Humans are hard wired for pattern recognition. We look for patterns everywhere. It saves our brains time and processing power and it helps us predict the future. Pattern recognition can be a powerful and amazing things. But, it is not without danger. We predict our patters by filtering our thoughts through our previous experiences. While this is efficient it can create grooves. Grooves in our thought patterns that are hard to jump. It is hard to think of something new or bring change into the world if your thoughts are stuck deep in grooves seeing the world in the same way.
That is why I love talking to children. Their grooves are shallow or non existent. That kind of freedom of thought is a beautiful thing. It allows kids to see the world an ways that are difficult for us adults. Its a thing that can change the world. It’s a thing we should nurture in our children.
Manolo and the Unicorn by Jackie Azura ad Jonah Kramer with illustrations by Zach Manbeck does this beautifully. It follows a little boy on his journey thought his imagination and understanding of what is possible. A journey that is hijacked by his classmates. Spoiler alert_ Manolo is able to return to he journey of imagination and learn truths and gain understanding about himself; truths and understanding that he shares with his classmates. This book champions the exploration of self. I believe if we encourage that in our children the world will be a better and more magical place.
