Teach them to be Curious: Independent Learning
Non scholae, sed vitae discuimus. (We learn, not for school, but for life.) ~ Seneca, c. A.D. 65
The goal of teaching your child to be curious is independent learning. This involves not only teaching them to seek out information for themselves, but encouraging them to retain it for the long-term. It means learning not for a test or quiz, but carrying that knowledge with them into the future. Learning independently can give children a sense of accomplishment: “Look what I learned! Let me tell you about it!” They become more confident in their ability to learn on their own.
So how do you teach them to be curious? How do you get them to wonder about the world around them? What would make a child want to learn about something new? If they have been in a traditional school setting already, they may be used to receiving information, but not searching it out themselves. Maybe this is how you learned as well. Teaching them to be curious involves a shift in mindset, yours and theirs. It means actively seeking new information and incorporating that information into their existing knowledge base. It also means discerning truth from error, right from wrong, objective from subjective.
A good way to start is by modeling curiousity for them! You can show them that learning about a subject is exciting and opens up new worlds to them. Ask them questions about everything you can think of: Why do flowers close up at night and open in the morning? Why are the birds singing, and why do they each have a different song? Why does water stay level in a cup if I tip it? Why does a flame go out if I blow on it? What time should we go outside today? How many minutes until we leave? Asking them questions will not only get them thinking about possible answers, but will also show them how to be curious.
Do not feel the need to answer every question for them, or to correct every answer. Their wondering aloud at a possible explanation is part of the learning process. If they press you for an answer, encourage them to find it on their own. Having age-appropriate reference books or websites for them to explore with your help is a great way for them to learn independently. After awhile they will learn to ask the questions themselves! Do not be afraid if you don’t know the answer to their questions; that’s when you know they are truly learning to be curious!
Seek out resources which will encourage open-ended exploration of various topics: science encyclopedias, music listening CDs, poetry books. Search libraries and book sales for historical biographies, art books, almanacs, drawing instruction workbooks. Give your child a time each day, maybe a quiet time in the afternoon, to pick one of these resources to look through on their own. This will help them to learn independently, and to learn where to find answers to their questions.
Nature Journaling is also a great way to get children to be curious. You are engaging their senses and their minds while they learn to independently observe the world right outside their front door. Check out our section on Nature Journaling here.
Retaining information often happens more easily when a child has found found it on their own. Certainly there is a place in most subjects and at every stage of life, for receiving information from someone more knowledgeable than you. We do not dismiss that concept at all; rather, we try to incorporate both things at the same time. If a child is naturally curious about a topic, we direct them to a source which can answer their question. Knowing for yourself as the parent/teacher where to get factual information is a crucial step in teaching your child to be curious.