How to Raise an Inquisitive Child

Inquisitive children tend to learn more because they are always looking for answers about how things work and what’s going on in the world around them. Babies and toddlers are typically more curious than teens because they have a lot more to figure out, but it’s a good idea for parents to nurture this inquisitive nature as their little ones get older so that they continue to seek out information and develop a deeper understanding about certain things. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to raising an inquisitive child, the following tips from a preschool in Surrey should help.

When trying to promote a certain attitude or behaviour within your family unit, it’s crucial that you act as a good role model. In other words, if you want your child to ask lots of questions, you should ask lots of questions too. It doesn’t matter if no-one knows the answer, it’s more about showing your child that it’s perfectly ok to be curious and think about what’s going on beneath the surface. When your child does come to you with queries, try not to shrug them off and turn them away because they might not feel confident coming to you again in the future. Try and promote an open and honest home environment, in which your child feels comfortable voicing their thoughts and expressing themselves, even if that means coming to you with difficult or relentless questions.

Try and introduce your child to new experiences on a regular basis; don’t just stick to the same routines all the time. While structure is great for children, it can be quite restrictive, because they won’t realise that there is still so much to learn about the world. Take them to stately homes or museums so that they can develop an interest in things like history and science. Visit zoos and farms so that they can learn about nature. There are also lots of activities you could do in the comfort of your back garden, like growing vegetables or bird watching, that will give your child a break from their digital devices. 

Encourage your child to pursue their interests, as they’ll be more likely to ask questions and learn about things that they’re actually fascinated with. You might love to read, but this isn’t an excuse to force your child to spend their spare time reading, when they might prefer doing jigsaws or climbing trees. There are plenty of educational activities they could engage in at home without you having to spend a fortune on toys or other supplies. Try and refrain from rewarding your child for doing something that they enjoy, because this will take the focus away from the learning process and pleasure of the activity to the expected reward. After all, you don’t want them to lose interest in something they love just because they no longer receive rewards for it.