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How do you explain evolution to a 5 year old?

Asked by Dutchess_III (46807points) March 20th, 2019

The other day my granddaughter said something to me about us being monkeys.
I said, “Well, we’re primates.” Then I showed her different primates and in what ways they’re similar to us, or we to them.
Then she asked, “Did we come from monkeys?”
“Well, no….”
Then she said, “Can a bear turn into a human?”
“Um..no. And neither can a monkey.”
“Why not?”
I am still searching for ways to explain this in a way she can kind of understand. It involves concepts that many adults can’t conceive of much less a kindergartner. Things like the immensity of time, and so subtle genetic mutations…the very beginning of life.

Any suggestions for those inquiring minds?
It makes me laugh to think that she could easily accept “magic” as a viable answer, though! It’d be a whole lot easier to just fall back on that.

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