Ways to nurture child’s curiosity

To me, curiosity is necessary. It is a trait I admire in others, and one I nurture in myself. My desire to learn has become more pronounced with age, and it’s a characteristic I am desperate for my three children to have. I want them to be the ones constantly asking questions, seeking more knowledge.

While some curiosity is innate, it is a trait that must be continuously fostered. Parents can play an active role in cultivating a child’s ability to ask questions and seek answers, but doing that requires persistence.

Here are five ways to foster an inquisitive spirit in your child.

When your child asks you a question, don’t immediately answer. Encourage them to find the answer themselves. Point them in an age-appropriate direction — the internet, the library, a documentary — to help them build confidence by finding answers on their own.

Answer a question with a question. When my son asked if ashes from a volcano can burn you, I asked if he thought they could. He said he definitely thought they could burn you, so you shouldn’t build your house right next to a volcano.

Change your favorite bedtime story. Mix up the characters or the scenes in the book. Add or remove characters, or change the ending. Ask your child to imagine what the outcome would be if different parts of the story changed.

Give your children learning assignments. When an older child asks for something, have them research a historically significant person before they can get the desired item or activity. It could be an inventor, a world leader, an author or an ordinary person who made this world extraordinary.

Play a game of “Would You Rather.” Pose either-or questions, such as “Would you rather be Spider-Man or Batman? Spend the night sleeping in the rain or the snow? Live in a warm state or a cold state?” An added bonus: this can distract kids from beating on each other in the back seat during long car journeys.