Growing Curious Kids

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.
— Clay P. Bedford

Curiosity is often the first step in the creative process. All of humanities inventions, improvements and advances have been made because someone, somewhere was curious. The gift of curiosity is one of the best things we can give to children. It will provide a lifetime of education and entertainment; the curious are rarely bored.

How To Grow Curious Kids:

  • Admit when you don’t know the answer. This is a hard one for adults, as we are “supposed” to know all the answers. By admitting when you don’t know the answer to something you are showing your own curiosity and providing a great opportunity for learning to happen. If you are not sure the next time a kid asks you a question, try saying: “I’m not sure, let’s find out together!”
  • Then there are times you do know the answer and the easiest thing is just to give the solution. This robs the child of a chance to satisfy their own curiosity. While it takes a little more work, providing the tools to find a solution, rather then the solution itself is a great way to encourage curiosity and learning. The tools could be as simple as looking for information in a book or on the Internet, or providing a pen and paper, or could be as involved as going on a field trip.
  • Asking “Why?” is a surefire way to get your kid curious. Many times “why?” doesn’t have a simple or clear-cut answer but it always seems to encourage curiosity.
  • Creatively solve those curious problems. Whenever you are learning about a new topic you have the opportunity for curiosity and creativity. Brainstorming is a fantastic way to come up with solutions and ideas to those things you are curious about.

How do you inspire curiosity in your kids? Please post below!

Posted in Activites/Games, Creativity/Inspiration.

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