By Lois E. Wilson
At the toddler stage, as soon as we are able to appreciate our possessions such as toys, we show them to our friends. We may tell them how we acquired them and show them how they work.
Dolls, tricycles and then bicycles are often early examples of show and tell. In the classroom from kindergarten through the grades, there is usually a designated time for this activity. It allows children to share and become more comfortable while speaking to others.
As we age, the objects shown and discussed become more diverse. There are books, jokes, and sometimes pets like frogs, snakes, and gerbils.
A family’s church may have “children’s moments” which is a sharing time for them to talk about their lives and daily living. My verse “Out of Their Mouths” reflects what parents’ concerns may be during this time:
At every Sunday church service, you see parents who are nervous.
All their stress and fears may foment for they dread the Children’s Moment.
Some parents say this silent prayer; it seems to ease the whole affair:
”If my children are asked to share, Lord, make them aware that we care.
Help them keep youthful zeal controlled so family secrets remain untold.”
In the teens there is more showing and telling among friends of hobbies, interests, sports, cars, and activities at school. They discuss and show off their clothes, hairdos, and perhaps pictures of whom they are dating.
After high school, there could be college, marriage, work and careers. Our show and tell continues. We may have college or work projects, wedding and vacation pictures, and those of our children and homes to show and explain to others
I am a resident in an assistant living environment. There are many opportunities here which enable us to show and tell about ourselves, our interests, and our families. Each meal we six women share a table. Our ages range from the early 80’s to 98. With us, show and tell time is still important in our lives.
We share pictures of our families, show items we or others have made, tell the latest weather reports and news, and discuss favorite TV shows, politics and politicians. One of us recently received a large-print Bible which had a green suede cover. It was a beautiful item to share with her tablemates.
You could say we are information gatherers. It is a bounty we have reaped all our lives. There are new generations with young children. I’ll show and tell with them. I can’t imagine what they’ll want to show me. I’m looking forward to those special sharing times and what I’ll learn from them about current trends, popular people, and especially their own lives and goals.