What is Childhood For?

     Everybody knows childhood is a time of wonder and a time to learn the skills that will be necessary in adulthood. Babies' brains are programmed to learn and they're doing that constantly. (In July 2008 I posted a review of a book, The Scientist in the Crib, that reveals how infant brains develop.) But learning doesn't stop with infancy or even early childhood. As adults, we, too, can maintain a state of wonder, continue to learn and to love, and help the children in our lives. 

     But, unfortunately, there are many children in the world who don't have the opportunity to be loved and to learn. Fortunately there are organizations and ministries that can help them. Perhaps if each of us who had what we needed as children do one thing to help the disadvantaged children of today, the world will be a much better place in the future.