My friend asked me to help her 7-year-old son with Maths since he won’t listen to her at home. Not a new problem, I’ll say.
So there we are busy solving addition with regrouping (that’s the borrowing method for the uninitiated), when he suddenly looks up and asks me a totally unrelated question.
My thinking got totally derailed but I kept the conversation going, trying my best to catch up.
He wanted to know what we should do in case of an earthquake since we live on a high rise. He went on spouting options and why they may or may not work.
I had to interrupt this intense analysis and ask him what had triggered this line of thinking.
Oh, they talked about natural disasters at school today.
Why didn’t you ask your teacher about that then?
She said don’t waste time now and look up on YouTube.
Wow, that’s one helpful teacher. Honestly, I felt like picking up the phone and giving her a piece of my mind.
And now we wonder why children are not curious and inquisitive.
We’re Wired to Ask Questions
Curiosity is a natural part of the human character. It’s this innate curiosity which has led us to where we are now.
According to psychologist George Loewenstein’s ‘Information Gap’ theory, it’s the gap between what you know and what you want to know that drives you to ask questions and learn more.
So, why keep the children in the dark? Why do you want to continue to live like the cavemen?
Why are the children not encouraged to think, ask and seek answers?
Asking questions is the mind’s way of telling it’s hungry, it needs more information to fill its appetite, and it’s thirsting for more knowledge.
Children are unabashed about their ignorance and keep asking to make sense of the world around them. Everything is novel and they want to know more about it.
Their curiosity leads them to develop better thinking, be it analytical, critical or philosophical. It fans their creativity, making their imaginations run wild.
It helps them to understand and adapt to their surroundings, figure out relationships and interpersonal equations.
I would rather hear my students start with a “Why…?” than just nod their heads and say “Yes” for everything. That one little word has the power to open many doors, letting in the fresh breath of knowledge.
How to Encourage Questions
I’m not a science person but I enjoyed teaching that to my primary kids because each class was like a Pandora’s box. The discussions meandered and we would discuss a whole lot of ideas, sometimes totally off the lesson.
Preparing for class meant me retrieving the old encyclopaedias my kids had used long ago (and which are still around on my bookshelf).
During online classes, the only good thing was I could share and show them many videos explaining simple concepts. Later we would have the most lively discussions. How I miss those interactions!
That incident (about the earthquakes) frustrated me to think that a teacher would dismiss a child’s curiosity in that way.
Talking about the earthquakes revealed how a child’s mind is constantly whirring with many unanswered questions. It’s not a distraction but an invitation to dive into unplanned learning.
Stunting their Intellectual Growth
By discouraging curiosity and their inquisitiveness, you’re setting the wrong precedence.
You’re restricting their desire to learn and limiting their intellectual growth.
The child may feel ignored or neglected when you say it’s not important or find out the answer yourself.
I agree you’re always running behind schedule with these kids but it can be handled more sensitively.
Can we discuss this later? Or I need to find the correct answer and then we can talk about it. Anything but a snub; try postponing if you want.
It may develop a sense of insecurity and self-doubt in the child. Maybe it was not an intelligent question, maybe I’m too stupid and don’t understand simple things.
And if it’s done in front of the other kids, then the child may even face ridicule by the other classmates.
Don’t mock or joke about their questions when they ask you something. It’s discouraging and humiliating for the child.
This is not how you can nurture future thinkers.
Keep the Spark of Curiosity Alive in Children
Curiosity is the elixir for growth. A child who asks questions becomes a lifelong learner if nurtured well.
Starting early is important. Just buying books and expecting them to soak them up is not the right way. You’re not going to get the next Einstein like this.
Not all kids are ready for books, especially these days. Weaning them off the phone or laptop needs you to up your game.
Fuel their curiosity. Visit museums, parks, zoos, forts or exhibitions, instead of spending time in malls or watching mind-numbing reruns on TV.
Spend time together going through some videos. OK, don’t keep watching a dozen at a stretch, just one or two. Then ask them open-ended questions.
Listen to what they’re saying or asking.
Actively participate in the discussion.
Show genuine interest in the child’s enquiries.
Your attitude will encourage the child to seek more information. They feel like they can ask and not get brushed off.
This motivates them, makes them more observant and keeps their minds active.
This curiosity also builds their capacity to adapt to new challenges. Uncertainty doesn’t overwhelm them; instead, it triggers their curiosity further.
Finally
Nurturing curiosity is not a 3 step process but a continuous lifelong journey.
It’s like that eternal flame that grows brighter with every new input.
Don’t douse that flame. Nurture their curiosity.
Be patient with their questions. Find different ways to foster an environment where curiosity thrives.
You never know when they’ll come up with some gems.
We need these young curious and inquisitive minds because they hold the answers for the future.
And as parents and educators, when was the last time you tried to seek answers for something you didn’t know? No harm in reconnecting with your curiosity!
