Be Sensitive to Your Inner Learning Voice

In Honor of Children’s Day 2022

Somehow…

When it comes to young children, we have become accustomed to speaking about “sensitive periods” in learning. We would not consider  (hopefully) giving a breakable glass to a child who is interested in crashing objects. Instead, we will choose items that are naturally fun to drop and crash (here the variety is infinite—depending on your imagination, investment, and your mental resistance to mess).  

Children learn nonstop throughout all of their aware hours. A “sensitive period” is like a mental brain filter; a pair of glasses that screens information for relevance. Think of it like Tinder for the brain. The brain checks out every piece of information and lightheartedly swipes “yes” or “no” (“in-out”) depending on the sensitive period the child is currently in.  

But…

Our assumptions are different when it comes to older children and adults. We are expected to learn during school hours (or at any fixed time in a predetermined schedule). More surprisingly, another person is the one deciding what, how, and when we should learn. We slowly become dependent on a curriculum and structured lecture form, and more and more conditions imprison our natural abilities to learn.

We stop hearing the inner voice that guides us from one sensitive period to another. And then, we are amused/surprised/uncertain when suddenly, out of nowhere, we hear a song, meet a special person, read a book, hear a phrase, or receive any other apparently random message that blows our mind and affects our whole being. The light of joy fills our hearts. It almost feels like a spiritual experience. Like fate. “What are the chances?!” We are amazed how these insights came exactly at the right time and at the right place in our lives!

As we grow up, we sometimes forget that deep inside, we are still those same children; and that we are programmed to learn and guide our minds to the next valuable concept for personal growth. To this, I say: please don’t forget!

Let’s celebrate today’s Children’s Day by saying hello to our inner child.

Open yourself to the inner voice that guides your journey—and just learn! And don’t worry. The joy of learning is what will guide you 🙂