I spoke to a parent who wanted advice on university applications for medicine. My eldest son is a medical student and it was a tough process of interview rounds. I explained how it wasn't just academic excellence that needed to be showcased but a wide variety of life skills. A key skill was curiosity. We discussed how students are expected to demonstrate curiosity about the world in addition to several skills.
Curiosity is second nature to all of us. In children, it is something that can be endless. ''Why can't houses not have wheels?''.
As they grow up and adults get busy and have less time and patience to satisfy children's curiosity, we can risk shutting off their inquisitive minds.
It doesn't have to be that way.
With a little awareness and action, parents can create an environment to nurture and enrich children's curious minds. Physical spaces have an impact on this. When they are younger, arrange different areas for play, reading, and creative activities. Use spaces that encourage exploration, like a dedicated "discovery" corner.
Don't shy away from telling your children that you don't know the answer to their questions. Encourage questions and explore the answers together with your child. A questioning mindset is a great way to grow and learn, something that cannot be learnt through books, academic rota learning or at a desk. Asking open-ended questions stimulates critical thinking. Avoid providing immediate answers, rather encourage children to explore their thoughts.
Utilize everyday experiences to encourage being nosey about how the world works. You can showcase everyday activities such as cooking to spark curiosity. Involve children in simple cooking experiments. Discuss the science behind everyday phenomena (e.g., boiling water).
Curiosity is linked to a growth mindset. I have written about nurturing a growth and learning mindset on my blog. Be careful when dishing our praise. Always praise effort, not intelligence or how smart your child is. Learning is a process. Don't expect children to grasp a concept or learn a skill in one attempt. Persistence and resilience will help them to keep going when the odds are stacked against them. They will discover joy in the process.
When my son was applying for a place in the Robotics club at his school, he tried three times before he could get in. Each time he worked a little more on his application, doubled his efforts and analysed what was missing before he finally got a place. You can teach your children to do the same. If it is something that they truly want, they can try till they get it. They will learn to enjoy the process of trying, have fun and become more mature and experienced in the process.
I have written about fostering an environment where judgements are few, gratitude is a joy, encouragement is aplenty, and the child knows that he can try doing something he finds difficult knowing that he can try and make mistakes until he can get it. Read more on my blog.
Reading is the gateway to a curious mind. Books have characters which fuel curiosity. Choose books that cover a wide range of topics and cultures. Visit the local library for free access to a variety of books.
Technology is a great tool to use for our ease and for exploring things we could not have done before. If used mindfully, it can be beneficial to children. Select interactive apps that encourage curiosity. Watch educational videos together with your child and discuss the content.
Utilize free community events, such as workshops or library programs. Attend local nature walks, community fairs, or science exhibitions.
Fostering curiosity is an accessible and enriching journey for parents and children.
