The Loss of Wonder in Children, Explained by Carl Sagan.

Celebrated science communicator Carl Sagan noted that children are natural-born scientists, but by the time they reach high school, they have lost much of their wonder and gained very little skepticism. Sagan attributed this to peer pressure, society's focus on short-term gratification, and the indifference of adults when confronted with a young child's effervescent wonder. Sagan suggested that adults should try to answer children's questions, even if incompletely, to encourage their curiosity and love of learning. Bright, curious children are a national and world resource that needs to be cared for, cherished, and encouraged.