The more inquisitive your child, the more they are likely to learn. Babies are naturally curious, as they are figuring out how the world works and who’s who. However, parents should try and nurture their child’s curiosity as they age and encourage them to ask questions and explore. Here are some tips from an independent school in Surrey.
Firstly, the behaviours you demonstrate will be reflected within your child, so try and model inquisitiveness where possible. Ask lots of questions about why things are the way they are and if no-one can answer, let your child see you try and figure it out yourself. You should also let them see you pursuing your interests and encourage them to pursue their own.
When your child asks your questions about things, don’t shrug them off because then they will be reluctant to ask you more questions in the future. Before you answer their questions, ask them what their thoughts are. If you don’t know the answer, don’t be afraid to tell them; the two of you can do some research and figure it out together.
When chatting to your child, avoid asking them questions that only require a yes or no answer as this won’t get them thinking. Instead, ask open-ended questions like “what do you think about…” or “how did that make you feel…”. This encourage them to develop their own thoughts and ideas and show that you’re truly interested in them.
Try and help your child experience new things and new places as often as possible. This doesn’t mean that you need to spend a fortune taking them to a foreign country; even something simple like visiting the neighbouring town will allow your child to encounter different things to learn about. Essentially, don’t let them sit for hours on end doing the same thing, as this won’t develop their curiosity. Try and mix up your routine from time to time and introduce them to fresh ideas and concepts.