In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, it is remarkable to witness the depth of computer knowledge children possess today. A recent incident during a highway drive with our grandchildren exemplified just how seamlessly kids can transition their digital expertise into real-life situations.

We were driving down the highway when a car,  that had suitcases tied to its top, passed us. A strap that was holding one of the suitcases snapped, and the suitcase slipped off the top of the car and dangled precariously by its side.

Ella (age 7): (with great concern and urgency in her voice) Grandpa, should we tell them?

Owen (age 9): (very emphatically) Pull up next to them and I’ll make hand motions!!

Before we could do anything, though, we were relieved to see the driver slowing down and pulling to the side of the road.

Me: Oh, I’m glad they noticed it, because if it had fallen, it could …      (intending to say “cause an accident).

Ella: (interrupting me)… I know, it could have caused an accident because the suitcase could have bounced on the road and opened up and all of the clothes could have spilled out and if there was glass in there, it could have broke, and then if a car ran over it, well, if a tire ran over it, the tire would have powered down.

Powered down?

Yes, I guess that is a good description for a flat tire.

Today even kids in first grade are taught how to use a computer and to use the proper computer language. Some schools even start in Kindergarten.

I imagine it’s easier to apply computer language to real life than it is to apply real-life language to a computer.

After a short pause, Owen told Ella, very nicely,  that you can’t “power down” a tire because a tire doesn’t have power to begin with.

It’s okay, Ella. Maybe that knowledge will come in the 2nd grade.