Fostering Curiosity
Curiosity is the drive to explore new, challenging, and uncertain events. In a world where a lot ideas are just put in front of us through video games, TV, and devices, we find that good old fashioned curiosity is in short supply. Sure, we can use the devices to foster our curiosity, but the hands on side of exploration and trying in the real world has been fading! It is much easier to watch someone else try it on You Tube than it is to try it and foster our own curiosity!
Encourage curiosity with open-ended toys and activities. Offer materials like paint, yarn, and popsicle sticks for creative projects. Pose challenges using ordinary items like paper clips and pipe cleaners.
Model curiosity by adopting an investigative mindset: "Let's see what happens!" Encourage exploration with questions: "What do you think?" "How do you know?" "How can you find out?"
