As a parent, it’s likely that you have become very familiar with the endless string of questioning that comes from children as soon as they are able to put sentences together. While it can be quite annoying from time to time, this endless stream of questions is an expression of innate curiosity and wonder about the world that they are so new to.
Plain and simple, children are curious at their very core. This eagerness to explore and discover the things they are exposed to each day is truly a gift, and it is also the first step to a child obtaining knowledge. Being curious is a great motivator for learning. Think about it. When you are curious about something what do you do? You seek the answers and suddenly you have more information and knowledge than you did before. As educators at First Class Child Development, we make it our mission to foster this curiosity in order to help your child to become a more intelligent person. How can you do this when they are not in the classroom? Allow us to explain.
Exploration & Unstructured Play
While some parents may think that a structured learning schedule is the only way their child can gain knowledge, we would disagree. Setting aside time for exploration and unstructured play is a fantastic way to acquaint your kid with different aspects of the world, as well as a plethora of new information. One way in which you can do this is to provide your child with the ability to create on their own. Simply supplying your child with markers and paper and allowing them to create whatever they want will likely lend to them developing more than instructing them to draw a certain thing ever could.
Mix Things Up As Often As You Can
Variety is the spice of life and giving it to your child will absolutely benefit them in the long run. Take your child to different places around your city or town and allow them to soak up as much as they can. Try visiting places like the library, zoos, parks, museums, and more. Exposing your kid to different surroundings that inspire curiosity about the world will give you the opportunity to educate them even when they are not in the classroom.
Be Patient When It Comes To Endless Questions
We know that the endless curiosity of a child can easily wear on a parent’s nerves. On the other hand, we would urge you to be a patient as you possibly can. Squashing this curiosity by refusing to answer questions or by telling your child that you will discuss it later is never the answer. Supporting your child in fostering their curious side will absolutely help them in their studies and make them a more well-rounded person as they grow up.
Encourage Questions and Additional Conversation
Not only should you do your best to be patient about the questions your child has about the world, but we would also recommend that you ask questions back. Encouraging your child to explain their thoughts or answer questions about things you have already spoken about will engrain the knowledge in them. Attempt to ask your child questions about what they think would happen in certain scenarios or how much they know about certain things that you have educated them about in the past.
Showing your kid that an innate curiosity about the world around them is important and beneficial is a lesson that they will remember for the rest of their life whether they are in the classroom or not. So, what are you waiting for? Start helping your child to be their best self right now
