Fostering Curiousity in Young Children.
Below are some ideas that parents can use to help foster young children's curiousity and encourage them to learn more about the world around them.
Model interest in the world around you. Take a walk outside and wonder aloud about the trees, the sky, the stars. Also let your child see you pursuing interests of your own.
Follow your child?s lead. Encourage natural interests. Children learn so much more through activities that capture their attention and imaginations. If he likes music, play it for him often, make and play instruments together, dance together. If bugs are her thing, give her a shovel and a net. Find books on bugs and read to her.
Answer questions simply and clearly and according to your child?s development. You will answer a question about where babies come from much differently if a child is three or thirteen; and, no matter the child?s age, always ask them first what their thoughts are before answering. A five-year old asked her mother, "Where did I come from?" Mother proceeded to talk in depth (anxiously stumbling on every other word) about the reproductive process. Her child looked at her quizzically throughout, and at the end responded, "I mean, did you come from New York like daddy or somewhere else?" And, if you don?t have the answer, say so. Let them know it?s okay not to have all the answers. This also provides an opportunity to model how to find answers. Go with her to the library or call someone else who might know.
Use the library! Take this field trip together often. Find out when your local branch has its storytime. Books are windows into all kinds of worlds to delight the curious mind. Young children who are exposed to books become better readers. Let your child choose his own books. Studies show that it doesn?t matter whether children are reading books about rocket science or comic books, the key is that their interest is captured and that they like to read.
Stimulate your child with open-ended questions. These are questions that don?t have a right or wrong response, and can?t be answered with only one word like "yes" or "no". "How do you feel about.....", "What was (such and such experience) like for you....", "Tell me about what happened in school today." These kinds of questions encourage your child to develop his thoughts and ideas, shows love and interest, and will give you a window into his inner life.
Create an interesting environment. Babies spend one-fifth of their waking hours in focused gazing. They?re curious about what?s in their surroundings. Pictures on the wall, and normal family activity are naturally fascinating. Give baby safe toys and objects to explore. Rotate your supply to keep it "fresh."
Redirect, don?t discourage. Try to figure out what is capturing her interest, or what skill she is trying to master and create a safe and acceptable way for her to explore. For example, if your toddler is exploring the houseplants, put them out of reach but offer a close alternative. Put some dirt in a plastic container for your child to play with and inspect. If she likes to pour the water from her cup onto the high chair or floor, move her to the kitchen floor, bathtub or backyard after the meal so she can explore and experiment with water without driving you crazy. This will also teach children problem-solving skills, creative and acceptable ways to do and get what they want. Reading stories that make kids eager to see what happens next will also help them with problem-solving. Many picture books for young children depict situations that are typical, yet challenging in a little one?s life -- like a problem with a friend, getting frustrated trying to master a new skill, or making a mistake.
Allow time for activities that have no map. Unlike some toys that are designed to be used a certain way, materials like boxes, water, pots, and any art material, can be used imaginatively. Do not tell her what to do, how to do it or what it should look like in the end. Let your child?s curiosity be her guide.
