What Can Adults Learn From Children?

by Mikki Sherwood on April 20, 2014

Ted talks video reviewed by: Caitlin Sheehan, Graduate Student EIU

In this Ted Talks video, 12-year old Adora Svitak states that being called “childish” is offensive to her, but not for the reason you may think. She points out that most irrational behavior is perpetuated by adults. However, she points out that young people have made a difference in the world for many generations. For example, Anne Frank provided a riveting account of the Holocaust, Ruby Bridges fought to end segregation in the US, and Charlie Simpson helped to raise £120,000 for Haiti. Therefore, Svitak states, learning should be reciprocal between adults and youth. In fact, progress only happens because new generations become better than the previous generation and kids, with all of their “irrationality,” really can teach adults something.

*Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).