Fostering Curiosity and Inquiry at Home

Have you ever noticed how many questions your child asks within a day? When we are busy with our day-to-day lives, trying to get out the door in the morning, cooking dinner, or doing any of the other hundreds of things we need to accomplish, these questions can feel challenging. However, being curious is an extremely important part of your child’s development. Try to remain patient.

Children are very inquisitive. They are naturally filled with wonder and want to learn about themselves and the world around them. As your child continues to evolve and grow, it’s vital to foster their curiosity by giving them space to ask questions and receive answers.

Here are some things you can do at home to fuel their growth and interests:

• Encourage questions. As your child is asking you questions throughout their day, remind yourself that they are learning. Provide your child with answers and details that are accurate and appropriate for their age. These answers will help your child make sense of the world.
• Learn and grow together. Sometimes our children will ask us about topics we may have never even thought about. It’s okay to not have all the answers. Use this as an opportunity to share in the learning process. You can say, “That is a great question! I’m curious about that too. Let’s research it together and see if we can find the answer.” Visit your local library to read books about the topic, use a search engine, or phone a friend who may be an expert on the topic.
• Follow your child’s interests. One of the best ways to foster your child’s curiosity is to let them take the lead. Your child will show you what they are interested in learning about through their play and conversations. For example, perhaps your child loves pizza. They pretend to make pizzas and they are always asking for pizza for dinner. You can turn this into a learning experience by searching for an easy pizza recipe together. Make homemade pizzas while you talk about measurements, baking, temperatures, etc.
  
• Ask questions of your own. When you ask your child questions, it shows them it is okay to be curious and adults have questions too! It’s a great way to understand what your child already knows and to build upon that knowledge. Focus on using open-ended questions to encourage their thoughts, critical thinking, and conversational skills. Elaborate on their thoughts to encourage further learning. Use your daily routines as a time to connect and spark curiosity.
  
  • During bathtime you could ask, “Why do you think the soap is floating and your toy sunk to the bottom?”
    
  • During a creative activity, you could say, “I see lots of yellow and red. Tell me about your artwork!”
    
  • During the car ride home from school, you could say, “Look at all the leaves changing colors. Why do you think that happens?”

Remember, your child is constantly learning and growing! Their learning can, and should, be fun! When we encourage natural curiosity and inquiry in our young children, they become more excited to learn and curious about the world around them.

Next time your child is asking you question after question, take a moment to remind yourself that you can be their biggest supporter and teacher. And you’ll probably learn something new too!