I am still trying to figure out what my kids are thinking (and they are all in their 20’s!)  Even so, I clearly remember the wonder of discovery on each of their faces as they grew from infancy to toddlerhood and explored the small, but fascinating world around them.  Witnessing the rapid pace they grow, change, advance, and absorb information is one of the true joys of parenthood, as we are driven to laughter and tears trying to figure out just what’s going on inside the brains of our babes…

In this wonderful video from TED Global this summer, Alison Gopnik, professor of psychology and philosophy at the University of California at Berkeley, gives a fascinating look inside the mind of our babies, and explains why “childhood” is so important to all of us.

What do you think?  Professor Gopnik says being a baby is like “being in love in Paris for the first time after you’ve had 3 double espressos.”  Do you agree?  Do you make time to act like a child?

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.