Notes on an unhurried journey
When we think of children there is a simple truth which we ignore;
Childhood is not preparation for life; Childhood is life.
A child isn't getting ready to live; a child is living.
The child is constantly confronted with the nagging question; "What are you going to be?" Courageous is the youngster who, looking at the adult squarely in the face would say; "I'm not going to be anything, I already am."
We adults would be shocked by such and insolent remark for we have forgotten, if indeed we ever knew, that a child is an active participating and contributing member of a society from the time he or she is born.
Childhood is not a time when he can be moulded into a human being who will then live a life; he is a human who is already living life. No child will miss the zest and joy of living unless these are denied him by adults who have convinced themselves that childhood is a period of preparation.
How much heartache would we save ourselves if we would recognise the child as a s partner with adults in the process of living, rather than thinking of them as the apprentice. How much would we teach each other...Adults with the experiences and the children with their freshness...how full both our lives could be. A little child may not lead us, but at least we ought to discuss the trip with him; for after all, life is their journey too.
- Professor T.Ripaldi
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