"Children have very sharp powers of observation - probably sharper than adults - yet at the same time their emotional reactions are murky and much more primitive"

In this quote, Donna Tartt touches upon the dual nature of children's cognitive and psychological advancement. On one hand, she acknowledges that kids have severe observational abilities. Their observant capabilities typically exceed those of grownups as they experience the world with a fresh, unfiltered look. This sharp power of observation can be credited to their natural interest and openness to brand-new experiences. Unlike grownups, who might overlook the subtleties of their environments due to habituation or preconceived notions, kids are constantly taking in details and evaluating their surroundings with unbiased precision.

Nevertheless, Tartt contrasts this with the concept that kids's emotional responses tend to be "dirty and a lot more primitive". This suggests that while children can observe and consumption comprehensive information about their environment, their ability to process this information mentally is less sophisticated. Their emotional responses are "dirty" since they are typically unrefined, raw, and direct, not yet tempered by the complexities of adult thinking or self-regulation. Such responses might be seen as "primitive" due to their simplicity and instinctive nature, doing not have the elaborate psychological vocabulary that adults obtain gradually. Kids might express sensations in a more straightforward, uninhibited manner, which can in some cases appear confusing or illogical to grownups.

This dichotomy between observation and emotional processing in kids is significant since it highlights the formative nature of childhood experiences. While kids are learning to navigate and understand their world with impressive clarity, they are simultaneously developing the emotional frameworks that will ultimately assist their adult interactions and reactions. This highlights the importance of nurturing environments that enable kids to express their feelings freely while assisting them to interpret and handle these sensations constructively. Tartt's observation serves as a reminder of the complexities of youth development and the need for grownups to value both the perceptual skill and psychological development of young individuals.