--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to…" description: "\"“Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to teach a kindergarten or first-grade class. Many of these children are natural-born scientists - although heavy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/carl-sagan-160_children_every-now-and-then-i-m-lucky-enough-to-t_2503552.jpg" --- # Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to teach a… ![“Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to teach a kindergarten or first-grade class. Many of these children are natural-born scientists - although heavy on the wonder side and light on scepticism. They’re curious, intellectually vigorous. Provocative and insightful questions bubble out of them. They…” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/carl-sagan-160_children_every-now-and-then-i-m-lucky-enough-to-t_2503552.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/carl-sagan-160_children_every-now-and-then-i-m-lucky-enough-to-t_2503552.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/carl-sagan-160_children_every-now-and-then-i-m-lucky-enough-to-t_2503552.jpg) > ““Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to teach a kindergarten or first-grade class. Many of these children are natural-born scientists - although heavy on the wonder side and light on scepticism. They’re curious, intellectually vigorous. Provocative and insightful questions bubble out of them. They exhibit enormous enthusiasm. I’m asked follow-up questions. They’ve never heard of the notion of a ‘dumb question’. But when I talk to high school seniors, I find something different. They memorize ‘facts’. By and large, though, the joy of discovery, the life behind those facts, has gone out of them. They’ve lost much of the wonder, and gained very little scepticism. They’re worried about asking ‘dumb’ questions; they’re willing to accept inadequate answers; they don’t pose follow-up questions; the room is awash with sidelong glances to judge, second-by-second, the approval of their peers.”” [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Children naturally ask bold questions, while older students often fear appearing ignorant, losing curiosity. **In simple terms:** Kids ask many questions; teens stop asking. Key Takeaway Encourage questioning at all ages. Themes education curiosity learning confidence Mood hopeful concerned Type educational reflective When to use this quote - classroom teaching - parental guidance - school curriculum - peer pressure Key Concepts critical thinking wonder Questions to Reflect On - How can educators foster safe questioning? - What habits preserve wonder into adulthood? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on correct answers can suppress inquiry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asking Dumb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking-dumb-1086171/) [Born Scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born-scientists-1086168/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Curious Intellectually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curious-intellectually-1086169/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [High School Seniors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school-seniors-213849/) [Scepticism Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scepticism-curious-1086170/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientists/) ## Related quotes > [“Every now and then, I'm lucky enough to teach a kindergarten or first-grade class. 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They exhibit enormous enthusiasm. I’m asked follow-up questions. They’ve never heard of the notion of a ‘dumb question’. But when I talk to high school seniors, I find something different. They memorize ‘facts’. By and large, though, the joy of discovery, the life behind those facts, has gone out of them. They’ve lost much of the wonder, and gained very little scepticism. 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