Top 5 children’s ‘wonders of the world’ showcased in UK museum-style exhibitions

Sunflowers, seashells, and rocks top the list of ‘wonders of the world’ according to children. A study involving nearly 400 six-and-seven year olds unveiled which everyday wonders truly captivate children’s attention. The top list included caterpillars (40 per cent), puddles (27 per cent), and diggers (17 per cent). A whopping 81 per cent of parents admit to picking up and keeping ‘treasures’, such as beach stones or an intriguing stick found in the woods.

Two thirds of the 600 mums and dads surveyed credited their child’s fascination with these ‘everyday wonders’ for making them appreciate the magic of the everyday things in their environment. In fact, 55 per cent of parents are more likely to notice and be amazed by these daily wonders because their child is.

As part of Specsavers’ ‘Wonder’ campaign, museum-style exhibitions have been launched across the UK showcasing children’s ‘wonders of the world’. This initiative aims to get parents thinking about the importance of children’s eye health and its impact on their joy and curiosity.

Each installation in London, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff features a different ‘wonder’ selected by five local children, alongside their very own plaque. This includes Yusuf’s Digger, Aoife’s Caterpillar, Ava’s Sunflower, Ffion’s Rock, and Mila’s Seashell.

Professor Sam Wass, child psychologist and neuroscientist, said: “Children see the world in a way adults often forget – full of magic, mystery and wonder. Good vision is essential to this journey of discovery. It helps children explore, ask questions and learn through play, all of which are essential to their development.”

A whopping 68 per cent of children find joy in the simple things at the beach, while 63 per cent are captivated by their garden’s wonders, and half (50 per cent) are intrigued by their local park, according to OnePoll.com.

Interestingly, 35 per cent of youngsters even discover something fascinating on their school route.

Nearly seven in 10 parents (68 per cent) revealed that their little ones often pause to marvel at ordinary things – typically five times a day.

Common sights that capture children’s attention include birds perched on a wire (26 per cent), reflections in water (20 per cent), and the trails left by slugs and snails (16 per cent).

Over a quarter of parents confessed they were frequently running late because their child is engrossed in observing an object. Perhaps as a result, more than half have been inspired to slow down and take a closer look at their surroundings.

This could benefit the 39 per cent who confessed they often take their clear vision for granted. A significant 66 per cent would be worried if their child stopped pointing out these everyday marvels.

A fifth also stated this would be one of the reasons they’d arrange an eye test for their child, along with difficulties in reading or writing (45 per cent) or frequent eye rubbing (44 per cent).

Sarah Joyce, director of optometry at Specsavers added: “Being able to see clearly is vital to children as they learn about the world – as around 80 per cent of learning in school is visual. But around one in five children under the age of 10 have sight conditions that can get in the way of all that wonder.

“Conditions such as long- or short-sightedness, astigmatism, or a squint can often be treated more effectively if they are picked up early – meaning regular eye tests from the age of four, or sooner if they are having any problems, are essential. “The great news is, for children under 16, the NHS will cover the full cost of the eye test.”

TOP 10 EVERYDAY THINGS KIDS FIND AMAZING:

1. A sunflower
2. A seashell
3. A rock
4. A caterpillar
5. A buttercup
6. A daisy
7. A puddle
8. A crunchy leaf
9. A stick
10. A digger