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A desire to understand -

From the moment they're born, babies demonstrate a deep, innate desire to understand the world around them.

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Inquisitive newborns -

Babies are naturally curious. It's part of their development, and is a physiological response that drives them to learn.

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Making sense of the world -

Curiosity helps babies make sense of their world: they're born with a natural enthusiasm for discovery.

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Exploring everything -

Babies explore with their senses. They touch, grab, hit, gnaw, and drool on everything they can reach.

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Points of interest -

As early as one year old, a baby will point at things, looking up at their parents as they do so. And if a parent reacts positively, for example pointing with them and describing the subject of interest, a baby will quickly learn that the function of pointing is obtaining things.

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Growing up -

As they grow and become more energetic, toddlers begin to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially.

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Getting creative -

This, in turn, encourages the development of an imagination and sense of creativity.

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Inquiring mind -

Soon, the instinct to explore grows into an instinct for inquiry. Sensory exploration brings with it the need to know more.

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Further investigation -

Youngsters master the art of tactile investigation at a very early age. As they get older, their innate curiosity becomes even more evident.

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A need to know -

As they develop speech, this insatiable curiosity is translated into words. And in no time at all they are asking questions.

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The learning process -

The learning process brings with it endless questions. And here's the thing: there's very often little need to prompt a child's curiosity or push them to learn. And rarely will a parent have to wait to be asked a question by an inquisitive youngster.

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Role of parents -

A large part of parenting involves fielding these questions. You can nurture your child's curiosity in a number of different ways.

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Eliciting information -

While a youngster will very often ask a question as a way of requesting or calling for attention, it can also be designed to elicit information.

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Language and vocabulary -

Asking any kind of question at such a young age requires a sophisticated mental process. But by encouraging and responding to their questions, parents and caregivers are able to impart useful information while using language (ergo, vocabulary) as a tool to further stimulate inquiry. 

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Fun places -

Providing enriching environments and experiences helps draw out more questions from your toddler. It also plays into the need to maintain positive interactions between parents and children.

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Learning more -

The young mind absorbs information at a phenomenal rate. And the more a child knows, the easier it is to learn more.

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Figuring it out -

This usually results in a child being more able to figure things out for themselves.

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How imagination works -

Indeed, if a child can imagine, they're pretty good at occupying and entertaining themselves successfully.

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Discovering more -

But it still helps to provide materials and props that inspire a child's desire to keep discovering.

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More questions -

The transition from toddlerhood into childhood sees an explosion in vocabulary and language development. Questioning can become more direct, more heartfelt, and more often.

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Middle childhood -

At this stage in their lives, demonstrating and sharing your own enthusiasm with offspring is important. A child's mind is wired to seek out novelty and learn from their environment. But middle childhood also sees them becoming more self-aware and self-critical.

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Asking silly questions -

There's no such thing as a silly question, something like, "Why does butter melt?" Remember, a young mind is still busily exploring the universe. It's important, therefore, to respond logically so that same young mind can then ask, for example, "Does the sun melt butter quicker than hot water?"

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No answers -

You know it's all falling into place when your youngest asks a question and you don't know the answer. Then what?

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Question time -

Well the best thing an adult can do is throw the question back with another question: "What do you think?" or (secretly admitting defeat), "That's something we'll talk about when we get back home."

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Cultivating curiosity -

Curiosity can be cultivated in children in several ways. Besides encouraging a questioning mind, parents and caregivers can teach kids to be flexible thinkers and doers.

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Promoting confidence -

This, in turn, can help them make their own choices and promote a feeling of confidence and competence.

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Sharing the experience -

As they grow, offer support and share in their exploration and discovery. Again, this is all about positive interaction.

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Taking the question forward -

Remember, curiosity in a child continues into adulthood. It's why asking the right questions can very often move us in the right direction.

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Ask more questions -

It's parents and caring adults that hold the key to unlocking a child's potential. And to achieve this, they need to keep pushing kids to ask more questions.

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Asking the right questions -

And that's never a bad thing. Why? Well if nobody ever asked questions, nobody would ever learn anything!

Sources: (Seriously Kids) (The Guardian) (The Curiosity Approach) (Jackrabbit Care)

See also: Things parents should never say to their kids

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