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A young boy’s backyard treasure hunt has captured hearts across Reddit after he proudly declared he had “found a diamond”—one he hopes could be valuable enough to buy a Jurassic Park-themed toy from Target. The post, shared Monday by Reddit user u/mrschester in the r/whatisit subreddit, has drawn more than 15,000 upvotes and over 1,500 comments. Its title reads: “My 1st grader thinks he found a diamond in the backyard, one worth enough to buy a Jurassic Park toy at Target. What is it?” In the post, the parent shared a couple photos of a small rock that her son believed to be a precious gem. While some commenters quickly chimed in to identify the stone, the real story wasn’t about geology—it was about childhood wonder. “I offered him $20 and the deal was done,” the poster wrote in a later comment. “Turns out, you can get two Nerf guns for the price of one dinosaur. He opted for that and gave one to his little brother. Money well spent.” My 1st grader thinks he found a diamond in the backyard, one worth enough to buy a Jurassic Park toy at Target. What is it? byu/mrschester inwhatisit Curiosity as a Catalyst for Learning While the post was light-hearted, experts have long emphasized the importance of nurturing curiosity and early scientific thinking in children. A 2022 study published in Teaching and Teacher Education found that children’s engagement with natural elements develops in three stages—beginning with direct, hands-on discovery. “Each phase can be recognized by how children relate to the natural element in question,” the researchers wrote, adding that youngsters “gain firsthand experience, are receptive to acquiring factual information and reflect on and apply their knowledge.” The same study, citing data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), warned that students’ interest in science tends to decline with age. “It appears that students’ interest in science decreases over time,” the study said, identifying “positive contact with science at an early age as essential in order to increase their interest.” It also noted that most graduate-level science students and professional scientists trace their curiosity back to before middle school—typically between first and fifth grades. “Stimulating children’s interest in science at an early age and supporting their initial enthusiasm for science is of great importance in science education,” the study concluded. ‘A Core Memory’ The simple act of turning a shiny rock into a trade sparked joy across the platform. Many Reddit users admired both the child’s enthusiasm and the parent’s gentle encouragement of curiosity. A commenter using the handle u/BruschettiFreddy chimed in with mock-serious advice: “OP [original poster], trust me, he’s got something good. As a former child who collected rocks: that one has got some serious value. Unfortunately, Target doesn’t yet accept shiny rocks, but you should trade him some cash for his priceless possession. You’d be stupid not to.” Others reflected more earnestly on the kind of moment that can stay with a child for life. “It is an opportunity for you to be an ultra super hero to your child and give them a core memory they will never forget,” wrote u/BigDogSoulDoc. “Congratulate them, buy the toy, and put that thing in a safe place with a note describing the experience.” “Not sure what it is but its value matches a dinosaur toy,” posted u/RJMonkhouse. “That is indeed worth at least one xtra-medium sized Jurassic Park T-Rex, good job son,” added u/mstr_jf. Others took the chance to play along with the boy’s fantasy. “Fake internet geologist chiming in, definitely worth a small Jurassic Park toy,” wrote u/EasterEggArt. One commenter, u/lillian_2022, suggested the rock “almost looks like obsidian”—volcanic glass known for its dark sheen—before humorously noting, “Either way, in my professional opinion, definitely worth a Jurassic Park toy.” Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via the Reddit messaging system. A stock image of a boy playing with rocks outdoors. Do you have a similar story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
