Christopher de Vinck Reflects on Children and the Human Capacity for Awe
In a recent opinion piece, author and educator Christopher de Vinck explores the diminishing sense of wonder in adulthood and argues that children serve as vital reminders of the human capacity for awe. De Vinck contrasts the “new eyes” of children with the “ho-hum eyes” of adults, suggesting that as people age, they often lose the ability to find magic in ordinary objects. He illustrates this with the example of an umbrella, which a child might view as a miraculous contraption opening like “the wings of an angel,” while an adult sees merely a utilitarian tool. De Vinck posits that modern adults have become so desensitized that they require increasingly spectacular stimuli—such as 20-foot inflatable Christmas reindeer or the acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil—to feel the same spark that a simple snowflake or a pencil mark on paper ignites in a child.
De Vinck, a veteran English teacher and the author of sixteen books including The Power of the Powerless, frequently addresses themes of faith, family, and the beauty of the ordinary in his writing. His latest reflection aligns with a growing body of psychological research regarding the emotion of awe. Studies suggest that experiences of awe—the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends one’s current understanding—can lead to a “small self” perspective. This psychological shift often results in increased generosity, prosocial behavior, and a stronger sense of community connection. De Vinck cites his own mother’s enduring ability to find wonder in the moon and nature well into her nineties as evidence that this capacity need not disappear with age, provided one remains open to the “secret name of beauty.”
However, the romanticization of childhood innocence and the pursuit of constant wonder are not without their critics. Skeptics of this philosophy argue that the “ho-hum” filter adults develop is a necessary cognitive adaptation, allowing them to function efficiently in a complex world without being perpetually distracted by the mundane. Furthermore, some sociologists and psychologists caution against idealizing childhood solely as a time of carefree wonder. This perspective can inadvertently dismiss the reality that childhood is also a period of vulnerability and ignorance. For individuals who experienced trauma or instability in their youth, the narrative that childhood is the peak of innocent awe can feel alienating or factually incorrect. Critics also note that equating maturity with cynicism ignores the distinct, often hard-won depth of appreciation that comes specifically from adult experience and survival.
Despite these differing views on the nature of maturity, de Vinck’s essay ultimately serves as an invitation to mindfulness. He recalls his personal amazement at seeing commercial airplanes fly or observing the unique structure of a single snowflake. By highlighting these moments, the author suggests that the capacity for awe is not lost but merely dormant, accessible to those willing to pause and observe the world with the deliberate attention often effortless for the young.
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