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When kids spend time together, they create their own rituals and traditions, Julie Beck wrote in 2022—“essentially, their own folklore, or, as researchers call it, ‘childlore.’” A child might think they made up the game of tag or the concept of cooties, but these pastimes and languages are shared across time and place. As we age, Julie notes, we start to forget the experience of childlore: “The rebellious thrill, the intense comradery, the urge to pass the knowledge along (and pretend you came up with it yourself)—all of these things fade with time.” The kids will keep that feeling alive for us, Julie writes. But today, take a few minutes to think back to your favorite game at recess, or the moment you learned how to build a cootie catcher—and take comfort in knowing that kids now and in the future share that same exuberance. |
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| Children have a folklore all their own, and the games, rhymes, trends, and legends that catch on spread to many kids across time and space. (From 2022) |
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| | (Illustration by Ben Kothe / The Atlantic. Source: Giuseppe Ramos / Getty) | | | |
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| In many ways, a world built for cars has made life so much harder for grown-ups. (From 2024) |
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| | (Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Getty.) | | | |
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| It shouldn’t be this hard to decide. (From 2024) |
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| (Courtesy of Courtney M.) | | |
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I recently asked readers to share a photo of something that sparks their sense of awe in the world. Courtney M. sent this photo of “frozen snow shaped by the wind in February on Second Roach Pond” in Maine. I’ll continue to feature your responses in the coming weeks. Reply to this email with a photo and a short description. Send us the original, unedited photos from your phone or camera as JPGs—no cropping or shrinking is needed. We may share your answer, including your first name and last initial, age, and/or location, with fellow readers in a future edition of this newsletter or on our website. — Isabel
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