Little Dumpster Diver

I have figured something out relating to children and scale. To some extent, it has taken three kids to figure this out, but it is simple and makes a lot of sense.

Many of us adults live exclusively - in an adult world. Many of us adults eat adult sized portions with big plates and cutlery. Perhaps the chairs we sit in fit adult people and the beds we sleep in are sized for us as well. The autos we drive are created with controls situated within reach of some average adult size. Park benches are often set for a comfortable sitting height of around 16 inches – a good size for an adult. This mouse fits my adult sized palm.

Children are different, they have not yet reached that average adult size, right? With this realization - I now conclude that my youngest has become a certified dumpster diver.

CC Image courtesy of dreamsjung on Flickr

Our kitchen garbage sits open ended with its top just below his eye level. Much to our chagrin, when he is hungry and as we parents are busy, we've caught him diving here. I've witnessed him grabbing yogurt containers, pizza scraps and after Halloween he was spotted multiple times running about with empty candy wrappers. Sometimes he has found broken toys (usually bright colored, cheap, plastic things from fast food joints).

Now I should disclaim that we have had this garbage for a long time - before this house, before these children - and it gets cleaned regularly. The thought of purchasing another plastic covered garbage container did pop in our heads at some point - but we had no problems with the previous two kids regarding this diving situation and the thought of throwing the plastic garbage can into the landfill to be replaced by another plastic can with a cover doesn't seem completely sensible. At least some earth-friendly beings are going to give us props for this... I hope.

Anyhow, I now officially realize that as my youngest rambles about our living space – he sees things differently, and specifically - at a different level. I know now that he thoroughly enjoys when we get down to his size and scale (literally down on the floor). He goes nuts. He wrestles and cuddles and brings things to us for play and he waddles his flat-footed self back and forth with stuff from mom's purse..... He even listens more intently... and we probably listen to him better as well.

Obviously this isn’t some sort of rocket science and it's not like we never reduced our scale for the other two pups. Many folks figure this out without even realizing it, however, others do not. Especially as I think about how I’ve seen adults (even teachers) interact with children recently. It seems they could use a little assistance, a little coming down to earth.

As this youngest one is still a bit malleable (and not for long) - I am going to continue making a point to interact at his height when feasible - though I think I will avoid the dumpster diving.