Thursday, August 17, 2006

How children learn through disappointment

The Boy is in the tub. His mother, passing by the door with a load of laundry, hears a thunk, and ducks in to investigate.

Her cherished Strawberry Body Scrub is lying on the floor, a good five feet from where it lives, on the shelf in the tub. The Boy is scowling at it. His arms are crossed. She bends to pick it up, hiding a smile in her cheek.

"You tasted it."
"NO."

The scowl now belongs to the mother.

"Um, I think you did."
"NO, I didn't."
"Then why are you mad at it?"
"I just. Don't. Like. It."

So, it's true. It really does taste like soap. Good to know.

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