Mushrooms, Numbers, and Symbolic Recognition

"When I was a kid, I used to go mushroom hunting with my father.  I would never see them, but he'd say, 'There's a yellow sponge,' or 'There are a couple of black spikes.' And because I knew they were there, my looking would become more focused and less vague.  In a few moments I would begin seeing them myself, not all of them, but some." How to Read Literature Like a Professor--Foster (Ch. 5, p. 36)

A hopeful statement and a reassuring prospect, but what about right now?  I know....  That's literally what this book is for.  I am unaccustomed to the business of "mushroom picking," so I admit it can only get better (for me) from here.  Mr. Foster's note of Professorly encouragement reminded me of just a day ago, while helping my five year old--who frequently confuses the numbers 3 and 8--finish a school worksheet, I said, in an effort to comfort his visible frustration, "Mommy had to learn them just like you."  

"Practice makes perfect!"

I then pointed to 8, patiently hoping that this time he'll look and recognize a number eight. It is only a matter of time until the day comes when he won't need me, and he can identify all the numbers on his own.  Mushrooms, numbers, or symbolic recognition, essentially it boils down to practice: nearly anything and everything can be improved upon with practice.