What do you think children can actually do better than adults? Tell Staples for a chance to win £200 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

With children going back to school this week to learn even more, Staples have asked us to find out what Mumsnetters think children can actually do better than adults.

Here’s what Staples say, “A new study by office and stationery supplies store Staples shows that children’s handwriting skills are in good shape with primary school children often beating their parents for legibility.
“One hundred children aged 8 to 11 and their parents were asked to write a series of sentences which were then rated for legibility and style by teachers.

“Remarkably, the difference between the two mean scores was only 4% while in more than 28% of cases children were judged to have superior handwriting skills to those of their parents.
“Following this study we’re keen to hear from Mumsnetters what other areas they think children excel in comparison to adults? We’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts!”

So, what are the things you think children actually do surprisingly better than adults? What skills do your DCs have which you’re secretly slightly envious over? Perhaps they put your mental arithmetic to shame? Are they actually quite good at multi-tasking and can read a magazine, watch TV and have a conversation at the same time? Have they impressed you with their artistry with a picture they brought back from school? Or maybe you’re amazed by how quickly they can cry with laughter? Whatever it is, we’d love to hear it.

Everyone who leaves their comment on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 Staples voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

Play computer games better.

I would say, Trust. Children trust so much more easier than adults. They see the world so innocently.

Communicate. They are more honest than most adults, they make friends easily and they are not "nasty" to others except in a hairpulling, pinching sort of way! Unfortunately/fortunately they are also extremely impressionable and copy everything we do. So like my mummy always taught me- treat people how you would want to be treated.

Children speak honestly and frankly much better than adults, they have no agenda.

Honesty! They are brutally honest sometimes

My 12 year old daughter has better handwriting than me and is a lot better at maths, I can't help her with her home work and neither can her dad.

Ooh, what a great question!

I believe they are so much better at being creative and their imaginations are really amazing. So much so, I've asked my son to tell me a bedtime story!

They can learn new technology a lot quicker. And they put me to shame at yoga because they're so bendy!

Make instant new friends without the need for small talk! Ask total strangers intimate questions . Give their opinions without first editing out anything they may feel is not appropriate! :)

speaking the truth, although not always tactfully!

all things technology i can spend hours trying to do what takes them seconds

Speak the truth, sometimes their timing isn't great though

Make a mess.
Make you laugh.
Make you more tired than you ever felt possible.

My DD is nearly 3 so not in a position to comment academically, however, her memory baffles me. I only dream of being able to remember things like she does! Long may this continue - it will make life so much easier for her.

children can tell tall stories better than adults and get away with it.

I think they are far better story tellers than adults, they get so into their stories its like they are actually there x

Finding things funny ...

DS(12) dropped a pot of yogurt in the kitchen today and it splattered all over the skirting board. When I pointed this out to him (so that he could clear up the mess) he spent a good few minutes holding his sides in mirthful laughter first (and yes, he did eventually clear up too)

Use there imaginations. Their ability to take ideas and run with them is just amazing . I would give my eye teeth to have a fraction of that again.

Find the fun in things children seem to laugh so much more than us adults

Lose themselves in the moment, and fully experience joy. They are perfectly comfortable dancing in the supermarket aisles because a song they like is playing in the store. Also, they see the world as being wide open to them. I read somewhere that if you ask a roomful of adults 'Who here can sing? Who can dance? Who can paint?' only a few will raise their hands. Ask the same questions of a roomful of children and they will all put their hands up to every question!

Forgive and forget

Have great games of make believe :)

They are much better at learning how new technology works.

I think children are much better at playing and using their imagination, than adults are as they are less inhibited

Children are better than adults in many things. Thinking about the classroom, anything to do with technology seems to be much easier for children - how many pre-schoolers have already mastered basic IT skills? Also children are better at drama, singing and dancing as they are not so self-conscious. Children have far better imaginations than adults - they have no problem turning a chair into a chariot, a horse or whatever else they need it to be.Finally, I believe that children are more genuine and forgiving than adults - they have a larger circle of friends because if they fall out with one friend, they go and play with another friend and put it all behind them, whilst adults harbour grudges and try to dissect every comment said etc.