What Adults Can Learn from Kids -- Adora Svitak

Our inherent wisdom doesn't have to be insider's knowledge. Kids alreadydo a lot of learning from adults, and we have a lot to share. I think thatadults should start learning from kids. Learning between grown-ups andkids should be reciprocal. The reality, unfortunately, is a little different, andit has a lot to do with trust, or a lack of it.Adults seem to have a prevalently restrictive attitude towards kids, fromevery "Don't do that, don't do this" in the school handbook, to restrictionson school Internet use. As history points out, regimes become oppressivewhen they're fearful about keeping control. And although adults may not bequite at the level of totalitarian regimes, kids have no or very little say inmaking the rules, when really, the attitude should be reciprocal, meaningthat the adult population should learn and take into account the wishes ofthe younger population.Now, what's even worse than restriction, is that adults often underestimatekids' abilities. We love challenges, but when expectations are low, trust me,we will sink to them.