Children are curious by nature. It begins the moment those little eyes open to this great big world. As babies they use their five senses to explore objects and we go crazy do our best to make sure nothing inappropriate makes its way into their mouths. As toddlers, more of the same except now they’re mobile and can wreck more havoc explore their environment with abundant curiosity. They can now ask “why” and they will do so over and over again.
Then…they become preschoolers and school aged and the questions are unrelenting. Though it can be exasperating at times, take comfort. Your child has a thirst for knowledge. One, that if we can continue to nurture, will serve them well throughout their lives.
So, what are some simple everyday things we can do to foster and encourage this passion for knowledge?
- Turn everyday errands into an adventure. Seriously, all you have to do is call it an adventure and your kids will think it is too. Believe me the questions will come naturally so be prepared: “Does cantaloupe grow on trees?” “How does all this food get here and why do we need to buy it?” Oy…make sure you drink lots of coffee before this so-called adventure
- Get outside, take a nature walk and let the questions fly! Get down on their level, take your time, and explore with them. They want to take that roly poly home? Okay, great. The snake…uh…no.
- Write down their questions and investigate together. Whether it’s your trusty friend Google or a trip to the library, find the answers. I am constantly surprised by how much I don’t know. I’m learning or rather, re-learning so much.
- Read, read, and read some more. I love books and I hope to instill this in my children too. Now as they are getting older, I will ask them questions about what might happen in a particular story. Their answers always surprise me and they get more creative each time.
- Plant a garden together. It can be just about anything. A lone tomato plant, some herbs, or a flower of their choice. They will love to see what it takes to make it grow.
- Let them be free. What I mean by this is, let them play independently. Let them explore without too many restrictions when feasible. Just avert your eyes, take a deep breath and let the mud fly. They can satisfy their curiosity on how vacuums work while helping you clean up.
In an attempt to answer some of my own child’s questions, I found this fantastic book: Time for Kids, Big Book of Why. So far, we love it. I found answers to many of the questions he’s been asking. It’s a great book to read daily and learn a fun factoid.
Have a blast exploring the world with your curious child…it may just reignite your own passion for knowledge.
Do you have a favorite book or web site that your curious child loves?
Thanks for the book suggestion; it sounds like a necessity for parents.
In the busy everyday activities, it's sometimes hard to find the time to look up answers, but the rewards are there if we do. You are right that our curious children can remind us of the fun aspect in learning. Whenever my kids ask questions that make sense (but I'm not sure of the answer), I look forward to finding out the truth.
Thanks for the book suggestion; it sounds like a necessity for parents.
In the busy everyday activities, it's sometimes hard to find the time to look up answers, but the rewards are there if we do. You are right that our curious children can remind us of the fun aspect in learning. Whenever my kids ask questions that make sense (but I'm not sure of the answer), I look forward to finding out the truth.
Good ideas! Sometimes it is easy to get carried away with what you need to get done in a day you forget to have fun and enjoy the ride.
We do a ton of great websites..one is called TumbleBooks, which is an online version of many great books read aloud. Each word is highlighted as it's read. My kids love it and we get a free account thru our school.
Another great one for kindergarteners is Starfall.com – for phonics and reading.
this really isn't responding to your question about curiosity
but websites I love.
BTW, you'll be surprised in several months when your kindy comes home and starts telling you that he's learning the problem, solution, setting and characters in a story. Crazy!!!
We do a ton of great websites..one is called TumbleBooks, which is an online version of many great books read aloud. Each word is highlighted as it's read. My kids love it and we get a free account thru our school.
Another great one for kindergarteners is Starfall.com – for phonics and reading.
this really isn't responding to your question about curiosity
but websites I love.
BTW, you'll be surprised in several months when your kindy comes home and starts telling you that he's learning the problem, solution, setting and characters in a story. Crazy!!!
Wow, really great post, Melissa! I've got to get that book for my daughter! She would LOVE it! I don't think I'd be able to pry it from her hands though! LOL
Wow, really great post, Melissa! I've got to get that book for my daughter! She would LOVE it! I don't think I'd be able to pry it from her hands though! LOL
Exactly. Tell it. Amen. And sing it, sister.
We keep a “google” notebook where we write down whatever questions they have during the day. On Sunday nights, we sit together while I google search the answers and then we look around.
We hve found out so much this way, and we all look forward to it. The kids will say, “Put it in the google notebook.”
You bring so many essential issues to light, missy lady.
Exactly. Tell it. Amen. And sing it, sister.
We keep a “google” notebook where we write down whatever questions they have during the day. On Sunday nights, we sit together while I google search the answers and then we look around.
We hve found out so much this way, and we all look forward to it. The kids will say, “Put it in the google notebook.”
You bring so many essential issues to light, missy lady.
Excellent, wonderful, positive ideas! I love it! Would you be interested in reposting this on Heligirl in a few weeks? I see so many folks in daily live being frustrated by their children's questions, foot dragging and exploring things they shouldn't. It's all about having the right positive attitude, as you mention here. Treating things like an adventure both helps me slow down and enjoy the beauty of childhood as well as engage with my kids. I love The Empress' idea of a Google book. Once the kids are older I see us doing that.
