Discover the joy of seeing the world through a child's eyes as the discussion unfolds. A walk in the city transforms into an adventure filled with spontaneity and wonder. The contrasting perspectives of adults and children highlight how simple moments can be special and meaningful. Learn how to embrace the magical qualities of everyday experiences and appreciate the richness that comes from being present. This conversation invites fathers to reignite that childlike curiosity and find delight in the little things.
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Horowitz's Walk
Alexandra Horowitz, in her book On Looking, took a walk with her son.
She realized the walk began in the apartment, not on the street.
insights INSIGHT
Childlike Wonder
Adults see events with official start and end points.
Children find joy in the entire process, not just the designated event.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Embrace the Moment
Appreciate and encourage children's presentness.
Learn from their love of the moment and incorporate it into your life.
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In 'On Looking', Alexandra Horowitz guides readers through a series of walks in her Manhattan neighborhood, accompanied by experts from various fields. This journey highlights the power of attention and perception, encouraging readers to see the world anew. By walking with experts such as a geologist, artist, and sound designer, Horowitz illustrates how different perspectives can enrich our understanding of the ordinary.
In her wonderful book On Looking, Alexandra Horowitz takes a series of walks in different environments. What does a geologist see on a city block? What does a naturalist see walking through a park? What does a dog see on a short walk around the block? But the most interesting walk was the one Alexandra took with her 19-month-old.
The idea was that she would take her young son and really try on his perspective about the world. So they walk out of Alexandra’s apartment, down the hall to the elevator, down and out of the elevator, and across the lobby to the front door, where they would start the walk. And as Alexandra went to check in with her 19-month-old son as they headed out onto the city street, she suddenly realized...that the walk had begun the second they started getting ready in the apartment.
To an adult, things have official beginnings and ends. Parties have start times. The gift is given when it is unwrapped and opened. A fun family dinner kicks off when everyone sits down. It ends when the last bite of dessert has been eaten. Everything else is prep or clean-up. Of course, this is all a product of our adult labeling-minds. To a kid, anything can be special and fun. A walk doesn’t have to be outside. Dinner can be anywhere and at anytime. How many stories have we heard or pictures have we seen of young children spending hours on Christmas morning playing in the cardboard box that the actual gift came in?
This sincerity and presentness is wonderful. As fathers, we have to appreciate it. We have to encourage it and make sure we don’t crush it with subtle corrections and insistence on the “official” way things are or should be. Most of all, we have to learn from this love of the moment, and add it as much as possible to our own lives. For, the walk truly can begin when the shoes go on, not just when they first hit the pavement.
The Daily Dad 