Learn Without Limits

What started out as an unassuming nature trek reinforced to me that the value of knowledge is not simply about what you know but more about how much you enjoy knowing and using what you know throughout everyday life... When you love learning life has no limits.

My 3 year old recently discovered Mimosa aka Shame-o-Lady as it's called in Jamaica, so this morning on our walk he was on the look out for them. We came to across a few and he had a blast touching them to make the leaves fold while marveling aloud at how cool it was... He then moved on to pointing out some other plants, in particular a poisonous plant (Oleander) I had previously shown him but didn't remember the name at that moment so I redirected him to the pink and orange Bougainvilleas. As we're moving along he noticed something had shifted quickly by the plants and asked...

Israel: What's that?

Me: Maybe it was a bee or a wasp.

Israel: Or a troglobite.

Me: *startled*

Now, he has an idea what a Troglobite is thanks to Dinosaur Train (PBS Kids Game) so I'm not surprised by that but it took me off guard that, as totally wrong as he was, he was actively trying to transfer that knowledge at an unprompted time. As we continued on our way when he suddenly stopped...

Israel: Oh! More Shame-o-Lady! I almost forgot! *bends and starts touching away*

Me: You almost forgot but you didn't.

Israel: Oh wow! I think they're closing to protect themselves.

Me: Yes, they are.

Israel: Some plants do that so they can live.

Me: That's right!

Let me make it clear that I told him nothing about why the leaves actually closed upon touch, I literally just showed him the plant late last week and all I said was, "Israel, come here, touch this and see it move"... Yet somehow he deduced a logical reason for the plants movement from his observations soley.

Our stroll continued over the bridge and down the street where he identified another Oleander plant then as we passed some rubble by the road Israel pointed saying, "Maybe we can find some igneous rocks."

For me learning is a lifestyle, not limited to a single lesson or select location... Learn everyday in every way!