“Kids Say the Darndest Things” was a  family hit hosted by Art Linkletter, and co-hosted by Bill Cosby in the latter part of the 90’s.

Art Linkletter had demonstrated the popularity of such an endeavor almost twenty years earlier in his popular “House Party” broadcast. In those days of enforced innocence I think the popularity of this type presentation lay in the fact that censors would allow innuendos to pass if they came from lips of three to eight year old kids.

During an ArtLink letter “House Party” broadcast a memorable answer came from a five year old Daddy’s Darling little blonde.

The question: “What is the funniest thing you have ever seen you Daddy do?”

“Well, he put his pajamas on to go to bed” she innocently answered.

Those of you who remember Art Linkletter recall the tone of his voice when he was speaking to the children; it was professional, but with a teasing lilt that clearly indicated he was expecting comedic effect.

He asked : “And why was that so funny?”

This innocent little angel fires back without hesitation: “Cause he pulled them off when he got in bed.”

She giggled, the audience roared with applause, the host pretended to be shocked. In those days Dad probably squirmed and Mommy blushed demurely. Times have changed.

One of the pleasant benefits of being around the modern generation of infants, toddlers, and young children is a realization that they have an astonishing ability to draw conclusions early on that floor adults. Sometimes they are funny; other times they can be downright frustrating.

Linda follows a pre-school plan during the year when she has age three and up enrolled in the daycare. I have been amazed how at involved these kids can become. Even with limited attention spans they absorb information like little sponges.

One of my favorite incidences occurred during a class last year when she was working with three youngsters who were scheduled to enter kindergarten the following school term.

She was teaching the differences in sizes of people i.e. baby, child, adult.

They chant answers in unison.

“What is Polly?” She ask, pointing to the crib.

“A baby”

“What is Mommy?”

“An adult?”

She goes through a list of others to be sure they understood the concept. They got it right every time.

I sat in an adjoining room quietly watching and listening to this group of little geniuses; taking great pleasure in what an effective teacher my wife was. She concluded the session with:

“Okay class, one last question: What is Grandpa?”

I almost fell out of my chair when I heard a chorus of three giggling voices answer without thought, or hesitation:

“A BIG KID!”