Proin enim neque, dapibus a rutrum vitae, semper sed urna. Integer placerat, metus sed luctus tempus, ipsum felis facilisis sem, vitae fringilla lorem ante eget ipsum.
How it works?
The mind of a child has an internal desire to learn what motivates them to seek out new experiences.
We’re born with unbridled curiosity. One of the things a parent does most is to wipe things down that have baby drool on them. You just can’t keep a child from grabbing, touching, hitting, gnawing, and drooling on everything they can reach.
From the very beginning a child is trying to understand the world around them.
We continue this quest through adulthood because there is always something new to absorb and learn. At least that is what we SHOULD be doing.
What do you do if you’re left alone in the doctor’s waiting room, with no magazines and no TV?
Add to that the fact that you didn’t charge your phone so you don’t even have that device to feed your entertainment need. Do you still know how to fill your time? To occupy your mind? To think back on recent conversations or the beauty of the flowers you saw on your walk yesterday. What so you use to stay sane?
*“Curiosity is the engine of achievement”* **– Ken Robinson**
There is an opportunity here.
Our device-laden, entertainment, dependent lifestyle encourages (and allows) us to be intellectually self-sufficient.
Developing curiosity helps a child to be willing and able to continually grow, learn and question what is around them. To develop an imagination and sense of creativity.
A few indicators of curiosity are:
- A child who daydreams about being an astronaut.
- A child that puts together their own very unique outfits in the mornings.
- A child who doodles and draws.
- A child that isn’t satisfied with a one-sentence answer to a question that they may ask such as “Why did the dinosaurs die?
- An older child that sets up a lemonade stand or helps a neighbour out with chores to raise money for a toy.
A child that doesn’t develop curiosity is not going to be an adult who innovates.
Below are a few points that I think about when wishing to push for more curiosity in my life:
- It counteracts boredom.
I think 90% of the trouble that I got into as a kid (and still now) started with boredom. Healthy curiosity gives us the ability to go “un-entertained” without incident.
- It cultivates an active mind.
If I can imagine, I can occupy and entertain myself. I am more likely to be able to figure things out in a variety of situations – on the fly.
Curiosity basically makes me be able to solve my own problems.
- It inspires persistence.
If you I can’t think of alternate ways of doing things, I will quit. A “burning curiosity” refers to an undismissable impulse to know why, what, how. Curiosity makes me want to know more and I won’t quit until they do.
- It counteracts self-absorption.
Curiosity gives me drive to reach for the next milestone.
When I am leaning into curiosity I believe I am less likely to be selfish, entitled, and materialistic.
- Setting up long-term success.
I believe those who ask questions and refuse to accept the status quo transform, lead, live adventurous lives, and are personally happiest.
How am I helping my kids to be curious?
- Teaching them to be flexible thinkers and doers.
- Encourage (and allowing) them to make their own choices.
- Helping them feel confident and competent enough to explore.
- Supporting and sharing in their exploration and discovery.
- Interjecting novelty and challenge into their routines.
- Leaving a little leeway for curiosity to grow.
Keen to be more curious? Why not jump into one of our seeds and take some action with us…
We are here to ‘seed action’ and lead with curiosity.
Till next time.
