The smartest children are those who ask: ‘Why?’

IT IS the simple word that drives many parents mad – ‘Why?’

But children who ask such questions should be encouraged, researchers say, as those who appear curious are more likely to perform better at school.

The study of 6,200 pre-school children found the most inquisitive were more focused in class and achieved better results in reading and maths.

And while children from less privileged backgrounds tend to do worse at school, the most curious in this group performed as well as their better-off peers, researchers said.

Lead author Dr Prachi Shah, from the University of Michigan, said: ‘Promoting curiosity in children, especially those from environments of economic disadvantage, may be an important, under-recognised way to address the achievement gap.

‘Our results suggest that while higher curiosity is associated with higher academic achievement in all children, the association of curiosity with academic achievement is greater in children with low socioeconomic status.’

Although youngsters from less privileged families may be more restricted to these resources, curiosity could drive a desire to learn, the researchers believe.

The team analysed 6,200 children at nine months and two years old, and again when they started school at around five. Questionnaires were completed by parents to determine their youngsters’ level of curiosity.

The findings were published in the journal Pediatric Research.