When I was at BYU I took a class that required us to spend a certain amount of time observing at the BYU preschool on campus. There was a long window with a counter and stools for college students to sit at and watch the goings on in the classroom. The four year olds on the other side were oblivious. If I remember correctly, the window we were looking out of looked like a mirror to them.
Each time we observed we were to choose a child and spend the entire time watching that child as he or she played, participated in group activities and had free time with the other children. It was fascinating to me to watch and realize how much I could learn about how young children think and why they act the way they do just by observing them.
My home has become my observatory for many years now and I still find myself fascinated as I watch my children on a regular basis. I am always awestruck at how brilliant they are for their small size and at how much they understand at such young ages.
Recently, David, despite repeated warnings, broke a favorite pen of mine. I had asked him not to play with it as it was a decorative pen that could be broken easily. He ignored my request and snapped the decorative plastic pieces off of it through his rough handling. I took the broken pieces away from him and told him that I was sad that he had broken my pen.
He hung his head and went totally quiet. I asked him if he needed a hug. He said nothing, but nodded his head. He was quiet for a long time while we snuggled. Eventually, he slid off my lap and ran off to play.
An hour later, while I was working in the kitchen he walked in and climbed up on one of the tall stools. He asked me for a snack and while I was cutting up an apple he said, out of the blue, "I'm so sorry I broke your pen, Mommy."
He was so sweet and so sincere. I had already forgotten the incident and moved on, but when he ran off to play, he had obviously not stopped thinking about what had happened. He realized that he had done wrong and he wanted to do what he could to make it right. And then with the humble nature of a child, he came to ask for forgiveness. Sometimes I think my children understand repentance better than I do.
Our stake girls camp this summer chose as its theme, Become as a Little Child. When I had this experience with David I thought of that theme and how inspired the leaders were to choose such an important principle to focus on for camp.
Our Savior, during his ministry here on the earth taught us to emulate the qualities of little children.
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them.
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3-5
When I "grow up" I want to be just like David, and Sophia and many other children that I know. The scriptures admonish us to become as little children, not necessarily "childish," but "childlike."
…Submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Mosiah 3:19
