How to Spark Your Child’s Curiosity?

So many parenting styles seem to exist these days. It can be daunting, especially as a new parent to find your style. Whatever your style, raising curious kids can support early childhood development. It is amazing when you think about how much kids learn in just a few years. Developing a sense of curiosity early on is important to learning and can have lasting effects.

So how exactly can you spark your child’s curiosity? Here’s our top 3 list:

1) Encourage natural interests. Observe your child’s natural behavior and how they explore the world. What senses do they rely on the most when they encounter something new? If they like to touch new objects consider introducing them to different textures. Explain objects based on how they feel. Encourage them to touch different objects and share how it feels. If your child is very observant and likes to mimic what they see, focus on role playing. Help them learn more about the activities or things they like to watch.

2) Expose them to the world. One of the best things parents can do is expose their child to a variety of topics and interests. Then, see what sticks. Discover what your child wants to learn more about. Give them the opportunity to explore further. Visiting museums or parks are a great way to increase exposure. Traveling also offers benefits to exposing them to different weather, environments, cultures, and people.

3) Ask open ended questions. Get your child thinking with open ended questions. Use who, what, when, where, why, and how questioning to spark their critical thinking and reasoning skills. It can also be a fun learning experience to let them investigate different problems, situations, or topics in a safe environment. Let them lead and coach them through. Be careful not to discourage them from wrong answers. Use more open ended questions to guide them on the right track.

There is so much to explore in the world. Everyone has their own way to explore and test their limits. Encouraging your child to explore will help spark their curiosity and develop critical problem solving skills.