My grandson is almost 18 months old and is already a car guy. From the time he could sit up he loved riding in any Little Tykes car he could see. Anytime, anywhere, for as long as the adult’s back could handle pushing or pulling that little car. I know the car well, because all three of our kids played with it when they were his age.
Even when he learned to walk, my grandson would point to the basement where his car is parked as the first thing he wants to do at our house. He wants to ride. Today was no different. We went around and around the basement making a racetrack in the carpet with all the right sounds. Then he stops to get in, then out, then in, then out again. Until suddenly, he changed it up completely.
In the blink of a toddler’s eye, he decided to get out and push. He didn’t want to ride anymore — only push.
At first it was push straight into the wall. I redirected and pointed him across the room to the next wall or couch. Crash, bang, thump (“beep, beep, beep” of backing up) and I steered him again. He quickly learned to slow down and make less of a crash into the wall, eventually stopping just before the wall and wait for me to steer. With a big smile on that little face and a sense of purpose, he carried on.
Once my grandson discovered pushing, just riding wasn’t enough anymore. I’m so glad he caught on at such a young age. The world of his generation will need plenty to people who are willing and able to get out and push to make things happen. Riding is easier but pushing is so much more rewarding because you don’t have to wait on someone else and you get to decide where to go.
We can re-learn many great life lessons by watching children discover the world.
Life is a team sport. How often to you coach your team to get out and push?