Mindful Monday Word-Curiosity
Curiosity, we have it in us or we don’t. Some of us are actually quite content with our lives, while others are always exploring, searching and fulfilling their curiosity to the world around us. A curious mind helps to stretch your awareness and all the beauty that surrounds us. I mean after all, not everything is black and white! As an adult, we usually are curious about many things, such as how a couple has such a great relationship, or, how your neighbor has such a beautiful lawn, or, how your friend can cook such delicious meals. It all takes work that’s for sure, and, they probably had a curiosity about a topic which they explored and found a passion for. I hope that not one of us take our lives for granted and just settle, knowing that there are different opportunities for improvement, for knowledge, to learn and to grow what sparks our interest.
How do we teach a child to be curious?
Here are a few tips to encourage curiosity in your child:
First, show them the beauty that surrounds them, it’s a great big beautiful world we live in
When you spend time with family your child will begin to want to learn more about your siblings, grandparents, family members all creating a curiosity to where they come from
Encourage your children to engage in activities, indoors, outdoors and within your own family
Encourage your child to explore and find their interests and build on this
Prompt creative thinking to build a curiosity on a topic
I think an important thing to do is to let a kid be a kid. Don’t try to make them into you! Let them find who they are, their likes, their passions, their talents are all there for the taking! Allow them to be a kid and grow into the best version of themselves. Giving them a firm foundation is the BEST thing a parent can do for a child. Just think if Thomas Edison had no curiosity, or if Alexander Graham Bell wasn’t curious? There a so many great inventors and they grow every day. These people are curious, they experiment and they look for solutions. Your child could be of them! Let your kids be kids!
If your child isn’t curious, how can you encourage curiosity?
As in daily life, be a role model for your child, they are watching you, listening to you and most likely modeling your behaviors
When your child is curious, learn with them, follow their interests
Be your child’s go to for questions they have and explain things on their level
Encourage your child with questions of your own and find the answer together
Create an environment for learning, especially if you know your child’s interests
Try to redirect your child, don’t discourage them, keep encouraging them with their adventure
I like to think a rule of thumb is the fact that you, the parent, the guardian, sometimes a village is responsible for teaching, guiding and being their for a child. Wouldn’t you much rather be the one who teaches your child the basics in life, guides them to explore the many opportunities that are awaiting them? When a child has a firm foundation, a safe and respected space, confidence and feel validated to want to learn and grow, they will! We all learn differently, some may learn by reading about a topic, some may learn by experiencing a hands on experience on the topic, some may learn by seeing or doing. By simply exposing a child to learn new things in a safe environment will open their mind, their curiosity and guide them in the direction they find interest in.
TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin