GROWIE's Preschool Development Corner Series 15
Grow Your Child's Sense Of Curiosity
Children have such a natural curiosity about so many things around them that it will be a shame for adults not to be able to exploit this curiosity to the advantage of children, in terms of helping them to learn.
Children's curiosity needs to be valued and recognised. If we keep shutting our children up, refusing to be patient with them and to give them room for inquiry and expression of views, we are actually suppressing this natural 'fuel' of their development, and denying them an otherwise bright future.
Yet many of us are (unintentionally) guilty of suppressing our children's curiosity: Frequently, we tell them to stop asking 'why' and 'just do'. Many a times we have also dismissed them as talkative, noisy, or even trying to be difficult, when they have only asked questions like "Why is the grass green?", or made comments like "I don't believe you. Caterpillars cannot be butterflies' babies. They look so different."
Hence, it is more important to ensure that children's curiosity stays with them. The following are some suggestions for parents.
Strategies For Encouraging Your Child's Curiosity
- Positive Reinforcement
Curiosity leads to the desire to explore, which in turn leads to discovery. But for children, there is greater satisfaction from discovering new things – and from sustaining the curiosity – if those they love and respect are there to share the discovery and provide an adoring gaze or comment. Give your child a rewarding nod of approval or an encouraging word of praise to enhance his confidence and help him sustain his curiosity.
- Recognising Learning Style
Different children learn things in different manners. Understanding your child's temperament, which has direct relation to his learning style, will help you better facilitate his process of exploration and discovery. Does your child prefer to explore with only his mind, or does he like to touch, smell, taste or climb? Is he timid or adventurous?
- Partnership With Teachers
Developing children's sense of curiosity and wonder of the world is a desired outcome that the Education Ministry has created for preschool teaching. Thus, work closely with your child's teachers and support them in their planning of lessons or programmes that strive towards achieving this outcome. You should both ascribe importance to the value of age-appropriate activities for your child, rather than just academic performance.
* Based on full year 2008 sales value data reported by Nielsen MarketTrack Service for Infant Milk category, GUM 3+ & 6+ Segment in Total Singapore. (© 2009, The Nielsen Company.)
^ Applicable for GROW SCHOOL®
+ Applicable for GROW®
To find out about more about new improved GROW® 3+, click here.
To find out about more about new improved GROW SCHOOL® 6+, click here.
If you’re trying new improved GROW® 3+ and/or GROW SCHOOL® 6+ for the first time, click here for a free sample.
For expert advice on paediatric nutrition, please contact Abbott Nutrition Careline at 6278-6220.
Back to top
