How To Raise Inquisitive Children
1. INSTILL COMPETENCE
Most of us feel that if the child can identify mysterious, interesting and complex elements, then they are curious. However, that is not the case and it is certainly not enough. Children need to feel that they can understand the complexity of the matter that has caught their attention. We have to create opportunities for them to build skills that will enable this to happen.
One way to go about this is to give constructive feedback on their progress. Besides that, give them time to play without the pressure of not making mistakes and the fear of failure. Throw in praises when necessary.
2. TRAIN THEM TO BE FLEXIBLE
Teach your child to think and do things in a flexible manner. This can be achieved by getting them to look at things from all angles rather than thinking that there is only one way to go about things. They need to know that they can view facts from multiple perspectives and that there is never a dead end.
For example, if your child asks if human beings today are much more clever than 1,000 years ago, don’t answer yes or no. The honest answer is “it depends”. A lot of principles and things practised by people today were derived and found during ancient times.
By giving them this honest answer, it gets them to do their own research to find the answer and widen their scope of thought, along the way.
3. IMBUE CHALLENGE
Put in a regular dosage of challenge into your child’s activities. Most of the time, we choose activities that are easy for our children to do, in the name of wanting them to be in control and feel intelligent. Change that.
Assist them in choosing activities that require them to think hard and stretch their knowledge and skillset to the limit. Why not even choose a whole new activity? A new activity provides a new challenge for them as they have to learn it, practise and eventually master it.
It opens up an avenue for them to use their brains to the fullest to come up with solutions for the tasks that are involved, thus enhancing their abilities think out of the box.
WHEN THE FIVE-YEAR- OLD IS LEARNING TO JUMP ROPE AND HE TRIPS A THOUSAND TIMES, IT IS NOT FAILING REPEATEDLY – IT IS DETERMINATION
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