Recently, the children noticed a robin flying in and out of a tree close to the window while carrying various twigs and grasses in her beak.  After several minutes, a child exclaimed, “The bird is building a nest!” The children were beyond excited!

Soon, all they wanted to talk about was baby birds. Questions about what the eggs would look like, how long the mother would have to sit on them, and what the babies would look like after hatching filled their thoughts.  We began to research in the books in our classroom to find out what kind of bird we saw, the life cycle of birds, and when we could expect to see the new hatchlings.  

Curiosity drives learning, which is necessary for every other aspect of life! 

This month, the children at Stepping Stone School will learn to explore curiosity as a part of our Kindness & Empathy curriculum.  Teachers will nurture curiosity through numerous age-appropriate learning opportunities as we investigate this trait. 

To continue to nurture curiosity at home: 

• Model Curious Thinking. Demonstrate curiosity by continuing to grow yourself.  Learn new things and try to solve problems.  Ask questions aloud and then work with your child to discover the answers together.  If you do not know the answer to a question, say so, and then explore together to find the answer.  
• Follow your child’s lead. Children have natural interests which seem to draw them to certain activities.  Think of ways to explore that interest. For example, if your child enjoys music, play it for him often, make instruments, learn how to play different instruments, and dance together.  
• Read stories often. Reading books together encourages children to explore new ideas, develop empathy, and provides endless opportunities for them to use their imagination.  Choose age-appropriate fictional and non-fiction books.
• Use open-ended questions. Help your child think and respond by asking questions that do not have a right or wrong response.  Questions like, “How do you feel about…?” or “What happened at school today?” encourage children to develop thier thoughts and ideas. More complex questions with statements like, “What if….?” and “Why…?” support the development of critical thinking skills helping children imagine different outcomes and make connections.  
• Allow for open-ended activities. Creativity and curiosity develop when children can explore materials in a variety of ways.  Blocks, water, sand, and art materials can be used in countless ways without a specified outcome.  
• Spend time in nature. The natural world is enormously interesting to children.  Take time to go on nature walks or to go hiking. Bring along a small container to collect objects to look at in greater detail and then return those objects where you found them.  When children are given the opportunity to explore, their interests will emerge and lead them to ask questions. 
• Give your child tools. Provide children with age-appropriate nonfiction books so they can look up answers to questions they have.  Have paper and writing utensils accessible so your child can write down or draw observations.  Consider having a magnifying glass available when you go outside so your child can find and examine various items from nature.  
• Help them categorize. Children must be able to sort and categorize new information, to process it and connect it with information they have already stored in their brain.  Play games to help develop sorting skills. Spend time with your child to point out different types of cars, animals, or trees.  Sort by color, size, shape, or function.

Curiosity is required for further learning! When nurtured, curiosity develops into a lifelong love of learning and growing.  Children who are allowed to explore are the kind who grow up and change the world!

Resources: 

Dr. Kishore’s Ratnam. (2023, July 7). 10 Activities That Will Encourage Curiosity In Kids. Retrieved from https://drkishoresratnamschools.com/10-activities-that-will-encourage-curiosity-in-kids/

Illinois Early Learning Project. (n.d.). Approaches to Learning: Curiosity & Initiative. Retrieved from https://illinoisearlylearning.org/ielg/curiosity/

Tutor Doctor. (n.d.) 6 Simple Ways to Develop Your Child’s Curiosity. Retrieved from

https://www.tutordoctor.co.uk/blog/2019/january/6-simple-ways-to-develop-your-childs-curiosity/

Zero to Three. (2010, February 20). Tips on Nurturing Your Child’s Curiosity. Retrieved from

https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/tips-on-nurturing-your-childs-curiosity/