Dr. R. Scott Smith, professor of Ethics and Philosophy of Religion at BIOLA University, once told me that he took his daughter to the grocery store when she was young to introduce her to the concept of universals and particulars, or the unity and diversity we see all around us. Without overcomplicating the issue, we can introduce children to these important concepts simply by taking them to the grocery store. Dr. Smith used apples in his example, but we can use just about anything. I’ve used peaches in the following example.

1. Park the grocery cart by the peaches and experience peachness: Rub the fuzzy skin, smell the sweet fragrance, turn it over and note the spherical shape, describe the color, etc.
2. Pick up a few more and remark how each one is a peach, the same kind of thing.
3. Then point out the differences by looking at different varieties. There are yellow, white, and donut peaches. Nectarines are peaches with smooth skin. Some peaches are fuzzier than others, some smell sweeter, and some will be different colors. Some may even have bad spots on the flesh. Despite differences, they are all peaches and share peachness.
4. Take some home and create peachy art. Practice drawing or painting your peaches using your favorite  media. Reinforce the concept by noting that each peach that we draw or paint looks different, but they are all peaches.
5. Include your peaches into the evening meal and share what you’ve learned with family or friends.

This activity trains young minds to relate the particular peaches of their experience to the universal essence of peachness. God ordained the unity and the diversity we find in the world and this aspect of reality reflects His triune nature-God is one essence in three persons, unity and diversity. God has woven the truth of His existence and nature into the fabric of reality in limitless ways and we can see it in something as simple as a fruit stand.

As children learn to bring unity and diversity into a fruitful relationship with one another (pun intended!), similar relationships will be easier to grasp. For example, the idea that special needs children are equally valuable derives from the acceptance of a universal “humanness”.  We are all unique, but we are all human, made in God’s image, with inherent worth and dignity.

Who knows, your kids may become philosophers some day and thank you for their early training in the produce section.

Thanks for stopping by!