Children at their core are curious creatures that are delighted by simple things in life. Their ability to find magic in the smallest daily discoveries is something that many of us forget to do. As they grow, children begin to discover more about themselves and what makes them unique. If they are encouraged to dig into their passions and talents, they can grow into well-rounded adults. Unfortunately, it is easy to get sidetracked by the variety of digital distractions that bombard them. Thankfully, there are ways that you can help nurture curiosity in your child, even amid a tech-saturated world.
#1: Set limits on digital use.
Make sure you set limits on screen time. Maybe it’s an hour a day for your younger kids, or a bit more if your kids are older. Keep phones, tablets, and other digital devices out of the bedroom at night, too. These types of limits are healthy and necessary in a world saturated by technology. Giving your children unlimited access to their devices makes it harder and harder to unplug and connect in-person with the outside world.
#2: Connect in person.
One of the ways children stay curious is by learning from other people. Listening to the experiences, advice, and stories of the people in their lives that they respect and love is a great way for kids to pique curiosity about the great big world. So, ensure your kids spend time in person with others, rather than just through a screen. Set up regular in-person play dates or consider enrolling your kids in an extracurricular class that meets in person regularly. All of these things help encourage learning and inquisitiveness.
#3: Encourage adventuring.
Adventure outdoors with your kids, encourage them to explore, and give them the space to ask questions. Hands-on adventures are a critical part of growing up and learning what their interests are – and this stems from an innate sense of curiosity about the world.
Last, remember that maintaining a sense of curiosity doesn’t have to be just for your kids. Stay curious with them. Learn alongside them. Doing this shows your children that you value curiosity and are inspired to keep on learning, no matter how old or young you are.