Wednesday 13 June 2012

おもちゃ – Toys


先日赤ちゃん連れの海外の友人が家に泊まりました。子供が好きですが、長期間一緒にいるのが初めて。異文化等を区別できない子供の視界から見た世が新鮮で、全ては玩具感覚。網戸を押したら窓ガラスより柔らかいと何回も確認すること等、毎日発見が多いです。周りに気にせず、気に入った物に夢中になったり、すぐ気が散ったりするのも赤ちゃん。大人も赤ちゃんの様に、新しい物にもちろん好奇心を持つべきですが、技術発展で生活や仕事が便利になった「玩具」に夢中になったり、気が散ったりするのに気を付けるべきです。赤ちゃんだと可愛いですが。

The other week, we had friends from overseas staying with their toddler. I love kids, but it’s the first time I’ve spent so much time with one. It was refreshing to see the world through the eyes of a child who is yet to distinguish between different cultures; everything was a toy. Everyday brought a new discovery, like pushing the fly screen – finding it more pliable than glass and testing both, over and over. Toddlers become engrossed in something without a care about those around them. They are also easily distracted. Adults should always have a child-like curiosity, but they must not be easily engrossed in or distracted by the technologically advanced “toys” that have made our work and lives more convenient. When it’s a child, it’s cute.

The Japanese version first appeared in the June 2012 issue of the goodspeed monthly newsletter.
日本語バージョンはグッドスピードレター2012年6月号に掲載されました。