Today we had our own adventure. As we had breakfast we watched a crane lift roofing materials onto the roof of a church you can see from our dining room window. The kids were fascinated, even 16-month-old Mr. Man pointed and pointed every time he saw it move.
Thanks for such an inspiring post!
Excellent, wonderful, positive ideas! I love it! Would you be interested in reposting this on Heligirl in a few weeks? I see so many folks in daily live being frustrated by their children's questions, foot dragging and exploring things they shouldn't. It's all about having the right positive attitude, as you mention here. Treating things like an adventure both helps me slow down and enjoy the beauty of childhood as well as engage with my kids. I love The Empress' idea of a Google book. Once the kids are older I see us doing that.
Today we had our own adventure. As we had breakfast we watched a crane lift roofing materials onto the roof of a church you can see from our dining room window. The kids were fascinated, even 16-month-old Mr. Man pointed and pointed every time he saw it move.
Thanks for such an inspiring post!
Great ideas! I have 2 boys under 2 so I will DEFINITELY be tucking these away for future reference! Right now, a favorite is finding one treasure on our almost daily walks. I have an old flower pot by the front door where Buggy can leave his treasures (leaves, pebbles, sticks) before going into the house.
Great ideas! I have 2 boys under 2 so I will DEFINITELY be tucking these away for future reference! Right now, a favorite is finding one treasure on our almost daily walks. I have an old flower pot by the front door where Buggy can leave his treasures (leaves, pebbles, sticks) before going into the house.
I do always try to encourage the curious side of my girls – but I really had to drawn the line at the container of freshly picked WORMS that Ella wanted to bring into the house last week. She stood there looking at me with such a sad face and said, “Come On, Mom! They are so cute and little – and we're only HUMANS!” (She's 3). I think I need to look into that book you wrote of as I'm a big “let's look that up” answerer.
I do always try to encourage the curious side of my girls – but I really had to drawn the line at the container of freshly picked WORMS that Ella wanted to bring into the house last week. She stood there looking at me with such a sad face and said, “Come On, Mom! They are so cute and little – and we're only HUMANS!” (She's 3). I think I need to look into that book you wrote of as I'm a big “let's look that up” answerer.
I find that as my children get older I have to be good at not forcing them to be curious. I have to take advantage of the opportunities as they present themselves. I also can't get too questiony about school- I have to let the conversation flow organically to find out what where their curiousity and interest lie. It is a tricky road.
My 4 year old though questions everything! Where does the moon go during the day? What makes rain? How do you know you are sleeping? Where do you get fabric? Everything!
I find that as my children get older I have to be good at not forcing them to be curious. I have to take advantage of the opportunities as they present themselves. I also can't get too questiony about school- I have to let the conversation flow organically to find out what where their curiousity and interest lie. It is a tricky road.
My 4 year old though questions everything! Where does the moon go during the day? What makes rain? How do you know you are sleeping? Where do you get fabric? Everything!
i'm pretty sure i don't need to foster nor encourage Kate. she's rather inquisitive all on her own.
i'm pretty sure i don't need to foster nor encourage Kate. she's rather inquisitive all on her own.
I've just spent the last half hour reading through your blog and I love it! I live in Los Angeles so I don't think we are too far apart – small world!
I love to take my 5-year-old on errands and make them seem like adventures. Many of our adventures occur at Trader Joe's but I'm hoping to branch out a bit.
My little one loves pbskids.org and starfall.com. I highly recommend both!
I've just spent the last half hour reading through your blog and I love it! I live in Los Angeles so I don't think we are too far apart – small world!
I love to take my 5-year-old on errands and make them seem like adventures. Many of our adventures occur at Trader Joe's but I'm hoping to branch out a bit.
My little one loves pbskids.org and starfall.com. I highly recommend both!
dont have a book or a website suggestion… reading “playful parenting” now and so far loving it a lot…
i did find out that the best way to stop my 19 mo from crying is to get him involved in water it is im doing. i think he feels “excluded” when big people do their big things and that makes him be cranky and fussy.
if im doing laundry i will have him carry some socks to the washing machine and put him in, press buttons etc. when im cooking he is standing next to me in his learning tower and “helps” to do dishes or makes his own “dinner” … i tell ya, no toys come even close to how focused he is on his “cooking”.
dont have a book or a website suggestion… reading “playful parenting” now and so far loving it a lot…
i did find out that the best way to stop my 19 mo from crying is to get him involved in water it is im doing. i think he feels “excluded” when big people do their big things and that makes him be cranky and fussy.
if im doing laundry i will have him carry some socks to the washing machine and put him in, press buttons etc. when im cooking he is standing next to me in his learning tower and “helps” to do dishes or makes his own “dinner” … i tell ya, no toys come even close to how focused he is on his “cooking”.
