There are certain qualities in children that never fail to capture my heart.
Their curiosity.
Their honesty.
Their sense of wonder.
And perhaps most of all, their remarkable ability to notice the world around them.
Children often see things that adults miss entirely. They spot tiny details, ask thoughtful questions and find fascination in the simplest things. It is a gift that can teach us a great deal if we take the time to pay attention.
Recently, a child noticed I was wearing different shoes...
Not only had they spotted the change, but they remembered what I usually wear too.
I smiled and said, "What lovely noticing."
It was such a small moment, but it stayed with me.
Children notice things all the time.
The seeds on a dandelion clock.
Their reflection in a puddle.
A feather on the pavement.
A snail making its slow journey across a path.
The shape of a cloud.
A shell on the beach.
Things that many adults walk past without a second thought.
Perhaps that is one of the things that makes childhood so special to me.
Children experience the world with fresh eyes. They stop. They look. They wonder. They ask questions. They find excitement in things we have long since stopped noticing ourselves.
Sometimes, when we slow down enough to follow a child's lead, they show us things we would never have noticed ourselves.
A child might spend ten minutes watching an ant carry a crumb across a path, completely fascinated by something many adults would step over without a glance.
They might stop to look at the patterns on a snail's shell, watch a leaf twirl through the air, or point excitedly at the moon that has appeared in the afternoon sky.
To us, these moments can seem small.
To a child, they can feel magical.
Children don't simply see a dandelion clock.
They hold it carefully.
Take a deep breath.
They make a wish.
And then watch in awe as dozens of tiny seeds float away on the wind.
To many adults, it is just a weed.
But to a child, it can be utterly magical.
And perhaps that is why childhood is so often filled with wonder.
Children remind us that the world is still full of things worth noticing.
And sometimes, I wonder if one of the greatest challenges of modern childhood is simply having enough time to notice.
Life is busy.
There are places to be, screens competing for attention, and endless things demanding our focus.
And yet some of the richest childhood memories are often built from the smallest moments.
Collecting shells on a beach.
Blowing dandelion seeds into the wind.
Watching raindrops race down a window.
Looking for shapes in the clouds.
Listening to birdsong.
Spotting the first flower of spring.
These moments may seem ordinary at the time, but they often become the memories that stay with us.
And so many wonderful things begin with noticing.
Curiosity begins with noticing.
Learning begins with noticing.
Wonder begins with noticing.
Kindness often begins with noticing too.
A child notices a bird searching for food.
A friend sitting alone.
A flower beginning to bloom.
Someone who needs help.
Before kindness comes caring, and before caring comes noticing.
As parents, grandparents and carers, we can help children hold on to this beautiful skill.
We can slow down and notice alongside them
And we ask simple questions such as:
"What can you see?"
"What do you notice?"
"What do you think about that?"
Some of the most meaningful conversations with children begin with those simple questions.
The wonderful thing is that noticing costs nothing.
It doesn't require expensive days out, special equipment or carefully planned activities.
Often it simply requires us to slow down enough to pay attention.
Perhaps that is why moments of noticing find their way into so many of the stories I write.
Oscar notices a beautiful shell on the beach in Oscar and the Shell of Wonder
Elani notices the glowing sea in Elani and the Sea of Light
Mouse and Squirrel notice the same moon shining above them, even when they are far apart in Whenever You Miss Me, Look for the Moon.
Again and again, the stories begin with a character paying attention to something small and wonderful in the world around them.
I hope my books encourage children to do the same.
To notice.
To wonder.
To care.
And to feel connected to the world around them.
In a world that often feels rushed, perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can give children is the time and space to notice.
Because wonder begins with noticing.
🌙
If you enjoy reflections like these, you may also enjoy my children's books, where themes of comfort, wonder, kindness and love for nature are woven gently through every story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is noticing important for children?
Noticing helps children develop curiosity, observation skills, empathy and a deeper connection with the world around them. Many important life skills begin with simply paying attention.
How can I encourage my child to notice the world around them?
Slow down and explore together. Look for shapes in the clouds, listen to birdsong, watch insects, collect shells or leaves, and ask open-ended questions such as "What do you notice?" and "What do you wonder about?"
Why is wonder important in childhood?
Wonder encourages curiosity, creativity, learning and emotional wellbeing. Children who experience wonder often develop a lifelong appreciation for nature, learning and discovery.
How does noticing help children develop kindness?
Kindness often begins with noticing. When children notice a friend who is sad, a bird looking for food, or someone who needs help, they are more likely to respond with empathy and care.
What are some simple ways to create moments of wonder?
Watching dandelion seeds drift in the wind, looking for the moon, exploring a beach, spotting wildlife, listening to rain, and observing seasonal changes are all simple ways to nurture wonder in everyday life.
Which children's books encourage wonder, kindness and a love of nature?
The children's books by Penelope Willis explore themes of comfort, wonder, kindness and love for nature through gentle stories that encourage children to notice the world around them and care for others.
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