Curiosity is a good thing, right? For those of us who have had one or more super-curious children, we might not be so sure. Of course we want our children to have a healthy interest in the world, but what do you do when you are raising an incredibly curious child? How do you keep her intellectually stimulated, answer all those questions, and keep her safe at the same time?
Most children have a natural interest in the world around them and are eager to head off exploring as soon as they are able. This is why we are all cautioned to get our homes baby-proofed and safety-inspected BEFORE our baby starts moving. But ask any parent of a super curious child and you will soon discover that ordinary baby-proofing isn’t enough. There are those children who want to take everything apart to see how it works, who wander off in search of adventure, and who ask a billion questions about the whys and hows of everything. How can a parent keep up?
Well, we might not always be able to keep up, but we can make an effort to stay a step or two ahead of the child. Make sure there is plenty of interesting and safe things for the child to do. You might even have to go beyond what is recommended for your child’s actual age in order to keep things stimulating and interesting. A bored, curious child tends to get into more trouble and danger than one who is busy and involved. As you get to know your child, you might be able to anticipate what sort of things will inspire her curiosity. If she is a social wanderer or fascinated by parts and electronics–this knowledge can help you to feed that curiosity and look out for the areas that might pose a danger.
Additionally, get others involved in your child’s life that you can trust. It won’t be nearly as exhausting for you if you are not the one who always has to answer all those questions! Schools, classes, activities, camps, and trusted teachers and adults can help you guide your curious child and keep him safe in the process.
Also: Promoting and Encouraging Curiosity