The Brain, the Heart, and the Five Senses
When God created people, He built in five perfect learning aids: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Through these five senses we and our children take in the universe. Through these five senses our children learn constantly.
Our three-year-old grandson has been demonstrating this in a new way lately. He has been quoting songs in surprising situations.
One day when his mama went to the basement, his 18-month-old brother fussed because he wanted his mama. Our grandson comforted him by saying, “She’ll be back.” Then he added: “When the day is new.” He was quoting the song Mr. Rogers sang each day when he ended his show.
Another day he was playing on a playground with his siblings and cousins. As the children imagined adventures on the ship-shaped play structure, this grandson said, “We’ll be safe.” Then he added: “And secure from all alarms.” This time he quoted from the 1887 hymn “Leaning on Jesus” by E. A. Hoffman. It goes like this:
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]
A child’s environment teaches his or her brain–and heart–all day every day. As mamas you have the opportunity to surround your children with wholesome sights, sounds, tastes, and objects to feel and smell. You also have the opportunity to keep the unwholesome ones far away.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8