We are all familiar with the old expression, "Children are like sponges." Never is this more true than in early childhood. They literally drink in their surroundings, and the major influence is the adults that inhabit those surroundings.
The mother of my two youngest godchildren told me a wonderful story about taking her daughters to a fish hatchery that they regularly visit to purchase fish. On this particular day, as Aurora (4 years old at the time) was feeding the fish in one of the hatchery ponds, one of the "fishermen" was busy cleaning the pond. Dressed in his waders, he meticulously cleaned the algae with focused attention.
As soon as they returned home, Aurora dug out a pair of her old snow pants (this was in early August!) and put them on to serve as her waders. Then she went outside and created her own hatchery environment. Their mesh hammock became a pond which she brushed and brushed - "Momma, I have a lot of algae to clean today." Another area in their garden served as the smoke house where she pretended to smoke several different kinds of fish, as well as chicken and beef! My friend said that this went on for days and days. Aurora even wanted to sleep in her "waders"!
How long had they observed the fisherman? Only about 15 minutes! We, the adults in the child's environment, are their textbooks. When they can see us fully engaged in what we are doing, and even better, doing it with interest and delight, the more they will be eager to take up the tasks of life as well.
By Cynthia Aldinger from the book This Is The Way We Wash-A-Day by Mary Thienes-Schunemann
