childlikeness
Childlikeness is a term used to describe qualities commonly associated with children that may be valued when expressed by adults or considered in literature, philosophy, and religion. Core attributes often cited include openness to new experiences, wonder and curiosity, imaginative thinking, honesty, spontaneity, humility, trust, and a receptive attitude toward the world. The term is typically contrasted with childishness; childlike denotes positive, maturely expressed child attributes, while childishness carries a pejorative sense of immaturity or inappropriate behavior.
In psychology and education, childlike traits are linked to creativity, learning, and adaptability. Maintaining a “beginner’s
Religious and philosophical contexts often treat childlikeness as a virtue. In Christian theology, for example, childlike
Culturally, attitudes toward childlike traits differ, reflecting varying ideals about dependence, obedience, innocence, and responsibility. Educational