Most children are curious and eager to learn. Curiosity drives children to explore and learn, and brings excitement to life. If children continue to keep curious, they will continue to wonder, discover, and learn new things. According to Dr. Bruce Perry, professor of child psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, curiosity is the beginning of a “cycle of learning.” Curiosity not only leads to exploration and discovery, but also mastery of learning as the cycle repeats itself with curiosities and discoveries.
As children explore, their experiences fuel development socially, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. The more your children explore, the more they discover and learn. Children with less curiosity are likely to participate in fewer social groups and be harder to teach. The following are some tips for parents to help spark children’s curiosity:
Provide healthy family lives and routines
Young children need stable homes and calm routines. When children have a sense of security and are comfortable, they are able to explore their worlds and try new things. If parents are busy or distracted, they may be less responsive or available to their children. When children’s lives are stressful and fearful, their curiosity can be diminished and have less confidence to explore. Children who experience violence, natural disasters, abuse, neglect, or family distress are less likely to explore than children who are raised in healthy and stable homes.
Encourage, support children’s curiosity
A safe and supportive environment intrigues children’s curiosity and creative wondering. Child-proof your home and provide a variety of interesting and safe materials to increase exploration. Avoid overwhelming or over stimulating children which may cause them to withdraw.
Introduce materials gradually to engage and stimulate children’s curiosity and learning.
Understand children’s temperaments and styles of curiosity. For instance, some children explore by touching, smelling, climbing, and tasting.
Other children prefer to explore with their minds. Pay extra attention, offer assurance, and be patient to help children who are reluctant to explore. Encourage children to try again or look for alternatives to explore when things don’t turn out the way they want. The more your children explore, the more they learn.
Explore curiosity with your child
Children enjoy sharing the excitement of discovery. This learning experience helps children build confidence and self-esteem for optimal exploration. Get involved in your child’s curiosity and discovery. If parents always say “Don’t climb, don’t touch, don’t ask me too many questions, don’t take that apart, don’t get dirty,” children feel discouraged and less interested in exploring or asking questions.
