Key points:
- Lack of engagement can be a major curiosity killer for children, and engaging with them while they explore and learn can encourage them to continue exploring and developing their curiosity.
- Positive reinforcement, such as attention and admiration, from others when a child shares their discoveries can encourage them to continue exploring and experimenting.
- Emotional availability, reliability, and creating structure can help children feel safe and develop strong relationships with caregivers, which can have a positive impact on their overall development and curiosity.
We have referred to the importance of curiosity before and have given recommendations to keep it alive. Today we will talk about a specific curiosity killer that’s very critical: absence or lack of engagement.
Discovery and mastery, when shared, become a remarkable experience. We are social creatures, and the most positive reinforcement your little one can get when exploring is attention. When your child discovers something, they’ll be very excited to share it with you. The admiration and interest they will receive from others will make them feel glad to have experimented.
When they are out exploring, tons of questions will pop into their mind and they’ll need someone by their side to them with. Answering their questions will encourage their curiosity and will help them keep these facts in hand so they can share them with friends or their teacher later on. This can also help them develop memory skills, something they’ll be needing for everyday tasks. When they can finally make use of their discoveries, they will also put their problem-solving skills to the test. All of these directly influence your child’s ability to engage in science, mathematical thinking, and logic.
Being present
Knowing they have someone who cares, supports, and supervises their play and explorations will make your little one feel safe. Safe enough to take small risks and become interested in unpredictable events. Something so valuable, that it will influence their entire lifelong learning.
When a child feels safe and has meaningful relationships with their caregivers, they make better use of their curiosity, feel at ease, and experience less stress. According to research conducted by Kaiser Insurance Company, a child that feels safe has a stronger foundation for their growth. Besides, strong relationships can also positively impact self-regulation, social skills, and self-care.
How to make them feel safe?
Being emotionally available for your little one is basic when making them feel safe. Here are some tips:
- Be sensitive: Be aware of your little one’s needs and attend to them in a loving way. Also, listen to them and give your best to understand the root of their feelings and actions. Hugging them when they feel scared or sad can also be a great way to be present.
- Create structure: Certainty in their routines can contribute to their well-being. Knowing that you will be present at dinner time, or any other moment that fits your schedule, makes them feel confident and reassured.
- Be reliable: Keep your promises. If you say you will pick them after dinner do your best to be on time.
- Keep calm: Not displaying frustration or anger when you engage with your little one can go a long way when forming a loving relationship with them.
Your presence contributes to the loving relationship between the two of you. You give them a sense of safety, comfort, confidence, and encouragement, that will truly support their curiosity and their overall development. Keep making the best of these wonderful years!
