MENUMENU
  • START HERE
  • Home
  • About The Merry Momma
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Work With me
  • Contact Me
  • Shop

The Merry Momma

Embracing Motherhood with Peace, Joy, and Intention

  • Motherhood
  • Family
  • Kids
  • Food
  • Homemaking
  • Books
  • Shop

7 Ways to Encourage Your Kids’ Curiosity (And Why You’d Even Want To)

March 8, 2021 By Lisa Mullen Leave a Comment

Kids’ natural (and insatiable) curiosity can be a challenge at times for parents, but it’s definitely something we want to nurture! If you want to develop their natural thirst for knowledge into a gift that will keep on giving the rest of their lives, take the following steps to encourage your kids’ curiosity.

7 Ways to Encourage Your Kids' Curiosity | The Merry Momma

**Links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you click that link and purchase the product, I may receive a small compensation. I am, however, committed to honestly assessing the products mentioned. Please read my disclosure policy for more details. **

“I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Have you ever thought of curiosity as being “the most useful gift” a child could be given? If you’re a parent, I’m guessing it’s not your first inclination.


I know, our kids’ curiosity can be frustrating (and even kind of annoying) sometimes. The 1,003 questions they ask on a daily basis. The tendency to stop and examine every leaf, rock, and speck of dust that catches their eye. The urge to touch every single ever-loving thing.

It can even be downright dangerous when followed foolishly, such as wanting to see what happens when a fork is inserted into an outlet or experimenting with power tools without proper training.

Yes, curiosity can be a challenge for parents. But squelching it in our kids, whether out of fear or inconvenience, is a big mistake.

Curiosity turns kids into lifelong learners, which leads to growth and sets them up for future success. Therefore, it’s actually something we want to nurture!

If you want to develop their natural thirst for knowledge into a gift that will keep on giving the rest of their lives, take the following steps to encourage your kids’ curiosity.

Why You Should Encourage Kids’ Curiosity

Before we dive into the practical steps, let’s talk more about why we should do it. I briefly touched on it above, but here are some more specific reasons.

Curiosity:

  • Whets kids’ appetite for knowledge and leads them to become lifelong learners
  • Helps them become more observant of the world around them
  • Develops their analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Encourages deep thinking
  • Fosters developmental growth
  • Exercises the mind, which is like a muscle that gets stronger with continual use

Little Passports Banners

7 Ways to Encourage Kids’ Curiosity

Now that we’ve covered why you absolutely want to encourage your kids’ curiosity (even when it’s hard!), here are 7 ways to do it:

  1. Model it

    Kids learn best from observing us, so model a curious mind. Show an interest in the world around you, pursue your interests and skills, and ask questions out loud. Set an example of lifelong learning.

  2. Answer their (1 millllllion) questions

    I know, it can be a LOT. Kids ask hundreds of questions a day, and sometimes our weary brains need a rest. As much as possible, however, attempt to answer them or engage in further discussion. Shutting down their inquiries will not only hurt their feelings, it will also discourage future learning and critical thinking.

    And for the questions you don’t know, look up the answers with your child! Not only will it spare you the mental energy of trying to come up with an answer, but it will teach your kids how to research answers to their own questions, which is an extremely valuable tool for them to have.

  3. Ask them questions

    Turn the tables on them and ask questions right back! Whenever you’re together, ask open-ended questions such as “Why do you think…?”, “What makes this so…?”, or “How do you suppose…?” Encourage your kids to think deeply beyond their surface-level observations.

  4. Give them new experiences

    Expose them to new things to engage their curiosity. Visit new places, try new activities, introduce new cultures, or read about new topics. All of these will stimulate your kids’ curiosity, encourage learning, and broaden their perception of the world around them.

  5. Allow them the freedom to explore

    Give your kids plenty of opportunities to explore — both literally in the natural world around them, and metaphorically in various interest areas. Provide healthy boundaries, when necessary, but try to avoid placing too many restrictions and structure on their exploration. 

  6. Follow their lead

    Play a supporting role behind your kids’ lead. What are their current interests? What are their natural bents? Look for resources to feed their curiosity, such as books, magazines, documentaries, YouTube videos, or podcasts. (Here are some of our favorite podcasts for kids!)

  7. Don’t discourage it

    Yes, I’m telling you how to do something by telling you not to do the opposite. It’s so easy to shut them down without even realizing it, whether because their curiosity is inconvenient, exhausting, or maybe even worrisome. You may need to redirect their curiosity from time to time, but try not to discourage it.



SHARE WITH US: Which of these is the most difficult for you? Which one(s) do you feel you do well? Share with us in the comments below!

 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

  • 7 Ways to Raise Lifelong Readers
  • 20 Gratitude Prompts for Kids of All Ages
  • 50+ Indoor/Outdoor Independent Play Ideas for Kids
  • 8 Drawing Tutorial YouTube Channels For Kids
  • My Honest Review of Little Passports

7 Ways to Encourage Your Kids' Curiosity | The Merry Momma

(Visited 190 times, 1 visits today)

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Motherhood Tagged With: Kids, Lifelong Learning, Parenting

Share your thoughts! Cancel reply

Follow The Merry Momma

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
FREE email series - 5 Days to a More Joyful YOU!

Have you been feeling run down, worn out, or frustrated by motherhood? Restore the joy to your mothering with this FREE 5-day email series!

25 Family Favorite Dinners | Quick & Easy Dinners

About Me


Hi, I’m Lisa! I am first and foremost a child of God, and secondly a wife and mother of two precious little misters and one sweet little missy.

I'm here to encourage, inspire, and offer practical help for moms to empower them be the joyful, peaceful, and intentional mom they want to be!

Become the Master of Your Meals!

Become the Master of Your Meals with The Every Mom's Meal Solution Handbook

Facebook

Want to Be a More Joyful Mom?

Get the body you want after baby with MUTU System

Popular Posts

  • How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes That Have Been Dried
  • How to Easily Remove Dried Sticker Residue From Clothes | The Merry Momma How to Remove Sticker Residue From Clothes {in 30 Seconds Or Less!}
  • The Best Bibs for Heavy Droolers The Best Bibs for Heavy Droolers
  • My Second Baby | The Merry Momma 7 Things I Wish I Had Known Before My Second Baby
  • Mommy and Me Activities 30 “Mommy & Me” Activities to Do With Your Kids

Shop The Merry Momma!

The Merry Momma Manual print version
The Merry Momma Manual – Print
$9.99

BUY ON AMAZON

Picture of The Merry Momma Manual Ebook
The Merry Momma Manual {Ebook}
$10.00

Add to cart

Glitter & Dirt T-Shirt
$18.99

BUY ON AMAZON

Meal Solution Handbook paperback
The Every Mom’s Meal Solution Handbook – Print
$9.99

BUY ON AMAZON

The Every Mom's Meal Solution Handbook
The Every Mom’s Meal Solution Handbook
$10.00

Add to cart

I Love Coffee mug
I Love Coffee, I Love Tea Mug
$14.99

Buy Now

Work In Progress – Youth
$16.99

Buy Now

Love the Ones You're With
Love the Ones You’re With: 30-Day Joyful Motherhood Challenge {Print}
$9.99

Buy Now

Strength & Joy Shirts
$18.99

Buy now

Ebook version
Love the Ones You’re With: A 30-Day Joyful Motherhood Challenge {Ebook}
$7.00

Add to cart

(Note: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.)

Copyright © 2023 · The Tiffany Theme by Blogelina · Built on the Genesis Framework

Copyright © 2023 · The Tiffany On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in