We all know those smart kids who ask why a lot especially if they can’t get their own way – at first. They remind me of some of the best sales people who also ask why a lot. They either wear you down emotionally or talk you into convincing yourself that their point of view is right after all. Could these future adults have been born super sales people all ready to take on the world?
Kids Want To Win That’s Why
Why smart kids love to ask why. They are curious and want to win.
Notice how tough these kids who ask why constantly really are. They won’t accept you saying no without an explanation, hence the endless stream of whys. They want to win. In their minds, that’s how firmly tracked they are. They want to know why they can’t. It’s a reasoning process that they are still trying to make sense of once their thoughts and desires do not jive with their actions. Their desire is so strong they need to justify why they can’t have it.
But do these smart kids do it just to be a pain in the rear end?
Question – What’s worse than “Are we there yet?” all the way as you drive to Disneyland?
Answer – “Why” to everything for half an hour as you try to reason with that young smarty pants.
Well, there’s another side to just being a pain. You see, these smart kids are smart because they will ask questions so that they can have the information needed to win. They have learnt that the right knowledge is power. Then they will also pester you into submission into helping out in one way or another. “Why” is a very effective word.
That brings me to another point. These why asking kids are smart enough to be the very best sales people. You know; those guys and gals who can ask why and discuss your thoughts into their way of thinking? Just try telling a very bright girl-guide selling cookies about your reasons not to buy. She’ll ask why you into submission. Your wallet will lose weight as you gain one or two around your waist. Smart kid one, adult zero.
Why Ask? Because Kids Are Curious.
It struck me one day how curious these smart children are about the world they live in. In fact, they want to know as much as they can about everything that piques their interest. So, it’s no wonder when they want to do something and an adult tells them they can’t, they feel that they are entitled to know why. They will ask why until they get their answers. Now, don’t blame them because their vocabulary is not quite as eloquently developed…yet!
However, sometimes, adults don’t grow up nearly as much we consider ourselves to be. Most of the time we as adults lose our patience and put these little want to know it all ‘in their place’. If you’ve ever wondered why they get so annoyed and look so miserable, it’s because they’ve been effectively told to shut up in the rudest way. How would you feel if they did the same to you? That’s why they have teenagers’ clubs and gangs. These are their peer support groups. Many of us have been there if you can recall.
If you can’t beat them, join them. In fact, it became an amazingly fun game each time these kids start their why thing with me. Remember, they are really smart and with the wit for extreme spontaneity. Smile and laugh with them as you ask why and they ask why. Ask them questions to make them think. Often it becomes an animated tit for tat game. They’ll learn not to pester but be respectful. I love kids who use their minds to think before asking mindless their ‘why’ questions just to get an easy ride.
Just remember that above all, smart kids are all around us if we encourage them to come out from hiding in their shells. They are very curious to know about the world that they share with so many other people. Treat them well and encourage them to trust to ask questions even if it’s “why”. When they trust, they will come out and ask about everything. They will think and it’s their thoughts about their desires that will be the driving force in the creation of their world we all share.