What a great post, Melissa. I probably didn't do most of those things enough when mine were little (time goes so fast!), but I did do a pretty good job of instilling the love of reading. I surrounded them with books. Read to them since they were born. My son and I go to the library every couple of weeks. My teenager loved to read too — until she hit middle school and she decided it wasn't “cool.” But then I find her devouring a book from time to time. Like the other night I found her in her closet reading after bedtime … I think she just can't help herself. 😉
Great advice, as usual! Thanks also for your encouragement with the mother/daughter struggle. Seeing the other side, when we both emerge from the teen years, is hard to see!
What a great post, Melissa. I probably didn't do most of those things enough when mine were little (time goes so fast!), but I did do a pretty good job of instilling the love of reading. I surrounded them with books. Read to them since they were born. My son and I go to the library every couple of weeks. My teenager loved to read too — until she hit middle school and she decided it wasn't “cool.” But then I find her devouring a book from time to time. Like the other night I found her in her closet reading after bedtime … I think she just can't help herself. 😉
Great advice, as usual! Thanks also for your encouragement with the mother/daughter struggle. Seeing the other side, when we both emerge from the teen years, is hard to see!
We do all of these! So glad to hear I'm doing a few things right. But really life with three kids under five IS an adventure everyday no matter how you look at it. Thanks for the reinforcement!
We do all of these! So glad to hear I'm doing a few things right. But really life with three kids under five IS an adventure everyday no matter how you look at it. Thanks for the reinforcement!
I'm going to have to get that book! Thanks again for coming to my place to read the Empress' guest post! p.s. I'm following you now. I have twin girls that are 4 1/2, so this post was very helpful to me.
😉
Happy Weekend!
Erin @ The Mother Load
@erinlynn76
I'm going to have to get that book! Thanks again for coming to my place to read the Empress' guest post! p.s. I'm following you now. I have twin girls that are 4 1/2, so this post was very helpful to me.
😉
Happy Weekend!
Erin @ The Mother Load
@erinlynn76
We call my daughter super why (with apologies to the character on the show because he pales in comparative question asking capacity). I should snag a copy of that book. She rattles off a question in response to anything said to her.
It can be exasperating.
But at least she's curious.
I love #1. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty dragging the kids all around kingdom come to run different errands… but every experience really can be a learning experience and an adventure if you make it so!
I like the last point you made the best. Kids need to play independently. There are so many who are caught up in what I call the “playdate mentality” – they think that everything has to be structured.
No, no and no. Let kids use their imagination more. Let them explore. Let them even get into some trouble (within reason, obviously). These are ALL learning experiences necessary for life.
Phew. Off soapbox now. LOL
I like the last point you made the best. Kids need to play independently. There are so many who are caught up in what I call the “playdate mentality” – they think that everything has to be structured.
No, no and no. Let kids use their imagination more. Let them explore. Let them even get into some trouble (within reason, obviously). These are ALL learning experiences necessary for life.
Phew. Off soapbox now. LOL
What great ideas. My little boy and I explore nature all the time through taking walks at the park and gardening, but I never thought about calling errands an “adventure,” and using this time to satisfy their curiosity, too. How fun! Thanks Dr. Mom.
What great ideas. My little boy and I explore nature all the time through taking walks at the park and gardening, but I never thought about calling errands an “adventure,” and using this time to satisfy their curiosity, too. How fun! Thanks Dr. Mom.
What great tips! I never thought of making errands seem like an adventure to them. I am going to use this next time I need to drag them to the store!
What great tips! I never thought of making errands seem like an adventure to them. I am going to use this next time I need to drag them to the store!
I love these tips, especially the one about turning errands into a learning opportunity. Sometimes I'm so rushed, I forget my son may never have been to the post office before and that explaining how the whole thing works may be the coolest thing he heard all week.
I love these tips, especially the one about turning errands into a learning opportunity. Sometimes I'm so rushed, I forget my son may never have been to the post office before and that explaining how the whole thing works may be the coolest thing he heard all week.
This is wonderful advice. So was the idea of the sign.
Great tips! My daughter loves learning about things as we run errands…so adding the element of making an adventure is great!
I really want to nurture Isis' curiosity, too! My dad always talks about how I asked a million questions when I was a kid & I look forward to Isis doing the same! It's going to be so neat to watch her discover everything about the world! I am also a big reader & I hope I'm able to instill some love of reading in her! I think it's beneficial in so many ways!!
I really want to nurture Isis' curiosity, too! My dad always talks about how I asked a million questions when I was a kid & I look forward to Isis doing the same! It's going to be so neat to watch her discover everything about the world! I am also a big reader & I hope I'm able to instill some love of reading in her! I think it's beneficial in so many ways!!
I'm big on adventures. I took Sam to choose a birthday present for a party he's going to today and then picked up some groceries. He had as much fun as we would have had at a playground.
I think as adults, we think we sort of know it all, and don't realize they're learning everything now. So, it's so important to be open to questions and letting them explore. Good advice again!
I'm big on adventures. I took Sam to choose a birthday present for a party he's going to today and then picked up some groceries. He had as much fun as we would have had at a playground.
I think as adults, we think we sort of know it all, and don't realize they're learning everything now. So, it's so important to be open to questions and letting them explore. Good advice again!