Curiosity – it’s the one thing you don’t need to teach kids. Come to think of it, from the moment they were born, your little one was already eager to learn. With their limited abilities, they still look intently, turn their head to sounds, and grip things within their reach. Experts say that being curious can be an effective way to understand things. For this reason, parents must nurture a child’s curiosity. But how do you do it?
The importance of curiosity in child development
Curiosity prepares the brain for learning. Experts say that being curious triggers changes in the brain that help us learn and retain information more effectively.
When kids are allowed to satisfy their curiosity in a safe environment, learning happens naturally and holistically. Not only will they gather and keep the information, but they’ll also have experiences that can cultivate their social, emotional, and physical well-being.
A curious child understands deeply. This is the reason why teachers dedicate time to pick the students’ curiosity at the start of the lesson. With an eagerness to learn, the children don’t just end up learning how things work, but they will also know how to make things work for them.
What to do when a child asks too many questions
One of the ways a child exhibits their curiosity is through asking questions, often in rapid succession.
While it’s not easy to always answer their questions, especially when you’re tired, busy, or just not in the mood, experts highlight that you should never brush their questions aside. Avoid ignoring their inquiry so they would stop and certainly try not to get angry.
If you can’t answer the question at the moment, postpone the explanation. Instruct your child to bank the question and ask you again later, maybe after dinner while you’re washing the dishes.
Additionally, if you don’t know the answer, don’t hesitate to say so. Try saying, “I don’t know… shall we look it up later?” It’s a good way to let kids know that adults learn, too.
3 Ways to nurture a child’s curiosity
A child can only ask so many questions when he or she is not in an environment that stimulates curiosity. To nurture your child’s curiosity, consider the following practices:
1. Encourage exploration
Bring your child to places where they can safely witness and experience things on their own: a farm, park, museum, zoo, etc. You can also go camping, fishing, or traveling. The more they see, the more they’ll get curious.
Once a child finds something he or she’s interested in, support them as long as it’s safe. Avoid stifling their curiosity because the activity is messy or complicated.
2. Give them materials that engage the senses
Materials that engage the senses are a great way to nurture a child’s curiosity.
For instance, instead of giving them battery-operated toys, why not provide them toys that they can build from or manipulate (pull a lever, push a button, etc.)?
Even ordinary objects can excite their senses: the sprinkler that gives water to the plants, a bicycle and how they need to pedal to make it move, or the rubber ducky that floats.
With enough creativity, you can turn a lot of things into simple science experiments.
3. Invest in interactions
Finally, don’t forget to nurture a child’s curiosity with social interactions.
Allowing them to talk to children and adults, within and outside of the family, will help improve their communication skills. In the process, they’ll also learn things and perhaps even develop lifelong friendships.
Key Takeaways
Curiosity is crucial for a child’s growth and development. To nurture a child’s curiosity, parents must make it a point not to brush their questions aside. They can also join their kids in mini explorations, provide them materials that engage the senses, and allow them to interact with people.
The bottom line is, you are your child’s doorway to the world. Through you, they can develop a deep love for learning.
Learn more about Toddlers and Preschoolers here.
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