Kids Say the Darndest Things!

 by Kelly Mason, Outreach Coordinator

Does anyone remember the TV show with Bill Cosby, “Kids Say the Darndest Things”? I absolutely loved that show! You truly never knew what the children were going to say and nothing was off limits! Working as a museum professional, I have found that, in a lot of ways, my job can turn into that show. Working in museums is so exciting, especially when you get to work in the education department. There are so many priceless moments that we educators get to experience with young inquisitive minds!

Broaching challenging topics can be both exhilarating and baffling for these students. For example, trying to explain to a 4^th grader what life was like without electricity or the concept of slavery can lead to some very interesting conversations.

As an educator, I have found that people do not give children enough credit; they are smarter than we think. The mind of a child is a wondrous place. Sometimes the things they say are so shocking- for better or worse. I have been reflecting on some of these moments over the past 5 years and here is my conclusion: kids say the darndest things!! One thing I am certain of, I have the best job in the world. I have the opportunity to try and help shape young minds and them up to a new world:  the history in which they come from. History is a foreign and scary place at times, but it is a beautiful thing to watch students try to embrace it!

May you enjoy my “Kids Say the Darndest Things” collection from the past 5 years!

(Deep sigh from a child) “Life is life.” (What a wise kid!)

Discussing life in North Carolina back in the 1800’s: “How could they even live without electricity? It makes no sense!”

“Butter comes from milk that you get from a cow? EWWW!” (Eww? I am almost positive all these kids eat butter in some form!)

“What do you mean cotton comes from a plant you grow in the ground? I thought it came from sheep!” (Speechless)

(After asking a class to explain what the American Civil War was, this was the first response I received) “The American Civil War was when George Washington fought against the Mexicans and the Germans.” (Where do I begin…)

During a 4^th grade program after discussing slavery: “Why would they make babies slaves? They did nothing wrong!” (I blew their minds even further when I told them that slaves were not slaves because they did something wrong, but because people forced them to be!)

“Who won the Civil War anyways, Miss Kelly?” (After I explained that the Union won, he seemed sad. Understandably so, his side lost right? I turned to the child and said, “You know something, if the Union did not win, then I would never have moved down here, [I am from Connecticut] and if I never moved down here, then I would have never met you!” He turned to me and said, “Phew, I am also glad the Confederates lost so we could be friends!” Priceless!!!)

With a very pensive expression: “Do you think something like the Civil War could ever happen again in America?” (Yikes! Let’s hope not!!)

When asking a child, who happened to be attending our Civil War Soldier Camp, which side he was going to fight on, he looked at me with confusion and asked, “Do you NOT know that the Union fought for justice and rights for everyone? Of course I am going to fight for the Federal Army!” (Silly me! We continued to have a deep 20 minute conversation about the war and a show he was watching on the history channel. Melts my heart just thinking about it!)

Last but not least, after attending an 8^th grade history class to do an outreach about the Civil War, I was asked by a student: “Did you live back during the Civil War?” (His teacher spoke up, “You did NOT just ask her that?!” While another student chuckled and said, “Um, she looks really good for her age if she did. Dude, she would be dead!” I smiled and said, ‘No sir, I did not.”) He responded, “Then how do you know ALL this stuff about the Civil War?” My response: “I read books.” J

Do you have a favorite kids story? We’d love to hear it here at the museum! Please leave a comment with any fun stories you may have!