3 tips on raising an inquisitive child
It’s important for parents to encourage their children to be inquisitive, because this will help them with learning for life. As they investigate and ask questions, they develop a stronger understanding of the world around them and how things work. I have teamed up with a pre-prep school in London to share some advice on how you can raise an inquisitive child.
1. Make time to answer your child’s questions
Firstly, you’ll need to make time for your child to answer their relentless questions. When you’re busy it can feel a bit annoying but turning them away will make them reluctant to come to you with their queries again in the future. Even if you don’t know the answers, let them know that you think they’ve asked a great question and use it as an opportunity to do some research together. Doing so will show your child that even adults are still learning and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
2. Help your child to think outside-of-the-box
Be sure to ask your child some questions in return. The trick is to get them thinking outside of the box. Ask them things like “What do you think of…” and “Why do you think that might have happened?”, so that they have to give you more than just a one-word answer and truly put some thought into it. Asking them questions will also show them how normal it is to be curious.
3. Keep your child stimulated
It’s also worth mixing up your routine from time to time to ensure your child is stimulated and able to explore new things. If they do the same thing every day, they will soon run out of things to be curious about. Here are some ideas to keep your child stimulated.
- Plan a day trip to a new place once in a while and explore the surroundings and town
- Spend time in Nature – go for long forest walks and visit different Nature Reserves. There’s a lot your child can learn by being in the outdoors
- Visit museums and art galleries
- Enrol your child in different after-school/extra-curricular activities; let them experience new skills/ sports
- Try a new recipe for dinner once in a while and involve your child in cooking the meal
Follow these tips and soon you will see that your child is more curious about the world around him, and wants to discover new things for himself.
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