scientist for his kindergarten community helper day.
Now I ask you, why would a five-year-old want to be a scientist for community helper day? This has puzzled his mother and me all week. To our knowledge, Reece doesn’t know any scientists, nor has his teacher ever suggested that our community has one helping out somewhere.
Here’s my theory.
The kid has an imagination that goes far beyond what most would call normal limits. Really. This is the same child that claims he can teleport into his top bunk. He’s also drawn a treasure map with “X” marks the spot, fully convinced that there is truly a treasure buried there. Wherever that may be. I don’t think he even knows. Or maybe he does, and we’re just too grown up to see it. Oh, and he was muttering “shiver me timbers” during the creation of the map. So, if you really think about it, the whole scientist concept isn’t much of a stretch for him.
I love it.
This is imagination as it should be.
And I pray with all my heart that the teachers and adult influences Reece has in the years to come will be astute enough to allow his mind to soar. I pray that they teach him how to think and not what to think. He has a tremendous gift. He is destined to think things, to create things, to do things that no one else can. How completely wonderful is that!
By the way, the glasses are not real. The magnifying glass is.
Sort of.
Inside the Writer 
Awesome post today, Wendy! I love the imagination of children… incidentally, yesterday after school, I was helping my daughter Hannah make a treasure map as well. She drew the map and then crumpled up the paper to make it look old, then I burned the edges of the page and soaked it in tea to give it that yellowed look… Lord, help us to maintain that childlike wonder and faith in our lives as adults!
I completely agree! One of my pet peeves about the “education” system in general is the way they methodically squelch a child’s enthusiasm and sense of wonder. And since we adults were “taught” the same way, we do the same thing to our kids. So much unlearning to do later in life.
Wendy, I just finished reading Jonah Lehrer’s “Imagine: How Creativity Works,” and, according to him and the research, our schools have a long, LONG way to go to show children how to think creatively and not what to think.
I’m forever looking for material that unlocks the magic of creativity and imagination, so as to improve my writing. Lehrer’s book is the best I’ve read so far.
An informative and eye-opening book, well written and easy to understand. I learned a lot and recommend it highly.
I’ve got this book in my “to read” pile. Looking forward to seeing what it has to say.
By the way, cute kid and great picture.
Thanks for sharing.
If my community needs a scientist…I want Reece.
I taught (facilitated) a classroom of 4 year olds for 15 years… fortunately in a Christian setting. My favorite time was giving the kiddos supplies and free range to explore.
There are many things which must be taught… but imagination and exploration needs cultivating and honoring.
I’ll let Reece know his services may be in demand!
Cute pic! that’s a keeper
One of my grandsons is like Reece. His teachers, for the most part, have encouraged his imagination. Your daughter must be Reece’s abdicate if he ever gets a teacher who doesn’t.