Adults constantly raise the bar on smart children, precisely because they're able to handle it. The children get overwhelmed by the tasks in front of them and gradually lose the sort of openness and sense of accomplishment they innately have. When they're treated like that, children start to crawl inside a shell and keep everything inside. It takes a lot of time and effort to get them to open up again. Kids' hearts are malleable, but once they gel it's hard to get them back the way they were.
In "Kafka on the Shore," Haruki Murakami reflects on the pressures faced by intelligent children as adults continuously elevate expectations. These children, capable of managing complex tasks, often find themselves overwhelmed. This pressure diminishes their sense of accomplishment and openness, leading them to retreat into themselves and diminish their natural curiosity and confidence.
This inward withdrawal can become a significant barrier, making it challenging for children to express themselves freely. Their emotional resilience, while adaptable, can harden over time, making it difficult to restore their former sense of joy and openness. This highlights the delicate balance of nurturing a child's potential without stifling their spirit.
