#MakeTimeforWonder

Written by: Jeannie Castillo

Wife and Mother of Two

Director and Owner, Kindermusik Philippines 

What is wonder?

Dictionaries will say that wonder, in its basic form, is an emotion or feeling that we experience when we are surprised or awed by something that we regard as amazing, beautiful, indescribable, moving.  

As a parent and a teacher, I’d say it’s that wide-eyed, childlike moment when you experience something for the first time, or even for the hundredth time, and feel almost suspended, enraptured, and left marveling at something so amazing, that is causes you to gasp, and say “wow”!

Why is it important? For both children and their parents?

Wonder is important for children and parents because it comes to us at moments when we are present and open to engaging with the world and each other.  When moments of wonder spark, we’re also inspired to ponder, think, create, and engage. As we find wonder in life and moments around us, it also sparks joy and appreciation, and allows us to connect on a more meaningful level as humans.  

Wonder leads to invention, it leads to discovery, it leads to creativity.  At the same time, it also leads to acceptance, and gratitude, and understanding, and love.

What are some examples of wonder?

Examples of wonder can be found every day by looking at how children experience the world ~ bugs, birds, butterflies, books, blocks, bouncing balls . . . everything in the world is new, curious, fresh, and exciting.  Children have such wide-eyed pure innocence and joy when they experience what us adults may regard as ordinary.  

Ever seen your child find more joy in a plain box…rather than the expensive toy that came in it?  Wonder. Or seen your child marvel as you play peekaboo with them, and they ask you to play over and over again…because each time is new and brings them so much joy to see your smiling face?  Wonder. Or noticed how you can just gaze at your child for hours as they sleep…marveling at their beauty, their sweetness, and their peacefulness. Wonder.

What are the other terms for wonder that we can use?

Other favorite words for wonder would be awe…amazement…admiration.  Finding wonder in things, people, and moments around us invites us to marvel.  It’s what inspires us to describe things as “wonderful”, “marvelous”, “amazing”.

How do parents encourage wonder?

As parents, we can encourage wonder by reminding ourselves to see and appreciate the simple and innocent things in life.  Being able to see the world with childlike wonder, allows us to connect with our children in a way that is more intentional and mindful.  

At times like this, when we are required to slow down, and to simplify, and be still, we now have the opportunity to come more alive, to be more present, and to meet our children more meaningfully.  Play, read, sing, dance together. Make time for wonder, be present in the moment, and make special memories together during these precious times at home.

During this time of community quarantine, we are all being called to be more present for each other, now more than ever.  If we can tap into our sense of wonder as a community, then we can tap into a greater source of ingenuity, of positivity, of love, of caring, and we can find a way to uplift one another to come through these challenging times together.

What does wonder do to child development?

For children, wonder is the inspiration for learning.  When children find wonder around them, it sparks curiosity, which leads to discovery, and opens the way for learning.  

It’s essential that as grownups, we feed and encourage our children’s sense of wonder, in order for our kids to be encouraged to keep learning.  As parents and teachers, it’s important that we never lose our own sense of wonder, so that we can continue to invite interest, inspire connection, and support learning for our children through all their stages of growth and development.

There is so much to marvel at in our world, and so many amazing things to discover… learning together with our children, and seeing things through their eyes, can be one of the most “wonder”-ful and rewarding experiences of all.