- Jul 20, 2016
- 6,572
- 20,209
I watched an interview with Jane Goodall (Star Talk) where she was asked how she became interested in science. She recounted a story of visiting a farm when she was 4 yrs old with her mom. She was tasked with collecting eggs from the hen house, but when she asked where the eggs came from, the adults did not really answer her question.
A little later she saw a hen go into the hen house, so she followed and stayed with it for 4 hours until she got her answer. In the mean time, the adults were frantic because they thought she was lost, hurt, or maybe taken. Her mom saw her emerge from the hen house excited as she had the answer to her query. Her mom responded by sitting with her and listening to her story of discovery.
When she was older, she realized that her mom could have reacted much differently and effectively shut down any joy of discovery in that little girl.
It really makes you think about all the little things we can do to encourage others. Sometimes even a smile and kind word is enough to propel a child or even an adult onward.
A little later she saw a hen go into the hen house, so she followed and stayed with it for 4 hours until she got her answer. In the mean time, the adults were frantic because they thought she was lost, hurt, or maybe taken. Her mom saw her emerge from the hen house excited as she had the answer to her query. Her mom responded by sitting with her and listening to her story of discovery.
When she was older, she realized that her mom could have reacted much differently and effectively shut down any joy of discovery in that little girl.
It really makes you think about all the little things we can do to encourage others. Sometimes even a smile and kind word is enough to propel a child or even an adult onward.
